FluidDraw® P5

User’s Guide

570747 EN
03/11
FluidDraw P5 is an application for creating electro-pneumatic circuit
drawings. Not only are the many standard circuit symbols available,
but also all of the components contained in the Festo product
catalogue along with their part numbers and technical details. If
you have also installed the Festo product catalogue then the cur-
rent catalogue data is always available in FluidDraw. In addition to
its own proprietary file format, FluidDraw also supports DXF files
and circuit drawings created with older FluidDraw versions and the
FluidSIM pneumatic simulator.
Contents

1. First steps 9

1.1 Create a new circuit diagram 9

1.2 Organize symbols, libraries and circuit diagrams 12
1.3 Insert symbol from menu 13
1.4 Symbol libraries 15
1.4.1 Create user library 16
1.5 Circuit files 17

2. Library and project window 18

2.1 Change window position 18

2.2 Automatic show and hide 18

3. Edit circuit 20

3.1 Insert and arrange symbols 20

3.2 Using the Festo product catalogue with FluidDraw 20
3.3 Connect connectors / ports 24
3.4 Automatically connect connectors 25
3.5 Insert T distributor 27
3.6 Move lines 30
3.7 Define the characteristics of lines 32
3.8 Delete line 34
3.9 Set the properties of the connectors 34
3.10 Define component connector / set T distributor 36
3.11 Delete component connector 37
3.12 Configure a way valve 37
3.13 Configure cylinder 39
3.14 Group symbols 41
3.15 Create macro objects 41
3.16 Delete symbol groups and macro objects 42
3.17 Align symbols 42
3.18 Mirror symbols 42
3.19 Rotate symbols 43

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 3

3.20 Scale symbols 44

4. Drawing frame 46

4.1 Editable labels 46

4.2 Use a drawing frame 47
4.3 Page dividers 51

5. Additional tools for creating drawings 54

5.1 Drawing tools 54

5.1.1 Grid 54
5.1.2 Alignment lines 54
5.1.3 Object snap 55
5.1.4 Rulers 56
5.2 Drawing levels 56
5.3 Cross-references 58
5.3.1 Create cross-references from symbols 60
5.3.2 Cross-reference representation 60
5.3.3 Manage cross-references 61
5.4 Drawing functions and graphical elements 62
5.4.1 Interruption/Potential 64
5.4.2 Conduction line 66
5.4.3 Line 68
5.4.4 Polyline (set of connected lines) 70
5.4.5 Rectangle 71
5.4.6 Circle 73
5.4.7 Ellipse 74
5.4.8 Text 76
5.4.9 Image 76
5.5 Check drawing 78

4 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

6. Manage Product Database 79

7. Manage Translation Tables 87

8. Dimension 95

8.1 Draw dimension 95

8.2 Settings for the dimension 96

9. Equipment identifications and designation conventions 98

9.1 Renumber Designations 100

10. Component attributes 105

10.1 Component attributes in the Properties dialog window 106

10.2 Identification 108
10.3 Catalog Properties 111
10.4 User Defined Properties 111
10.5 Drawing Properties 113
10.6 Main and secondary components 114
10.7 Linking main and secondary components 114
10.8 Link solenoid valves and solenoid coils 116
10.9 Attributes of the text components 120
10.10 Link text components with attributes 123
10.11 Text components with specified links 125
10.12 Change the properties of multiple objects simultaneously
126
10.12.1 Drawing Properties 126
10.12.2 Main Component 128

11. Parts list management and analyses 130

11.1 Display parts list 131

11.2 Find components from the parts on the circuit diagram 131
11.3 Set parts list properties 133
11.4 Export parts list 135

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 5

12. Manage projects 137

12.1 Create new project 137

12.2 Project nodes 138
12.2.1 Project archiving 138
12.3 Circuit and parts list nodes 139
12.4 Unplaced objects 140

13. Circuit and project properties 143

13.1 Attributes 144

13.1.1 Predefined placeholders 146
13.2 Page Dividers 147
13.3 Basic Unit Length 147
13.4 Language 148
13.5 Encryption 149
13.6 Designation Conventions 151
13.7 Cross Reference Representation 152

14. Special functions for electric circuits 153

14.1 Potentials and conduction lines 153

14.2 Cables and wiring 155
14.2.1 Manage cables 161
14.2.2 Insert cable map 162
14.2.3 Insert cable list 164
14.3 Terminals and terminal strips 167
14.3.1 Set terminals 167
14.3.2 Set multiple terminals 169
14.3.3 Create terminal strips 171
14.3.4 Manage terminal strips 172
14.4 Terminal diagram 174
14.4.1 Set links 176
14.5 Contact images 180

6 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

15. Circuit input and output 183

15.1 Print circuit diagram and parts list 183

15.2 Import DXF file 185
15.3 Export circuit 185

16. Options 187

16.1 General 187

16.2 Save 188
16.3 Folder Locations 189
16.4 Language 190
16.5 Dimension 191
16.6 Designation Conventions 192
16.7 Cross Reference Representation 193
16.8 Connector Links 194
16.9 Warnings 195
16.10 Automatic Updates 196
16.11 Text Sizes 197

17. Menu overview 198

17.1 File 198

17.2 Edit 201
17.3 Insert 204
17.4 Draw 206
17.5 Page 207
17.6 Project 208
17.7 View 209
17.8 Library 212
17.9 Tools 213
17.10 Window 214
17.11 Help 215

18. Functional diagram 216

18.1 Edit Mode 217

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 7

18.1.1 Set diagram properties 217
18.1.2 Table textboxes 218
18.1.3 Adjust the presentation of the diagrams 220
18.2 Draw diagram curve 222
18.3 Insert signal elements 223
18.4 Insert text boxes 224
18.5 Draw signal lines and insert signal connections 226
18.5.1 Free-draw signal lines 226
18.5.2 Drawing signal lines from signals 227
18.5.3 Draw signal lines from diagram support points 228
18.6 Insert additional signal lines 228
18.7 Insert row 229
18.8 Delete row 229
18.9 Additional editing functions 229
18.9.1 Zoom 229
18.9.2 Undo editing steps 229

Index 231

8 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

First steps

Chapter 1
1. First steps

1.1 Create a new circuit diagram

→ Select the New / File... menu item from the File menu.

An empty circuit diagram window opens in which you can insert

symbols and connect them with lines. You should set the diagram
size in advance.

→ Select the Paper Size... menu item from the Page menu.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 9

 Figure 1/1: Page dialog window, Drawing Size tab: setting the
drawing size

If you use a drawing frame then FluidDraw can automatically adjust

the paper size. If you wish to manually define the drawing size then
deactivate the “Adopt from drawing frame” option and select the
drawing’s desired dimensions and orientation. If the drawing’s
dimensions are larger than your printer’s printing area then you can
distribute your drawing across several pages (tiles).

To retain a better overview you can create attributes for every

circuit drawing.

10 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 → Click the “Attributes” tab.

Figure 1/2: Page dialog window, Attributes tab: creating

attributes

The attribute table allows you to save any desired data in the form
of attribute value pairs. The associated placeholders (attributes
with the same name) in the drawing frame are replaced by the
values entered.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 11

 You can also access this dialog window directly by using the Page
menu and the Properties... menu item.

1.2 Organize symbols, libraries and circuit diagrams

In order to support the organization of the different document

types in FluidDraw all of the circuit files are assigned to one of three
groups.

Symbols Symbols are formal, abstract models providing a graphical repre-

sentation of the function of a component or component group. This
can consist of simple circuit symbols or entire circuits. Symbols can
be inserted into their own circuits and linked between the connect-
ing points. The insert can be performed either via the Insert menu
or via drag and drop from a library window. Symbols can be com-
piled into library files with the lib file suffix.

Libraries Libraries are hierarchically organized collections of symbols. In

addition to the standard library, which users cannot modify, users
can compile any desired number of their own libraries. You can find
functions for organizing the libraries on the Library menu as well
as on the context menu of the currently active library. To switch
libraries use the tab in the upper margin of the library window.
Library files have the lib file suffix.

Circuits The default location for circuits is in the FluidDraw folder con-
tained in the My Documents folder defined by the operating sys-
tem. These have the circ file suffix.

Note: It is worthwhile to create a new sub-folder in the FluidDraw

directory for every customer or every project.

12 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

1.3 Insert symbol from menu

To find a specific symbol you can either enter characteristic key

words in the Find Symbol dialog windows or navigate through the
hierarchical structure.

→ Where necessary open a new window and select the Find

Symbol Description... entry on the Insert menu.

The Find Symbol dialog window then opens. You can enter your
search terms in the “Search” input line. Separate the individual
search terms using commas or spaces. Neither the order of the
search terms nor upper or lower case letters have any influence on
the search results.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 13

 Figure 1/3: Find Symbol dialog window

You can see the symbols found in the two results lists. The library
hierarchy is displayed on the left-hand side although only those
branches appear which contain matching symbols. An alphabetical
list of the search hits is displayed on the right-hand side. The sym-
bol of the highlighted entry is shown in the preview. Once you have
found the symbol that you were looking for, you can select it using
the OK button or by double-clicking on the appropriate row in the
results list. The symbol then “hangs” on the mouse pointer and is
placed by left-clicking on the drawing area.

14 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 With the Fuzzy Search option you can activate a tolerance in order
to achieve results despite minor typing errors or spelling variants.

In addition to the option of inserting a specific symbol using the

Find Symbol dialog window you can also insert a real component
along with its part number and technical details from the Festo
product catalogue. You can find details of how to use the Festo
product catalogue with FluidDraw underUsing the Festo product
catalogue with FluidDraw.

1.4 Symbol libraries

FluidDraw is capable of managing multiple libraries, each of which

is displayed in a tab in the library window. Libraries which cannot
be modified in FluidDraw are labeled with a lock symbol in the
tab. This applies to standard library as well as to symbol folders
which FluidDraw does not manage itself or for which the registered
user does on possess write authorization.

Every library is displayed hierarchically. Every hierarchy level can by

shown or hidden by clicking on the group name. Right-clicking in a
library opens a context menu offering the following menu items for
editing the library:

View Defines the size of the symbols displayed. Small , Normal and
Large are available.

Expand All Opens all of the hierarchy levels.

Collapse All Closes all of the hierarchy levels.

There are three types of library:

The standard library This library is delivered with FluidDraw and cannot be modified.

Symbol folders Circuit and symbol files saved on the disk can be used as libraries
in FluidDraw. The files from the selected folder are added as a
library via the Library menu and the Add Existing Symbol Fold-

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 15

 er... menu item. The library hierarchy corresponds exactly to the
folder hierarchy. These libraries cannot be modified in FluidDraw.
The files must be modified directly.

User libraries You can create and subsequently edit new libraries via the Library
menu and the Add New Library... menu item (see section Create
user library). Using drag and drop you can move the symbols and
groups within the library as desired.

1.4.1 Create user library

In order to be able to access frequently used symbols (or circuits)

more quickly multiple symbols can be compiled into libraries.
Libraries are saved as files with the lib file suffix. You can create
new libraries using the Library and the Add New Library... menu
item. Right-clicking in the new library opens a context menu with
which you can modify the library.

The following options are available:

Copy Copies the selected symbols to the clipboard

Paste Inserts the symbols into the library from the clipboard. These
symbols can also be partial circuits.

Delete Removes the selected symbols from the library.

Rename... Edits the text which libraries display below the symbol.

Add Existing Symbols... Opens a dialog window for selecting symbol files to be copied into
the library as new symbols.

