It is possible to trace a light fixture layout that you have received from an individual, such as an architect, who does not have Design Master. To use this function, DM light fixtures should first be created in the light fixture project schedule. The Trace Architect's Light Fixtures command should be run from the architect's drawing. There is a detailed tutorial with step-by-step instructions for the use of this command included with the tutorials for use of Design Master.
DM Electrical
Light FixturesTrace Architect's Light Fixtures
The list in the top-left of the dialog displays all of the light fixtures currently defined in the project schedule. Each callout can be mapped to a specific block on the drawing. Callouts that are currently mapped will list the block to which they are currently mapped.
Select Block to Map to Callout
This button allows you to select the block on the drawing that will be mapped to the currently selected light fixture callout. If the callout is already mapped to a block, it will be overwritten with the newly selected block.
Remove Block from Select Callout
This button allows you to remove the block to which a callout is mapped.
Adjust Block Rotation Angle and Insertion Point
This button allows you to adjust the rotation angle and insertion point of the Design Master block to match the block that was inserted by the architect. In the following picture both of these blocks are inserted at rotation angle 0 with their insertion point at the center of the white circle.
The blocks look similar, but they have a different insertion point and rotation angle. This button is used to show Design Master how the blocks need to be rotated and moved so that they look exactly the same when inserted.
You are first prompted to insert the architects block on the drawing. The location of this insertion does not matter, because the blocks are temporary and will be deleted when this command is done.
Next you are prompted to place the Design Master block on top of the architect's block. In this picture, you can see how the two blocks are inserted on top of each other.
The architect's block, in magenta, was inserted first at the circle at the top-right. Then the Design Master block was inserted. The insertion point was at the bottom-right and the rotation angle was set to 90.
After all of your callouts are properly mapped to blocks and the rotation angles and insertion points are adjusted, you press the OK button to continue.
You are first prompted to select the location of the alignment point on the drawing. It is important to select the same location on this drawing as the alignment point is actually insert on the destination drawing.
Next, you are prompted to specify the north direction on the current drawing.
Next, you are prompted to select the blocks to actually map. Using this selection, it is possible to map only part of a drawing, if desired.
Finally, you are prompted to select the drawing to which to map the light fixtures. It is important that no one, including yourself, have this drawing open. If anyone does, the command will fail.
Note: When the light fixtures are inserted on the Design Master drawing, a check is made to see if a light fixture already exists in that location. If there is one, a new light fixture is not inserted on top of the over one. This feature prevents duplication of light fixtures on your drawings. It is possible, then, to take an updated plan from your architect and run this command on it again. Light fixtures that have not moved will not be duplicated. New light fixtures or light fixtures that have been moved will be reinserted on the drawing. It will be necessary for you to go back and manually erase any light fixtures that have been removed.