# How To Document

## 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**.&#x20;

{% hint style="danger" %}
**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.
{% endhint %}

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

<figure><img src="/files/Lwf378hS79LcZNFwrwxG" alt="Select ReplaceOriginalfrom the command line parameters"><figcaption><p>Select <code>ReplaceOriginal</code>from the command line parameters.</p></figcaption></figure>

4. Select all drawing entities to convert to the chosen feature class.
5. 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:&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/0OhVMKZYhwH5UA5sHfMV" alt=""><figcaption><p>All drawing entities are converted to the selected model. </p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**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.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Follow these steps to efficiently import and convert your CAD drawings into correct models, ensuring logical connectivity and accurate data representation.
{% endhint %}


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