Copy to Other Library Copies the selected symbols into another library. The available
libraries are listed in a submenu. Only the currently open libraries
are displayed here (appearing as tabs in the library window) which
are not write-protects (recognizable as no lock symbol is dis-
played).

16 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

New Sub-Folder... Creates a new hierarchy level below the active group. The active
group is the one belonging to the area below the mouse point and
can be recognized by the dark blue colouring.

Remove Sub-Folder Removes the hierarchy level which the mouse pointer is located in.

Rename Sub-Folder... Enables you to rename the hierarchy level which the mouse pointer
is located in.

1.5 Circuit files

FluidDraw circuit files have the circ file suffix and are saved as
compressed XML files. An option in the Save tab under the Op-
tions... menu item from the Tools menu allows you to deactivate
this compression so that the circuit files can be viewed as plain
text. This can be useful for version management software, for
example.

However, please note that editing a circ file outside FluidDraw

can cause the file to become unreadable or corrupted upon re-
import.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 17

Library and project window

Chapter 2
2. Library and project window

2.1 Change window position

The library window is anchored on the left-hand side by default and

the project window (when a project is open) is on the right-hand
side.

To separate the window from the anchor move the mouse pointer
to the upper margin. Click and hold the left mouse button. Move
the window a small distance towards the center of the screen. Now
release the left mouse button. Now you need to move the library
window to the lower right and the project window to the lower left.
Once a window has been separated from the anchor it can be
moved freely.

To re-anchor the window move the mouse pointer to the upper

margin. Click and hold the left mouse button. Move the window as
far as possible to the right or the left. Now release the left mouse
button. This window snaps into place. This enables you to anchor
the library window to the right and the project window to the left,
for example. You can also anchor both windows on the same side.
In this case you can move the desired window into the foreground
by clicking the associated tab.

2.2 Automatic show and hide

The tabs offer an additional, practical function: Automatically

showing and hiding the library or project window. Click the asso-
ciated vertical tab “Library” or “Project” at the edge of the window.
This causes the window to be hidden providing a larger area for the
drawing. In order to make the window visible again move the
mouse pointer over the tab; the window opens once again. As soon
as you have performed your operations in this window and move
the mouse pointer to a circuit window the library window and / or

18 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 the project window are automatically hidden. To deactivate the
function click the associated tab again (this then appears de-
pressed).

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 19

Edit circuit

Chapter 3
3. Edit circuit

3.1 Insert and arrange symbols

You can insert symbols into the symbol window being edited using
the dialog window Find Symbol and by means of the libraries. You
can also transfer objects from every other window by selecting
them and dragging them to the desired window. Alternatively you
can also utilize the clipboard by selecting the items, choosing the
Copy menu item on the Edit menu, bringing the target window
into the foreground and selecting the Paste menu item on the
Edit menu. Using the mouse pointer to drag objects from one
window to another copies them. Dragging the objects from one
position to another within a window moves them. In order to copy
within a window you need to hold down the Shift key while
moving the mouse pointer. You can recognize operation by the
shape of the mouse pointer. During a move-operation a cross with
arrows appears, when copying a plus symbol also appears in
the lower right-hand corner of the cross.

3.2 Using the Festo product catalogue with FluidDraw

The standard FluidDraw installation already contains all of the

products from Festo. That is why an extract from the Festo product
catalogue is installed in multiple languages.

Note: In order to remain up to date, we recommend always instal-

ling the latest product catalogue. FluidDraw recognizes more cur-
rent versions of the catalogue and uses these for the product
search.

There are two basic options for inserting symbols with part num-
bers and technical details in the circuit.

20 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Via symbol search ( Insert If you wish to insert a symbol from the FluidDraw symbol library,
menu and Find Symbol simply select a graphical image which represents the function of a
component or component group. For the majority of the symbols
Description... menu entry) there is a large number of different products with different part
or from the FluidDraw library numbers and technical details (attributes and parameters). To
window select a product open theProperties dialog window by right-clicking
the symbol and click the Find... button.

About the Festo product The product catalogue represents a complete database of the
catalogue available Festo products. If you wish to insert the associated sym-
bols with part numbers and technical details for certain products
then select the From Festo Catalog... menu item from the Insert
menu. The Insert from catalog dialog window appears. Enter your
key words in the “Search” input line. The upper table contains the
search result. Highlighting a row there displays the associated
symbol in the preview. Select a product by double-clicking a table
row or using the Add to Selection button. Selected products are
collected in the lower table. When leaving the dialog window the
symbols of the selected products are inserted into the circuit win-
dow. The symbols contain the part numbers and technical details of
the previously selected products in the form of attribute value
pairs.

If you use a custom product database you can select it in the Prod-
uct Database list box. You can use the selected database in the
same way as the Festo product catalogue..

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 21

 Figure 3/1: Insert from catalog dialog window

If you wish to insert one or more symbols from an existing shopping

cart select the From Festo Shopping Basket... menu item from the
Insert menu.

22 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 3/2: Insert Shopping Basket dialog window

If you have selected a product which does not possess a graphical

illustration then a text appears in the circuit diagram which takes
on the component attributes instead of the symbol. Both this text
and the identifiers for the symbols appear in the parts list.

You can make the settings that influence the generation of the
symbol designations and accessories using the General tab under
the Options... menu item from the Tools menu. If desired Fluid-
Draw can automatically generate text elements acquired from the
type attribute of the associated symbol.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 23

3.3 Connect connectors / ports

In order to connect two component connectors with a line move the

mouse pointer to the component connector. You can recognize a
connector by the small circle at the end of a symbol’s connection
line. As soon as you have touched the line the mouse pointer trans-
forms into a crosshair .

Figure 3/3: Mouse pointer as a crosshair over a component connec-

tor.

→ Now press the left mouse button and move the mouse pointer
to the connector which you wish to connect with the first.

You can recognize when you are over the connector by the shape of
the mouse pointer . If the mouse pointer is over a connector
which is already connected to a line then the prohibited sign
appears and no line can be connected.

24 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 → Release the mouse button once you have touched the second
connector.

FluidDraw automatically lays a line between the two connectors.

Figure 3/4: Line between two connectors

Support points can be set when dragging lines. To do so simply

release the mouse button while dragging the line and click the
desired points. The line is completed as soon as you click a second
connector or the same point twice. You can cancel the action by
pressing the Esc key or the right mouse button.

3.4 Automatically connect connectors

FluidDraw supports two methods of automatically connecting

connectors. The first is to drop a symbol on an existing line. To be
able to use this method, the symbol must have at least two connec-

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 25

 tors that precisely fit onto one or more existing lines and the lines
that will be produced must not cross the symbol. The following two
illustrations show this function.

Figure 3/5: Circuit before the connectors are automatically con-

nected

Figure 3/6: Circuit after the connectors are automatically connected

Another method of automatically connecting connectors is to

position symbols so that their connectors can be horizontally or
vertically connected with free connectors from other symbols. After
the symbol has been dropped the corresponding lines are automat-
ically drawn if they do not cross any symbols. The free connectors
can also be T distributors.

You can define how different objects' connectors are automatically

connected in the Connector Links tab under the Options... menu

26 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 item from the Tools menu. The following two illustrations show
this function.

Figure 3/7: Circuit before the connectors are automatically con-

nected

Figure 3/8: Circuit after the connectors are automatically connected

3.5 Insert T distributor

You do not need to utilize a special symbol in order to insert a T

distributor. FluidDraw automatically inserts a T distributor when
you lay a component connection on a line or lay a line segment to a
connection. If you wish to connect two lines then you can also draw
one line segment to another; FluidDraw then inserts two T distribu-
tors and connects these with a new line.

→ Move the mouse points to a connector and press the left

mouse button.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 27

 As soon as you touch the line the mouse pointer transforms into a
crosshair .

→ Release the mouse button once you have touched the desired
point on the line.

FluidDraw inserts a T distributor and automatically lays a line.

Figure 3/9: Line connection with inserted T distributor

Every T distributor can connect up to 4 lines with each other.

The default representation for the T distributor can be selected via

the corresponding drop-down list on the toolbar.

You can customize the representation of the T distributor by

double-clicking the T distributor or highlighting the T distributor
and selecting the Properties... menu item from the Edit menu.
The “Properties” dialog window opens. Select the “Representa-
tion” tab.

28 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 3/10: T distributor dialog window. Tab: Representation

T distributor Defines the representation of the basic T distributor. Here you can
select whether the distributor should be represented as a filled
circle or a simple intersection.

Cross-Link Defines that the T distributor should be represented as an electric

link. This representation has a knock-on effect on the connected
lines, which are automatically marked as links.

Junction Defines that the T distributor should be represented as an electric

junction. This representation has a knock-on effect on the termin-
als' target search. With a junction, the target in the direction of a

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 29

 straight line or right angle is found first and then the target via an
angled branch.

3.6 Move lines

Once you have joined two connectors you can then adjust the
length of the lines. You can move the line segments in parallel by
moving the respective line segment. You can see when you have
touched the line on the basis of the line-selection shape of the
mouse pointer.

→ Press the left mouse button and move the line segment ortho-
gonally to the desired position.

Figure 3/11: Moving a line segment

→ Release the left mouse button; FluidDraw adjusts the adjoining

line segments in such a way that they remain connected.

30 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 If you move a line segment with is directly connected to a compo-
nent connector then FluidDraw may insert additional line segments
in order to prevent gaps.

If you move a line segment that is horizontally or vertically con-

nected with other line segments via T distributors then these line
segments are moved together with the T distributors.

Figure 3/12: Moving multiple line segments

Figure 3/13: Moving multiple line segments

If you only want to move the individual line segment in the case
described above then release the mouse button after you highlight
the line segment. Click the segment again and move it while keep-
ing the mouse button pressed.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 31

 Figure 3/14: Moving an individual line segment

3.7 Define the characteristics of lines

Lines, like other symbols, can be assigned an identification, cata-

logue properties and user-defined properties. You can find further
information on this under Component attributes in the Properties
dialog window.

You can also define the style, color and drawing layer of the lines by
double-clicking a line segment or highlighting the line segment and
selecting the Properties... menu item from the Edit menu. The
Line Properties dialog window opens. Select the Drawing Properties
tab in this window. The settings are applied to the entire line sec-
tion as far as the next connector or T distributor.

32 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 3/15: Line Properties dialog window: defining the properties
of a pneumatic or electric line

Layer Sets the drawing layer of the line.

Color Sets the color of the line.

Line Style Sets the line style of the line.

Line Width Sets the line thickness of the line.

Note: Working lines are typically displayed as solid lines, pilot lines
as dashed lines.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 33

3.8 Delete line

To delete a line you can either highlight an associated line segment

and press the Del key or select the Delete menu item from the
Edit menu or highlight a component connector and press the
Del key. In these cases it is the line rather than the connector
itself that is deleted.

If you delete a T distributor which three or four lines are attached to

then all of the lines are deleted. If, on the other hand, only two lines
are connected then only the T distributor is deleted and the two
lines combined into one.

3.9 Set the properties of the connectors

You can assign a component connector an identification and a

blanking plug or silencer by double-clicking on the connector or by
selecting the connector and choosing the Properties... menu item
on the Edit menu. The Connector dialog window then opens.

34 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 3/16: Connector dialog window: Set the properties of a
connector

Identification You can enter a text identifying this connector into the input line. If
the Display option is activated then the identification is displayed
in the circuit diagram.

Whether or not the identification is actually displayed depends on

the option selected under Show Connector Descriptions .

Terminator Open the symbol list containing connector terminators by clicking

the button using the arrow. Select a suitable silencer or a blanking
plug.

