2011

Table Of Contents
Use a project-specific catalog file
You can set up a project catalog file with all the component types of the project
in it. The file must reside in the subdirectory of the project. Name the file
either default_cat.mdb or<project>_cat.mdb. AutoCAD Electrical references
this file first before looking in the user subdirectory or the catalogs subdirectory
(as defined in wd.env).
Use a miscellaneous catalog file
You can set up a general catalog table within the .mdb file with all component
types in it. AutoCAD Electrical references this table, if it exists. The table name
is MISC_CAT. If found, this catalog information displays in the dialog box for
component catalog number selection. In the Insert/Edit dialog box, Catalog
Data section, click Lookup. In the Parts Catalog dialog box, click Miscellaneous.
Use the last used assignment
During your editing session, AutoCAD Electrical remembers the last MFG /
CAT / ASSYCODE assignment you make for each component inserted into
your wiring diagram. When you insert another component of that type,
AutoCAD Electrical presents the previous catalog assignment of the component
as the default. This assumes that a previous catalog assignment was made
during the current editing session.
Perform a drawing or project-wide search
In the Insert/Edit dialog box, Catalog Data section, click Project to instruct
AutoCAD Electrical to create a drawing-wide or project-wide listing of similar
components with their catalog assignments.
Pull information from another project
AutoCAD Electrical quickly scans a previous project, finds the instance of that
component, and returns the catalog information to you. It is accomplished
without leaving your active drawing. In the Insert/Edit dialog box, click Project.
In the Find: Catalog Assignments dialog box, select Other project and click
OK. AutoCAD Electrical processes the project you select. It quickly scans each
listed drawing for the target component type and returns a list of what it
found. You can then make your catalog assignment by picking from this list.
Pull from an external file
You can pull catalog assignments from a generic ASCII file created by a word
processor or output from a spreadsheet or database program. In the Insert/Edit
1282 | Chapter 17 BOM and Catalogs