Working with Symbols

What is the Custom Symbols directory?

The Custom Symbols directory is a folder that contains the customized symbols that you import in Metasys UI Online and UI Offline. You need to import this folder separately for UI Online and UI Offline, as the Online and Offline modes do not share the same folder location. See How do I import and export Custom Symbols in Metasys UI ?

What happens to the Custom Symbols directory when I upgrade the application?

You need to export the Custom Symbols directory before you upgrade the application. Once the upgrade is complete, you need to import the directory.

How do I create a new Custom Symbol?

To create a Custom Symbol, refer to the Metasys UI Custom Symbols Technical Bulletin (LIT-12013054).

How do I import and export Custom Symbols in Metasys UI ?

To import a Custom Symbol, follow the steps below:

  1. Click the User menu icon.
  2. Click Administrative Tasks.
  3. Click Graphics Manager.
  4. Click Tools in the panel on the left.
  5. Click IMPORT CUSTOM SYMBOLS.
  6. Click Choose File and then browse to and select the relevant .zip file.
    Important: An import overwrites existing Custom Symbols. Ensure that the imported .zip file is all-inclusive. The file must be a .zip file and the file size must not exceed 1GB.
  7. Select the check box to confirm that the file you import is free from malicious code.
  8. Click IMPORT.

To export a Custom Symbol, follow the steps below:

  1. Click the User menu icon.
  2. Click Administrative Tasks.
  3. Click Graphics Manager.
  4. Click Tools in the panel on the left.
  5. Click EXPORT CUSTOM SYMBOLS.

How do I work with symbols?

To add a symbol to a graphic, follow the steps below:

  1. Click .
  2. Select the symbol category from the alphabetical list.
  3. Select a symbol and drag it to the Graphics Canvas.

To add a custom symbol to a graphic, follow the steps below:

  1. Click .
  2. Select Custom Symbols from the alphabetical list.
  3. Click the expansion arrow left of Custom Symbols to see the folder tree.
    Note: The folder structure you create on the Site Director or Web Application computer (SCT computer) determines the folder structure within the custom symbol library. If you create no extra folders in that location, you can only see the standard Metasys UI categories in the symbol library.
  4. Expand the sub-folder in the folder tree to see the symbols themselves.
    Note: Symbols that are not in a sub-folder display above the list of sub-folders.
  5. Select a symbol and drag it to the Graphics Canvas.

See the standard Metasys UI symbol categories in this Help for information on Property panel properties and Binding properties of the symbols.

To edit a symbol (size, copy, paste, delete, rotate, group, or ungroup), see Working with the Graphic Canvas: Editing a Graphic.

To edit common properties of a symbol, see Common Properties.

To use the Edit toolbar options for a symbol, see Edit Toolbars.

To edit bindings for a symbol, see Working with Bindings.

What are the features available for symbols?

The following features are available for symbols:
  • Most symbols contain default alias bindings, represented by short names for points. When you use a symbol and the point exists on the equipment, the symbol is automatically bound to the point for real data display at view time. For most symbols with default alias bindings, if the point does not resolve at view time, the symbol does not display. However, a few symbols are exceptions to this behavior, including the Key Data Module. In general, to see a symbol at view time that does not have a resolvable point binding, delete the binding from the Binding List of the Edit toolbar.
    Note: If the short names for points do not match the default alias bindings, the point bindings do not resolve.
  • If a symbol is not bound to at least one point, it does not display animation at view time. Some symbols may not appear if not bound to a point.
  • To see all point bindings of a symbol in the Graphics Editor, select Show All.
  • If a symbol has a default click action, navigation binding is not available on the symbol. For example, all value box symbols do not have navigation binding available.
  • For symbols with similar properties, once you set the properties of a symbol on the Graphic Canvas, any subsequent symbol placed on the Graphic Canvas inherits the first symbol's properties. This functionality is useful when working with Ductwork, Pipe, and Basic symbols.
  • Custom symbols are not available. However, you can use shapes and other symbols to create a custom symbol per graphic.