Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Utility Dialog Box

Settings

Choose a .wdi file to apply previously saved PLC settings. If you enter the name of the .wdi file, these locations are searched in the following order:

1. User folder: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support\User\
2. Active project's .wdp file folder
3. Symbol library paths defined for the active project
4. AutoCAD Electrical toolset lookup folder: C:\Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\
5. AutoCAD Electrical toolset support (C:\Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\Support\{language code}\.)
6. All paths defined under AutoCAD Options Files Support Files Search Path

Setup

Click Setup to display the Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Utility Setup dialog box where you can define:

• Number and type of ladders
• Number and spacing of rungs
• Reference number style
• Style, scale, and placement of modules
• Placement and spacing for inline devices
• Drawing template for new drawings

Note: If you choose a .wdi file after you make changes in the Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Utility Setup dialog box, the settings in the .wdi file override any changes made.

Ladder Reference Numbering

Controls options that relate to line reference numbers on ladders.

Start

Specifies the first line reference number for the first ladder of the first drawing. Leading zeros and embedded alphabetic characters are supported for line reference numbering.

Index

Specifies whether line reference numbers should increment by 1 or by another value.

Column to column

Specifies how to calculate the first line reference number of the next ladder column on the same drawing.

Next sequential number: Increment by 1 from the last number of the previous ladder column.

Column to column count: Increment by a specified amount from the first line reference number of the previous ladder column.

Drawing to drawing

Specifies how to calculate the first line reference number of the first ladder column on the next drawing.

Next sequential number: Increment by 1 from the last number of the last ladder column on the previous drawing.

Drawing to drawing count: Increment by a specified amount from the first line reference number of the first ladder column on the previous drawing.

Module Placement

Always start at top of ladder

Starts each I/O module at the top of a ladder, one module for each ladder.

Same ladder only if module fits

Builds the module in the ladder with the previous module if it fits completely. If the entire module does not fit, it builds in the next ladder or next drawing.

Fill ladder - allow module splits

Builds the module in the same ladder with the previous module and splits the module if necessary. If the module splits, it continues in either the next ladder or next drawing.

Rungs between

Skips the specified number of rungs between modules when multiple modules are placed within the same ladder.

Include unused/extra connections

Includes the terminals defined as When Including Unused in the PLC database definition for the PLC module.

Allow pre-defined breaks

Automatically breaks the PLC module based on any breaks in the PLC database definition for the PLC module.

Drawing File Creation

Use active drawing

Indicates to use the active drawing to begin the PLC placement process. If a starting file name has already been entered, this option is not available.

Starting file name

Specifies the drawing file to begin the PLC placement process. The .dwg extension is not required. The drawing is saved in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project.

Pause between drawings

Displays a dialog box before each new drawing is generated, which enables you to adjust the settings.

Free run

Generates all PLC drawings without stopping.

Sheet

Enter a value for the drawing sheet number. Sheet numbers increment for each new drawing.

Add new drawing to active project

Adds newly created drawings to the active project. The new drawings are added to the end of the project’s drawing list.

Save

Saves the setup information and settings in a .wdi file to reuse. Settings include the options in this dialog box, the Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Utility Setup dialog box, and the Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Drawing Generator dialog box.