Userguide EPLAN Cabinet En

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User Guide

Version 2.0

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EPLAN Cabinet is a product of EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG.

Errors and omissions excepted. Subject to change without notice. EPLAN Software & Service GmbH accepts no liability for any technical or printing error or defect in this technical information document or for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly through the provision or use hereof.

This document contains proprietary information subject to copyright. All rights reserved. This document shall not, except with the prior written consent of EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG, be passed on, duplicated or translated in whole or part.

The software described by this document is licensed. Use and dupli-cation of the software are exclusively governed by the licence. The EPLAN Cabinet licence cannot be used independently of the associated dongle. Loss of the dongle automatically entails loss of the licence. The graphics in this document were created with the complete software package and do not reflect the capabilities of individual modules.

ACIS® is a registered trademark of SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY INC. D-Cubed 3D DCM is a registered trademark of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software III (GB) Ltd.

RITTAL® is a registered trademark of Rittal Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG

Note: The hardware requirements stated by your operating

system vendor apply. Combinations of hardware

components that may give rise to compatibilities according to producer’s information may also impair the proper functioning of EPLAN Cabinet, which requires a fault-free system with all hardware, operating system components and hardware drivers (graphics adapter drivers etc.)

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Contents

EPLAN Cabinet system principles --- 1

Creating and editing projects and drawings --- 2

Activating and displaying components --- 3

Placing and modifying enclosures --- 4

Placing and modifying structural components --- 5

Placing and modifying devices --- 6

Project and system organization --- 7

Output from EPLAN Cabinet --- 8

Routing --- 9

Drilling NC --- 10

Graphical editor --- 11

Creating standard sheets --- 12

Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management

database --- 13

Creating and using graphical macros --- 14

User-defined drilling contours --- 15

Creating and using variable rails --- 16

Cabinet Configurator --- 17

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles

1 EPLAN Cabinet system principles ... 1-2

1.1 Starting EPLAN Cabinet ... 1-2 1.2 EPLAN Cabinet toolbars ... 1-3 1.2.1 File toolbar... 1-4 1.2.2 Components toolbar ... 1-5 1.2.3 View toolbar... 1-6 1.2.4 Edit toolbar ... 1-7 1.2.5 Create toolbar... 1-8 1.2.6 Information, Organization and Security toolbar ... 1-9 1.2.7 Output toolbar... 1-10 1.2.8 Viewpoints toolbar ... 1-11 1.2.9 Views toolbar... 1-12 1.2.10 Tools toolbar ... 1-13 1.2.11 Elements toolbar... 1-14 1.3 EPLAN Cabinet menu bar ... 1-15 1.4 Navigator ... 1-16 1.4.1 EPLAN Cabinet Navigator node ... 1-18 1.4.2 Searching in the Navigator ... 1-19 1.4.3 Navigator bookmarks ... 1-19 1.4.4 Minimizing the Navigator ... 1-20 1.5 Selecting commands in EPLAN Cabinet ... 1-21 1.6 Mouse input... 1-22 1.6.1 Picking with the mouse... 1-22 1.6.2 Entering points with the mouse ... 1-23 1.6.3 Mouse stroke input ... 1-24 1.6.3.1 Stroke movements without holding... 1-25 1.6.3.2 Stroke and hold movements ... 1-26 1.7 Freehand symbols ... 1-27 1.8 Undo... 1-30 1.9 Redo ... 1-30

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles Starting EPLAN Cabinet

1 EPLAN Cabinet system principles

1.1 Starting EPLAN Cabinet

To start EPLAN Cabinet, double-click its program icon. The EPLAN Cabinet program window opens with a menu bar and a number of toolbars.

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2 EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

EPLAN Cabinet works through menu and toolbar commands. The toolbars group commands by function:

• File (project and drawing commands) • Components

• View (display options) • Edit (modify components)

• Create (Cabinet templates, mounting areas, user-defined components) • Information, Organization and Security (device, database and parts list

options)

• Output (Printing and DXF output of drawings and parts lists) • Viewpoints, views, elements and tools

Opening toolbars

To show a toolbar that is not currently displayed, right-click a toolbar or the grey toolbar region and choose Toolbars on the context menu that then opens.

You can then select from a list of all toolbars that opens to the right of the menu. If the list is too long for all toolbars to be displayed, use the arrows at the top and bottom to view the remainder.

The ticked toolbars are already displayed. Holding the cursor over a ticked toolbar in the list highlights it on the screen. Selecting an unticked toolbar in the list displays it.

Hiding toolbars

In the list

Select a ticked toolbar to hide it.

On the menu

Right-click a toolbar and choose Hide in the context menu. The toolbar will then be removed from the screen.

"Close" button

An "undocked" toolbar has a Windows title bar, complete with a close button, [x], which can be used to hide it.

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1.2.1 File toolbar

Commands on the File toolbar, from left to right:

Create and edit project

Open drawing Save drawing

Close drawing

Picklist

Exit EPLAN Cabinet

Exit command

Undo last change

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1.2.2 Components toolbar

Commands on the Components toolbar, from left to right:

Open device browser and place device

Insert universal part

Place mounting rail

Place duct

Place cable clamp rail

Place busbar system

Select and place Enclosure from database

Place mounting panel

Place free mounting panel Place free component

Place user-defined component

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1.2.3 View toolbar

Commands on the View toolbar, from left to right:

Activate component and rotate into view, hiding other components

Switch to ISO view

Activate component

Switch to Enclosure views

Enable zoom (select a detail for viewing)

Disable zoom (display entire drawing)

Zoom in (150%)

Zoom out (75%)

Reposition text

Display device tag labels

Display item number labels

Enable shading

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Set grid

Rotate view

1.2.4 Edit toolbar

Commands on the Edit toolbar, from left to right:

