Graphic symbols are groupings of objects consisting solely of graphic objects (lines, arcs, etc.). The graphic symbols are inserted in the document as objects of type Group and can be selected, or divided into individual objects as any other grouping of objects. They are defined and exported via Frame objects.
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Graphic symbols cannot extend over multiple layers. If you convert objects on different layers into symbols, they are combined into a single layer. |
Objects for defining graphic symbols
The following objects can be used to define a graphic symbol:
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All graphic objects except the following objects: OLE, Clone, Diagram, Image of a page.
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An object Hotspot to specify the origin point, or insertion point, of the symbol. In the absence of the Hotspot object, the origin of the symbol is in the middle.
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Objects of type Attribute. Graphic attributes can be used to display the value of internal attributes. See To display the internal attributes of symbols in the drawing.
Structure of a page of graphic symbols
A page of symbols does not have a fixed and predefined structure but looks exactly like any other graphic page. You can set the page size and style of objects. Since it does not have a fixed structure, in addition to graphic objects, specific objects (frames, hotspots) must be used for defining symbols for this type of document.
On pages, symbols are defined by frame objects. Each symbol will be formed only by objects that are entirely enclosed within the rectangle of the corresponding frame object.
Layers to be included in a page of graphic symbols
The page must include the following layers:
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A layer of type Library in which to draw the Frame objects for the definition of symbols. All objects on this layer will not be included in the symbol.
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At least one layer of type Drawing in which to draw the objects that will form the symbol. Graphic symbols cannot extend over multiple layers. If you convert objects on different layers into symbols, they are combined into a single layer.
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To initialize a symbol page you can load the layer stack "Layer stack for symbol library". |
To create a library of graphic symbols
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Create a new Job as described in Create a new Job.
Create a new project for each volume in the library. See Creating a new project in the Job.
Create a graphical document in projects
for each chapter of the volume.
See Creating a new document.
Create a page in your documents for each topic in the chapter. Choose the Page manager command in the Settings menu to open the Page manager dialog box.
In the pages, open the Layer Setup dialog and add the Library type layer. Include the Library layer also in the view. Alternatively, you can load the layer stack "Layer stack for symbol library".
Create an object Frame for each symbol and draw the graphic symbol within the frame. See Drawing a graphic symbol.
Save the Job.