Symbols

Symbols representing products can be inserted into drawings using the Product Browser or the Available Symbols Palette.

Symbols conform to a strict data specification that defines their size, shape, colors used, and the layers on which objects are placed. For full details see the Help topic for Modules: the data specification for symbols is shown in each Module topic.

Depending on the drawing type (Module) in which you're working, the same amplifier by Crown is shown in these ways:

Rack Layout	Block Schematic	Pictorial Schematic

Symbol Scale: 1:1	Symbol Scale: None	Symbol Scale: 1:9.693

(In case you're wondering, the Pictorial Schematic scale factor was chosen so that the 19" outline becomes 50mm in Pictorial Schematic drawings. However, large products that aren't rackmounted, like loudspeakers, are scaled at 1:20. This smaller scale means that Pictorial Schematics retain an aesthetic balance and the rackmounted products in a system drawing aren't dwarfed by large collections of products outside of the rack, like arrays of speakers or large-format video screens.)

It's important to note that drawing templates are designed to be used with the Snap to Grid modifier active. The symbols are all drawn with precisely defined insertion points so that when you drag the symbol into the drawing it will sit neatly on the grid and align with the other symbols in the drawing. For example, the insertion point for rack mounted products in Rack Layout drawings is exactly on the bottom left hand corner of the unit, while for all products in the Panel Layout environment it is dead center.

Insertion Points by Drawing Type
Block Schematic	Panel Layout	Pictorial Schematic	Rack Layout

These diagrams give a general guideline as to how symbols are inserted into each of the environments: the target represents the point which sits exactly on the tip of your cursor as you drag the symbol into your drawing. It should be noted that there are exceptions to these rules, for example when inserting Modular Symbols, and more detailed explanation is given in the sections that deal with the specifics of each drawing Module.

Resizing Symbols

Symbols are drawn to a particular size or scale so Stardraw Design 7 prevents accidental resizing of symbols. A symbol can only be resized if:

it is part of a group, or
in the Properties Grid you change Handle Behavior from "Move" to "Resize".

Creating your Own Symbols

You can create your own symbols within User Defined Products.