Copy Enclosure

Change device placement

Move device

Move Enclosures, ducts and rails

Change length of ducts and rails

Change project structure

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1.2.5 Create toolbar

Commands on the Create toolbar, from left to right:

Create Enclosure template from drawing

Define mounting area

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1.2.6 Information, Organization and Security toolbar

Commands on the Information, Organization and Security toolbar, from left to right:

Device information

Place blocking surface

Check drawing: Find surplus devices

Renumber components

Parts database

Update parts data

Update project parts list

Change project assignment

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1.2.7 Output toolbar

Commands on the Output toolbar from left to right:

Print drawing

Graphical DXF export to EPLAN/file

Evaluations configuration Generate evaluations

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1.2.8 Viewpoints toolbar

Commands on the Viewpoints toolbar from left to right:

Top view Bottom view Front view Rear view Left view Right view Isometric view

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1.2.9 Views toolbar

Commands on the Views toolbar from left to right:

Create view

Move view

Centre view

Resize view

Fit geometry to view size

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1.2.10 Tools toolbar

Commands on the Tools toolbar from left to right:

Measure

Insert OLE object

Configuration

NC configuration

Wire make-up configuration

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1.2.11 Elements toolbar

Commands on the Tools toolbar from left to right:

Line Circle Rectangle Dimensioning Text Auxiliary line Center line Place symbol

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet menu bar

1.3 EPLAN Cabinet menu bar

All EPLAN Cabinet commands can also be accessed in a menu bar. If a different menu bar is active when you start EPLAN Cabinet, click the Options menu, choose Menu Bar, select "EPLAN Cabinet" and click [OK] to install the EPLAN Cabinet menu bar.

The menus are arranged to match the toolbars, and the commands on each menu match those on the corresponding toolbar.

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles Navigator

1.4 Navigator

The Navigator is the control centre of EPLAN Cabinet. It lists all parts of projects, drawing elements, viewpoints and views. The Navigator can be used to select, display and edit parts of a drawing. The context menus are described with the command they apply to.

Features:

• Each drawing that is opened for editing has its own separate Navigator. • The Navigator is activated automatically when a drawing is opened. • The Navigator works with all drawings, in both 2D and 3D.

• All changes to a drawing are simultaneously shown in the Navigator.

Hierarchical display

The information displayed in the Navigator is structured in a series of levels making up a hierarchy. If there is a level beneath an item, a [+] or [-] is displayed next to it. An item with one or more levels beneath it is a node.

As in Windows Explorer, the tree beneath a node can be expanded by clicking the [+] and collapsed again by clicking the [-].

Using the Navigator with two or more drawings

If two or more drawings are active on the same screen, they are each displayed on different tabs in the Navigator. Clicking a drawing's tab in the Navigator switches to that drawing.

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Undocking the Navigator

Clicking the blank area above the tabs undocks the Navigator, and you can move it around the screen. If the Navigator shows multiple drawings, one Navigator window is displayed for each drawing.

Double-click the blank area or the title bar of a Navigator window to dock it again.

Context menus

Select a node or an item under a node and right-click to open a context menu with commands specific to the type of item you have selected.

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1.4.1 EPLAN Cabinet Navigator node

The EPLAN Cabinet project is shown in the Navigator under a separate node with a red e icon. Right-click the icon to open a context menu with the main view and project commands.

The component nodes further down the tree also have context menus:

Enclosure node

Cabinet

component node

Component layer node

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1.4.2 Searching in the Navigator

The Search command in the Navigator finds text anywhere in the Navigator, for example names of parts and solids.

Search button

The usual search options are available: • Whole word only

• Match case • Direction • Search again

1.4.3 Navigator bookmarks

Navigator bookmarks are nodes that are marked and named for easy navigation between them.

Setting a bookmark

Click this button to assign a bookmark to a node. The node changes colour. Editing bookmarks

Click this button to open the Edit Bookmarks dialogue, with option to: • Delete a bookmark (select it and click the Delete button)

• Delete all bookmarks (click the Delete All button) • Display bookmarks (double-click the Display button)

• Rename bookmarks (click a bookmark twice or click the Edit Name button) Deleting a bookmark

Click this button to delete the selected bookmark. Next/previous bookmark

Click this button to select the next or previous bookmark in the Navigator and the corresponding element in the drawing.

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1.4.4 Minimizing the Navigator

You can minimize the Navigator to make space for drawing windows.

Double-click the drawing name tab at the bottom of the Navigator to reduce it to about a quarter of its normal height. You can then resize the Navigator like a normal window by dragging its sides or corners, and can move it by dragging its title bar.

Double-click the drawing name tab again or the title bar to restore the Navigator to normal size and return it to the left-hand side of the screen.

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles Selecting commands in EPLAN Cabinet

1.5 Selecting commands in EPLAN Cabinet

Various ways of selecting commands are described in this manual. Commands selected on a toolbar or in a main menu are shown as follows:

File

Project Wizard

EPLAN Cabinet

Project Wizard

Left: Command on a toolbar

The name of the toolbar is shown above the icon, to the right of which is the name of the command.

Right: Command on a menu

The name of the menu bar is shown above a symbol for a menu bar, to the right of which is the name of the command.

Commands selected from secondary parts of the user interface such as dialogues are shown as follows:

Project Wizard | Create a new Enclosure project

Project Wizard | Create new project

Selecting commands in the Navigator

Commands that are only available on context menus in the Navigator are shown with a Navigator symbol:

Enclosure node | Cabinet dimensions

Using freehand symbols to select commands

A freehand symbol is a way of selecting a command by moving the mouse in a specific figure with the left mouse button pressed down. If a commands can additionally be selected with a freehand symbol, the figure is shown:

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles Mouse input

1.6 Mouse input

1.6.1 Picking with the mouse

The basic mouse input commands are as follows: • Tap mouse button

• Press and hold • Press and stroke

• Press plus stroke and then hold • Double-click

• Right-click

• Middle mouse button (if present) • Mouse wheel (if present)

EPLAN Cabinet supplements the usual Windows selection methods such as tapping an element with two additional method: "search" and "stroke".

