Symbols.4d

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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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12615″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

  1. Go to Project => Management => Tree

  2. Expand Symbols, then double-click “Create symbol”

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  1. In the panel:

    • Enter the symbol name and other details.

    • Set the symbol type to World.

    • Select either the Model or Strings containing the symbol geometry.

  2. Click <Process> and then <Write> to create the definition.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12617″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]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 )[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=”3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

Restart Required!

After updating your symbol file, restart your 12d project to load the new symbol definition.

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More info on symbols is available in the 12d Reference Manual:

  • 36.2 Symbols

  • 36.2.2 Symbol Definitions

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