Electrical Palette

[Korel_Design]

Is there a training video somewhere that will instruct me in adding additional items to the electrical palette? I would like to have several different types of light fixtures (cans, surface mounts, pendants), just a generic ceiling fan with and without a light kit, smoke detectors, telephone, television, network, dimmers, timers, etc... so I don't have to go to the library each time.

 

Thanks y'all,

 

Jerry the K.

 

Chief X7 + Windows 7

[DRAWZILLA]

Use the " place lib. object" from the tools list in the customize toolbar DBX. Place that icon on your toolbar and open it and select any object in your lib.

[MarkMc]

A warehouse plan is another option.

I use a few-for instance a plan with a bunch of countertop items, appliances etc. Helps when you need a lot of similar items and want to set heights and layers ahead of time. Now that you mention the electric I could see using that myself, will put it on the list.

[Evolution]

Not sure, but couldn't you also create a custom electrical fixture/device folder and added it under either your electrical as a sub folder or in your library under custom library objects?

[Korel_Design]

Thanks guys!

 

In the "Electrical Defaults" DBX under "Default Library Objects", can I add to this list somehow? I see how I can edit the existing items in the list.

 

JK

[Joe_Carrick]

No, but you can copy the items you want in the Library to a folder in your User Library.  That way it's easy to find the ones you regularly use. 

[Korel_Design]

Thanks Joseph,

 

This is what I started doing with cabinets and such. I'm just getting started with CA from that other popular CAD program, that I was able to fully customize the menu system. As I sit here thinking how I can expedite the job, I think of a few things the folks up in Idaho could include in a future release. I will create a User Folder just for popular electrical items.

 

More to come.

 

Jerry K.

[Joe_Carrick]

Jerry,

 

I and many others have requested "Learnable Drop Down Menus" for many items in Chief.  It doesn't seem to be something that get's much traction. 

[glennw]

The other solution if you have a lot of items and don't want to go get them from the library is to create a new toolbar configuration with the commands, tools and library items that you need for a particular task.

 

Just as we have as OOB configurations like Space Planning configuration, Kitchen and Bathroom Design configuration, Default configuration, Terrain configuration, MEP configuration, etc, you can also create your own toolbar configurations so that you can switch the configuration with one click and have a specialised set of commands, tools, library items, etc.

One more click when you are finished and you can switch back to your default toolbar configuration. 

 

This is a neat way to work because it doesn't load up your screen with hundreds of icons that are only used occasionally or for a specific purpose. I have seen some users with so many toolbars and icons on the screen that there is hardly any room to draw. 

Think of a toolbar configuration like a library of more than just library items, but also including commands and tools that you would associate with those items.   

[Korel_Design]

I'll try and look into that one Glenn. Thank you. I like the Electrical "Palette" but only six items where there is room on my screen for over 30 and I can't add to it? It just seems like that would be a great place to place these items I use most. Then simply close the palette when not in use. I would love to see a DBX where I can add to a palette. Hint Hint. ;)

 

Jerry K.