Search

• Place the cursor near to the point you want. • Press and briefly hold down the mouse button. The cursor jumps exactly onto the point.

Stroke (Ctrl-tap)

To stroke an element, "paint" it with a downward motion of the mouse while holding the mouse button pressed down.

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1.6.2 Entering points with the mouse

Entering a point

To enter a point in your drawing, tap at the location where you want the point.

Search for a point

For drawing commands, you can use a point that already exists in a drawing as a start or end point:

• Move the cursor near to the point you want • Briefly hold the mouse button pressed down The cursor will now jump to precisely the point you want.

The system detects the difference between tapping and prolonged pressing through a internal time factor.

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1.6.3 Mouse stroke input

A variety of commands can be selected using stroke movements. The simplest of these patterns are strokes in the four primary directions:

• Up • Down • Left • Right

A different command will be selected depending on whether you carry out this movement with a stroke and a brief press, or keep the mouse button pressed down for a short period after the stroke movement.

Icons in user manuals

In these user manual, mouse movements are indicated by a line. The direction is shown with an arrow. For a stroke-and-hold movement, the solid circle is replaced by an arrow.

The illustration shows the possible stroke movements and the commands they select. Stroke movements without holding are shown on the left, and stroke and hold movements on the right.

UNDO No Yes Return OK Pick Parameters Parameter Manager Line Delete

Pick reference point Start again

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1.6.3.1 Stroke movements without holding

Element

This movement is mainly used for picking elements and is known as "stroking" an element. Use it to pick an element in a drawing that you want to manipulate, measure or continue editing.

To perform the stroke movement, press near the element and stroke down over it.

Start Again

An upwards stroke will restart the last command you selected. Start Again works with all EPLAN Cabinet commands.

Example:

You want to draw a number of lines next to one another. Select the Line command by tapping on the digitizer. Enter the start point and one or more end points until the set of lines is finished.

If you now want to draw a further set of lines next to the first set, it is much quicker to draw an upward stroke than to reselect the Line command. The upward stroke restarts the last command you selected.

Undo/No

Stroke left while applying slight pressure to select the Undo command, which reverses your last action.

EPLAN Cabinet stores up to 50 actions that you can undo in sequence by using this command. You can undo any drawing operation and any move, copy, cut or delete.

The leftward stroke also saves you stopping to type "no" on the keyboard when prompted.

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Yes/Return/OK

Stroking to the right is equivalent to clicking [OK] and is used to enter "yes" or confirm a prompt.

1.6.3.2 Stroke and hold movements

Strokes of this type are performed in the same way as strokes without holding, but end by briefly holding down the mouse button.

Picking a reference point

To choose a reference point, stroke down near the point you want and then briefly hold down the mouse button. The program leaves normal point-input mode for the duration of one input. You can then specify a new point by specifying its distance in X and Y from the reference point. You can use this command wherever point input is allowed.

A pair of X and Y direction arrows appears at the point found. You can then enter a pair of coordinates relative to this reference point, and continue drawing at the point defined by the coordinates.

If the coordinate cross appears at a point that is not the one you want to use as a reference point, specify the point you want by using the normal point input method. The reference point must be one that already exists in your drawing.

Parameters

In some drawing functions, stroke up and then briefly hold down the mouse button to select the parameters command. A dialogue box opens with parameters for the current command.

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles Freehand symbols

Delete

Stroke left and briefly hold down the mouse button to select the Delete command.

Line

Stroke right and briefly hold down the mouse button to select the Line command.

1.7 Freehand symbols

EPLAN Cabinet recognizes a number of gestures that select important commands. With a little practice, these "freehand symbols" help speed up your work and also allow you to do most work with one hand.

The symbols match the commands they select, making them easy to remember.

Freehand symbols without holding

To draw the freehand symbols shown with arrows, briefly press the mouse button in the direction of the arrow. Then release the mouse button. Two arrows indicate that a symbol can be drawn in either direction.

Freehand symbols with holding

To draw the freehand symbols shown with dots, hold down the mouse button a little longer at the dot. Two dots indicate that a symbol can be drawn in either direction. If two or more drawing windows are open, screen and window-related freehand symbols apply in the window where the cursor is.

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Freehand symbols available

Start again Settings Stroke element Pick reference point

No / UNDO Delete Yes / Return / OK Line

Refresh screen Refresh all screen windows

All elements Whole drawing

Exit Exit Detail

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Freehand symbols additionally available in the Graphical editor

Open drawing Sketch Close Save as

Circle Circle Arc Arc

Move Move with copy Rotate Rotate with copy

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles Redo

1.8 Undo

Edit | Undo File toolbar Freehand symbol

Undo reverses your actions in one of two ways:

• If you have entered one or more items of data required for a command, Undo cancels the last items entered.

• If it is not possible to cancel individual items entered for an active command, the command is reversed.

You can use Undo up to 50 times in a row.

Examples of operations the Undo command works on

Deletion, moving and copying operations, showing and hiding operations

Note: There are several functions that may be excepted from Undo.

