Icon Menus

16

Overview of the Icon Menu Wizard

Use the Icon Menu Wizard to customize the icon menus easily.

Copy, cut, and paste icons from one submenu into another. Drag icons to place those icons that are commonly used at the top, and those icons that are used less frequently at the bottom of the window. Create new icons to use when inserting components. Add new icon menu pages.

Once you click OK in any of the Add Icon dialog boxes, the following happens:

The new icon is created and saved depending on the status of the WD_SLB code in the environment file (.env). If WD_SLB is disabled in the environment file, the Images folder of the corresponding icon menu .dat file is created (if it does not exist) and new images are saved here. Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\Images\ Windows Vista, Windows 7: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\Images\ If you browsed to an existing image, the image is copied to the Images folder. If WD_SLB is enabled, the Images folder corresponding to the folder defined by the WD_SLB is created (if it does not exist) and new images are saved here. If the WD_SLB value is N:\Electrical\Menu then the folder

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N:\Electrical\Menu\Images is created and used. If you browsed to an existing image, the image is copied to the Images folder. NOTE You can enclose the image path within quotation marks if you do not want the images copied to the Images folder. The .dat file saves the absolute path instead. For example, if the image file edit box contains C:\Desktop\push_button.png, then the push_button.png is not copied to the Image folder.

The new icon is added to the end of the existing icon images in the Symbol Preview window of the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box. The relative path of the new icon information is written to the .dat file once you click OK in the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box. However, the complete path of the block or circuit is saved in the .dat file if the Block Name edit box or the File name edit box contains the complete path of the drawing file.

Add or modify icons using the icon menu wizard

Adds new or edits existing items and pages on the AutoCAD Electrical icon menus.

Copy, cut, and paste icons from one submenu into another. Drag icons within the Symbol Preview window to rearrange. Place icons used commonly at the top. Create an icon for components or circuits you insert, or an AutoCAD Electrical command you run.

The Icon Menu Wizard can be used to add or modify icons for both the schematic and panel symbol libraries. You can add new menu pages to the AutoCAD Electrical icon menu, and then populate them with your own custom symbols. Each new page can have icon selections that cascade down to other new menu pages.

Add a new icon to the menu

1 Create an AutoCAD Electrical compatible library symbol. For schematic symbols, follow the guidelines regarding the symbol ".dwg" file naming convention and required attributes.

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2 Click Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard. 3 On the Select Menu File dialog box, select the menu file (.dat) to modify and click OK. 4 On the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box, select Add Component to add a new icon to the menu. You can alternately select Command, New Circuit, Add Circuit or New Submenu depending on which type of icon you want to add.

Component: Adds an icon that inserts a component into the drawing. Command: Adds an icon that runs an AutoCAD Electrical command when selected. New Circuit: Creates a circuit and adds the icon (that is created from a new circuit) that inserts the circuit into the drawing. Add Circuit: Adds an icon (created from an existing circuit) that inserts the circuit into the drawing. New Submenu: Adds an icon that opens a submenu page when selected. You can then select an icon from the submenu to insert the specified component into the drawing or run an AutoCAD Electrical command.

5 On the Add Icon - Component dialog box, define the required information (such as symbol file name, image file, and block name) for the icon menu button. To select the image file of the icon, enter text, and then click Browse to select an existing image file. Click Pick to select a block from the active drawing (the block name then appears in the Image File edit box). Or, click Active to select the active drawing to use as the icon image file name. The icon options to define are different depending on which type of icon you are adding to the menu file (.dat). 6 Click OK. The new icon displays at the bottom of the Symbol Preview window. 7 On the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box, click OK.

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8 Click Schematic tab Insert Components panel Insert Components

drop-down Icon Menu. On the Insert Component dialog box, select the new icon.

Edit the properties of an existing icon in the menu

1 Create an AutoCAD Electrical compatible library symbol. For schematic symbols, follow the guidelines regarding the symbol ".dwg" file naming convention and required attributes.

