Symbol fixture, defining geometry

Tool(s): Define Fixture

Symbol fixtures are very similar to Allplan's general smart symbols.

• Draw all the elements that are to make up the smart fixture symbol. If the smart fixture symbol is to consist of several congruent foils for different reference scales and views, place the elements that belong together beside or below each other in the workspace; this will facilitate the process of selecting foils and setting reference points.

To define the geometry of a symbol fixture

1. In the input options, click Layer to specify how the individual elements of the foil are arranged on layers:
   • Retain layers of elements: all individual elements in the smart fixture symbol retain their layers. However, parts of smart fixture symbols may be hidden inadvertently when you hide the relevant layers.
   • All elements on default layer: all elements are placed on the default layer.
   • All elements on current layer: all elements are given the layer that is current when you define the smart fixture symbol.
2. Select the elements for the first foil.
   

   • To select a single element, click it.
   • To select elements in a region, use the left mouse button to open a selection rectangle around the elements you want to select
   • To include all the elements in the current document, click All in the Input options or press CTRL+A. Please note that this option is not available for all tools.

   For more information on the options available for selecting elements in Allplan, see Selecting elements, overview.

   When selecting elements, you can use the Filter Assistant to apply a filter based on element types and/or properties. For more information, see Filter Assistant.

3. Enter the smart fixture symbol’s reference point.
   

   You need to define a global starting point for each element. Enter this point when you define the first foil. As all the other foils are based on this global reference point, the position of these foils relative to the global reference point is the decisive factor if the foils are to be analyzed and displayed correctly in the various views.

   Top view	Left view	Right view	Front view
   Rear view	Bottom view	3D view

   The position of the reference points in the views (except for the 3D view) is obtained by mirroring the points about the y axis.

   Note: For 3D objects you need to define the smart symbol’s reference point in isometric view. Otherwise, the z coordinate is undefined and the fixture cannot be inserted correctly.

4. Define the smart fixture symbol’s display parameters and click OK to apply your settings.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 for all the other foils.
6. To finish defining the smart symbol’s foils, press ESC.
7. Adjust the values in the min-max box to the dimensions in plan and
specify whether or not the fixture can be resized later.

   Note: E Pnt1 defines the bottom left corner of the front surface of the box and E Pnt2 the top right corner of the back surface of the box.

8. Click OK to apply your settings.
9. Choose whether the admin element of the surface fixture, to which the label is attached, gets the default layer or the layer currently set on the Format toolbar.

   Note: If the Place instance of smart symbol on current layer setting is active in the Smart symbols area on the Smart symbols and symbols page in the Options, the admin elements of symbol fixtures get the layer that is currently active when you place them, regardless of the setting you make when you save them.