1.9 Redo

Edit | Redo

File toolbar

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Creating and editing projects and drawings

2 Creating and editing projects and drawings... 2-2

2.1 EPLAN Cabinet projects... 2-4 2.1.1 Creating a new enclosure project... 2-4 2.1.1.1 Creating a project inside an EPLAN project ... 2-4 2.1.1.2 Creating a project from a file ... 2-7 2.1.2 Creating a new enclosure project from a template... 2-9 2.1.3 Creating a new enclosure project by copying... 2-9 2.1.4 Opening an existing enclosure project ... 2-11 2.1.5 Project pre-delivery check ... 2-12 2.1.6 Closing a project... 2-14 2.1.7 Deleting an existing enclosure project... 2-14 2.2 EPLAN Cabinet drawings... 2-15 2.2.1 Adding a new drawing to a current project ... 2-15 2.2.2 Adding a template drawing to the current project... 2-16 2.2.3 Saving a current drawing as a template ... 2-17 2.2.4 Deleting a drawing from an enclosure project ... 2-18

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Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

2 Creating and editing projects and drawings

A project in EPLAN Cabinet contains all data used in designing and laying out an enclosure. Each project is kept in a project directory identified by the name of the project with an .ECB extension. A project directory contains an EPLAN parts data-base, project control files, an EPLAN parts list file (EPLAN.PBF), an EPLAN ad-ministration list, and EPLAN Cabinet drawings.

Only one project can be open at a time. It is not possible to have multiple projects open for editing.

File

Project Wizard

File | Project Wizard

Freehand symbol

The Project Wizard contains all commands needed for creating and editing EPLAN Cabinet projects and for adding drawings and enclosures to them.

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2.1 EPLAN Cabinet projects

2.1.1 Creating a new enclosure project

Project Wizard | Create new project

File | Project Wizard | Create new project

You can create an enclosure project inside an existing EPLAN project or on its own without reference to an EPLAN project.

2.1.1.1 Creating a project inside an EPLAN project

In the "Import data from EPLAN" box, select the EPLAN version you want to import EPLAN component data from:

• EPLAN 5 • EPLAN 21

Note: in Eplan 21, parts can be assigned a width, depth and height. When a

pro-ject parts list is exported or updated with the Eplan 21 default settings, the depth is omitted. To include it, select the following in Eplan 21: Browser | Utilities | Parts

Management Parts List (Device Tags) | Settings tab | [...] and drag "Depth" to the left-hand side.

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Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects Note: If Eplan 5 projects contain terminal designations that do not comply with

DIN, problems may arise when transferring the project data. In these special cases, an environment variable can be set in Windows:

Name: PIB_E5C_DTFORMAT

Value: (=)plant (+)location (-)dtPrefix[nA] counter[N] suffix[AN]

This variable should not be permanent but should only be set in the case specified.

Select a project drive

A logical drive (e.g. "P") should be assigned in EPLAN Cabinet so that it points to the EPLAN project directory.

The data in the EPLAN project directory can be imported into the enclosure project. Choose the drive that is assigned to the EPLAN project directory:

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Click [OK] to go on to the directory selection, where you choose the directory in which the EPLAN Cabinet project will be stored.

Click [OK] to go on and name your project. You can either accept the name of the EPLAN project or type a name of your own.

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2.1.1.2 Creating a project from a file

In the "Import data from EPLAN" box, choose "File". Then click [OK] to create a project that is based on a parts list file but is not related to an existing EPLAN pro-ject.

Select folder containing parts list

Select the directory containing the source data - that is, a parts list (EPLAN.PBF or FORM.ASC) with data for enclosure components.

If you want to create a new folder, right-click to open the context menu and choose "Create new folder".

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Select folder for EPLAN Cabinet project

Choose a folder in which the custom EPLAN Cabinet project will be stored.

Name the project

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2.1.2 Creating a new enclosure project from a template

Project Wizard | Create new project from template

File | Project Wizard | Create new project from template

This command creates a new project directly from a selected template drawing. The procedure is the same as for creating a new project in an existing EPLAN pro-ject or from a file, except that there is no selecting a basic enclosure from the data-base.

• Select the project type and then an EPLAN project or parts list file. • Select a folder to create the project in.

• Name the project.

• Instead of the database browser, a file selection dialogue opens for you to se-lect a template drawing. Sese-lect the cabinet you want.

• Specify a placement point for inserting the cabinet in your drawing.

2.1.3 Creating a new enclosure project by copying

Project Wizard | Create new project by copying

File | Project Wizard | Create new project by copying

This command copies an existing enclosure project. It copies all EPLAN Cabinet data from the source project to a new EPLAN project or new parts list.

The procedure depends on whether you choose to copy the data from a file or from an EPLAN project.

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Copying EPLAN data from a file

• Select the folder containing the EPLAN parts list (EPLAN.PBF or FORM.ASC).

• Specify a folder to create the project in. • Name the project.

• Select an existing EPLAN Cabinet project to copy.

• A new project is created in the specified folder and with the specified name.

Copying data from EPLAN 5/EPLAN 21

Select an EPLAN project

First, select the EPLAN 5 project from which you are going to copy data to an enclosure project.

Select an enclosure source project Next, select an existing enclosure pro-ject directory to copy (enclosure propro-ject directories can be recognized by the .ECB extension):

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2.1.4 Opening an existing enclosure project

Project Wizard | Open project

File | Project Wizard | Open project

Select the project you want:

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2.1.5 Project pre-delivery check

For every import of EPLAN bills of material into EPLAN Cabinet, a new filter func-tion makes it possible to flexibly specify filters for the devices to be imported. These criteria are compiled from EPLAN project hierarchies that can be preselected in the EPLAN project. When using the filter, only the devices that correspond to the specified import filter criteria are offered in the device browser. The same goes for connections.

Activating the project pre-deliver check

To use the Project pre-delivery check for every import of the EPLAN bill of materi-als, select Extras - Parameter manager. The Use EPLAN project pre-delivery filter option is set to Standard in the Settings - EPLAN chapter tab.