2 Click Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard. 3 On the Select Menu File dialog box, select the menu file to modify and click OK. 4 On the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box, right-click the icon to edit and select Properties. 5 On the Properties - Component (Command, Circuit or Submenu) dialog box, edit the required information (such as symbol file name, image file, and block name) for the icon menu button. To select the image file of the icon, enter text, and then click Browse to select an existing image file. Click Pick to select a block from the active drawing (the block name then appears in the Image File edit box), or click Active to select the active drawing to use as the icon image file. The icon options to define are different depending on which type of icon you are editing. 6 Click OK.

Icon menu wizard

Modifies the icon menu. You can rearrange icons using drag and drop in the Symbol Preview window, add icons, create new submenus, delete icons, cut/copy/paste icons, and modify icon properties. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

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Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ NOTE You can lock the icon menu (.dat) file using the Windows File Properties dialog box so unauthorized users cannot modify the .dat file. In the Windows File Properties dialog box, set the file attributes to Read-only.
Menu The tree structure is created by reading the icon menu file (.dat). The displayed nodes are based on the order of arrangement of submenus defined in the .dat file. Menu: Changes the visibility of the Menu tree view. Up one level: Displays the menu that is one level before the current menu in the Menu tree view. Views: Changes the view display for the Symbol Preview window. The current view option is indicated with a check mark. Options include: Icon with text, Icon only or List view. Add: Modifies the icon menu by adding icons for commands, components, or circuits or add a new submenu.

Tabs

Symbol Preview window

Displays the symbol images corresponding to the menu or the submenu selected in the Menu section. You can drag icons within the Symbol Preview window for rearrangement (multiple selection is allowed) such as placing commonly used icons at the top and rarely used icons at the bottom of the window. NOTE When you move the cursor over an icon, the icon name, and block/circuit/command name display as tooltip information.

Right-click menus
Options for the Menu tree structure view Right-click a menu or submenu in the Menu tree structure view to display the following options:

Expand/Collapse: Toggles the visibility of the menus.

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New submenu: Creates a submenu in the tree structure and the Symbol Preview window. Cut: (available for submenus only) Removes the selected submenu and its contents from the list. You can then paste the submenu into another submenu or a main menu. NOTE The menu number does not change during a Cut and Paste. For example, if you cut menu number 100 and paste it into another submenu page, the pasted menu page is still menu number 100.

Copy: (available for submenus only) Makes a copy of the highlighted submenu and stores it in the Paste clipboard. You can then paste the submenu and its contents into another submenu or a main menu. NOTE A new menu number is created for the pasted submenu. The next available menu number (greater than 99) is assigned.

Paste: Adds the copied or cut submenu to the highlighted menu or submenu. Delete: (available for submenus only) Deletes the submenu and all related content. Properties: Opens a Properties dialog box to modify the existing menu or submenu properties like the menu name, image, or submenu title. The existing data in the *.dat file is overwritten with your changes once you click OK.

Options for the Symbol Preview window Right-click an icon or in empty space in the Symbol Preview window to display the following options:

View: Changes the view display for the Symbol Preview window. The current view option is indicated with a check mark. Options include: Icon with text, Icon only or List view. Add icon: Adds new icons (component, command, or circuit) or adds an existing circuit into the Symbol Preview window. New submenu: Creates a submenu in the Symbol Preview window and the tree structure.

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Cut: Removes the selected icon from the Symbol Preview window. You can then paste the icon into the desired submenu. Copy: Makes a copy of the highlighted icon and stores it in the Paste clipboard. You can then paste the icon into the appropriate submenu. Paste: Adds the copied or cut icon to the highlighted submenu. Delete: Deletes the icon. Properties: Opens a Properties dialog box to modify the existing symbol icon properties like the icon name, image, or block names. The existing data in the *.dat file is overwritten with your changes once you click OK.

