ABS 2007: Navigating workflow
changes to electrical devices
There have been significant changes to
the electrical devices workflow in ABS 2007 that have proved
confusing to many users. One change is a significant
structural change and the others are changes to workflow,
which you will be customizing to your own needs in any case.
The most obvious change is that a number of devices now show
up on Tool Palette menus, and the former menu system does
not work. However, under the covers, nothing has changed
besides the workflow. The first step is to select one of the
devices from the tool palette (frankly, if it is not the one
you want, it does not matter which one). The rest of the
process resembles the ADT process for doors, windows and
walls; changes are made on the properties palette.
When you are in the Add Devices command, the tool palette
looks like this:
Like ADT walls, any device styles currently in your drawing can be
selected from the style dropdown.
For devices you do not currently have in the drawing,
clicking the descriptor box on the “General” line activates
the “Select Device” menu, much like the prior releases’
dialog. From here, any device style can be selected.
Notice also on the properties palette, you can set the
system, design ID, and a tag to go with the device. Under
the Circuits category, selecting the Electrical Properties
item opens up the following menu:
Again, this works like the old electrical properties setting
on the device menu. You can select a panel from the current
drawing or the circuit database, and then select a circuit
from that panel. As before, you do not need to circuit a
device to add it. So everything you’ve used in the past is
still there, under the properties palette.
Another comment about the tool palettes: These are simply
samples. Like any palettes for your system, you need to
consider which of the devices you want on your palettes, and
whether they come from the local system or a shared library.
Building palettes has been discussed in previous
newsletters.
The one structural addition to the electrical tool set is
the ability to convert a multiview part to a device, a
longtime user request. For example, having inserted the
emergency generator into a drawing, you can select the
generator, right-click and select “Convert to Device”. The
next two menus allow you to set up the devices’ type and
layer keys, and its first connection point for wiring. (If
the device requires multiple connection points, edit the
device style). One final note is that the equipment
connection points are still functioning (conduit, pipe,
duct).
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