The dialog for filtering the components appears • Upon initial start after a new installation • When creating a new project

• When opening an existing project if the setting Automatically update EPLAN bill of materials when opening a project is activated

• In the Update project bill of materials function

Options in the Project pre-delivery check dialog

Depending on the setting in the EPLAN project being used, you can select the fol-lowing filter criteria in the Project pre-delivery check dialog:

• Functional assignment • Plant

• Installation site • Mounting location

• Higher-level function number • User-defined

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Selecting options

If the criteria is available in the EPLAN project, click [...] to open a dialog that lists the available plant designation, for example. Here you can select the desired plant designation. Use the [Shift] or [Ctrl] keys for multiple consecutive or individual se-lections, respectively. Clicking once again on a selected item will remove the selec-tion.

Click [OK] to enter the selected values in the Project pre-delivery check dialog.

Also import components to be placed externally

If you add this option, the devices in parts management with the Position externally property will be also read from the bill of materials. These are components that are not in the enclosure itself, but will be assembled and operated outside of the enclo-sure, yet belong to the project.

Import log

Importing the EPLAN bill of materials is documented in a log file regardless of whether a filter was used or not. The file is in the DRV subdirectory of the Cabinet project directory and has the name PROJECTIMPORT.LOG.

If any errors or warnings have occurred, the log file is opened in the editor for you to see after importing the bill of materials.

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2.1.6 Closing a project

Project wizard | Close project

File| Project wizard | Close project

All loaded project drawings are presented for saving or discarding. After this, the drawings are closed and the project structure present in the background is unloa-ded. EPLAN Cabinet is then again in start state.

2.1.7 Deleting an existing enclosure project

Project Wizard | Delete project

File | Project Wizard | Delete project

In the directory list, select the project you want to delete. Click [OK] and answer the confirmation prompt to delete the project together with all associated drawings and system files.

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Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet drawings

2.2 EPLAN Cabinet drawings

2.2.1 Adding a new drawing to a current project

This command adds a drawing to an existing enclosure project, for when you want an enclosure project to include more than one drawing. First, be sure that the exist-ing project is already loaded.

Project Wizard | Add new drawing to current project

File | Project Wizard | Add new drawing to current project

The new drawing is given the name of the project followed by a sequential number such as _2. The enclosures in the database are then listed for selection.

Select an enclosure model and specify a placement point to insert the cabinet in your drawing.

The additional cabinet drawings will be opened automatically the next time you o-pen your project.

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2.2.2 Adding a template drawing to the current project

You can add project drawings to your project from template drawings.

Project Wizard | Add template drawing to current project

File | Project Wizard | Add template drawing to current project

Select the drawing you want in the templates directory.

Click [Open] to open the template drawing in the current project, rename it and sa-ve it to the project directory.

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2.2.3 Saving a current drawing as a template

This command saves the active drawing in the currently loaded project as a tem-plate.

For example, you could save a drawing containing a partly fitted enclosure as a template for use as a starting point in other projects.

Project Wizard | Save current drawing as template

File | Project Wizard | Save current drawing as template

Choose the directory you want and enter a file name. Click [Save] to save the draw-ing in the selected directory.

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2.2.4 Deleting a drawing from an enclosure project

This command removes a drawing from a project that is not currently loaded. If you select the command when a project is loaded, you are prompted to close it first.

Project Wizard | Delete drawing from a project

File | Project Wizard | Delete drawing from a project

The drawing files in the selected project are listed.

Click [Open] and answer the confirmation prompt to delete the selected drawing from the project directory and to remove all reference to it in the project file.

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Activating and displaying components

3 Activating and displaying components ... 3-2

3.1 Activating a component ... 3-2 3.2 Activating a component exclusively... 3-7 3.3 Isometric view of all parts... 3-9 3.3.1 Activating modelling space... 3-10 3.4 Enclosure views... 3-11 3.4.1 Create view of parts available for mounting on ... 3-12 3.4.2 Creating custom views ... 3-14 3.5 Modifying views ... 3-15 3.5.1 Moving a view... 3-15 3.5.2 Centring a view... 3-15 3.5.3 Resizing a view ... 3-16 3.5.4 Fit geometry to view size ... 3-16 3.5.5 Changing the scale of a view ... 3-17 3.5.6 Deleting a view ... 3-17 3.6 Zoom ... 3-18 3.7 Hiding and showing items ... 3-21 3.8 Labels... 3-23 3.8.1 Global parameter settings for labels... 3-23 3.8.2 Visibility of labels ... 3-25 3.8.3 Editing existing labels... 3-27 3.8.4 Showing and hiding labels... 3-28 3.9 Displaying component labelling... 3-30 3.9.1 Item number labelling ... 3-30 3.9.2 Device tag labelling ... 3-30 3.9.3 Renumbering components ... 3-30 3.9.4 Repositioning label text ... 3-31 3.10 Hiding and showing minimum clearances ... 3-32 3.11 Showing/hiding shading ... 3-33 3.12 Showing/hiding hidden edges... 3-34 3.13 Rotating a view ... 3-35 3.14 Input support... 3-37 3.14.1 Set grid ... 3-37 3.14.2 Coordinates in the status bar... 3-38 3.15 Hide/Show Auxiliary Elements ... 3-39

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Activating and displaying components Activating a component

3 Activating and displaying components

3.1 Activating a component

One of the basic features of working in EPLAN Cabinet is that a component is al-ways subordinate to another component. The other component can be part of the main enclosure, an auxiliary component such as a mounting rail, or an electrical component that has already been placed in the drawing.

Before placing a component for the first time, its reference component must be ac-tivated.

View

Activate component

View | Activate component

The activation method can be toggled between two modes:

Edge

A component is activated by holding down [Ctrl] and tapping one its edges. This is the usual method and is best suited for mounting panels, side panels and doors.

Surface

A component is activated by holding down [Ctrl] and tapping one of its surfaces.

Hold down the [Ctrl] key and tap an edge or surface of a component.