Add icon - component

The icon name and symbol block name are saved in the active *.dat file (such as ACE_JIC_MENU.DAT) once you click OK the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box. The icon then displays at the end of the existing icon images in the Symbol Preview window of the Insert Component dialog box. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box click Add and then select Component. You can also access this dialog box by right-clicking in the Symbol Preview window of the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box and selecting Add Icon Component. TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

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Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon. Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11. Active: (It is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and was not saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

Name

Image file

The browsed image is copied to the Images folder and saved as a relative path in the .dat file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the Images folder. Save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png. Or, it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)". NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this

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option is selected by default. If you do not want to create the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box. NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected.) Zooms in on the current screen image using the AutoCAD Zoom command. Once you exit Zoom mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon. (This option appears once the Image file is specified.) Indicates the full path of the image file location where the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Location

Block Name to Insert

Defines the symbol block that is inserted when you click the icon in the Insert Component dialog box.
Block Name Specifies the symbol block name. The file name of the symbol can be typed into the edit box or you can enter it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing WBlocked drawing (*.dwg) file to assign to the icon. In this case the complete path of the drawing file is inserted in the edit box. Pick: Selects an existing block on the current drawing (for example, block recently created with Symbol Builder). WBlocked version (.dwg) must exist. Active: Inserts the active drawing as a block.

Add icon - command

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An icon can be configured to trigger an AutoCAD command, trigger an AutoCAD Electrical command, or run a script file. The icons that trigger insertion of multi-pole schematic symbol assemblies, one-line symbols, and panel footprints are examples that require encoding of special AutoCAD Electrical commands. The icon name and command string are saved in the active *.dat file (such as ACE_JIC_MENU.DAT) once you click OK on the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box. The icon then displays at the end of the existing icon images in the Symbol Preview window of the Insert Component dialog box. NOTE If you are modifying the panel menu file, use this option for inserting panel symbols. Also, use it for inserting 3-pole schematic symbols or one-line symbols. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. On the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box click Add, and then select Command. You can also access this dialog box by right-clicking in the Symbol Preview window of the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box and selecting Add Icon Command. TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Name Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon.

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Image file

Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11. Active: (It is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and was not saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

The browsed image is copied to the Images folder and saved as a relative path in the .dat file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the Images folder. Save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png, or it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)." NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this option is selected by default. If you do not want to create the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box. NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected.) Zooms in on the current screen image using AutoCAD Pan command. Once you exit Pan mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon. (This option appears once the Image file is specified.) Indicates the full path of the image file location where the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with

Location

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the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Command to Execute
NOTE If you select an AutoCAD Electrical command, manually enter the additional parameters as indicated.
Command Specifies to start an AutoCAD command or AutoCAD Electrical routine. You can enter the command name to execute with arguments. Click List to select from a list of AutoCAD Electrical commands for panel, schematic multi-pole symbol, and one-line symbol inserts. It makes it easier for you to build the appropriate command to insert a symbol. Displays the command parameters for a specific AutoCAD Electrical command. If the command does not have any parameters, the value none displays.

Parameters

Create new circuit

The icon name and circuit drawing name are saved in the active *.dat file (such as ACE_JIC_MENU.DAT) once you click OK on the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box. The icon then displays at the end of the existing icon images in the Symbol Preview window of the Insert Component dialog box. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box click Add, and then select New Circuit. You can also access this dialog box by right-clicking in the Symbol Preview window of the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box and selecting Add Icon New Circuit.

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TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Name Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon. Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11. Active: (This method is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and has not been saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

Image file

The browsed image is copied to the User folder if wd_userckt_dir is disabled in the .env file. NOTE The User folder can be overridden by the wd_userckt_dir defined folder if the environment code is enabled in the .env file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the User folder. Save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png, or it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)."

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NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this option is selected by default. If you do not want to create the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box. NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected) Zooms in on the current screen image using AutoCAD Zoom command. Once you exit Zoom mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon. (This option appears once the Image file is specified) Indicates the full path of the image file location where the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Location

Circuit Drawing File

Defines the circuit file name that is created.
File Name Specifies the file name for the circuit. Enter a drawing file name to use. Displays the complete path of the new drawing file that is created. The default user circuit folder is the User folder if the wd_usercktdir code is disabled in the environment file. If wd_usercktdir is enabled, the folder defined by this code is used as the user circuit folder.

