By following these tasks in order, you can create your own feature symbol quickly and easily.
Open and Set Up the Symbol File
The software delivers several templates that you can use to create your custom symbols. For more information, see Open and Set Up the Symbol File.
Manage Layers and Display Settings
Create the required layers, and any optional layers, for the symbol. For more information, see Manage Layers.
After you have created the layers, adjust the display settings to meet your needs. For more information, see Set Display Settings.
Sketch and Constrain Feature Graphic Inputs
Create the input curve inputs. For more information, see Sketch and Constrain Feature Graphic Inputs.
Sketch and Constrain Feature Construction Elements
Create construction geometry to aid in the definition and proper constraint of the feature symbol geometry. For more information, see Sketch and Constrain Feature Construction Elements.
Sketch and Constrain Feature Geometry
Create the symbol geometry. For more information, see Sketch and Constrain Feature Geometry.
Move Corner Feature Geometry
Additional considerations to create symbol geometry when a non-orthogonal cut is needed for a corner feature. For more information, see Move Corner Feature Geometry and Dimensions to AlongCorner Layer.
Create Feature Input Groups
Individually group each of the input curves. For more information, see Create Feature Input Groups.
Create Feature Output Group
Group the graphics that define the bracket into a unique group. For more information, see Create Feature Output Group.
Test Symbol Geometry
To verify that the geometry is properly constrained and behaves correctly, you need to test the symbol. For more information, see Testing Symbol Geometry.
Define Feature Symbol Properties
One of the most important steps of symbol creation is to map the dimensions in your symbol to the corresponding symbol parameter in your catalog workbook. For more information, see Define Feature Symbol Properties.
Define Feature Symbol Representation
Assign output geometry to a symbol representation. For more information, see Create Feature Symbol Representation.
Define Feature Inputs
Specify the feature inputs. For more information, see Define Feature Inputs.
Create ProfileSketch Layer
You must duplicate some geometry and dimensions on the ProfileSketch layer so that they appear on profile sketch drawings created in the Ship Drawings and Reports task. For more information, see Create Profile Sketch Layer.
Define ProfileSketch Symbol Representation
Assign the profile sketch group to a symbol representation. For more information, see Create ProfileSketchCurve Representation.
Adding Symbol Data to the Catalog
Add the part class of the symbol to the appropriate workbook from which it can be loaded into the Catalog database. For more information, see Add Symbol Data to the Catalog and Load Symbol Definition Data into an Excel Bulkload File.