The view in modelling space and the viewing plane remain unchanged, but the working plane is set to the reference component so that subsequent input when placing a component takes effect on that plane.

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When you place a subsequent component, such as a mounting rail, it is highlighted in colour and the name of the activated component is displayed.

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Mounting rail placed on mounting panel:

The mounting rail can now be fitted with other components. If the mounting rail is activated, all subsequent components are placed in its working plane.

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Special case: Inward-facing surfaces in a closed cabinet

When components are activated by tapping a surface, note that surfaces located behind others are only available for activation when they are visible. One situation in which this effect becomes noticeable is when the enclosure door is closed. If the wanted surface is not visible, tapping it will select the visible surface located in front of it, so an attempt to activate the rear panel of a enclosure when the door is closed will result in the door being selected instead:

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In such cases, switch to Edge mode and try activating the rear panel by tapping one of its edges. If this fails, hide the door and use the "Activate component exclu-sively" command.

View toolbar | Activate component exclusively

Navigator: Another easy way to activate any component is by using the Naviga-tor.

The context menu for each surface of a component includes "Acti-vate" and "Activate exclusive" commands:

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Activating and displaying components Activating a component exclusively

3.2 Activating a component exclusively

The "Activate component exclusively" command activates a component as a refer-ence component for use when placing other components and at the same time dis-plays it "exclusively" from the front: All other components of the enclosure not re-lated to the activated component or not placed on it are hidden.

Activation and exclusive display of a component is not saved with the drawing.

View

Activate component exclusively

View | Activate component exclusively

The activation method can be toggled between two modes:

Edge

A component is activated by holding down [Ctrl] and tapping one its edges. This is the usual method and is best suited for mounting panels, side panels and doors.

Surface

A component is activated by holding down [Ctrl] and tapping one of its surfaces. Hold down the [Ctrl] key and tap an edge or surface of the component you want to activate.

Note: It is not always fully possible to determine the desired area for complex i-tems, e.g. a chassis in the drawing. Activate an area on this item type in the navigator. To do this, expand the structure of the item and call up the activation using the right mouse button on the required area.

The activated component, e.g. a mounting panel, is shown from the front. All side panels, profiles, doors and components fitted to them are hidden. Components be-longing to the activated component remain visible.

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Activating and displaying components Activating a component exclusively

When a mounting panel is activated, the ducts, mounting rails and other compo-nents attached to it remain visible.

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Activating and displaying components Isometric view of all parts

3.3 Isometric view of all parts

The Isometric View command switches back from an exclusive front view of the ac-tivated component to an isometric view of the modelling space. All parts and placed components are shown.

View

Change to ISO view

View | Isometric view

The activated component remains activated.

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Activating and displaying components Isometric view of all parts

3.3.1 Activating modelling space

Modelling space is the space in which 3D models are created. Besides working in views, you can also work directly in modelling space. This is a precondition for many component placement functions.

Double-click the Viewpoints node

View | Viewpoints | Isometric view

In modelling space, solids are placed or drawn in one view only, usually the isomet-ric view. Alternatively, you can use one of the elevations for the 3D model and work in that elevation instead. The 3D model view covers the whole drawing area.

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Activating and displaying components Enclosure views

3.4 Enclosure views

Views are standardised elevations on 3D space. A drawing can contain several views. Enclosure views can only be used for displaying a drawing; they are needed in particular for DXF drawing data exports to EPLAN. Unlike other ways of display-ing a drawdisplay-ing, editdisplay-ing is not possible in enclosure views; the commands for activat-ing components are not available.

View

Enclosure views

View | Enclosure views

EPLAN Cabinet includes three predefined views to display the enclosure or parts of it at various scales:

• Front view of the door/cabinet front • Front view of the mounting panel • Isometric view of the enclosure

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The views are shown under the Views node in the Navigator and are saved with the drawing.

Selecting or clearing the checkbox next to a view icon shows or hides the view. Hidden views are not included in DXF data exports.

After a DXF export, you can switch back to another viewing mode.

3.4.1 Create view of parts available for mounting on

A view of enclosure parts available for mounting on - such as the side panels, rear panel, profile, mounting panel and door - can be generated in the Navigator. The view shows the selected component front-on.

Navigator | right-click layer available for mounting on | Create view

The display switches from model to view. Specify the bottom left and top right-hand corner of the view border.

You can now create a view just for the selected element (profile, mounting panel, door, etc.).

If you click [Yes], the selected component is shown in the view together with all parts on it, including parts that extend beyond the component"s edges.

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Example 1: View of a mounting panel

If you click [No] and a component fitted with devices spans multiple enclosures, the view will show the entire array.

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3.4.2 Creating custom views

The default enclosure views can be supplemented with additional standard views and various types of custom views.

Views

Create view

View | 3D views | Create views

Creates a single view. The type of view is selectable.

Note: The number of possible 3D views is theoretically unlimited, but practically

speaking, memory capacity and working speed will limit the number. The size of the drawing content influences the number of possible views in a drawing and the-refore the working speed. In a drawing with less content, more views are possible. The opposite is true for a drawing with more content. In order to ensure the great-est working speed, a drawing should contain as few views as possible.

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Activating and displaying components Modifying views

3.5 Modifying views

3.5.1 Moving a view

Views Move

View | 3D Views | Move

View border | Move

To move a view, select this command and tap in the view to move. You can then drag the view across the screen with the cursor.

[Return] toggles between free movement in any direction, movement in X only and movement in Y only. Drop the view at its new location.

3.5.2 Centring a view

Views

Centre

View | 3D Views | Centre

View border | Centre

Centres the elements

• In one view, by tapping the view. • In all views, by pressing [Return].

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3.5.3 Resizing a view

Views

Resize

View | 3D Views | Resize

View border | Resize

To change the display size of a view, select this function, then click inside a corner of the view and pull the frame of the view in or out.