Note: Please note that this symbol list is only available if a line is
not connected to the connector in question. If you wish to connect a
line to a sealed connector you first have to remove the blanking
plug or silencer. To do this select the empty field in the symbol list
with the connector terminators. The alignment of the connector
terminator can be set via the radio buttons.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 35

3.10 Define component connector / set T distributor

You can set T distributors on existing lines or define a new compo-

nent connector by selecting the Define Connector... menu item
from the Insert menu. FluidDraw then switches to a special mode
in which the next mouse click sets a T distributor or defines the new
connector. You can cancel the action by pressing the Esc key or
the right mouse button.

Connectors in symbols can be set at any desired position.

Note: To set the connector precisely at the desired position we

recommend zooming the display window in closely to the relevant
symbol As soon as the mouse pointer is over a symbol the mouse
pointer converts into a cross-hair . Left-clicking sets the new
connector.

Figure 3/17: Define Connector... dialog window

Type of connector Selects the connector type. The following are available: “ Pneumat-
ic”, “Electric” and “Electric (Label)”.

Define multiple connectors Multiple connectors can be set one after the other if this option is
active. You can cancel the action by pressing the Esc key.

36 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

3.11 Delete component connector

To delete a component connector select this and choose the

Delete Connector menu entry on the Edit menu.

Note: Please note that the Delete menu entry or the Del do not
delete the connector but rather only one possibly connected line.

3.12 Configure a way valve

If you require a certain valve which you cannot find in the standard
FluidDraw library you can create your own valve symbol with the
help of the valve editor.

→ Insert a 5/n-way valve into a circuit window from the “Standard

Symbols / Pneumatic Symbols / Valves / Configurable Way
Valves” library.

To set the valve body and the actuation types of the way valves
double-click the valve. The dialog window Properties then opens.
Click the “Configure Valve” tab to access the valve editor.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 37

 Figure 3/18: Properties dialog window: Configure Valve tab

Left Actuation ‟ Right Actua- You can select the actuation types of the valve from the “Manual-
tion ly”, “Mechanically” and “Pneumatically/Electrically” categories for
both sides of the valve. Click the button with the mouse pointer and
select a symbol element. A valve can have multiple actuation types
at the same time. If you do not want an actuation type from a
category then select the empty field in the list. You can also define
whether each side should have a spring return, pilot control, pneu-
matic spring or external supply.

Valve Body A configurable valve can possess a maximum of four switching

positions. One valve body can be selected for each switching posi-
tion. Click the associate button with the mouse points to open the

38 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 symbol elements list. Select a symbol element for each switching
position.. If you want to use less than four switching positions then
select the empty field on the list for the positions not required.

Initial Position Here you set which switching position the valve should use in the
normal position. Note: When determining this setting ensure that it
does not conflict with a possible spring return.

Dominant Signal This provides a graphical identification of whether the right or left
signal should dominate in the event of equally strong signals.

External Supply This creates an additional connector for connecting the external
supply for the controller.

3.13 Configure cylinder

If you require a certain cylinder which you cannot find in the stan-
dard FluidDraw library you can create your own cylinder symbol
with the help of the cylinder editor.

→ Insert a double-acting cylinder into a circuit window from the

“Standard Symbols / Pneumatic Symbols / Pneumatic Drives /
Configurable Cylinders” library.

To configure the cylinder double-clock on the cylinder. The dialog

window Properties then opens. Click the “Configure Cylinder” tab.
This brings you to the cylinder editor.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 39

 Figure 3/19: Properties dialog window: Configure Cylinder tab

Cylinder Type Click the button with the mouse pointer to open the symbol ele-
ments list. Select a cylinder type. Set whether the cylinder should
be single-acting or double-acting.

Return Spring Specifies whether a spring for the return should be inserted into the
right or left cylinder chamber.

Piston Click the button with the mouse pointer and select a symbol ele-
ment for the piston. Set whether the cylinder should possess end
position cushioning and whether this should be adjustable.

40 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Piston Rod Click the button with the mouse pointer and select a symbol ele-
ment for the piston rod.

Piston Position Using the slider you can specify the relative piston position in 25 %
steps. 0 % stands for the completely retracted and 100 % extended
piston.

3.14 Group symbols

If you wish to combine multiple symbols into a group select these

and choose the Group menu item on the Edit menu. Groups can
also be nested, i.e. already grouped objects can be grouped again.

A group primarily serves as a drawing aid and does not represent

any new components. Every element in a group is included in a
parts list in exactly the same way as without being grouped.
Double-clicking on a group element opens the dialog window
Properties of group element clicked.

If you wish to combine multiple symbols into a new component with

its own attributes create a macro object.

3.15 Create macro objects

If you wish to combine multiple symbols into a new component with

its own attributes then highlight these and select the Create Ma-
cro Object menu item from the Edit menu. This creates a new
macro object. Macro objects are included in the parts lists as inde-
pendent components. The original symbols are removed from the
parts lists. It is no longer possible to edit their component
attributes.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 41

3.16 Delete symbol groups and macro objects

To delete a group or a macro object select the group or the macro

object and select the Ungroup/Break Off menu item from the
Edit menu. This always deletes the outermost group. In order to
delete nested groups you must repeat the operation.

3.17 Align symbols

To align objects with each other, select these and choose the de-
sired orientation from the Align menu item on the Edit menu or
click the appropriate button on the toolbar.

3.18 Mirror symbols

The symbols can be both horizontally and vertically mirrored. Select

the desired mirror axis from the Mirror menu item on the Edit
menu or click the appropriate button on the toolbar. If you
select multiple objects at the same time then every object will be
mirrored separately. If you wish the operation to use a common
mirror axis then group the objects before the operation.

The geometrical properties can be entered directly via the “Drawing

Properties” tab. Enter a minus sign in front of the corresponding
scaling factor in order to mirror the symbol.

42 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

3.19 Rotate symbols

The symbols can be rotated in 90 degree steps or with the help of

the mouse pointer. To rotate objects in 90 degree steps, select the
desired angle from the Rotate menu item on the Edit menu or
click the appropriate button on the toolbar. If you select multiple
objects at the same time then every object will be rotated separate-
ly. If you wish the operation to use a common axis of rotation then
group the objects before the operation.

You can also rotate symbols with the help of the mouse pointer by
clicking and dragging the edge of the symbol. In order to do this
FluidDraw must be in Enable Rotate mode. This mode can be
activated or deactivated using the Enable Rotate menu item from
the Edit menu or by clicking the corresponding button on the
toolbar.

Note: Activating the Enable Scale mode deactivates the Enable

Rotate mode and vice versa.

→ In Enable Rotate mode click the edge of the symbol and hold
down the mouse button.

Figure 3/20: Rotate symbol

The current angle of rotation and guides are displayed.

→ Hold down the mouse button and move the mouse pointer until
the desired angle of rotation is achieved. The angle changes in
15 degree steps.

Note: If you also press the Shift key then you can rotate the
symbol steplessly.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 43

 Figure 3/21: Rotate symbol

The angle of rotation can also be entered directly in the properties

dialog window in the Drawing Properties tab.

3.20 Scale symbols

The component symbols can be scaled with the help of the mouse
pointer. In order to do this FluidDraw must be in Enable Scale
mode. This mode can be activated or deactivated using the Enable
Scale menu item from the Edit menu or by clicking the corres-
ponding button on the toolbar.

Note: Activating the Enable Scale mode deactivates the Enable

Rotate mode and vice versa.

→ In Enable Scale mode click the edge or corner of the symbol

and hold down the mouse button.

Figure 3/22: Scale symbol

The current scaling relationship to the current original size is dis-

played.

→ Hold down the mouse button and move the mouse pointer until
the desired size is reached. The scaling relationship is changed

44 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 in 0.25 steps. Note: If you also press the Shift key then you
can scale the symbol steplessly.

Figure 3/23: Scale symbol

You can simultaneously mirror the symbol by moving the mouse

pointer over the middle of the symbol to the opposite side.

Figure 3/24: Mirror symbol

The scaling factor can also be entered directly in the Properties

dialog window in the Drawing Properties tab.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 45

Drawing frame

Chapter 4
4. Drawing fra me

In FluidDraw drawing frames are “circuit diagrams” which consists

of a title block and the frame with the field divisions. They can also
be displayed in other circuit diagrams. Existing CAD drawing frames
can be imported using theDXF import menu item on the File
menu. No order to make a drawing frame usable in different
projects and circuit diagrams a number of texts in the title block
must be editable. These texts are Author, Creation date, Project
name, Page name and Page number, for example. In FluidDraw
these aretext components with Attribute Link.

4.1 Editable labels

Texts in the title block of a drawing frame are text components. You
can use the imported texts or insert new text components at the
desired positions. Editable texts are text components with Attribute
Link. These texts are replaced by the corresponding attribute val-
ues of the project and the circuit.

→ Double-click a text component to open the Properties dialog

window.

→ Enter the name of the attribute to be linked, e.g. “creator”, in

the text field and activate the “Attribute Link” option.

Note: You can also use an imported text as an attribute name.

The attribute name is utilized as a placeholder. These attributes are

displayed in angle brackets in the “circuit diagram” with the draw-
ing frame. These attributes are replaced by the corresponding
attribute values when using the drawing frame in a project or circuit
diagrams. Edit the attribute values in the Properties dialog window
of the project or the circuit diagram. Clicking on a text component
of the drawing frame opens the Properties dialog window of the
project or the circuit which contains the attribute which the text
component refers to.

46 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

4.2 Use a drawing frame

Drawing frames can be copied into a project and/or a circuit dia-

gram. Insert the drawing frame via the Properties dialog window of
a project or a circuit.

All of the objects belonging to a drawing frame are inserted into the
circuit diagram as a copy. Changing the file with the drawing frame
at a later date does not have any effect on the circuit diagram which
the drawing frame was inserted into.

When copying the objects belonging to the drawing frame all of the
attributes are generated with the drawing frame’s text components
refer to and which do not exist in the project or circuit.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 47

 Figure 4/1: Page dialog window: inserting a drawing frame

Inherit From Project If this option is activated then the drawing frame specified in the
project is copied into the circuit. The path and the file used are
displayed in the “Frame File” line.

Pick... This button opens a dialog window in which an included frame can
be selected. These frame files are located in the frm directory and
are compiled in the project file frames.prj.

48 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Edit Opens the frame file for editing.

Remove Local Frame Removes the drawing frame from the circuit. The drawing frame’s
attributes remain attributes of the project or circuit.

Reload Frame Attributes When inserting a drawing frame the attributes of the text compo-
nents of the drawing frame are listed. These attributes are saved
with the project or the circuit drawing and can be edited and de-
leted. The Reload Frame Attributes button reloads all of the
attributes from the drawing frame, thus updating the attribute list
of the project or the circuit drawing.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 49

 Figure 4/2: Select Drawing Frame dialog window

All of the available frame files are displayed as a tree on the right-
hand side. The desired drawing frame can be selected in this tree.
The drawing frame is then displayed in the preview. In addition the
“Attributes” list displays all of the attributes of the texts from the
drawing frame which were defined as links.

50 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Browse... Opens a dialog window to select a circuit file to be used as a frame.

4.3 Page dividers

A circuit diagram or page can be logically divided into rows and

columns, which can be labeled with numbers or letters. These page
dividers are usually shown in the drawing frame and serve as a
means of orientation within the page. Above all they allow the
current paths (columns) of contacts to be specified in the contact
images.

The graphical representation of the page dividers matches the

logical page dividers in the drawing frames provided. The logical
page dividers can be shown and hidden via the Show Page Divid-
ers menu item from the View menu or via the button. They
are displayed at the left-hand as well as the upper edge of the
circuit window.

