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How to Import CAD Drawings

Importing CAD drawings requires converting CAD designs, entering data, and cleaning up connectivity and containment. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition from CAD to the correct type of model.

Understanding CAD Drawings

• Phantom Wires: CAD designs often include "phantom" wires, which are short segments representing connections (e.g., between a switch and a transformer) that don't exist in the real world but are used to depict circuit schematics.

• Raw Text Data: Data in CAD designs typically appears as raw text, associated only by proximity and not logically connected.

• Graphical Connectivity: Connectivity in CAD is based on object snaps, making it graphical rather than logical.

• Containment and Logical Connections: Objects like switches and transformers are associated with poles through logical connections, and attributes like transformer kVA ratings are stored within model attributes.

Steps to Import CAD Drawings Using Model Conversion

1. Create a new drawing using a template.

The software does not function correctly without a template. Do not open an existing CAD drawing and use software commands. When opening the file, convert your CAD drawing using a template.

1. Choose from the Electric Underground or Electric Overhead panel (e.g., Primary).

   • Select Feature Section and Model. For example, choose Poles & Framing, then select the specific pole model (e.g., WP404 40' CLASS 4 WOOD POLE).

   • Click the Place button.

2. From the command line parameters, select the ReplaceOriginal option, as shown in Figure 5.

Select ReplaceOriginalfrom the command line parameters.

1. Select all drawing entities to convert to the chosen feature class.

2. All drawing entities (e.g., points) are converted to the selected model (e.g., to Distribution Wood 40’ Class 4 poles (WP404)), as shown below:

All drawing entities are converted to the selected model.

Note: This functionality only works for AutoCAD blocks representing point objects and polylines for linear objects like conductors and cables. Converting more complex CAD drawings may require a more involved process.

Follow these steps to efficiently import and convert your CAD drawings into correct models, ensuring logical connectivity and accurate data representation.