Pressing [Return] switches from free entry of the view corner to individual entries of the X and Y side directions.

The size of the geometric content is not changed, only the area shown by the view changes.

3.5.4 Fit geometry to view size

Views

Fit Geometry to View Size

View | 3D Views | Fit Geometry to View Size

View border | Fit geometry to View Size

This is the reverse of the Optimum Size command. The size of the view remains unchanged, while the geometry in the view is zoomed to fit in the view.

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3.5.5 Changing the scale of a view

Right-click view border | Scale

Different views in a 3D drawing can have different scales: you can choose the dis-play scale for each view. You can also centre the geometry in the view after re-scaling so that it can be seen in its entirety.

Select the command and pick the view to rescale. You then have the following op-tions:

Enlarge

To enlarge the displayed size of the geometry enter a larger scale (e.g. 1:2 instead of 1:1).

Reduce

To reduce the displayed size of the geometry enter a smaller scale (e.g. 2:1 instead of 1:1).

Use drawing scale

Press [Return] to use the current drawing scale.

Press [Return] when you are done if you wish to centre the geometry in the view.

3.5.6 Deleting a view

View | 3D Views | Delete

Navigator | Right-click View node | Delete

View border | Delete

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Activating and displaying components Zoom

3.6 Zoom

Zooming with the mouse wheel

Turn the mouse wheel

You can zoom in or out to any magnification by turning the mouse (or pen) wheel towards or away from you.

[Alt] for slow zoom

Hold down the [Alt] key while turning the mouse wheel to zoom at a slower rate.

Zooming out with the right mouse button

Move the mouse backwards with the right button held down

Hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse backwards or backwards and to the left. A box is displayed, with arrows pointing to it from the corners of the current detail.

The detail is zoomed out to the area enclosed by the box.

Zooming in with the left mouse button

Hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse forwards to the left or right to draw a box. The detail zooms in on the area covered by the box.

Panning with the middle mouse button

Move the mouse with the middle button held down

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The four zoom buttons on the EPLAN Cabinet View toolbar and in the menu bar help find your way around the drawing in any view (isometric view, exclusive com-ponent view or enclosure views).

Enable zoom

View | Window

Zooms a specific area in the drawing window.

If two or more drawings are open, tap the window you want to zoom first.

Tap to define the bottom left corner of the area you want to zoom, move to the top right corner and tap again.

The specified area is enlarged to fill the window.

Disable zoom

View | Entire drawing

Returns to displaying the entire drawing.

If two or more drawings are open, tap the window you want to restore first. The entire drawing is displayed again.

Zoom in (150%)

View | Zoom in

Zooms-in the centre of the current view in the drawing window to 150%. Tap the drawing window you want.

All views can be zoomed, including enlarged views created with the Enable Zoom command.

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Zoom out (75%)

View | Zoom out

Zooms-out the centre of the current view in the drawing window to 75%. Tap the drawing window you want.

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Activating and displaying components Hiding and showing items

3.7 Hiding and showing items

All components of an enclosure can be hidden and shown individually or several at a time. This is possible in different ways:

• Hide / Show individually or together via a menu item

• Hide / Show individually with all assigned parts via the pop-up menu in the drawing

• Hide / Show individually with all assigned parts via the pop-up menu in the navigator

• Hide / Show individually via check boxes in the navigator

Hiding and unhiding via menu items

View | Hide / Show | Hide elements

Click the components to be hidden one after another. Items assigned to the com-ponents to be hidden, e.g. devices on a mounting rail, will not be hidden with this function.

Pressing [Return] hides all components in the drawing.

View | Hide / Show | Show elements

Pressing [Return] shows all hidden components in the drawing again.

Hiding and showing via the drawing pop-up menu

All enclosure components, construction items and devices have a "Hide" option in their pop-up menu, which appears when right-clicking in the drawing. Items as-signed to hidden components, e.g. devices on a mounting rail, are also hidden to-gether with the selected components.

Select "Show elements" in the menu bar to show a hidden item again.

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Activating and displaying components Hiding and showing items

Hiding and showing via the navigator pop-up menu

All enclosure components, construction items and devices have a "Hide" option in their pop-up menu, which appears when right-clicking in the navigator. Items as-signed to hidden components, e.g. devices on a mounting rail, are also hidden to-gether with the selected components.

Select "Show" in the navigator pop-up menu to show a hidden item again.

Hiding and showing via the navigator check boxes

Enclosure components can also be hidden and unhidden directly from the naviga-tor. Every part has a selectable check box in the naviganaviga-tor. The component is visi-ble in the model and in all views if the corresponding check box is selected.

If the corresponding check box is deselected, then the component is hidden in the model and in all views.

Items assigned to the components to be hidden, e.g. devices on a mounting rail, will not be hidden with this function.

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Activating and displaying components Labels

3.8 Labels

Many objects can have labels in EPLAN Cabinet, including devices, ducts, various rails and user-defined components. These labels are permanently assigned to each component and are placed automatically.

The behaviour of the various types of label can be configured before and after pla-cement. These settings affect all components that have already been inserted in drawings and all that are inserted in future.

Labels on components already in the drawing can also be modified in various ways. These include specifying a font size, fixed positioning, moving to a user-defined position, and showing and hiding individual labels independently of the glo-bal visibility setting.

3.8.1 Global parameter settings for labels

Global settings can be specified for text labels in the EPLAN Cabinet parameters. Information, organization and security

Parameters

Information/security | EPLAN Cabinet parameters

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In the marked areas, you can change the font colour and the font size for individual components.

Note: These settings only affect new components placed from now onwards.

Once you have clicked [OK], the settings are saved and will continue to apply the next time you start EPLAN Cabinet.

Note: All settings are stored in a file, ecdapp.ini. This .ini file is stored in the

ECDTRIGA4 subdirectory of the start directory. Settings can be transferred from one workstation to another by copying this file.