If the page dividers are visible you can customise them using the
mouse so that they match the graphical representation of the
drawing frame, for example. This customization can be done in
different ways:

→ Click and hold the mouse buttons in a column or row to move

the entire column or row.

Figure 4/3:

→ Click and hold the mouse buttons at the outer margin of a

column or row to move the margin of the column or row.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 51

 Figure 4/4:

The opposite margin is not moved and the columns or rows are
resized proportionally.

→ Click and hold the mouse buttons at the margin of an inner

division in a column or row to move the margin of the column
or row.

Figure 4/5:

In this case only the adjacent columns or rows are resized.

Columns and rows can be inserted and removed using the and
buttons.

The label type and the number of rows and columns can be defined
using the button. The settings are saved as page properties. The
following dialog window is opened:

52 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 4/6: Page dialog window, Page Dividers tab

Adopt from drawing frame Selecting this option only makes senses for pages that do not
represent drawing frames. This option must be deactivated if the
current page represents a drawing frame that is to be inserted into
other pages later.

If this option is activated then all settings that have been defined in
the drawing frame will be adopted.

Rows Defines the settings for the horizontal rows.

Columns Defines the settings for the vertical columns.

Number Defines the number of page dividers.

Numbering Numbers, lowercase letters or uppercase letters can be used for

numbering.

First Item Defines the first numbering item. The numbering will be continued
on analogously from this item.

Descending Order Changes the numbering order.

Reset Resets the page dividers to default values.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 53

Additional tools for creating drawings

Chapter 5
5. Additional tools for creating dr awings

5.1 Drawing tools

5.1.1 Grid

For arranging the symbols and laying the lines it is often practical to
show a point or line grid. You can activate or deactivate the display
of the grid using the Show Grid menu item from the View menu.
You can also define further grid settings in the General tab under
the Options... menu item from the Tools menu.

In order to simplify handling the connectors snap into place when

they are close to a grid line. This makes it easier to find the precise
position when moving the connectors.

Note: The grid snap function may not be desired as it prevents free
positioning. In this case you can hold down the Ctrl key during
the moving operation; this temporarily deactivates the grid snap
function.

5.1.2 Alignment lines

Connectors between symbols should be exactly horizontal or ver-

tical wherever possible. Then they can be connected with a straight
line.

FluidDraw supports the exact positions firstly via thegrid snap and
secondly via automatically displaying red alignment lines while
moving the selected objects.

54 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 → Open a circuit file which contains multiple objects. Select one
of these and slowly move it back and forth above and next to
other objects.

Observe the dashed red lines which appear when two or more
connectors lie above each other.

Figure 5/1: Automatically display the alignment lines

In order to simplify handling the connectors snap into place when

they are close to an alignment line. This makes it easier to find the
precise position when moving the connectors.

Note: The grid snap function may not be desired as it prevents free
positioning. In this case you can hold down the Ctrl key during
the moving operation; this temporarily deactivates the alignment
lines and the grid snap function.

5.1.3 Object snap

Various snap points can be activated for precise drawing. During a

drawing operation the mouse pointer snaps into place as soon as it
is close to a snap point. The following snap functions are available:

Snap to Grid

Snap to Connector

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 55

 Snap to End Point

Snap to Mid Point

Snap to Centre

Snap to Intersection

Press and hold the Ctrl key during a drawing operation to tempo-
rarily deactivate the object snap function.

5.1.4 Rulers

The rulers can be shown and hidden via View Show Rulers .
They are displayed at the left-hand as well as the upper edge of the
circuit window.

5.2 Drawing levels

FluidDraw supports 256 drawing levels which can be shown /

hidden and locked / unlocked individually. In addition you can also
define the color and line thickness for every drawing level. Using
the Drawing Layers... menu item on the View menu you can set
the properties of the individual layers and also insert a description.

Note: The drawing frame is located on layer “0” by default.

56 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 5/2: Drawing Layers dialog window

The drawing layer settings can be copied over as default settings

from the current circuit using the Inherit From Page button.

You can select the drawing layer where newly inserted objects
should be placed under “Default Layer” . If you do not want the
symbol layer to be changed when objects are inserted then select
the “Preserve Object Layer” option.

Objects located on a drawing layer for which the “Edit” option is

deactivated are visible but cannot be highlighted and therefore
neither moved nor deleted. This enables you to lock a drawing
frame, for example, if it was inserted manually and not via the
Properties dialog window for the circuit or project. In order to still
be able to edit objects on layers of this type you must activate the
“Edit” option for the corresponding layer.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 57

 Drawing layers for which the “Display” option is deactivated are
neither visible nor can they be edited.

5.3 Cross-references

Cross-references serve to link connected parts of a circuit drawing

when the entire drawing is spread across multiple pages. This
allows lines to be interrupted, for example, and continued on
another page.

FluidDraw offers two types of cross-references. Paired cross-

references consist of two cross-reference symbols that reference
each other. The two cross-reference symbols are linked via a
unique label that is entered for both symbols.

The option also exists to reference any object within a project from
a cross-reference symbol. The cross-reference is uni-directional in
this case: from the cross-reference to the target object. This allows
several cross-references to reference the same object.

Both types enable you to jump directly from a cross-reference to

the associated target. With the paired cross-reference the target is
the corresponding cross-reference, otherwise an object.

You jump to the corresponding target either using the Jump to

Target button in the properties dialog window for the cross-
reference symbol or by highlighting the cross-reference and select-
ing the Jump to Target menu item from the context menu.

The circuit drawings involved must belong to the same project.

Open the Cross-reference dialog window from the Edit menu and
the Properties... menu item. Alternatively you can open this
dialog window by double-clicking the cross-reference symbol or
using the Properties... context menu.

58 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 5/3: Cross-reference dialog window

Text This text is displayed in the cross-reference

Label Defines the labels via which the linked cross-references are identi-
fied.

Link If this option is activated then the label entered constitutes a link to
a target object. The cross-reference only works in the direction of
the target object in this case. This option can be combined with the
Show Location option to show the location of the target object.

Target Text If the Show Location option is activated then the location of the
target object will be displayed here. The representation of the
location is defined in the Cross Reference Representation tab in the
properties dialog window for the page or project.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 59

 If Show Description is activated then the text of the corresponding
cross-reference is displayed for paired cross-references, otherwise
the description of the target object is displayed.

Display Target Text If this option is activated then the above-mentioned text from the
Target Text field is displayed below the text for this cross-reference.

Jump to Target Activating this button opens the circuit window containing the
corresponding cross-reference. The associated symbol is indicated
by an animation.

The font type, text color and alignment of the texts to be displayed
can also be customized.

5.3.1 Create cross-references from symbols

You can generate a cross-reference from one or more symbols. To

do so highlight the corresponding symbols and select the Edit
Create Cross-reference menu item or the Create Cross-reference
menu item from the context menu. The highlighted symbols are
combined into a group that constitutes a cross-reference with two
additional texts. One of these texts shows the label used and the
other the target text for the cross-reference.

5.3.2 Cross-reference representation

The location of the target object can be shown in cross-references.

How it is represented can be specified in the Cross Reference
Representation tab in the properties dialog window for the circuit
or project. The location can be composed from the “ Page number”,
“Page”, “Page Column”, “Page Row” and “Object Identification”
components. These reference the target object. Separators can be
placed before and after each component. The default representa-
tion is:

60 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 / Page number. Page Column The description for the page and the
page number are specified in the Properties dialog window for the
circuit.

The page number is a predefined placeholder that can be used in

text components and drawing frames among other things.

Figure 5/4: Cross Reference Representation tab

Inherit From Parent Node Defines whether the representation rules for the parent node
should be applied.

Example A sample location that conforms to the specified rules is displayed

here.

Reset Resets the cross-reference representation to the default setting.

5.3.3 Manage cross-references

All paired cross-references in a project are listed in a dialog window

that is opened using the Project Manage Cross References...
menu item. Using this dialog you can jump to all paired cross-
references in the project.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 61

 Figure 5/5: Manage Cross References... tab

Label Contains the label for the corresponding cross-reference.

Containing Page A page containing the cross-reference in question can be selected

in the drop-down list.

Jump to Target Using this button you can jump to the corresponding cross-
reference.

5.4 Drawing functions and graphical elements

Graphical elements can be inserted into a circuit using the Draw

menu or by activating the drawing function on the toolbar. In order
to prevent you from unintentionally moving other symbols when
drawing you enter a special mode for the drawing function in which
you can only perform the selected drawing functions. After every
drawing operation FluidDraw returns to the normal editing mode.
To insert another drawing element you must select the associated

62 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 menu item or the corresponding drawing function on the toolbar
again.

Note: If you wish to draw several elements in a row without leaving

the special drawing mode then you can select the menu item or the
corresponding drawing function on the toolbar while holding down
the Shift key. The drawing mode then remains active until the
menu item or the drawing function is deactivated by selecting it
again or another drawing function is selected without the Shift
key being pressed.

The drawing functions toolbar contains the following buttons:

Switches to the normal editing mode.

Switches to the mode for drawing a line.

Switches to the mode for drawing a polyline.

Switches to the mode for drawing a rectangle.

Switches to the mode for drawing a circle.

Switches to the mode for drawing a ellipse.

Switches to the mode for drawing a text.

Switches to the mode for drawing an image.

Switches to the mode for drawing a conduction line. You can start
by choosing whether you would like to draw a pneumatic or electric
conduction line.

The graphical elements are drawn in the color shown.

The graphical elements are drawn in the line style shown.

The graphical elements are drawn in the line thickness shown.

The line beginnings are drawn with the symbol shown.

The line ends are drawn with the symbol shown.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 63

5.4.1 Interruption/Potential

If conduction lines extend over several pages then the line ends can
be assigned interruptions. Interruptions can be used to define that
a conduction line is only interrupted in the drawing and is contin-
ued somewhere else. An interruption can be assigned an identifica-
tion and linked with another interruption. The location of the linked
interruption can be displayed at the source interruption.

If an electric interruption is used with an electric line then this

interruption is a potential. The use of electric potentials is de-
scribed under Potentials and conduction lines.

You can insert an interruption into an existing line or position it

freely in a circuit.

→ Select the Interruption/Potential... menu item from the

Insert menu.

A dialog window opens where you can make various settings for
the interruption to be inserted.

Figure 5/6: Interruption/Potential... dialog window

Type of connector Defines whether a pneumatic or electric interruption (potential) is

to be inserted.

64 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Define multiple connectors Multiple interruptions can be set one after the other if this option is
active. You can cancel the action by pressing the Esc key.

You can edit the properties for an interruption by double-clicking it.

The following dialog window opens.

Figure 5/7: Interruption/Potential dialog window

Layer Defines the drawing layer for the interruption.

Identification Defines the identification for the interruption. The identification will
be displayed in the circuit if the Display option is active.

Target Interruptions can reference each other in pairs. The counterpart

interruption can be selected from a list or entered directly in the list
box. Browse... opens a dialog window where all interruptions are
displayed in a tree and can be selected. Only interruptions that are
not linked will be shown in the list if the Only Free Interrup-
tions/Potentials option is active.

Jump to Target If the interruption is linked with another interruption then this
button can be used to jump to the counterpart interruption.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 65

Show Location If this option is activated and the interruption is linked with another
interruption then the location of the counterpart interruption will be
displayed as a page coordinate (e.g. page number/column).

Representation A symbol that defines the representation of the interruption can be

selected from a list. To illustrate the representation the relevant
symbol always additionally shows the intersection of two lines.

