The schematic lookup file maps catalog information from a panel component or equipment list to a specific schematic component library symbol. AutoCAD Electrical supplies a starter lookup file called schematic_lookup.mdb in Access ".mdb" file format. Within the database file are tables based on Manufacturer codes. When you select a panel footprint from an AutoCAD Electrical extract file or select a panel footprint from a catalog lookup file, it carries a manufacturer code, on the MFG attribute. AutoCAD Electrical takes this MFG code, goes to the matching table name in the schematic lookup database and tries to find a match on the manufacturer, catalog number and assembly code (if non-blank). If a match is found, AutoCAD Electrical retrieves the component block path/name (or AutoCAD Electrical command list) from the matching record and inserts the schematic component representation into the drawing.

You must expand and modify these tables to meet your specific schematic needs. You can do this using tools provided with AutoCAD Electrical or through the use of a database program that can read/write the Access file format. You may use the MDB file (schematic_lookup.mdb) or a project-specific schematic lookup file, called <project>_schematic_lookup.mdb. If the project-specific .mdb file is used, it needs to be in the same subdirectory as the <project>.wdp file.

Lookup file naming convention: AutoCAD Electrical takes the target footprint's MFG code and looks for a table, in your Access schematic_lookup.mdb file with that name. For example, if the footprint's MFG value is SQD, then AutoCAD Electrical searches for a schematic lookup table called SQD; manufacturer code of AB yields the table name AB.

Lookup file format

All fields contain characters except for RECNUM, which is automatically numbered in the list for you. Fields may be blank and may use wildcards, with the exception of SCHEMATIC_BLKNAM. Each record consists of these fields (in this order):

MANUFACTURER	Manufacturer name (same as attribute value)
CATALOG	Catalog part number
ASSEMBLYCODE	Assembly code part number link
FUNCTION_DESCRIPTION	Assigned description text (DESC1-DESC3)
PANEL_BLKNAM	Block name of the panel footprint insert
CATEGORY	Blank for component queries, 'T' or 'W' for terminal queries
WDBLKNAM	Name used to tie into catalog lookup table (ex. PB11, CR)
SCHEMATIC_BLKNAM	Schematic symbol block name or special insert command flag
COMMENTS	Description of the schematic block name
RECNUM	Record number (automatically numbered in the list)

Table query sequence

Queries on this database can be multi-level until a hit is returned. The first level is a query on the MFG/CAT/ASSYCODE fields. If 0 records are returned, a second query is done on just the CATALOG field (or the CATEGORY field if working with terminals). If 0 records are returned, a third query is done on the WDBLKNAM field. If this fails to return any records, a final query is made on keywords in the FUNCTION_DESCRIPTION field.

Note: When querying panel terminals, the second query is on the CATEGORY field, which contains a 'T' or 'W'. This query determines which symbols to display in the Insert dialog box. The 'T' displays a list of terminal symbols for terminal numbers, while the 'W' displays a list of terminal symbols for wire number terminals.

When multiple block name choices are returned, they are displayed in a pick list along with any comments from each matching record. If a match is not found or if matches are found and you choose not to use any of them, the displayed Insert dialog box offers several other options. You can:

Pick from AutoCAD Electrical's icon menu
Browse to the symbol file (available from the icon menu)
Enter a symbol name into the edit box (available from the icon menu)
Pick a 'just like schematic component to get the schematic block name

Procedures:

Edit schematic lookup files

Click Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down Schematic Database File Editor.
(Optional) Click Sort to sort the database fields so that you can quickly find the record you are looking for.
(Optional) Click Find or Replace to jump to the next occurrence of the specified text or to replace the existing text.
(Optional) Click Filter to filter the listing based on certain values in the table. After you define the values to filter, apply the filter in the database editing window.
Decide if you want to edit an existing record or add a new one.
- If you decide to edit an existing record, select the record to edit and click Edit on the Edit dialog box or double-click the record in the list.
- If you decide to add a new record, click Add New or Add Copy on the Edit dialog box.
Add or edit the record values and click OK.
Your new record is added to the list. You can also immediately see any changes you made to an existing record.
Click Save/Exit.

References

Edit

Use this tool to add or modify records in the schematic_lookup.mdb file to use for mapping panel footprints and terminal representations to the equivalent schematic component block names.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down Schematic Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Panel Miscellaneous

Menu: Panel Layout Database File Editor Schematic Database File Editor

Command entry: AESCHEMATICDB

This lookup database table is a catalog lookup Access .mdb file that can be expanded as needed. Use either Microsoft Access or this dialog box to add new entries, edit or delete entries from the table.

Sort	Sorts the list of database records using either an alphanumeric sort or number values. You can specify four sorts to perform on the list.
Find	Specifies the value to find and then jumps to the next occurrence of the specified text. This searches in a specific column or in the entire table.
Replace	Indicates to replace the find value with the new text string that you specify.
Filter	Filters the listing based on certain values in the table. Picking the blank entry in the list removes the filter for that field. After you define the values to filter, apply the filter in the database editing window.
Edit	Displays the Edit Record dialog box for modifying the existing record in the database.
Add New	Displays the Edit New Record dialog box for entering a new record into the database.
Add Copy	Displays the Edit Copied Record dialog box for modifying and copying the record to make a new record. You cannot have two duplicate copies in the database.
Delete	Removes the selected record from the database.

Edit record

Edit new, existing, or copied records in the schematic_lookup.mdb database.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down Schematic Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Panel Miscellaneous

Menu: Panel Layout Database File Editor Schematic Database File Editor

Command entry: AESCHEMATICDB

Click Add New, Add Copy, or Edit or double-click on a record in the Edit dialog box.

MANUFACTURER	Manufacturer name (same as attribute value)
CATALOG	Catalog part number
ASSEMBLYCODE	Assembly code part number link
FUNCTION_DESCRIPTION	(Optional) Assigned description text (DESC1-DESC3)
PANEL_BLKNAM	Block name of the panel footprint insert
CATEGORY	Blank for component queries, 'T' or 'W' for terminal queries
WDBLKNAM	Name used to tie into catalog lookup table (ex. PB11, CR)
SCHEMATIC_BLKNAM	Schematic symbol block name or special insert command flag. Click Command List to add a command rather than a single block name.
COMMENTS	Description of the schematic block name

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