AutoCAD Electrical toolset supports some optional project-related files. These files provide various functions such as keeping a project consistent, helping update custom title blocks across a project, or providing custom settings for various tools such as the PLC I/O module insertion tool.
Catalog Lookup
Access database for choosing catalog part number assignments. It is also referenced when generating bill of materials reports.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>_CAT.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT_CAT.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT_CAT.MDB using search sequence "C"
Description defaults
Lists various standard component description selections, accessible by clicking Defaults on the Insert/Edit Component and Panel Layout - Component Insert/Edit dialog boxes.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- Component family-specific file with a .wdd extension (for example, "PB.WDD" for family “PB” push buttons)
- <project name>.WDD located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- WD_DESC.WDD using search sequence "A"
- Prompts for browsing to a .wdd description file
The following formats are supported:
- Single description text per line
- "|" character delimits consecutive DESCx value assignments. For example, an entry "SAFETY|OKAY" would put "SAFETY" into the first DESCx attribute and OKAY" into the DESC(x+1) attribute.
- ";" indicates a comment at the end of a line, for example "ARRET;Stop".
External component
Component annotation in a text file, accessed when you click External List on the Insert/Edit dialog box for schematic or panel layouts. Select a line of data and map the separate values to various attributes carried by the schematic component or panel footprint symbol being edited.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.WDX located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- Prompts for browsing to a file with a .txt, .csv or .wdx extension
Family tag code map
Overrides the family tag code of the library symbols by mapping the codes to new values. The %F replaceable parameter in tagging formats uses the family tag code.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- WD_FAM.DAT using search sequence "A"
The text file follows this format:
- <old>, <new>
Example:
LT, LITE - overrides the default family code LT on JIC pilot lights with LITE
Footprint lookup
Database for graphical footprint assignments based on the catalog part number assignments.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>_FOOTPRINT_LOOKUP.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- FOOTPRINT_LOOKUP.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- FOOTPRINT_LOOKUP.MDB using search sequence "B"
Schematic lookup
Database for schematic components inserted from panel footprints.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>_SCHEMATIC_LOOKUP.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- SCHEMATIC_LOOKUP.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- SCHEMATIC_LOOKUP.MDB using search sequence "B"
Installation codes
Lists the default installation codes, accessible by clicking Project (Installation section of the Insert/Edit Component and Panel Layout - Component Insert/Edit dialog boxes)
Include External List on the All Installations - Project dialog box.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.INST located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.INST located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.INST using search sequence "A"
Location codes
Lists the default location codes, accessible by clicking Project (Location section of the Insert/Edit Component and Panel Layout - Component Insert/Edit dialog boxes)Include External List on the All Locations - Project dialog box.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.LOC located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.LOC located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.LOC using search sequence "A"
Project labels
Customizes the generic LINEx labels in the various title block and project information dialog boxes.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.WDL located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT_WDTITLE.WDL located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT_WDTITLE.WDL using search sequence "A"
Rating defaults
Lists the default installation codes, accessible by clicking Show All Ratings (on the Insert/Edit Component and Panel Layout - Component Insert/Edit dialog boxes)Defaults next to any rating.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.WDR located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- WD_RATINGS.WDR located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- WD_RATINGS.WDR using search sequence "A"
The following formats are supported:
- Single rating value per line
- "|" character delimits consecutive RATINGx value assignments. For example, an entry "30A|60A" would put "30A" into the first RATINGx attribute and "60A" into the RATING(x+1) attribute.
Real-time error checking
Text file used for excluding terminals for duplication checking in an audit. The default .wdn file contains the terminal number filers GND, PE, and E. They are ignored when checking for duplication and are not listed in the Electrical Audit report. Edit this file with an ASCII text editor, such as WordPad. Wildcards are supported.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.WDN located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.WDN located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.WDN located in the default project folder, C:\Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\Proj
RSLogix import
Defines the optional mapping of RSLogix codes to AutoCAD Electrical toolset symbol block names for an RSLogix file import.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.WDF located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT_RSLOGIX.WDF located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT_RSLOGIX.WDF using search sequence "A"
Spreadsheet to PLC tool
Defines the settings for the AutoCAD Electrical toolset Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Utility.
You are prompted to browse to a file with a .wdi extension. The default settings file is DEMOPLC.WDI.
Title block
The attribute name mapping support file for the AutoCAD Electrical toolset title block update tool.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.WDT located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.WDT located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.WDT using search sequence "A"
User defined attributes
A text file of attribute tag names used by reports to add fields to reports.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.WDA located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.WDA located in the base project folder
Wire color and gauge labels
Maps color and gauge wire descriptions based on wire layers.
The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>.WDW located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.WDW located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT.WDW using search sequence "A"
Source/Destination descriptions
Lists the default description lines to assign to a source or destination arrow, accessible by clicking Defaults from the Source "To" Arrow or Destination "From" Arrow dialog box.
The WDSRCDST.WDD file is searched for using search sequence "A".
Secondary Project File
AutoCAD Electrical toolset creates and manages a secondary project file, with an .aepx extension. Do not edit this file directly. If the .aepx file is deleted, it is recreated automatically.
Subdirectory search sequence "A"
- Full path (if full path name given)
- User subdirectory: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\User\
- Active project's .wdp file subdirectory
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\Support\{language code}\
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\
- All paths defined under AutoCAD Options Files Support Files Search Path
Subdirectory search sequence "B"
- Full path (if full path name given)
- User subdirectory: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\User\
- Catalog lookup subdirectory: C:\Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\{language code}\Catalogs\
- Panel footprint library base subdirectory: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade {version}\Libs\panel[_mm]\
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\Support\{language code}\
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\
- All paths defined under AutoCAD Options Files Support Files Search Path
Subdirectory search sequence "C"
- Full path (if full path name given)
- User subdirectory: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\User\
- Catalog lookup subdirectory: C:\Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\{language code}\Catalogs\
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\Support\{language code}\
- AutoCAD Electrical toolset support: C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\
- All paths defined under AutoCAD Options Files Support Files Search Path
- If the environment file (wd.env) has setting WD_ACADPATHFIRST uncommented and set to 1, then the Options paths are searched between steps 1 and 2 above instead of at the very end.
- If the environment file (wd.env) has setting WD_SUP_ALT uncommented and set to a valid subdirectory path, then it is inserted into the search sequence just after User.