5.4.2 Conduction line

A conduction line is drawn by defining two end points. A pneumatic

or electric line of this type consists of two connectors with a line
between them. Both connectors can be used as the starting point
for further connections. The conduction lines can only be drawn
horizontally or vertically.

You open a dialog window where you can make various settings for
the line to be dragged using the Insert Conduction Line... menu
item or the button on the toolbar.

66 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 5/8: Conduction Line... dialog window

Type of connection line Selects the conduction line type. The following are available:
“Pneumatic” and “Electric”.

Define multiple lines Multiple conduction lines can be set one after the other if this
option is active. You can cancel the action by pressing the Esc
key.

If multiple conduction lines with the same distance between them

are to be drawn horizontally or vertically then change the number in
the “Number of lines” field. You specify the distance to be main-
tained between the lines using “Distance”.

Under “Start Point Appearance” and “End Point Appearance” you

can define the representation of the respective end point. If the
“Display Identification” option is selected then the identification for
the start point is displayed. In order to guarantee that the same
identification is displayed for the start point and the end point, a
text reference for the start point is displayed for the end point

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 67

 instead of its identification.Interruptions are used as end points for
conduction lines.

After confirming the dialog window you switch to a special mode

where you define the end points of the line with two consecutive
mouse clicks. Alternatively you can also draw a line by clicking and
dragging.

An electric conduction line can constitute a potential line. This is

described under Potentials and conduction lines.

5.4.3 Line

A line is drawn by defining two points. In contrast to a conduction

line this line is purely a drawing element. As such it can be drawn
with any desired angle but does not allow connections with pneu-
matic or electric connectors.

The line-specific properties can be defined in the Drawing Proper-

ties tab of the Properties dialog window for the line:

68 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 5/9: Properties dialog window for a line: Drawing Properties
tab

Start Point Defines the x/y coordinate of the start point.

End Point Defines the x/y coordinate of the end point.

Scale Defines the scaling in the x or y direction.

Rotation Defines the angle of rotation in degrees.

Override Color Defines the color of the drawing element.

Line Style Defines the line style.

Line Width Defines the line thickness.

Start Cap Defines how the beginning of the line is displayed.

End Cap Defines how the end of the line is displayed.

Background Sets the location of the drawing element to the background. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are on top of this. For example
symbols are not covered by filled drawing elements.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 69

Foreground Sets the location of the drawing element to the foreground. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are underneath this. For ex-
ample symbols are covered by filled drawing elements.

Reset Reset the settings to the default values.

5.4.4 Polyline (set of connected lines)

A polyline (also called a set of connected lines or polygonal chain)

is drawn by defining two or more points. Each mouse click sets a
further vertex. The polyline is ended by clicking the same point
twice.

The properties of the polyline can be defined in the Drawing Proper-

ties tab in the Properties dialog window:

Figure 5/10: Properties dialog window for a polyline: Drawing

Properties tab

Scale Defines the scaling in x or y direction.

70 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Rotation Defines the angle of rotation in degrees.

Override Color Defines the color of the drawing element.

Line Style Defines the line style.

Line Width Defines the line width.

Start Cap Defines how the beginning of the line is displayed.

End Cap Defines how the end of the line is displayed.

Background Sets the location of the drawing element to the background. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are on top of this. In particular
it means that symbols are not covered by filled drawing elements,
for example.

Foreground Sets the location of the drawing element to the foreground. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are underneath this. In particu-
lar it means that symbols are covered by filled drawing elements,
for example.

To change the vertices of a polyline or to set new vertices switch to

the “polyline editing mode” by selecting the Edit Edit Poly Line
menu item or activating the button on the toolbar.

You can move the existing vertices by clicking and dragging. The
mouse pointer changes to when you mouse over an existing
vertex. If the mouse pointer is over a line without a vertex is
displayed and a new vertex is inserted as soon as you click.

5.4.5 Rectangle

A rectangle is drawn by defining two diagonally opposite corner

points.

The rectangle-specific properties can be defined in the Drawing

Properties tab of the Properties dialog window for the rectangle:

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 71

 Figure 5/11: Properties dialog window for a rectangle: Drawing
Properties tab

Scale Defines the scaling in the x or y direction.

Rotation Defines the angle of rotation in degrees.

Override Color Defines the color of the drawing element.

Fill Area Fills the rectangle with the color listed.

Line Style Defines the line style.

Line Width Defines the line thickness.

Background Sets the location of the drawing element to the background. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are on top of this. For example
symbols are not covered by filled drawing elements.

Foreground Sets the location of the drawing element to the foreground. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are underneath this. For ex-
ample symbols are covered by filled drawing elements.

72 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

5.4.6 Circle

A circle is drawn by defining a middle point and a radius. You can

draw a circular arc by subsequently entering the beginning and
final angles into the Drawing Properties tab in the Properties dialog
window of the circle.

The circle-specific properties can be defined in the Drawing Proper-

ties tab of the Properties dialog window for the circle:

Figure 5/12: Properties dialog window for a circle: Drawing Proper-

ties tab

Scale Defines the scaling in the x or y direction.

Arc Defines the starting and final angles of a circular arc.

Rotation Defines the angle of rotation in degrees.

Override Color Defines the color of the drawing element.

Fill Area Fills the circle with the color listed.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 73

Line Style Defines the line style.

Line Width Defines the line thickness.

Start Cap Defines how the beginning of the line is displayed.

End Cap Defines how the end of the line is displayed.

Background Sets the location of the drawing element to the background. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are on top of this. For example
symbols are not covered by filled drawing elements.

Foreground Sets the location of the drawing element to the foreground. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are underneath this. For ex-
ample symbols are covered by filled drawing elements.

5.4.7 Ellipse

An ellipse is drawn by defining a middle point and two radii with

parallel axes. You can draw an ellipse by subsequently entering the
beginning and final angles into the Drawing Properties tab in the
Properties dialog window of the ellipse.

The ellipse-specific properties can be defined in the Drawing Prop-

erties tab of the Properties dialog window for the ellipse:

74 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 5/13: Properties dialog window for an ellipse: Drawing
Properties tab

Scale Defines the scaling in the x or y direction.

Arc Defines the starting and final angles of an ellipse.

Rotation Defines the angle of rotation in degrees.

Override Color Defines the color of the drawing element.

Fill Area Fills the circle with the color listed.

Line Style Defines the line style.

Line Width Defines the line thickness.

Start Cap Defines how the beginning of the line is displayed.

End Cap Defines how the end of the line is displayed.

Background Sets the location of the drawing element to the background. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are on top of this. For example
symbols are not covered by filled drawing elements.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 75

Foreground Sets the location of the drawing element to the foreground. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are underneath this. For ex-
ample symbols are covered by filled drawing elements.

5.4.8 Text

A text is inserted at the position of the mouse pointer by clicking.

The dialog window Properties for entering the text and setting the
attributes then opens.

5.4.9 Image

An image is inserted at the position of the mouse pointer by click-

ing. The dialog window for selecting an existing image file then
opens.

Large background images can massively decrease the processing

speed as the screen has to be re-drawn whenever symbols are
moved or edited.

The image-specific properties can be defined in the Drawing Prop-

erties and Picture tabs of the Properties dialog window for the
image:

76 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 5/14: Properties dialog window for an image: Drawing
Properties tab

Scale Defines the scaling in the x or y direction.

Rotation Defines the angle of rotation in degrees.

Override Color Defines the color of the drawing element.

Background Sets the location of the drawing element to the background. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are on top of this. For example
symbols are not covered by filled drawing elements.

Foreground Sets the location of the drawing element to the foreground. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are underneath this. For ex-
ample symbols are covered by filled drawing elements.

File Defines the image file for the image.

External Link When this option is active FluidDraw only saves a link to the image
file. However if this option is deactivated then the image is embed-
ded in the circuit diagram. This is the preferable variant if you wish
to pass on or archive the circuit diagram.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 77

5.5 Check drawing

Using the Check Drawing menu item from the Page menu you
can have FluidDraw check your drawing for possible drawing errors.
FluidDraw displays the following messages where necessary:

† Duplicated identification labels

† Unresolved link targets

† Superimposed objects

† Lines through connectors

† Open connectors

If messages are displayed then the corresponding objects are

selected after confirmation in the dialog window.

78 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Manage Product Database

Chapter 6
6. Manage Pr oduct Database

As well as the Festo product catalogue, user-defined product data-

bases can also be managed in a FluidDraw-specific data format.
These product databases can be created from new or opened as an
existing FluidDraw product database file.

It is also possible to import databases that were not created using

FluidDraw. Note that the external databases cannot be maintained
in FluidDraw. This must be done using suitable database tools. The
product databases are imported as a copy in the FluidDraw-specific
data format.

A product or data record contains the attributes “Supplier”, “Part

number” and “Symbol Name” at least. Each product can be as-
signed a symbol using the “Symbol Name” attribute. You can add
any number of other attributes.

The dialog window for managing the product databases is opened

using the Tools Custom Product Databases... menu item.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 79

 Figure 6/1: Manage Product Database dialog window

Product Database Using this drop-down list you can select the product database that
you want to manage.

New... Using this button you can create a new product database. You will
then be asked for a file name under which the product database
should be saved.

Open... Opens a file selection dialog window that you can use to open an
existing FluidDraw product database.

Import... Opens a file selection dialog window that you can use to open an
external product database. The database must be in CSV (Comma-
Separated Values) format, which most database programs can
generate. Further settings for the import are described further
below.

80 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Remove From List Removes the selected product database from the drop-down list.
The associated file is not changed.

Products This tab displays the product database as a table. The “Supplier”
attribute features a drop-down list containing all of the suppliers
that can be selected. The suppliers are listed in the Supplier tab.

Supplier This tab lists all of the suppliers in the product database. Further
suppliers can also be added and provided with additional informa-
tion.

Export... Exports the selected table (Products or Supplier) as a CSV file.

Delete Deletes the highlighted product from the product database.

Add Attribute... Further attributes can be added to both the Products table and the
Supplier table.

Attribute Properties... Opens a dialog window where the attribute properties can be
defined. The dialog window is described further below.

Assign Symbol... Opens a dialog window where you can select a symbol that is
assigned to the highlighted product.

If a file was selected for importing an external product database

then various settings can be made using the following dialog win-
dow. FluidDraw analyses the CSV file to be imported and suggests
useful presettings.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 81

 Figure 6/2: Product Database dialog window

Delimiter Defines the delimiter that can be used to differentiate the

attributes.

Text Identificator Defines whether and how quotes have been added to texts.

Character Code Defines the character set to be used.

Column Assignment Defines the attributes (columns) to be imported from the database
and the attributes predefined in FluidDraw that they should be
assigned to. The data type of the attribute can also be specified.
You can select all of the attributes using the Select All button and
invert the selection using the Invert Selection button.

82 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

First Row is Column Header Defines that the first row contains the column headers (attribute
names).

First Table Row Defines the row from which the data records are to be imported.

Preview Displays a preview of the data records that are being imported.

The following dialog window opens if the Export... button was

selected to export either the Products or Supplier table as a CSV
file.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 83

 Figure 6/3: Product Database dialog window

Delimiter Defines the delimiter that can be used to differentiate the

attributes.

Text Identificator Defines whether and how quotes are to be added to texts.

Character Code Defines the character set to be used.

Column Selection Defines the attributes to be exported. You can select all of the
attributes using the Select All button and invert the selection
using the Invert Selection button.

84 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Column Header Defines whether an additional first row containing the attribute
names as column headers should be exported.

Preview Displays a preview of the data records that are being exported.

