New symbols can be created in 12d from existing drawn shapes, using a process nearly identical to creating linestyles. Read on to find out how.
If you have linetypes define in a DWG file, take a look at Linestyles and Symbols from DWG to see how you can import them into 12d.
Before creating a symbol, prepare the objects in 12d:
- Rotate the shape so it is horizontal (if not already).
- Move it to 0,0,0, as this becomes the symbol’s origin.
- Delete any redundant or duplicated geometry.
Tip: If creating multiple symbols, place each symbol on its own Model to keep things organised.
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Go to Project => Management => Tree
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Expand Symbols, then double-click “Create symbol”
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In the panel:
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Enter the symbol name and other details.
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Set the symbol type to World.
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Select either the Model or Strings containing the symbol geometry.
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Click <Process> and then <Write> to create the definition.
When writing the file, make sure Write to the Current Folder is selected, as the new symbol will need to be copied from the symbol.4d file into your user_symbol.4d .
In the project’s Working Folder, you’ll find the file: symbol.4d . Open this file in a text editor, such as Windows Notepad. The new symbol definition will appear at the bottom of the file.
If you have an existing user_symbol.4d file, open it in a text editor and copy/paste the new symbol definition to the bottom.
worldsymbol “EXAMPLE_SYMBOL” {
points
0 0
5 10
10 0
end
}
When saving the user_symbol.4d file, ensure the you set file Encoding: ANSI (See Saving Text Files )
Restart Required!
After updating your symbol file, restart your 12d project to load the new symbol definition.
More info on symbols is available in the 12d Reference Manual:
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36.2 Symbols
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36.2.2 Symbol Definitions