Understanding Symbols

A symbol is a named collection of CC3 entities. Each symbol acts like a single entity. To use symbols, create a symbol definition that CC3 stores in an invisible section of the current drawing file. Then you insert copies of the symbol, called symbol references, throughout the drawing. Because each reference is only an image of the symbol definition, you can add hundreds of symbols without excessive memory usage. CC3 has lots of predefined symbols available in catalogs.

Use the Symbol Manager Symbol Manager to manipulate symbol defintions.

Use the Symbol Catalogs window to insert symbols

Symbol Definition

The list of entities comprising the symbol.
It is only visible when you edit it using the Symbol Manager
Definitions can be introduced into a drawing by inserting a part with symbols
Definitions should never be duplicated in a single drawing.
Deleting the definition will delete all references! The symbol will no longer appear anywhere on your drawing.

Symbol Reference

The on-screen "visible" representation(s) of the symbol definition. The reference gets its drawing information from the definition.
Can be inserted by using the Symbol Catalogs.window.
All symbol references have a symbol definition. References cannot exist without the definition.
When the definition is edited using the EDIT SYMBOL DEFINITIONcommand, all corresponding references update to reflect the edited definition.
There can be more than one reference for any definition.
Editing or erasing the symbol reference does not affect its corresponding definition in any way.
Symbol references can be rotated, scaled, or moved, but you can not make internal changes without exploding the symbol reference.
Exploding a symbol reference breaks it down into its component entities. Once a symbol reference has been exploded, it is no longer dependent upon the definition.

Smart symbols, when inserted, automatically align themselves with the span into which they are inserted. Also, they can automatically "cut" and trim off the wall upon insertion.

Smart symbols can be easily created with the simple addition of control points to the symbol definition. Not only does that permit easy symbol creation, but existing symbols can also be rapidly converted into ready-to-use smart symbols.

Symbols can also randomly rotate, arrange themselves into collections, and be shaded based on the current color. You can add these abilities to a symbol when you define them using Symbol Options.

Commands for managing symbols:

Use the Symbol Manager Symbol Manager to manipulate symbol defintions, or chose commands straight from the Symbols menu.

DEFINE SYMBOL creates a named symbol definition;
CLONE SYMBOL lets you copy an existing symbol definition to a new name;
RENAME SYMBOL instructs a symbol reference to use a different definition;
EDIT SYMDEF permits modification of a referenced definition;
LIST SYMDEF displays or prints a list of symbol definitions;
DELETE SYMDEF removes a symbol definition and references to it;
PURGE UNUSED DEFS removes unreferenced definitions;
DRAW SYMBOL inserts symbol references at any angle or scale.
You can also use Symbol Catalogs

To create a symbol definition, draw the individual entities, then use DEFINE SYMBOL to give it a name (up to 30 characters) and an origin point. CC3 moves the entities that make up the symbol definition to the drawing's invisible symbol area, ready to be referenced by DRAW SYMBOL.

To modify symbol references, create the new symbol definition, then use the RENAME SYMBOL to direct the references to the new definition.

Symbol definitions are part of the current drawing only. To share symbols among several drawings, create a drawing file that contains nothing but symbol definitions and save it as a CC3 Symbol Catalog (.fsc) file . You can then use the Symbol Catalog to add the symbol definitions and references to any drawing.

If symbols appear to behave erratically, EXPLODE them.

Colors and Symbols

By default, symbols will not change colors when you insert them into drawing. That is, all symbol references will display the same color properties as the definition, regardless of the current color.

However, symbols can be defined so that they will appear in the current color when inserted. The recommend method is the Color by Block method. Before defining a symbol, apply the Color by Block property to those entities you wish to color update. Do this by using Change-Color of SymRef command. Alternatively, you can use the PEDIT command [Edit > Properties…] and toggle the Color is color of Symbol Reference option. Any number of entities in the definition (none, some, or all) can use the Color Of SymRef property. Those that do not are "color locked". You can use the EDIT SYMBOL DEFINITION command to toggle Color by Block in existing symbols. Redefined symbols references will change to the color that was current when inserted.

The other method is to change the defining entity color to #31. Color #31 is a special "no change" color. Entities in the color #31 draw in the color current upon insertion. The CHANGE-COLOR OF SYMREF command has superceded this "no change" color method. COLOR OF SYMREF also provides much better compatibility when exporting to DWG/DXF file formats.

The Symbol Catalog

CC3 provides you with a unique graphical management system for your symbols. The Symbol Catalog allows you to:

Access separately maintained symbol catalog files (.fsc files);
Select and place symbols into your drawing with a simple point and click system.

Toggle the Symbol Catalog on or off using $image\tools.gif$ .

$image\btn_mini.gif$ More information on the Sympol Catalog