Creating New Symbols

To create a hybrid symbol, select both the 2D and 3D objects, which become the 2D and 3D components of the symbol. In Top/Plan view, align the objects first (symbol alignment can be adjusted after creation with the Edit Symbol command). The symbol preview that displays in the Resource Browser is generated in the symbol view at creation or editing.

For 2D symbols inserted in walls, two loci can be specified as wall break locations. In Top/Plan view, place two loci at opposing locations with the object to convert, and select them all before converting. When the symbol is inserted into the wall, the wall breaks at the loci locations instead of the symbol bounding box.

Parameter	Description
Name	Provide a name for the new symbol. Do not use single quotes in symbol names. Single quotes in names are reserved for use in scripts.
Insertion Point	Controls how the symbol is inserted
Plan Projection Center/3D Object Center/Plug-in Object Origin	Sets the insertion point according to the object’s geometry. ● If working in Top/Plan view, the insertion point is defined by the bounding box center. For 3D objects, the Z coordinate is defined by the object's relation to the active layer plane. ● If working in 3D view, the insertion point is defined as the center of the object's bounding cube. ● If creating a symbol from a Plug-in object, the insertion point is defined to be the same as the object's insertion point.
Next Mouse Click	Sets the insertion point manually, with the cursor, after clicking OK
Units	Determines the symbol’s size units
Page-based	Sets the symbol size according to the page. When inserted, the symbol automatically scales relative to the page environment. This is useful for annotation objects that should always remain the same size on the “page,” regardless of the layer scale.
World-based	Sets the symbol size according to constant world dimensions; its insertion size depends on the layer scale
Insert in Walls	Select whether the symbol will be insertable in walls. When Wall Insertion mode is enabled, objects that have the Insert in Walls option enabled will insert into walls (see Inserting Symbols).
On Centerline/On Edge	If Insert in Walls is selected, select how the symbol will be inserted. On Centerline snaps the symbol’s insertion point to the center line of the wall. On Edge snaps the symbol’s insertion point along either edge of the wall.
Wall Breaks	If Insert in Walls is selected, select how the wall will break around the symbol when it is inserted into a wall
Other Options
Leave Instance In-Place	When selected, replaces the current selection with a symbol instance; when deselected, the object is removed from the drawing
Change 2D Objects from Layer Plane to Screen Plane	Converts any planar 2D objects in the layer plane into screen plane 2D objects, for the Top/Plan representation of the symbol. If deselected, any 2D planar objects in the layer plane that are part of the symbol will not display in Top/Plan view, so a hybrid symbol may not display properly in Top/Plan view.
Convert to Group	Converts the symbol into a grouped object when inserted, disassociating it from the original symbol definition. Converted grouped objects are identified in the Resource Browser with a blue name. Deselect to convert the symbol into a black, unmodifiable symbol; each instance is controlled by the symbol definition.
Convert to Plug-in Object	Converts the symbol into a plug-in object when inserted, allowing the current parameters to be pre-set when the plug-in object is inserted. Converted plug-in objects are identified in the Resource Browser with a red name. Deselect to convert the symbol into a black, unmodifiable symbol; each instance is controlled by the symbol definition.
Assign To Class	Select the class the symbol will be assigned to upon insertion. The symbol can be assigned to the active class or to another class present in the drawing; alternatively, create a new class by selecting New. When a new class is created, it does not automatically become the active class.

Item	Convert to	Result
2D screen object	2D symbol	2D black symbol, planar
3D object and/or 2D planar	3D symbol	3D black symbol, for use in a 3D view only
2D screen + 3D object	Hybrid symbol	Hybrid black symbol, for use in 2D plan and 3D models
Symbol	Symbol	Saves any changes to the current symbol attributes as a new, black symbol definition
	Group	Creates a new blue symbol definition, to be inserted as a group
	Plug-in object	Creates a new red symbol definition, to be inserted as a plug-in object
Group	Symbol	Creates a new black symbol definition, with multiple objects existing within a symbol container
Plug-in object	Symbol	Creates a new black symbol definition. This allows all instances to change by editing the plug-in object inside the symbol, even though the actual symbol instance cannot be edited.
Plug-in object	Plug-in object	Creates a new red symbol definition, to be inserted as a plug-in object. This allows an editable plug-in object to be placed in a drawing with saved parameters. For example, a door plug-in object, when saved with a width of 4’ and inserted as a plug-in object, is inserted with a width of 4’ rather than with the default width.
Worksheet	Group	Creates a new blue symbol definition, to be inserted as a group. For example, a worksheet can be saved as a preformatted report by saving it as a blue symbol definition.

Parameter	Description
Folder list	Displays the file’s symbol folders; the selected folder becomes the destination for the new symbol
New Folder	Creates a new folder within the selected folder; specify the folder name and click OK to create the symbol folder
Don’t show this dialog	Hides this dialog box if you only want to see it when a file already contains symbol folders

Creating New Symbols

Item

Convert to

Result

Parameter

Description

Parameter

Description