By following these tasks in order, you can create your own bracket 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. We recommend that you use the BracketTemplate.sym delivered with the software to create brackets. 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 Bracket Graphic Inputs
Create the support curve inputs. For more information, see Sketch and Constrain Bracket Graphic Inputs.
Sketch and Constrain Bracket Geometry
Create the symbol geometry. For more information, see Sketch and Constrain Bracket Geometry.
Sketch and Constrain Bracket Geometry with Corner Cutout
Additional considerations to create symbol geometry when there is a cutout in the corner of the bracket. For more information, see Sketch and Constrain Bracket Geometry with Corner Cutout.
Create Bracket Input Groups
Individually group each of the support curves. For more information, see Create Bracket Input Groups.
Create Bracket Output Group
Group the graphics that define the bracket into a unique group. For more information, see Create Bracket 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 Bracket 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 Bracket Symbol Properties.
Define Additional Symbol Properties for Tripping Brackets
Some symbol properties are only used by tripping brackets. For more information, see Define Additional Symbol Properties for Tripping Brackets.
Define Bracket Inputs
Specify the bracket inputs. For more information, see Define Bracket Inputs.
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.