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Table Of Contents
There are two key elements that make this work:
Vendor footprint library (.dwg) files - two symbols from this library are
shown here. These are for Allen-Bradley red pilot lights 30mm and 22.5mm
styles respectively.
Footprint mapping file (footprint_lookup.mdb) - a table is assigned to each
manufacturer.
Overview of footprint attributes/Xdata
AutoCAD Electrical doesn't have attribute or naming requirements for the
mechanical footprint block symbols. As AutoCAD Electrical inserts a footprint
symbol into the drawing, it copies various data to the footprint block such as
component/device tag name, description, manufacturer code, and catalog
number. It first looks for target attributes to copy the data to, but if not found,
AutoCAD Electrical simply inserts the schematic values as standard AutoCAD,
non-visible extended entity data (Xdata).
Some manufacturers provide free, to-scale mechanical libraries of their control
components, all in AutoCAD format. Or you may have your own in-house
footprints set up. In either case, since AutoCAD Electrical doesn't have naming
or attribute requirements, these libraries can be used as is. When AutoCAD
Electrical inserts such a block footprint symbol, it immediately becomes
AutoCAD Electrical smart.
Footprint block attribute/Xdata names
Below is a list of footprint block data names that can be inserted or read by
AutoCAD Electrical. If the footprint block has an attribute with any name
listed here, AutoCAD Electrical will use that attribute to carry the specific piece
of data. Otherwise, AutoCAD Electrical uses extended entity data with names
based on the data names listed here but with a WD_ prefix (ex: "WD_DESC1").
Identifies block as a component footprintFP
1028 | Chapter 15 Panel Layout