eCADWorks Software

Overview
eCADWorks software is a library of AutoCAD drawings of Allen-Bradley
products. It runs from within AutoCAD 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,
2008, 2009 and 2010 versions and consists of a product selection utility and a
library of full scale drawings of Allen-Bradley products.
The product drawings are three-dimensional wire-frame drawings that contain
the product outline, important product characteristics, terminal identifiers, and
mounting locations.
If the AutoCAD Hide command is issued, the wire frames change to surfaces.
Each drawing has attributes (e.g., part number and description) that you can
modify or export as desired.
eCADWorks software is free and you can obtain it in several ways:
Downloaded from the Internet at www.ab.com/raise
On DVD from your local Allen-Bradley salesperson or distributor. Ask for
Publication PST-TD001F-EN-V.
The full suite of product selection tools is also available on DVD. Ask for
Publication PST-SG001F-EN-V.
PLEASE NOTE: The eCADWorks plug-in does not work with AutoCAD LT
or 64-bit versions of AutoCAD.


Accessing eCADWorks via the Internet
1. Access the Configuration and Selection Tools home page at:
http://www.ab.com/e-tools

2. Click on the Product Drawings tab:








3. You will have two options for download:

4. Click on the install you would like and follow the on-screen instructions.
Installation
If eCADWorks was not already installed on your computer prior to beginning this
session, please perform the following instructions to install it:
Remember to read the documentation that is included with the files.
1. Start Windows.
2. Insert the DVD into the DVD drive, the setup should start automatically
3. You will be presented with a dialogue box that will allow you to install the PST
application(s) you want.
4. Check the eCADWorks box and any of the other applications you wish to
install. Click OK and follow the on-screen instructions to complete your
installation.
Note: If you are performing an update, the applications you already have loaded will come up as
checked. Deselecting an application found on a previous installation will cause that item to be
UNINSTALLED.
Running eCADWorks Software
To run eCADWorks, perform the following steps:
1. Start AutoCAD.
It is recommended that you use the abecad.dwt drawing template file that is useful when you
start your new layout. It pre-sets up the node object snapping, the point style and other items to
make your eCADWorks project easier. This file is located in your eCADWorks directory.
(C:\Program Files\RAISE\abecad). You may move it to your AutoCAD directory if you prefer.
2. Load the eCADWorks application. This will allow you to run eCADWorks from
the AutoCAD command line. Follow either option below, the * represents
what version of CAD you are running (see screen shots)
a. Select Tools > Load Applications. Highlight C:\Program
Files\RAISE\ABECAD\eCADWorks*.arx (or ABECADr*.arx) and
select Load. If that file is not listed, select the Look in: dropdown
menu to browse for it.
b. Type APPLOAD in the Command Line. Follow the instructions from
above for loading the appropriate .arx file that pertains to your
AutoCAD version
(See your AutoCAD documentation for further explanation of the above commands)



Other CAD systems: The eCADWorks application is not supported. However, if your CAD system
supports AutoCAD 2000 or later DXF files, you can perform drawing selection and insertion
manually. The Drawings.xls spreadsheet contains all of the products loaded with drawings.
(This file can be found in the C:\Program Files\RAISE\ABECAD folder.)
Use the AutoCAD Insert command (or equivalent) to manually insert the desired drawing.

3. Run eCADWorks. Each time you wish to insert an eCADWorks drawing, type
eCADWorks (or ABECAD) at the AutoCAD command prompt and press
Enter or type a space.


4. Enter one of the following:
a. Type in a complete catalog number. For example, 509-BOD. If you
type a valid catalog number, the eCADWorks drawing will be
displayed. If the catalog number is invalid or if there is no drawing for
the requested device, a message will appear.

1. Select the appropriate .arx file
that pertains to your version of
AutoCAD

2. Click Load to add the .arx file to
your Loaded Applications

3. Add the .arx file to History.

4. Add the .arx file to the Startup
Suite by clicking on Contents and
adding the file. This will
automatically start eCADWorks
when you open AutoCAD.
*OPTIONAL
Examples of keywords are starter, IEC, push button and PLC.

