This document provides essential technical rules and best practices for creating and managing blocks within ARES Electrical, whether used as schematic symbols, components, title blocks, or structures within the bill of materials (BOM).
Creating Custom Components and Schematics
When creating any type of block in ARES Electrical, it is crucial to follow the rules below to ensure proper behavior and compatibility:
1. Avoid Nested Blocks
All blocks must not contain other blocks inside them, this is referred to as nested blocks, and it is not supported. This applies to:
Symbols
Components
Title blocks
BOM structure elements
💡TIP: Always select all entities in the graphics area and use the EXPLODE command if necessary to ensure no nested blocks are present.
2. All Entities Must Be on Layer 0
Ensure that all geometry and objects in the block are created on Layer 0. Using additional layers is unsupported and may result in unpredictable behavior.
📖INFO: The software does not currently handle multiple layers or nested blocks within user-defined blocks. Avoid these situations to prevent errors during insertion or block manipulation.
Defining the Insertion Point for Components and Symbols
To define the insertion point of a block:
Open the Creation Wizard or edit item library properties.
Through the Drawing tab.
Click the Insertion Point button.
Click on the graphics area to assign the desired point.
💡TIP: For schematic components like contactors, circuit breakers, protective devices, or multi-phase elements inserted on top of wires, align the insertion point with the wire path. This ensures easier placement and better alignment during design.
Linking Symbol Representations to Standards (IEC, ANSI, etc.)
ARES Electrical supports assigning different symbol representations to multiple drawing standards (e.g., IEC, ANSI).
How to assign representations:
Use the Creation Wizard or edit an existing component in the Library Properties.
In the Drawings tab, assign the appropriate block to each standard (IEC, ANSI, or others).
A dropdown menu lets you switch between standards and define a different block for each representation.
📖INFO: Depending on the project needs, a single component can have multiple schematic representations based on the selected standard or share the same block across all standards.
Following these practices ensures your blocks behave as expected and are fully compatible with ARES Electrical’s automation features.
Still have questions?
Feel free to contact our support team at [email protected].