Location

Add existing circuit

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The icon name and circuit drawing name are saved in the active *.dat file (such as ACE_JIC_MENU.DAT) once you click OK on the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box. The icon then displays at the end of the existing icon images in the Symbol Preview window of the Insert Component dialog box. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box click Add, and then select Add Circuit. You can also access this dialog box by right-clicking in the Symbol Preview window of the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box and selecting Add Icon Add Circuit. TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Name Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon. Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11.

Image file

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Active: (It is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and was not saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

If the circuit drawing file name contains the path of the drawing file referring to the User folder or the wd_userckt_dir defined folder, the browsed image is copied to the User folder if wd_userckt_dir is disabled in the .env file or the wd_userckt_dir defined folder if wd_userckt_dir is enabled in the .env file. If the circuit drawing file name contains the path of the drawing file that does not refer to the User or wd_userckt_dir defined folder, the browsed image is copied to the Images folder and saved as a relative path in the .dat file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the Images folder and to save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png, or it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)." NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this option is selected by default. If you do not want to create the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box. NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected) Zooms in on the current screen image using AutoCAD Zoom command. Once you exit Zoom mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon. (It appears once the Image file is specified) Indicates the full path of the image file location where the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Location

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Circuit Name to Insert

Defines the circuit to insert when you click the icon.
File Name Specifies the file name for the circuit. Enter a drawing file name to use, click Browse to select a drawing, or click Active to use the active drawing name as the circuit name.

Create new submenu

The icon name and submenu are saved in the active *.dat file (such as ACE_JIC_MENU.DAT) once you click OK on the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box. The icon then displays at the end of the existing icon images in the Symbol Preview window of the Insert Component dialog box. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box click Add, and then select New Submenu. You can also access this dialog box by right-clicking in the Symbol Preview window of the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box and selecting New Sub Menu. TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Name Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon.

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Image file

Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11. Active: (It is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and was not saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

The browsed image is copied to the Images folder and saved as a relative path in the .dat file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the Images folder and to save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png, or it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)." NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this option is selected by default. If you do not want to create the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box. NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected) Zooms in on the current screen image using AutoCAD Zoom command. Once you exit Zoom mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon. (This option appears once the Image file is specified) Indicates the full path of the image file location where the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with

Location

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the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Submenu
This section displays the menu number of the submenu page and allows you to define the submenu title.
Menu Number Displays the menu number of the submenu page for reference. Specifies the submenu title that is used in the Insert Component dialog box. It is automatically specified but you can edit the title. NOTE The submenu icon name and the menu title can be different. For example, the icon name is Cable Markers but the submenu title is Special Cable Markers.

Menu Title

Properties - main menu

Use this tool to modify the existing menu properties such as changing the menu name. Your changes overwrite the information in the .dat file Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box right-click the menu file to modify (for example, JIC Symbols) and select Properties.
Name Specifies the name of the main menu. The default changes depending on which menu you are working with (for example, JIC Symbols). Displays the file name and full path of the menu file. (for example, ace_jic_menu.dat).

Menu File

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Properties - component
Use this tool to modify the existing symbol icon properties such as changing the icon name, image, or block name. Your changes overwrite the information in the .dat file. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box right-click on the component icon to modify and select Properties. TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon. Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11.

Name

Image file

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Active: (This option is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and was not saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

The browsed image is copied to the Images folder and saved as a relative path in the .dat file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the Images folder and to save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png, or it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)." NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image (Available only when you edit the image file) Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this option is selected by default. If you do not want to create the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box. NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected) Zooms in on the current screen image using AutoCAD Zoom command. Once you exit Zoom mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon. (This option appears once the Image file is specified) Indicates the full path of the image file location where

Location

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the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Block Name to Insert

Defines the symbol block that is inserted when you click the icon in the Insert Component dialog box.
Block Name Specifies the symbol block name. You can type the file name of the symbol into the edit box or you can enter it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing WBlocked drawing (*.dwg) file to assign to the icon. In this case the complete path of the drawing file is inserted in the edit box. Pick: Selects an existing block on the current drawing (for example, block recently created with Symbol Builder). WBlocked version (.dwg) must exist. Active: Inserts the active drawing as a block.

Properties - command
Use this tool to modify the existing icon properties such as changing the icon name, image, or command. Your changes overwrite the information in the .dat file. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box right-click on the command icon to modify and select Properties.

