The Cable and Harness Library stores the harness object data such as cables, wires, raw ribbon cables, splices, and virtual parts used to create harness objects in a harness assembly. It contains generic library definitions for these harness objects as well as a default splice.
You can add, modify, and delete harness objects from the library as needed. Large sets of library data can also be imported into and exported from the Cable and Harness Library using an import file in .cvs format.
What actions can I perform with the Cable and Harness Library?
The Cable and Harness Library dialog box contains a toolbar, a drop-down list, and tabs for browsing the harness objects. The drop-down list contains the available harness object types. The tabs contain a list of the related library object and object categories, as well as a property preview pane. With these commands you can:
- Add new library definitions, including new types and categories.
- Modify, copy, and delete existing library definitions.
- Import and export libraries of cables, wires, raw ribbon cables, splices, or virtual parts.
- Explore the definitions in the list.
- View the basic properties for a selected library object.
- View the total number of specific harness objects in the library.
Where should the cable and harness library file be located?
By default, the cable and harness library file is located in the Design Data location set for the project in File 
Options, File tab and is named Cable&HarnessDefaultLibrary.iwl. For the active project, the default location is Autodesk\Inventor <version>\Design Data\Cable & Harness directory. You can change this location using the File Locations tab on the Harness Settings dialog box.
If the Cable and Harness Library is accessed by multiple users, it must be placed in a shared location, such as on a server, to provide access for all required users. If the file is not in the default location, you must be sure to set the new location in the context of the harness assembly. A different Cable and Harness Library file and location can be set for each harness assembly, if needed.
How does the Cable and Harness Library behave for multiple users?
The first person to open the Cable and Harness Library (by clicking Cable and Harness Library) has write permission and can add, edit, and remove library objects as needed. All others attempting to access the Cable and Harness Library, are notified that the library is being edited and it cannot be accessed. This means you cannot add, edit, or delete library wires or cables. You can however, insert cable and wire occurrences based on library definitions into the harness assembly.
If you open the library after it has been changed, you are prompted to reload. The harness assembly is automatically updated with the changes.
How are the Default Library definitions used?
Each harness object in the library has a default definition, with the exception of a default library cable and raw ribbon cable, that is named Default Library <harness object>. The default library definitions are always in the object list. For example, the default library wire is always listed in the list of wires as the Default Library Wire. It cannot be deleted or renamed, and the properties cannot be modified. The default library definition is used when:
- The cable and harness library file cannot be opened or located.
- The library used by an imported harness object cannot be found.
- The contents of the open library is different from the original library with the same name, and a selected harness object does not exist in that library.