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3.8.2 Visibility of labels

The visibility of labels can be controlled separately for devices and ducts/rails. Select the command on the menu bar, under View - Configure Text.

You can choose separately for devices and ducts/rails whether to display: • Device tags

• Item numbers • No labelling

Note:

"Devices" include:

• Devices from the parts list (placed using the browser) • Universal components

• User-defined components "Ducts and rails" include: • Ducts

• Mounting rails • Busbar systems • Cable clamp rails

These settings are applied to the currently open project as soon as they are con-firmed.

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3.8.3 Editing existing labels

Labels on placed components can be modified at any time. The modifiable parameters are:

• Font size • Alignment • Fixed position

It is also possible to specify a user-defined position.

Note: Only the format and location of the labels are modified, not the text.

On the menu, select View - Reposition Text.

The "automatic above", "automatic centred" and "automatic below" positioning op-tions can be applied to several components simultaneously.

The "freely selectable" option can only be used on one component at a time.

Choose the options you want, then select the components to apply them to. For multiple components, select them in rectangle selection mode.

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To freely move a component"s label, choose the "freely selectable" option and specify an append point.

Click the component. You can now move the label with the cursor and click again to set it down.

The alignment and append point can still be modified.

If you alter the length of a duct or a rail, the label returns to its original position. The same happens if you exchange a duct or rail.

3.8.4 Showing and hiding labels

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Example: Label shown:

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Activating and displaying components Displaying component labelling

3.9 Displaying component labelling

3.9.1 Item number labelling

View

Display item number labelling

By default, components are labelled with their item number from the parts list asso-ciated with the project. Clicking the button a second time hides component item numbers.

3.9.2 Device tag labelling

View

Show device tag labelling

Switches component labelling to device tags. Clicking the button a second time hi-des component device tags.

3.9.3 Renumbering components

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Activating and displaying components Displaying component labelling

3.9.4 Repositioning label text

The positioning of label text on components is modifiable. For the sake of better readability, it may be necessary to change the position, alignment and font size of specific component labels from the default.

View

Reposition text

A dialogue opens with three options:

Text position

Placement of the text relative to the component: • Centre (default)

• Above the component • Below the component

Text alignment • Horizontal (default) • Vertical Text size • 12 pt (default) • Custom value

Modify the settings and click [OK] to confirm. The dialogue closes and you can pick the components you want to apply the settings to.

Individual components can be picked by tapping them one after another until you

press [ESC] to stop.

Multiple components can be picked by specifying a box that encloses them. Enter

a point for the bottom left corner of the box, then press and hold the left mouse but-ton for about 1 sec. Move to the top right corner and tap to enter a point for that corner. To confirm:

• Tap inside the box. This selects all components that are fully inside the box. • Tap next to the box. This selects all components that the box touches, including

ones outside it.

You are then prompted to confirm your selection or to add other elements by tap-ping them.

Choose [Yes] to apply the specified modification to the labels of all selected com-ponents.

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Activating and displaying components Hiding and showing minimum clearances

Example:

In the picture, the components inside the box are selected and their label texts are changed from centred to above.

3.10 Hiding and showing minimum clearances

View | Show minimum clearances View | Hide minimum clearances

Devices can be assigned a minimum clearance when defined in the parts man-agement. This is taken into account on placement, and ensures that the permissi-ble thermal load of neighboring devices can be maintained.

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Activating and displaying components Showing/hiding shading

3.11 Showing/hiding shading

View Shading on View Shading off

Shaded view shows the enclosure and its components with coloured surfaces. The top, side panels and door are 50% transparent. You can continue to work without restriction in shaded view.

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Activating and displaying components Showing/hiding hidden edges

3.12 Showing/hiding hidden edges

View

Recalculate hidden edges View

Delete hidden edges

Hidden edges are edges of components that are concealed by surfaces between them and the viewer. The default view is isometric view with hidden edges dis-played; the enclosure and all components appear transparent.

When you change to a different view, the information on which edges are visible in isometric view is lost. Correct display of the non-transparent parts is restored by re-calculation. Deleting redisplays the hidden edges.

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Activating and displaying components Rotating a view

3.13 Rotating a view

"Rotate view contents" rotates the contents of a view or the model about all three axes.

View

Rotate view

Specify the view and centre of rotation

First, specify the view to rotate and the point about which it is to be rotated.

Tap

The centre of rotation is the centre of the space shown in the view.

<Search>

<Search> any point to make it the centre of rotation. The centre of rotation is marked with a cross.

Specify the rotation range

The possible rotation range is 360 degrees in each direction, i.e. it has the form of an imaginary sphere. There are two ways to control the rotation:

1) Tap

Tap next to the centre of rotation to determine the size of the sphere. This also af-fects the rotation speed: the bigger the sphere, the slower the rotation of the view contents. The direction of rotation is determined by where you tap the sphere. Press [Return] to accept your settings; the rotation stops.

2) Drag

Tap once to determine the size of the sphere and hold down the mouse

but-ton/pen. You can now rotate the view contents on the imaginary sphere by moving

the mouse or pen.

When you let go of the mouse button/pen, the view stops rotating and is left at its current position. If you let go while moving, the rotation continues, leaving the view contents rotating around the specified point.

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Activating and displaying components Rotating a view

Rotating with keyboard control

If you want to rotate the view contents manually in shaded or wireframe view, first specify a centre of rotation. Then specify an angle for the rotation increment. For example, if you enter 10°, each time you press the left or right cursor key and each time you tap in the view causes the view contents to be rotated by 10°. The PgUp and PgDn keys move the view contents closer or further away.

Stopping rotation

There are two ways to stop a view rotating:

[Esc] Restores the view to its original orientation.

[Return] Retains the current orientation.