I have AutoCAD and need to generate some light plots. I don't feel like buying or learning Vectorworks. Anyone have any ideas?
CAD blocks & Lighting symbols for AutoCAD
- Thread starter Silas Pradetto
- Start date
Re: CAD blocks & Lighting symbols for AutoCAD
AutoCAD has a "block" command...
And this might be useful http://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/pacshop/RP-2_2006.pdf
AutoCAD has a "block" command...
And this might be useful http://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/pacshop/RP-2_2006.pdf
Re: CAD blocks & Lighting symbols for AutoCAD
The document is very useful, but where can I get those symbols to import into CAD? Unless somewhere in that doc it said where (I didn't read it closely).
I also need modern intelligent lighting and things like truss and motors.
The document is very useful, but where can I get those symbols to import into CAD? Unless somewhere in that doc it said where (I didn't read it closely).
I also need modern intelligent lighting and things like truss and motors.
Re: CAD blocks & Lighting symbols for AutoCAD
Start your own library.
Download CAD files from manufacturers. Keep the complex (full line) drawings for reference, but strip down objects to make basic block libraries. Google search may lead you to a lot of the specific blocks you're looking for, but only you know what views of an object you may need (assuming 2D).
Learn how to add attributes (ATT), and when stripping things down from 3D to 2D, learn what FLATSHOT does.
My CAD library is something I've built over the last 10-15 years from doing just that - building up files of the things I need to work. Thousands of panels, plates, connectors, fixtures, speakers, lights, truss, etc. You can find the basics online, but for specific blocks you're better off creating your own.
Start your own library.
Download CAD files from manufacturers. Keep the complex (full line) drawings for reference, but strip down objects to make basic block libraries. Google search may lead you to a lot of the specific blocks you're looking for, but only you know what views of an object you may need (assuming 2D).
Learn how to add attributes (ATT), and when stripping things down from 3D to 2D, learn what FLATSHOT does.
My CAD library is something I've built over the last 10-15 years from doing just that - building up files of the things I need to work. Thousands of panels, plates, connectors, fixtures, speakers, lights, truss, etc. You can find the basics online, but for specific blocks you're better off creating your own.
Re: CAD blocks & Lighting symbols for AutoCAD
Great idea. Now for all those manufacturers that don't provide any CAD drawings....
Great idea. Now for all those manufacturers that don't provide any CAD drawings....
Re: CAD blocks & Lighting symbols for AutoCAD
I scanned in all of my old templates and basically traced them in illustrator, and then cleaned them up in CAD. It was a fun side project, but if you don't have the time, Brian has the right idea.
I scanned in all of my old templates and basically traced them in illustrator, and then cleaned them up in CAD. It was a fun side project, but if you don't have the time, Brian has the right idea.
Re: CAD blocks & Lighting symbols for AutoCAD
Most major manufacturers do provide CAD files, or at least some version of a file you can convert. But on the rare chance they don't, if you're just doing a lighting plot I'm sure you can be creative - this is where the ATT command would come in handy. For example, just draw a square to represent the base of a moving light, but add text attributes to call out what it is.
Most major manufacturers do provide CAD files, or at least some version of a file you can convert. But on the rare chance they don't, if you're just doing a lighting plot I'm sure you can be creative - this is where the ATT command would come in handy. For example, just draw a square to represent the base of a moving light, but add text attributes to call out what it is.