Further attributes for the Products and Supplier tables can be

added using the Add Attribute... button.

Figure 6/4: Add Attribute dialog window

Two types of attributes can be added.

Predefined Attribute Attributes predefined in FluidDraw can be selected from a drop-

down list. These include Product name, Remark and Description.

User Defined Attribute If this option is selected you can specify an attribute name and type
for the new attribute.

You can list and remove the attributes in the Products and Supplier
tables using the Attribute Properties... button. The attributes
“Supplier”, “Part number” and “Symbol Name” cannot be deleted.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 85

 Figure 6/5: Attribute Properties dialog window

The selected attribute can be removed using the Delete Attribute

button.

86 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Manage Translation Tables

Chapter 7
7. Manage Transl ation Ta bles

Translation tables can be managed using FluidDraw. Each row in

the table contains texts in different languages. Each column con-
tains one language. The Text ID column is a special column. The
text ID serves as a placeholder for a text and can be used in differ-
ent places in FluidDraw. Depending on the set language, the text in
the corresponding language may be displayed instead of the text
ID.

Figure 7/1: Example of a translation table

The text ID can be arbitrarily chosen. In the example above the

English term with a preceding question mark was used.

It is also possible to use a language as the text ID. This must be

specified during the import operation, which is described further
below. We do not recommend this approach since the text ID may
not always be unique. In the above example, the English word
“modification” occurs twice, for example, but is translated diffe-
rently depending on the context.

The translation tables are stored in a FluidDraw-specific file format.

The translation table and language to be used are specified in a
project or circuit on the Language tab in the properties dialog
window. You can find further information under Language.

Text IDs can be used in user-defined attributes for both the

attribute name and the attribute value. The text is displayed
against a yellow background in the set language in the correspond-
ing dialog windows. As soon as you want to edit an attribute name
or attribute value the text ID is displayed again in the correspond-
ing field.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 87

 Figure 7/2: Text IDs in user-defined attributes

FluidDraw provides a search dialog for finding a text ID for a specif-

ic text in the selected translation table. When you are editing a text
field the following dialog can be opened using the Translation
Table... button.

Figure 7/3: Translation Table dialog window

Search Enter a language text here to find the associated text ID. You do not
need to enter the text in full; you can select the desired row direct-
ly.

The selected text ID is displayed in the text field after you confirm
the selection.

If the user-defined attributes are used in parts lists then these are
displayed in the parts lists in the corresponding language. Note
that the predefined attributes are independent of the chosen lan-
guage in the translation table. The language of the predefined
attributes is defined by the language set for the Festo product
catalogue.

88 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Text IDs can also be used in text components.

The dialog window for managing the translation tables is opened

using the Tools Translation Tables... menu item.

Figure 7/4: Manage Translation Tables dialog window

Translation Table Using this drop-down list you can select the translation table that
you want to manage.

New... Using this button you can create a new translation table. You will
then be asked for a file name under which the translation table
should be saved.

Open... Opens a file selection dialog window that you can use to open an
existing FluidDraw translation table.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 89

Import... Opens a file selection dialog window that you can use to open an
external translation table. The translation table must be in CSV
(Comma-Separated Values) format, which most database programs
can generate. Further settings for the import are described further
below.

Remove From List Removes the selected translation table from the drop-down list.
The associated file is not changed.

Words This tab displays the translation table.

Export... Exports the translation table as a CSV file.

Delete Deletes the highlighted language entry from the translation table.

Add Language... Adds a further language to the translation table.

Languages... Opens a dialog window that lists all of the languages and can be
used to remove a language.

If a file was selected for importing an external translation table then

various settings can be made using the following dialog window.
FluidDraw analyses the CSV file to be imported and suggests useful
presettings.

90 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 7/5: Translation Table dialog window

Delimiter Defines the delimiter that can be used to differentiate the languag-
es.

Text Identificator Defines whether and how quotes have been added to texts.

Character Code Defines the character set to be used.

Column Assignment Defines the languages to be imported from the database and the
languages predefined in FluidDraw that they should be assigned to.
You can select all of the languages using the Select All button
and invert the selection using the Invert Selection button.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 91

First Row is Column Header Defines that the first row contains the language names.

First Table Row Defines the row from which the data records are to be imported.

Preview Displays a preview of the data records that are being imported.

The following dialog window opens if the Export... button was

selected to export the translation table as a CSV file.

Figure 7/6: Translation Table dialog window

Delimiter Defines the delimiter that can be used to differentiate the languag-
es.

92 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Text Identificator Defines whether and how quotes are to be added to texts.

Character Code Defines the character set to be used.

Column Selection Defines the languages to be exported. You can select all of the
languages using the Select All button and invert the selection
using the Invert Selection button.

Column Header Defines whether an additional first row containing the language
names as column headers should be exported.

Preview Displays a preview of the data records that are being exported.

Further languages can be added using the Add Language...

button.

Figure 7/7: Add Language dialog window

Two types of languages can be added.

Predefined Language Languages predefined in FluidDraw can be selected from a drop-

down list.

User Defined Language You can enter any language if this option is selected.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 93

 Figure 7/8: Languages dialog window

The languages in the selected translation table can be listed and

removed using the Languages button. The “Text ID” column cannot
be deleted.

94 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Dimension

Chapter 8
8. Dime nsion

FluidDraw allows both automatic and manual dimensioning.

8.1 Draw dimension

The buttons

Horizontal

Vertical

Align

Angular

Flag

activate the corresponding mode for drawing the dimension ar-

rows. Alternatively you can also access the dimensioning functions
in the Draw menu under Dimension .

Horizontal, vertical and diagonal dimensioning is done by defining

two points for the distance as well as then clicking to position the
dimension text. Angular dimensioning requires the center point to
be defined as well as two points for the angle. The fourth click in
turn defines the position of the dimension text. The Flag dimen-
sion function can also be used for general labeling of important
points in the circuit. Two points for a line with any pitch and a final
click for the text are needed for this.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 95

8.2 Settings for the dimension

Figure 8/1: Dimension dialog window

Layer Defines the drawing layer for the dimension.

Automatic Dimensioning Activates or deactivates automatic adaptation of the dimension

when the dimension length is changed.

Length If the Automatic Dimensioning option is deactivated you can enter

any number that will be displayed as the length dimension. A unit
can also be selected. Show Unit defines whether the unit should be
displayed.

Decimals Defines the number of decimal places.

Factor Determines the factor by which the real length is multiplied for the
displayed value. This is necessary if you are creating a drawing with
a scale other than 1:1.

Color Defines the color for the dimension.

96 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Line Style Defines the line style for the dimension.

Line Width Defines the line width for the dimension.

Dimensions, like all other objects in FluidDraw, can be moved,

rotated, mirrored and scaled. The display value of the dimension is
automatically adapted during scaling if the Automatic Dimension-
ing option is activated.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 97

Equipment identifications and designation conventions

Chapter 9
9. Equi pment identifications and desig nation conve ntions

FluidDraw supports the structured and hierarchical assignment of

equipment identifications, i.e. a complete equipment identification
can be made up of several component identifications.

The following attributes can be used for structuring and are put
together according to predefined conventions to form a complete
equipment identification:

† Installation

† Location

† Circuit

† Component

† Connector

The attributes Installation, Location and Circuit can be specified for

a symbol, circuit and project. You can specify whether the
attributes should be copied over from a parent element (node). For
example, you can copy over the installation information from the
circuit diagram so that it does not have to be individually entered
for each symbol.

Designation conventions describe how the individual attributes

Installation, Location, Circuit, Component and Connector are put
together to form a full identification. They specify the order in which
the individual attributes are put together to form a full identifica-
tion and the separators (prefix or postfix) used between them.

The following example is intended to serve as an explanation. The

list below constitutes a set of designation conventions. Each
attribute can have a preceding (prefix) or succeeding (postfix)
separator. The separators to be used are placed in inverted com-
mas. The specified set of designation conventions corresponds to
the default setting in FluidDraw for electrical engineering.

† “=” Installation

† “+” Location

† “-” Component

98 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 The value of the Component attribute is “B1” and is stored in the
symbol to be identified. Installation gets the value “G1” and Loca-
tion the value “X1”, both of which are stored in the circuit. A note is
included with the symbol that these attributes should be copied
over from the circuit. The full equipment identification is then as
follows:

† =G1+X1-B1

If it is clear from the context that Installation and Location are

stored in the circuit then this information can be hidden when
displaying the equipment identification in the circuit to make things
clearer. The Suppress Inherited Parts option must be selected in
the associated symbol for this. The identification that is displayed
is then:

† -B1

FluidDraw also supports the hierarchical structuring of identifica-

tions. Using a hierarchy makes sense if a symbol is a subobject of
another object, for example the plug in a plug strip or the solenoid
coil in a solenoid valve. The full identification is put together ac-
cording to the defined designation conventions. The Component
attribute is also added in accordance with the defined object hie-
rarchy. You start at the top hierarchy level when designating an
object.

The hierarchy is defined by establishing a reference between a

symbol (object) and the parent object. To illustrate this we will
expand upon the example described above. The symbol with the
Component attribute with the value “B1” was not previously hierar-
chically structured. This is changed by assigning an “A1” for a
parent symbol to the symbol. The full identification for “B1” is then
as follows:

† =G1+X1-A1-B1

The identification that is displayed remains unchanged.

FluidDraw supports different sets of designation conventions. For

each symbol you can select which set of conventions should be
used for its identification. The set of conventions to be used for the
supplied symbols is preset. The preset sets of conventions can be
customized in the Designation Conventions tab under Tools -

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 99

 Options... . These sets of conventions are copied when a project or
circuit diagram is created from new. Copying the sets of conven-
tions into the circuit diagram or project guarantees that the desig-
nation conventions are not dependent on the FluidDraw presettings
if the circuit diagram or project is passed on to someone else.
Changes to the conventions must be made in the circuit diagram or
project.

The identification type Free Input can be chosen if no designation

conventions are to be used. In this case the identification is an
unstructured character string that is not made up of the attributes
described above.

The sets of conventions preset in FluidDraw are as follows:

Fluidics Fluid engineering symbols are designated in accordance with ISO

1219-2. The identification is put together as follows: Installation -
Circuit Component : Connector This set of conventions can be
customized if necessary.

Electrics Electrical engineering symbols are designated in accordance with

EN 81346-1 (successor to EN 61346-1). The identification is put
together as follows:

= Installation + Location - Component : Connector This set of con-

ventions can be customized if necessary.

User Defined This set of conventions allows you to freely define the identifica-
tion. The attributes Installation, Location, Circuit, Component and
Connector can be selected in any order for this. You can also speci-
fy separators that are to be inserted before (prefix) and after (post-
fix) the individual attributes.

9.1 Renumber Designations

Designations (identifications) are automatically assigned when

symbols are created. FluidDraw supports the reassignment of
identifications within a circuit diagram. You can define which sym-

100 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 bols are to get new identifications and the order in which they are
to be renumbered.

Renumbering is started via the Page Renumber Designations...

menu. The following dialog window opens.

Figure 9/1: Renumber Designations dialog window

Component Types For each symbol you can specify the designation convention to be
used. You can specify the designation conventions to be taken into
consideration during renumbering under Component Types. Only
those symbols with the appropriate convention will be given a new
identification.

Renumber Unenumerated Only symbols that have not yet been given an identification will be
Only (e.g. ?V1) taken into consideration.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 101

 If the Enumerate Automatically option is selected in the Designa-
tion Conventions tab in the program options then FluidDraw will
automatically assign identifications for newly created symbols. If
this option is not active identifications beginning with a question
mark will be assigned. As per the convention, FluidDraw will not
regard these symbols as having an identification.

