Model Import Macro

A separate macro is available that can support custom equipment and use a scale factor that allows the use of custom AutoCAD scales.

To use this macro;

• Load Sym3, select New Project and whether the import is to be in Metric or Imperial units.
• Select the Developer tab and open a new Macro Editor window
• Load the ModelImporter macro into the Macro window and execute it.
• Select the exported AutoCAD file and a window for the Import settings will appear;

Select Unit: Select the units (Metric or Imperial). See note below about different AutoCAD scales.

Use this macro: Use this Macro or launch the built-in importer.

Use only simitemblocks: When selected, only SimItemblocks are processed.

Add PEs to each conveyor: When selected, a single PE will be added to the end of each conveyor.

Switch: Allows the selection of the equipment types to be imported.

UseExcel: When selected, allows the selection of an Excel file that defines the equipment and location.

OK: Run the import with the selected settings.

Different AutoCAD scales

By default the Macro expects the internal divisions exported by AutoCAD to be in millimetres. When selecting the units a conversion is applied but this will be incorrect if the internal units used by AutoCAD have been scaled. The Macro contains a constant (named SCALE_FACTOR) which defaults to 1000 but can be manually adjusted to correct for different scales. For example, where a conveyor is drawn 18.5 feet long;

Scaled in mm - SCALE_FACTOR = 1000 (5638 AutoCAD units)

Scaled in inches - SCALE_FACTOR = 58 (222 AutoCAD units)

Scaled in feet - SCALE_FACTOR = 4.8 (18.5 AutoCAD units)