b. Type in a Bulletin number, partial catalog number or keyword. This
will narrow down the product selection process. Multiple keywords
may be used and you need to separate them by spaces. For
example, IEC Starter.
c. Press Enter if you want assistance in selecting the product. This will
present the complete product selection library for your convenience.
A menu of available product categories will be displayed. Select the desired
category. A screen will appear, listing the characteristics of products in the
category (e.g., horsepower, coil voltage). As you select the appropriate
characteristics, the product catalog number will be created. After the catalog
number is determined and you are satisfied that you have selected the
desired product, click OK. The drawing for that product will be displayed.
Using the Product Selection Library
1. Run eCADWorks. Each time you wish to insert an eCADWorks drawing,
type ECADWORKS at the AutoCAD command prompt and press Enter or
type a space.
2. Press Enter if you want assistance in selecting the product. This will
present the complete product selection library for your convenience

The following screen will appear:





3. Select the general category of the product you wish to configure, navigating
through the outline as you would through Windows Explorer.



4. When you choose your product, a screen like the following will appear.


The center portion of the screen shows the current values selected for each attribute. The right
portion of the screen contains the actual values that are available for each attribute.
5. Fill in the data required. Choose each field by clicking on the field name. If
you see a question mark next to an attribute or accessory, click on it to fill out
the configuration data. If you see a check mark next to an attribute or
accessory, its accessory is configured correctly.
6. Notice how the catalog number at the top of the screen builds as you
configure the product. When you have a complete catalog number (that
contains no question marks), click Accept. You will not be able to click the
Accept button until the entire catalog number has been configured correctly.

7. When you are finished selecting the product, click OK button.
8. eCADWorks will then select the correct product drawing, pre-fill the device
attributes, such as catalog number and description and present the drawing
to you, ready for your positioning. (Note that certain products contain snapping origins
(nodes) that allow you to quickly and accurately position products that can be used together.
For example, PLC chassis contain nodes so that your module selections will snap into the
slots properly.)
9. Position the drawing to the desired location and press Enter.

Adding items from other Product Selection Toolbox
applications
You may drag and drop items from any equipment list into AutoCAD 2000 thru 2009.
Not all devices that can be configured in an Equipment List have eCADWorks drawings.
When dropping these parts into the AutoCAD workspace, you may see a tip the looks
like: This product instance does not contain any eCADWorks drawings. Parts that
define an eCADWorks drawing will have a tip that reads: Dropping this product instance
on this window will cause its eCADWorks drawing(s) to be displayed.
Follow these steps to put drawings of products selected in an equipment list into
AutoCAD 2000 thru 2010:
1. Open AutoCAD and load eCADWorks.
2. Open your Equipment List in a RAISE Application that displays Equipments Lists.
For this example, we will use Proposal Works.
3. Position Proposal Works so that the AutoCAD workspace is visible behind the
Proposal Works window.
4. Drag the product you want a drawing for and drop it into the AutoCAD Workspace.
5. It will ask for an insertion point to drop the drawing to. You can either click anywhere
in the open Workspace or Snap to an existing Snap Point.





eCADWorks User Tips
eCADWorks drawings are very versatile and you can view and use them in many ways.
The drawings are all 3-D and are accurate 1:1 scale in Millimeters or Inches. The tips
below highlight some of the more commonly used capabilities.
Wireframe vs. Solid
eCADWorks drawings are 3-D wireframes that turn into solids when the AutoCAD Hide
command is issued:

Other Views
When doing a panel layout, you may wish to do depth checking or perhaps you want a
side view of a product. Because the drawings are 3-D, this can be easily accomplished
using the AutoCAD View commands.
Click on View from the menu bar options and select 3D Views and select your
desired angle.
Click on a desired view from the View Toolbar or 3D Orbit Toolbar. (shown below
from AutoCAD 2006, it may vary depending on version of ACAD)



Example drawing: Micrologix Input Module.

The drawing on the left is shown as it appears as a
Wireframe. (Top View)

The drawing on the right is shown as it appears after
the Hide command is issued.

You can issue the Regen command to return hidden
lines to normal wireframes. By making eCADWorks
drawings wireframes, you can keep the library drawing
file size to a minimum.





SW Isometric View


Snapping
Some products have nodes built into them to facilitate snapping products together. Two
examples of this feature are the PLC products and the push buttons.
Nodes are essentially points. So node snapping can be thought of as snapping objects
to a point. When you use the ECADWORKS prototype drawing, your drawing will be pre-
set to node snapping. The point style will also be pre-set to a red cross-hair that is easily
visible. You may change the point style to something smaller after your layout is
complete if you do not wish the nodes to be obvious.
If you are not using the ECADWORKS prototype drawing, engage node snapping on an
as-needed basis by selecting the node button from the toolbox or make node snapping
the default through the DDOSNAP command that can be selecting Settings/Object
Snap/Node.
Example drawing: Micrologix Input Module - as previous
example with Wireframes.

