What's New in 2012 Release

Library Standards

Two sets of library symbols are added that comply with the standards:

The JIC standard is no longer updated, and is incorporated into the NFPA 79 standards. The NFPA standard states that the library symbols are to be in accordance with the IEEE 315/315A standard. The JIC and older IEC symbol libraries remain for legacy support.

Export/Import Drawing Settings

Export Drawing Settings properties modify the values in the output file and import the values back to the drawings and project file. These properties are exported:

Update components from catalog database

When you assign a catalog value to a component, the component updates with related values from the catalog database. If these related values change later in the database, you can update the components with the new values. This feature updates the following values:

A list displays so you can surf to related components that need updates based on the changed values, such as child pins.

Copy Circuit enhancements

In the Copy Circuit Options dialog box, options are added for updating terminal numbers. Choose from the following options for terminals within the copied circuit:

Use AutoCAD Content Explorer in AutoCAD Electrical

Content Explorer combines content from a variety of local folders for quick location and real-time access from within the AutoCAD design environment. You can index content for quick access, catalog the objects in each file, and perform searches on local folders. The following AutoCAD Electrical commands are available from Content Explorer:

Add your AutoCAD electrical library folders to Content Explorer. Use the search function to find a library symbol or circuit, right-click and select the AutoCAD Electrical command from the menu.

By entering a search string into the search field, Content Explorer goes through every file located in the selected folder and returns the files with a file name, author, keyword, comment, name, subject, or title that meets the search criteria.

You can also search for text contained in:

For more information see the documentation on Content Explorer in the AutoCAD documentation.

Project Manager

The Open Project button is added to the Project Manager to open a project.

Multiple balloon placement

When a component has multiple catalog values, select the direction for placement of multiple balloons. Options include up, down, left, right, and angle of last segment.

Report enhancements

  • User-Defined Attributes support xdata in AutoCAD Electrical. Only xdata names with the VIA_WD_ prefix are included. Do not include the VIA_WD_ prefix in the User-Defined Attributes list.
  • Bill of Material reports include sheet and reference fields.

Electrical Audit enhancement

Components and wires highlight when you select the Go To function from Electrical Audit, making it easier to identify the object with the exception.

Footprint update enhancement

When you modify a catalog on a schematic component, a footprint symbol can update on the related panel footprint. If the footprint for the new catalog does not exist, choose from the options:

Update a schematic component from a one-line component

Copy information from a one-line component to a schematic component. Select which types of values to update:

Duplicate tag check for panel footprints

On the Panel Layout - Component Insert/Edit dialog box, when you enter a tag value, the program checks for duplication.

Terminal Strip Editor

  • Create a terminal strip with the Terminal Strip Editor, even if there are no terminals present in the active project.
  • When creating a Terminal Strip table, table styles from the active drawing are available for selection.

Related Concepts

Related Tasks

Related Reference