2008

5th choice -- AutoCAD search paths
Lookup file naming convention
AutoCAD Electrical takes the target footprint's MFG code and looks for a table,
in your Access schematic_lookup.mdb file format file with that name. For
example, if the footprint's MFG value is SQD, then AutoCAD Electrical searches
for a schematic lookup table called SQD; manufacturer code of AB yields the
table name AB. The alternate table should carry the MFG name with a "_WD"
suffix. For example, for AB the alternate table would be named AB_WD.
Lookup file format
Footprint lookup tables are in a Microsoft Access database file. Each record
consists of these fields (in this order):
Catalog number, wild cards allowedCAT
Optional assembly code value - internal AutoCAD Electrical use onlyASSYCODE
Footprint block name with partial path or geometry definitionBLKNAM
Optional short description used for display purposes onlyDESC
Block name vs. geometry definition
You can encode a simple geometry definition in place of a footprint path/block
name in the lookup file. For example, if a footprint shape for a given part
number is a 3x4 rectangle, instead of creating and saving a 3x4 rectangle as
a Wblocked .dwg file you can encode the instructions for drawing the rectangle
in the lookup file like this:
("LINE" "0,0" "@4.00,0" "@0,3.00" "@-4.00,0" "C")
The example above follows the command sequence you'd type in to create
the footprint outline. When AutoCAD Electrical comes across this instead of
a path/block name in the lookup file, it executes the command sequence and
blocks it on the fly.
Use the footprint lookup file | 1083