The drawing on the left is shown as it appears in SW
Isometric View

Note that the Hide command has been issued, as the
drawing appears to be solid.

Push Buttons
The eCADWorks push button features offer realistic building up of the devices. For
example, in the 800F line you can select and place the operator you want. Then, select
and snap the latch you want onto the operator. Next, you can select and snap the
contact blocks you want into the positions you want them.
In some cases, you will need to rotate the contact block 180 to have it snap onto the
latch on the desired side. It should be apparent when you position the contact block if it
will need to be rotated. To make this function easier for you, when you select a contact
block, you will automatically be prompted to enter a rotation angle. If you do not wish to
rotate the contact block, simply press Enter.
eCADWorks Drawing Details
This section provides information on the eCADWorks drawings.
Displaying Attributes
By default, device attributes are not displayed. To display device attributes, use the
ATTDISP command.
Modifying Attributes
When you select a drawing, eCADWorks fills in most of the attributes automatically.
Several attributes are left blank, including Device ID, customer part number, and
customer note. You can edit the attributes using the DDATTE command.
Example of a Snap Point
Exporting Attributes
If you want to use the device attributes as input to your own bill of material or other
customized programs, use the AutoCAD command ATTEXT to export that information.
Attribute Names
The device attributes listed below are associated with each product drawing.
eCADWorks automatically fills in most of the attributes, while others are for user data.
Attribute Description
ac_vnd_label Manufacturer Name
ac_part_no Catalog Number
ac_descriptn Part Description
device_id Device ID
ac_cpart_no Customer Part Number
ac_note Customer Note
fastener Fastener Data
ac_scale_unit Unit of Scale
ac_view_code View Code, refers to 3-D drawings.

Layers
eCADWorks uses several layers. These layers are defined so the user can turn off
features that are not necessary and may be adding extraneous detail to the drawing. By
turning off a layer, the drawing is simply not showing the details from that layer. None of
the information on that layer is removed entirely from the drawing. Certain layers have
been defaulted as off. For example, if the user does not wish to see any attribute
information, the ATTRIBUTES layer can be turned off. It is recommended that the user
turns on the SNAP_POINTS layer for assistance in snapping drawings together. This
layer contains pre-defined snapping nodes to assist the user with common snap-to-
points
eCADWorks layers:
0 physical product data
AREA1 contains dimensions of the physical product data in the X-Y Axis
AREA2 contains dimensions of the physical product data in the Z Axis (May not
be present in all drawings).
DIMS-MTG-HOLES mounting holes and cutouts
SCALE contains a scale for use in CAD systems or Applications that have no
scaling mechanism for the drawings. This is particularly useful in exports of
AutoCAD drawings for use in image file formats. All drawings are saved in
Millimeters or Inches.
SNAP_POINTS this layer now contains all pre-defined snapping points.
Previously these were included on the DIMS-MTG-HOLES layer.

Colors
All entities in the blocks will have the color BYLAYER. The default color for layer 0 is
white, and the default color for the DIMS-MTG-HOLE is red.
Scale
The scale of all eCADWorks drawings is 1 to 1, either drawn in Inches or Millimeters.


Using RAISE User Defined Devices
This section provides information on using User Defined Devices. See User Defined
Devices for more details on defining parts.
RAISE User Defined Devices can now be used in eCADWorks. All that is necessary is
to provide eCADWorks with some minimal information in the definition of the device.
The eCADWorks - like way is to provide an AutoCAD drawing for the part and specify in
the part definition, the drawing file name in the AcadDwg property. The AutoCAD
drawing must also be copied to the DWG folder of the eCADWorks install.
The second way is to define minimal dimensional information for the part. The X, Y, and
Z properties specify these dimensions while the NormMountLoc property identifies
mountable functionality with the associated part. This method produces a box that
represents the part dimensions. No other detail is shown.

Updates & Technical Support
There are several ways to obtain updates and technical support for your applications.
For the Product Configuration and Selection website, tech support, and user forum:
Go to http://www.ab.com/e-tools.
To get to the User Forum click on Get Support Now and User Forum.

Technical Support:

Telephone: (414)382-4200
E-Mail: PST_Support@ra.rockwell.com