Tech Tip: Using DesignCenter to Import Wires into AutoCAD Electrical

You have valid AutoCAD Electrical wires located in various template files, or files inside other projects, and you would like to use them in the current drawing you are working on. However, you do not want to waste your time re-creating them using the Create/Edit Wire Type tool for every new drawing created. AutoCAD Electrical has a tool inside the Create/Edit Wire Type dialog box called Import…:

This tool does the job, but if you are an experienced AutoCAD user, the DesignCenter option is a better way to go. By using the DesignCenter (Ctrl+2) and selecting the valid wire layers from another file, it will populate the Layer Name cell and any other cells you used to originally create the valid wire layer using the Create/Edit Wire Type tool:

By using the DesignCenter option, you can add other content into the drawing being worked on, but if you use the Import… tool you are only adding the wire data. An example would be adding several symbols or footprints from template drawings or other project drawings. Even if you are new to using the DesignCenter, you will quickly get familiar with how much time it will save you.

As you will see, using the DesignCenter (Ctrl+2) is the better choice, since it will save you time by allowing you to pull more content from other sources using one interface.  Additionally, you could create a template file that has all the wire types and use this procedure to populate the wires as you need them. Add symbols and footprints to the template file, and you will save even more time.

The technical specialists of Applied Software, like Todd Schmoock, are always glad to assist with Autodesk products, whether it’s research, evaluation or questions about use. Applied has the deepest technical services in the industry. Contact Applied Software today and discover the service mindset that can help your business grow and thrive.