Renumber main components If this option is activated the renumbering will be done in two
first, then secondary compo- passes. The main components are renumbered in the first pass and
nents the secondary components in the second pass. An example of a
main component is the coil of a relay, while its contacts are sec-
ondary components.

Labeling Order The labeling order can be defined using the various buttons.

The renumbering is started after you click the Next button.

102 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 9/2: Renumber Designations dialog window

Current Identification Shows the current full identification.

New Identification Contains the suggested new identification for the component. You
can change this suggestion. The new full identification is displayed
in the Full Identification field.

Full Identification Shows the new full identification.

Displayed Identification Shows the new identification as it is displayed in the circuit. If the
Suppress Inherited Parts option is selected then parts of the identi-
fication such as “Installation”, “Circuit” or “Location” will be hid-
den if they have been stored in the circuit diagram or project.

Designation Conventions The designation conventions for the component to be identified can
be selected here.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 103

Inherit From Page If this option is not active the following identification components
can be defined for the symbol: “Installation”, “Location” and “Cir-
cuit”. Only components that are used in the set designation con-
vention are available.

The Next button copies over the new identification and the Skip
button leaves the old identification unchanged. FluidDraw then
continues with the next symbol.

104 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Component attributes

Chapter 10
10. Compone nt attributes

The FluidDraw circuit symbols largely correspond to the compo-

nents in theFesto product catalogue. Even if you have not installed
the product catalogue FluidDraw can read most of the component
attributes from the database supplied with the program. If you have
installed a newer version of theproduct catalogue then FluidDraw
automatically accesses the current data. Open theProperties dialog
window for the component by double-clicking a symbol or using the
Edit menu and the Properties... menu item.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 105

10.1 Component attributes in the Properties dialog window

Figure 10/1: Properties dialog window for a component:

The properties of a component are saved in attribute value pairs.

The attributes are divided into different groups. The first group
contains the general properties:

106 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 10/2: Detail from the Properties dialog window for a compo-
nent: General properties

Symbol Name Displays the name of the circuit symbol. The symbol name is
mapped to appropriate products in the Festo product catalogue.
Users cannot edit the symbol name.

Description Contains a more detailed description or the complete name of the

circuit symbol where applicable. Users can edit this. The identifica-
tion is shown as text in the circuit drawing if the “ Display” option is
selected.

Part number The part number uniquely identifies a product. You can enter the
part number manually or search via the Find... button in the
product catalogue. The component attributes saved in the cata-
logue are only automatically taken over if the selection is made via
the product catalogue. You can find these attributes in the Catalog
Properties tab of the Properties dialog window for the component.

Layer In this selection list you define the drawing layer for the symbol.
Depending on the setting for the drawing layer it may not be possi-
ble to display or edit the symbol. In order to make the symbol
visible or change the settings you have to temporarily activate the
drawing layer on the Drawing Layers... menu item from the View
menu.

Identification Here you can assign an identification that uniquely identifies the
component in the circuit diagram. The identification is shown as
text in the circuit drawing if the “Display” option is selected.

Note: FluidDraw automatically assigns a unique identification when

inserting or copying circuit symbols. An automatically assigned
identification text begins with a question mark and can be edited by
the user (FluidDraw shows a warning if you are assigning an identi-

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 107

 fication that already exists). You can make more detailed settings
for the equipment identification in theIdentification tab.

Display in Parts Lists Deactivate this option if you do not want the symbol to appear in
the parts list.

10.2 Identification

In the “Identification” tab you can enter properties that influence

how the identification for the symbol is displayed in the circuit
diagram. You can find further information under Equipment identi-
fications and designation conventions.

108 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 10/3: Detail from the Properties dialog window for a compo-
nent: Identification tab

Treat as Contact Actuator If this option is activated then contacts can be linked with this
symbol and the symbol is assigned a contact image. This allows the
number of symbols that can actuate contacts to be extended as a
user-defined setting. For example it allows custom relay magnets to
be defined.

Parent Object If this option is activated then a parent object can be specified
whose identification is used to make up the full identification.
Parent objects can be selected via the list box or their full identifica-

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 109

 tion entered directly. The “ Browse... ” button opens a dialog
window that shows all objects in the project as a tree.

Full Identification This field shows the full equipment identification.

Inherit prefix/postfix If this option is deactivated then the separators that are placed
before (prefix) or after (postfix) the identification can be specified.
The separators specified in the designation conventions are ig-
nored in this case. In combination with parent objects this enables
aspect changes as described in EN 81346-1.

Displayed Identification This field shows the equipment identification displayed in the
circuit diagram. If the Suppress Inherited Parts option is selected
then parts of the identification such as “Installation”, “Location” or
“Circuit” will be hidden if they have been stored in the circuit dia-
gram or project. The parts of the parent object’s identification will
also be hidden if a parent object was specified.

Designation Conventions Here you define the designation convention to be used for the
identification. The following are available: Fluidics, Electrics, User
Defined and Free Input. The properties dialog window for the circuit
where the designation conventions can be displayed and custo-
mized is opened using the Designation Conventions... button.

Installation The Installation property that can be used as part of the identifica-
tion is defined in this field. If the Inherit From Parent Object option
is selected then the property will be copied over from the circuit,
project or specified parent object. This field will only be visible if
Installation is used in the set designation convention.

Location The Location property that can be used as part of the identification
is defined in this field. If the Inherit From Parent Object option is
selected then the property will be copied over from the circuit,
project or specified parent object. This field will only be visible if
Location is used in the set designation convention.

Circuit The Circuit property that can be used as part of the identification is
defined in this field. If the Inherit From Parent Object option is
selected then the property will be copied over from the circuit,
project or specified parent object. This field will only be visible if
Circuit is used in the set designation convention.

110 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

10.3 Catalog Properties

Component attributes from the product catalogue as well as

attributes specified by the user are displayed in tabular form in
different tabs. The table entries from the catalogue cannot be
edited. The value of an attribute is listed in the “ Value” column.
This value can be displayed as text in the circuit diagram next to the
symbol if the “Display” option is activated.

The component attributes copied over from the product catalogue

are displayed in the “Catalog Properties” tab.

Figure 10/4: Detail from the Properties dialog window for a compo-
nent: Catalog Properties tab

10.4 User Defined Properties

You can enter your own component attributes in the “ User Defined
Properties” tab.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 111

 Figure 10/5: Detail from the Properties dialog window for a compo-
nent: User Defined Properties tab

Translation Table... If you are editing a text field you can use this button to open a
search dialog via which you can find the text ID for a language text
from the translation table.

In order to edit an entry the corresponding row must be selected by

clicking on it. Clicking on the table cell to be modified again then
enables you to edit the entry in the cell.

A row can be deleted by first clicking the row to highlight it. The
highlighted row can then be deleted using the Del key.

You can add any desired attributes by filling out the empty cells on
the last row.

112 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

10.5 Drawing Properties

You can enter a number of drawing properties that influence how

the symbols are displayed in the circuit diagram in the “ Drawing
Properties” tab.

Figure 10/6: Detail from the Properties dialog window for a compo-
nent: Drawing Properties tab

Scale Defines the scaling in the x or y direction. The scaling factor can
also be defined with the help of the mouse pointer. This is de-
scribed in the “Scale symbols” section.

Rotation Defines the angle of rotation in degrees. The angle of rotation can
also be defined with the help of the mouse pointer. This is de-
scribed in the “Rotate symbols” section.

Override Color If this option is activated then another color can be selected for the
symbol.

Reset Resets the geometrical settings to the default values: Scaling to 1,

rotation to 0 and “Override Color” deactivated.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 113

10.6 Main and secondary components

As described under Component attributes in the Properties dialog

window, the FluidDraw circuit symbols largely correspond to the
components in theFesto product catalogue. These symbols are
called main components. However there are also secondary com-
ponents, which do not correspond to components in the Festo
product catalogue. These secondary components are usually sym-
bolic representations of a partial aspect of an associated main
component.

All product properties are stored in the main component. The

secondary components only have a description and a reference to
the associated main component. In electrical engineering in par-
ticular, components such as relays are divided into main and sec-
ondary components where the coil is the main component and the
contacts are the secondary components.

10.7 Linking main and secondary components

Main and secondary components are linked using the symbol for
the secondary component. The circuit diagram detail shows a relay
comprising a coil as the main component and two contacts as the
secondary components. The contacts are to be linked with the coil.
This information is evaluated when displaying the contact image.

Figure 10/7: Relay comprising coil with two contacts

The symbol identifications are the defaults used in FluidDraw. The

symbols are not linked together yet.

114 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 → Open the corresponding properties dialog window by double-
clicking a contact.

Figure 10/8: Properties dialog window for a contact

Description Defines a description for the secondary component. In the case of a

contact, this is shown in the terminal diagram.

Main Component A compatible main component can be selected from a list. The main
component identification can also be entered directly as text.

Browse... Opens a dialog that shows all compatible main components as a

tree in accordance with the object hierarchy.

Link If this box is checked then the secondary component is logically

linked with the main component. If the main component is then
renamed, the link is retained and the identification of the linked
secondary component is adapted as appropriate to the main com-
ponent identification.

Find Target... If the secondary component is logically linked with a main compo-
nent, a search can be performed for the associated main compo-
nent using this button.

Display If this box is checked then the main component’s identification is

shown as the identification for the secondary component.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 115

Suppress Inherited Parts If there are designation conventions assigned for the main compo-
nent, parent parts of the identification that are defined in the circuit
diagram or project will be hidden.

→ Select “Q1” from the list of compatible main components.

Proceed in the same way for the second contact.

Selecting from the list of compatible main components automatical-

ly establishes the logical links between the contacts and the coil.
The circuit diagram should now look as follows:

Figure 10/9: Relay comprising coil with two contacts

If you now change the coil identification to “Q2”, the logical links
mean that the identifications at the contacts will also be automati-
cally changed to “Q2”.

Examples of this are relays with the coil as the main component and
the contacts as secondary components as well as electromagnetic
directional control valves with the pneumatic symbol as the main
component and the valve solenoids as secondary components in
the electrical part of the circuit diagram.

10.8 Link solenoid valves and solenoid coils

The coils belonging to solenoid valves are usually displayed sepa-

rately in the electrical part of a circuit diagram. The link between a
solenoid valve and the associated coils is defined at the solenoid
valve symbol.

116 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 The following circuit diagram shows a solenoid valve and the sym-
bols for two separate solenoid coils. No link has been established
yet between the solenoid valve and the coils.

Figure 10/10: Solenoid valve and two separate coils

There are two ways of establishing a link between a solenoid valve

and a coil. The first is using the properties dialog window for the
solenoid valve.

→ Open the appropriate properties dialog window by double-

clicking the solenoid valve and select the Connector Labels tab.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 117

 Figure 10/11: Properties dialog window, Connector Labels tab

This tab shows all of the solenoid valve’s connectors. Connectors

refer, among other things, to the logical connection options for the
solenoid coils. The input fields of the left-hand electric connector
are described below. The descriptions apply analogously to the
right-hand connector and other types of logical connectors.

Electric Connector (Left) The identification for the left-hand solenoid coil can be entered in
this list box or selected from a list. When you click in this field the
corresponding connector is highlighted in the preview. This helps to
locate the connector, particularly when dealing with turned or
mirrored symbols.

118 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Browse... Opens a dialog that shows all compatible solenoid coils as a tree in
accordance with the object hierarchy.