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TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Name Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon. Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11. Active: (This option is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and was not saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

Image file

The browsed image is copied to the Images folder and saved as a relative path in the .dat file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the Images folder and to save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png, or it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)." NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image (Available only when you edit the image file) Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this option is selected by default. If you do not want to create

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the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box. NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected) Zooms in on the current screen image using AutoCAD Zoom command. Once you exit Zoom mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon. (This option appears once the Image file is specified) Indicates the full path of the image file location where the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Location

Command to Execute
Defines the command to execute when you click the icon. NOTE If you select an AutoCAD Electrical command you must manually enter the additional parameters as indicated.
Command Specifies to execute an AutoCAD command or AutoCAD Electrical routine. You can enter the command name to execute with arguments. Click List to select from a list of AutoCAD Electrical commands for panel and schematic multi-pole symbol inserts. It makes it easier for you to build the appropriate command to insert a symbol. Displays the command parameters for a specific AutoCAD Electrical command. If the command does not have any parameters, the value none displays.

Parameters

Properties - circuit
Use this tool to modify the existing icon properties such as changing the icon name, image, or circuit name. Your changes overwrite the information in the .dat file.

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Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box right-click on the circuit icon to modify and select Properties. TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Name Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon. Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11. Active: (This option is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and was not saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

Image file

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If the circuit drawing file name contains the path of the drawing file referring to the User folder or the wd_userckt_dir defined folder, the browsed image is copied to the User folder if wd_userckt_dir is disabled in the .env file or the wd_userckt_dir defined folder if wd_userckt_dir is enabled in the .env file. If the file does not exist, the Create Circuit alert dialog box displays asking you if you want to create the circuit. If the circuit drawing file name contains the path of the drawing file that does not refer to the User or wd_userckt_dir defined folder, the browsed image is copied to the Images folder and saved as a relative path in the .dat file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the Images folder and to save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png, or it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)." NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image (Available only when you edit the image file) Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this option is selected by default. If you do not want to create the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box. NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected) Zooms in on the current screen image using AutoCAD Zoom command. Once you exit Zoom mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon.

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Location

(This option appears once the Image file is specified) Indicates the full path of the image file location where the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Circuit Name to Insert

Defines the circuit file name that is created.
File Name Specifies the complete path and file name of the new drawing file that is created. The default user circuit folder is the User folder if the wd_usercktdir code is disabled in the environment file. If wd_usercktdir is enabled, the folder defined by this code is used as the user circuit folder.

Properties - submenu
Use this tool to modify the existing icon properties such as changing the icon name, image, or submenu title. Your changes overwrite the information in the .dat file. Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Icon Menu Wizard.

Toolbar: Miscellaneous Menu: Components Symbol Library Icon Menu Wizard Command entry: AEMENUWIZ Select the menu file to modify and click OK. In the Icon Menu Wizard dialog box right-click on the submenu to modify and select Properties. TIP To determine which *.dat file is active, in the Project Properties dialog box, Project Settings tab, Library, and Icon Menu Paths section, expand the Schematic Icon Menu File option. It is the schematic icon menu file listed in the *.wdp file.

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Icon Details
Defines the icon name and image.
Preview Name Displays an image preview of the specified image file. Specifies the name to appear in the icon, the description text, and the tool tip for the icon. Specifies the image file to use for the new icon. You can enter the image file name (or complete path) or select it using one of the following methods: Browse: Finds an existing image to use for the icon. You can browse for .sld or .png images. Pick: Selects an existing block name on the current drawing to use as the image file name. For example, if you select block HPB11, the image file name edit box displays HPB11. Active: (This option is unavailable if the drawing is a new drawing and was not saved) Selects the active drawing name to use as the Image file. For example, if the active drawing name is demo005, then the image file edit box has demo005 listed as the file name.

Image file

The browsed image is copied to the Images folder and saved as a relative path in the .dat file. Enclose the image path in quotation marks if you do not want the image copied to the Images folder and to save the complete path instead of the relative path in the .dat file. The entered image file name can be names like "PB1" or "CONTROL RELAY," file names with an extension such as pb1.png, or it can follow the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)}. For example, "S2(pb)" or "S7(control_relay)." NOTE The image file name cannot contain invalid characters such as \ / : " ? < > | and only .png and .sld image files are supported. Create PNG from current screen image (Available only when you edit the image file) Creates the .png image file from the current screen image. If the specified image file does not exist, this option is selected by default. If you do not want to create the icon from the displayed image of the current drawing, clear the check box.

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NOTE This option is unavailable if you enter an image file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} For example, S2(pb) or S7(control_relay). It is also unavailable if the Image File edit box contains the image file path instead of the image file name. Zoom (Available only when Create PNG from current screen image is selected) Zooms in on the current screen image using AutoCAD Pan command. Once you exit Pan mode and press Enter, the dialog box redisplays so you can finish defining the new icon. (This option appears once the Image file is specified) Indicates the full path of the image file location where the new images are created or the browsed images are copied to. If you entered a file name with the syntax {slide_library or dll file (slide or .png)} for the image file, the path of the .dat file or the WD_SLB folder displays here.

Location

Submenu
This section displays the menu number of the submenu page and allows you to define the submenu title.
Menu Number Displays the menu number of the submenu page for reference. Specifies the submenu title that is used in the Insert Component dialog box. It is automatically specified but you can edit the title if desired. NOTE The submenu icon name and the menu title can be different. For example, the icon name is Cable Markers but the submenu title is Special Cable Markers.

Menu Title

Use alternate icon menus

AutoCAD Electrical defaults to icon menu ACE_<standard>_MENU.DAT (where <standard>= JIC, IEC, AS, GB, HYD, JIS, PID, or PNEU) for schematic symbols and ACE_PANEL_MENU.DAT for panel symbols. These menu files are found in:

Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCADElectrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\

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Windows Vista, Windows 7: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCADElectrica {version}l\{release}\{country code}\Support\

You can create alternate or project-specific icon menus and have AutoCAD Electrical automatically use them instead of these defaults. An icon menu can be tied to a project so that when the project is active, AutoCAD Electrical references that special icon menu instead of the AutoCAD Electrical normal menu. The full path of the alternate menu and file name is saved in the project's .wdp file. You can save an alternate menu for schematic symbols and one for panel symbols. Assign specific icon menu files to a project

1 Click Project tab Project Tools panel Manager. 2 Make sure that the project is the active project, right-click on the project name, and select Properties. 3 In the Project Properties Project Settings dialog box, click the plus sign (+) next to Schematic Icon Menu File or Panel Icon Menu File. Click inside the edit box to change the path of the icon menu, click Browse to search for and select an icon menu, or click Default to use the default icon menu. 4 Click OK. NOTE If you make custom images or libraries for the menu, copy them to the same subdirectory as the menu file since AutoCAD Electrical looks for menu images in the directory of the active menu file.

Modify Icon Menu File Directly

Overview of the icon menu file
AutoCAD Electrical supplies several default icon (.dat) menus for schematic symbols and one for panel symbols. For example, the JIC schematic icon menu

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is defined by the contents of file ACE_JIC_MENU.DAT file and the panel menu is ACE_PANEL_MENU.DAT. These menu files are found in:

Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\ Windows Vista, Windows 7: \Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\

The other icon menu files include: ACE_AS_MENU, ACE_GB_MENU, ACE_JIS_MENU, ACE_IEC_MENU, ACE_HYD_MENU, ACE_PID_MENU, ACE_PNEU_MENU and WD_ABECAD. There may be times when you want to bypass the Icon Menu Wizard and edit the .dat text file directly using any text editor (such as Microsoft Notepad). It is important to maintain the menu file structure, otherwise your menu may not activate properly. Here are the first few lines of the first page and a submenu (JIC: Push Buttons) of the ACE_JIC_MENU.DAT file. Refer to it in the following sections. **M0 D0 JIC: Schematic Symbols Push Buttons |s2(s_pb)|$S=M3 Selector Switches |s2(s_ss)|$S=M6 Limit Switches |s2(s_zs)|$S=M8 **M3 D5W JIC: Push Buttons Push Button NO |s2(shpB11)|HPB11 Push Button NC |s2(shpB12)|HPB12 NOTE You can have an unlimited number of icons on each menu page. Before AutoCAD Electrical 2008, you were limited to 24 icons per page.

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Page structure of the icon menu

Each menu page starts with a menu number line preceded by two asterisks (**). The next line is an AutoCAD Electrical code, which defines the menu page format (such as how many rows, how many icon buttons per row). It is used for .dat files that are used before AutoCAD Electrical 2008. The next line is the title, with optional column labels, for the menu page. The rest of the lines define the information for each icon button on the menu page. These icons can either launch a command, insert a component or open a submenu.
**M0 JIC Symbols Menu number Main menu title. In the Insert Component dialog box, it is the main menu title in the Menu tree selection view and is also displayed above the Symbol Preview window of the dialog box. Description text of the icon. It is also the tooltip for the submenu page, command, or component to insert. In this example, clicking Push Buttons in the Insert Component dialog box opens a submenu. Image information with the syntax: slide_library_name(slide or .png). In this example, the slide library (or resource dll library) is s2 and the slide file (or .png image) is s_pb. NOTE If both s_pb.png and s_pb.sld exist, AutoCAD Electrical searches for the .png file first. If not found, looks for the s_pb.sld file. $S=M3 Submenu trigger. The syntax is: $S=menu number. In this example, menu 3 is used for push buttons. It is used to develop the Menu tree structure in the Insert Component dialog box.

Push Buttons

s2(s_pb)

Icon function - submenu trigger

**M3 D5W Submenu number (Used for .dat files before AutoCAD Electrical 2008) Indicates the number of rows in the menu. In AutoCAD Electrical 2008, you can have any number of rows or columns in your menu. This value is only

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used to structure .dat files in older versions of AutoCAD Electrical. JIC: Push Buttons Submenu page title. This displays below the main menu (JIC Symbols) in the Menu tree structure view of the Insert Component dialog box.

Add submenu pages Enter the definition for any new submenu pages at the bottom of the .dat file. A new Special Symbols submenu page added using the Icon Menu Wizard adds the following lines of text: **M101 SPECIALSYMBOLS Explanation:
**M101 Menu page number. User-created menu pages should begin at 100 since AutoCAD Electrical uses 1-99 for its own use. Menu page title

SPECIALSYMBOLS

Icon function - insert component

Push Button N.O. Description text of the icon. It is also the tool tip for the component to insert. In this example, clicking Push Button N.O. in the Insert Component dialog box inserts the component in the drawing. Image information with the syntax: slide_library_name(slide or .png). In this example, the slide library (or resource dll library) is s2 and the slide file (or .png image) is shpB11. Specifies the block name. The block name is searched in the symbol library search path as defined by the Project Properties dialog box and is inserted into the drawing.

s2(shpB11)

HPB11

Each entry consists of three parts separated by "|" characters. The first part is the text that is displayed in the Menu tree structure view or as a tool tip in

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the Symbol Preview window. The second part is the slide (or .png) name. Include the path to the .SLD. If the slide is contained within a slide library (or resource dll library) the format here is library_name (slide_name). The third part is the actual icon function. The function can be a symbol name to insert, a submenu trigger, or a command. A line that looks like this can be added by the menu wizard to insert a special switch: Special Switch | hzs11.sld| HZS11

Icon function - execute command

Clicking on an icon in the icon menu can also execute an AutoCAD Electrical command. The following example shows the syntax for commands: 3 Pole Disconnect |s1(shds13)|$c=wd_3unit HDS11
3 Pole Disconnect Description text of the icon. It is also the tool tip for the command. In this example, clicking 3 Pole Disconnect in the Insert Component dialog box runs a command. Image information with the syntax: slide_library_name(slide or .png). In this example, the slide library (or resource dll library) is s1 and the slide file (or .png image) is shds13. Code that executes a command. The syntax is: $C=command name {command parameters}. In this example, the command wd_3unit is run when the icon is clicked. Specifies the command parameters.

s1(shds13)

$C=wd_3unit

HDS11

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