Link If this box is checked then the solenoid coil is logically linked with
the connector at the solenoid valve. If the solenoid coil is renamed
the link is retained and the identifications of the coils at the soleno-
id valve are changed to match the coil identifications.

Find Target... If the connector at the solenoid valve is logically linked with a coil a
search can be performed for the associated coil using this button.

Display If this box is checked the coil’s identification is shown as the identi-
fication for the solenoid valve connector.

→ Select “-K1” from the list of compatible solenoid coils.

Figure 10/12: Left connector linked with coil “-K1”

The second way of linking a solenoid valve with a coil is to double-

click the solenoid valve’s connector directly. The coil connectors are
represented like pneumatic connectors within the solenoid valve by
means of small circles.

→ Double-click the right connector of the solenoid valve.

A dialog window whose fields correspond to the entries for a con-

nector in the Connector Labels tab of the Properties dialog window.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 119

 Figure 10/13: Connector dialog window

→ Select “-K2” from the list of compatible solenoid coils.

The (electric) connectors of the solenoid valve are now linked with
the solenoid coils.

Figure 10/14: Link solenoid valve and solenoid coils

The above-mentioned ways of linking a solenoid valve and coils

should only be used if each symbol has been individually inserted
into the circuit diagram. For projects, FluidDraw manages the asso-
ciated coil symbols for each solenoid valve internally. When a
solenoid valve is inserted into a circuit diagram, the associated
solenoid coils are simultaneously placed in a special library. This
concept is described underUnplaced objects.

10.9 Attributes of the text components

In FluidDraw text components serve, firstly, to insert comments and

labels and, secondly, can be defined by the labels and accessories

120 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 without displaying a symbol. Open the dialog window Properties of
the text component by double-clicking on a text or via the Proper-
ties... menu item on the Edit menu.

Figure 10/15: Properties dialog window for a text component:

A text component possess all of the attributes of a standard com-

ponent. The text properties are located on the “Edit Text” tab.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 121

 Figure 10/16: Detail from the Properties dialog window for a text
component: Edit Text tab

Edit Text Enter your text into the input field on the left-hand side. You can
also enter text with multiple lines. Press the Enter key to create a
line break.

Alignment Defines the horizontal or the vertical alignment of the text within
the text field.

Font... Defines the text font.

Color... Defines the text color.

Frame Text Draws a frame around the text field.

Attribute Link If this option is activated a text that identifies a link to an attribute
is displayed instead of the text entered. The value of the selected
attribute is displayed in the circuit diagram. You can find a detailed
description of this function under Link text components with
attributes. A predefined placeholder such as the page number can
also be selected using the Predefined variable... button.

122 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Translation Table... If you are editing a text field you can use this button to open a
search dialog via which you can find the text ID for a language text
from the translation table.

10.10 Link text components with attributes

Text components can also display attributes of other components,

values of predefined placeholders, attributes of a circuit or the
project. The text component must be linked to the corresponding
attribute for this. The linked attribute is defined in the input field of
the “Edit Text” tab in the Properties dialog window for the text
component. The activated Attribute Link option defines that the text
in the text field should not be displayed but rather interpreted as a
link.

Example:

Assuming that your project is called “Project1” and possesses the

“Supplier” attribute with the value “Festo”. You project contains
the “Circuit1” circuit and you would like to display the value of the
“Supplier” attribute, in this example namely the value “Festo”, in
this circuit diagram.

→ Insert a text component into the circuit drawing by selecting

the text element on the drawing elements toolbar and then left-
clicking the circuit drawing. The Properties dialog window for
the text component then opens.

Note: You can open the dialog window of an existing text compo-
nent by double-clicking it or using the Edit menu and the Prop-
erties... menu item.

→ Activate the Attribute Link option and then click the Browse...
button.

A window opens displaying the hierarchy of all of the available

attributes. Please note that only those objects are listed that have
an identification assigned by the user. Identifications beginning

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 123

 with a question mark “?” are not listed. These are identifications
that have been automatically assigned by FluidDraw. The desired
attribute is located under “Attribute Tree” - “Project1” - “Supplier”.

Figure 10/17: Browse Attributes dialog window

→ Select “Supplier” and then click the Select button.

The “Project1.Supplier” value is displayed in the input field and

“Festo” in the preview. The complete and unique name of the
attribute contains all of the hierarchy levels beginning at the
project. The individual layers in the name are separated by a full
stop. It is also possible to enter only the attribute name into the
input field. In this example: “Supplier”. The hierarchy is then
searched from the bottom up for the attribute, beginning with the
text components. If the attribute searched for is not found in that
component then the circuit and then the project are searched for
the attribute.

If the attribute is not found then the attribute name is displayed in

the circuit diagram in angle brackets. The missing attribute can be
created at a later point in time. The link is then created automatical-
ly.

124 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 The concept of linking text components with attributes is also
utilized for labeling drawing frames.

10.11 Text components with specified links

Text components are automatically generated for displayable

component attributes and connector labels which are linked to the
corresponding attributes. Open the Display Attribute dialog window
with which you can adjust how the text is displayed by double-
clicking on the text component or via the Properties... menu item
on the Edit menu.

Figure 10/18: Display Attribute dialog window

Alignment Defines the horizontal or the vertical alignment of the text within
the text field.

Scale Defines the scaling factor of the text in the x or y direction.

Note: You can also change the text size by selecting another font
size in the font type dialog window. You open this dialog window
using the Font... button under Text Attributes.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 125

Rotation Defines text’s angle of rotation in degrees.

Font... Defines the text font.

Color... Defines the text color.

Frame Text Draws a frame around the text field.

Find Target... The target of a linked text is the attribute which the text refers to.
This button opens the Properties dialog window of the object which
contains this attribute.

10.12 Change the properties of multiple objects simultaneously

If multiple objects are selected, choosing the Properties... menu

item on the Edit menu opens a dialog window with a limited
selection of properties. It only contains those properties which
meaningfully relate to all of the selected objects. This enables you
to change the font for multiple texts in a single operation, for ex-
ample. The more different object types (symbols, connectors,
drawing elements, texts, etc.) that are selected, the less common
properties are available.

The following tabs are available for the common properties de-
pending on the objects highlighted.

10.12.1 Drawing Properties

The dialog elements available within a tab depend on the objects

highlighted.

126 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 10/19: Properties dialog window, Drawing Properties tab:
several highlighted objects

Font... Defines the font type of the text.

Frame Text Draws a frame around the text field.

Scale Defines the scaling factor of the text in the x or y direction.

Rotation Defines the angle of rotation of the text field in degrees.

Override Color Defines the color of the drawing element.

Line Style Defines the line style.

Line Width Defines the line width.

Start Cap Defines how the beginning of the line is displayed.

End Cap Defines how the end of the line is displayed.

Background Sets the location of the drawing element to the background. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are on top of this. In particular
this means that symbols are not covered by filled drawing ele-
ments, for example.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 127

Foreground Sets the location of the drawing element to the foreground. This
means that all of the circuit symbols are underneath this. In particu-
lar it means that symbols are covered by filled drawing elements,
for example.

Reset Reset the settings to the default values.

10.12.2 Main Component

Figure 10/20: Properties dialog window, Drawing Properties tab:

several highlighted objects

Main Component A compatible main component can be selected from a list. The main
component identification can also be entered directly as text.

Browse... Opens a dialog that shows all compatible main components as a

tree in accordance with the object hierarchy.

Link If this box is checked then the secondary component is logically

linked with the main component. If the main component is then
renamed, the link is retained and the identification of the linked
secondary component is adapted as appropriate to the main com-
ponent identification.

128 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Find Target... If the secondary component is logically linked with a main compo-
nent, a search can be performed for the associated main compo-
nent using this button.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 129

Parts list management and analyses

Chapter 11
11. Parts list manage ment a nd a nalyses

Various analyses can be inserted into a circuit diagram using the

Insert menu item. Alternatively you can also use the button on
the toolbar. The following dialog window opens.

Figure 11/1: List/Table... dialog window

The following analyses can be inserted into the circuit diagram

using this dialog: Parts List , Terminal diagram , Cable Map and
Cable List .

The use of parts lists is described below. The use and function of
the other analyses are described in the corresponding chapters.

FluidDraw creates parts lists that are automatically updated in the

background while the circuits are being edited.

If a parts list has been added to a circuit diagram as described

above it can be used like a symbol. The use of parts lists as a spe-
cial page type is described under Display parts list.

You can customise the appearance of the parts list under “ Proper-
ties... ” in the “Appearance” tab. You can see the effects of the
settings straight away in the preview on the right-hand side.

If the “Lines per Page” option is selected you can specify the num-
ber of lines to be displayed per page. The relevant pages will also
be output when the circuit diagram is printed. Buttons for naviga-
tion are displayed underneath the page if the list is split across
multiple pages.

130 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 11/2: Buttons for navigating through lists

11.1 Display parts list

We recommend setting up one file specifically for the parts list in a

project. If you wish to create a circuit drawing without creating a
project you can switch the view for this circuit to the parts list view.
Selecting the Parts List menu item from the View menu enables
you to switch from the circuit view to the parts list view. Conversely,
selecting the Circuit Diagram menu item from the View menu
enables you to switch from the parts list view to the circuit view.

A parts list is displayed as a table in the window. You can edit the
following options for editing the table:

† Attributes which the user can edit can be entered directly into
the corresponding table field.

† Clicking on the column header sorts the rows on the basis of

the column clicked. Clicking on the head of the same column
again reverses the sorting order.

† You can adjust the column width by dragging the edges of a

column header.

† You can change the order of the columns by dragging and

dropping a column header in another position.

11.2 Find components from the parts on the circuit diagram

FluidDraw enables you to easily find components on the parts list in

the circuit diagram and vice versa.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 131

 Figure 11/3: Finding components from the parts list

You have the following options:

† Clicking on the Find... button on the “Find Target” parts list

column switches to the circuit diagram display and an anima-
tion identifies the corresponding components. If the same cir-
cuit diagram is already open in another window than the parts
list view remains in the active window. The already opened
window containing the circuit diagram is moved into the fore-
ground and an animation identifies the corresponding circuit
diagram symbol.

† When you click a cell in the parts list table an animation identi-
fies the corresponding component in all of the opened windows
displaying the circuit diagram.

† If you click a column header in the parts list table then both the
entire column of the parts list as well as the corresponding
components in the associated circuit diagram windows are se-
lected.

132 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 † If you click a component in a circuit diagram then both this
component and the corresponding row in the open parts lists
are selected.

11.3 Set parts list properties

In the parts list view clicking on the Properties... button opens

the Parts List Properties dialog window.

Figure 11/4: Parts List Properties dialog window: Included Pages

tab

Accumulated Parts List Compiles the components with the same attributes.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 133

Single Position Parts List Lists all of the components individually

Sort as Number Interprets the column contents as numbers, so that “10” appears
after “2”, for example.

Include This Page’s Compo- Only lists the components of the corresponding circuit diagram.
nents Only
Include All Project Files Lists all of the components of the active project.

Include Selected Files: Lists all of the components of the selected circuit diagrams belong-
ing to the active project.

Figure 11/5: Parts List Properties dialog window: Listed Attributes

tab

List All Attributes Lists all of the component attributes within a parts list row.

134 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

List Selected Attributes: Only lists selected component attributes within a parts list row.

Figure 11/6: Parts List Properties dialog window: Print Options tab

In this tab you can adjust the appearance of the parts list printout.
In the preview on the right-hand side you can immediately see the
effects of the adjustments. You can find information regarding
printing a parts list in the “Print circuit diagram and parts list”
section.

11.4 Export parts list

You can export the parts list as a text file.,

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 135

 → Click the Export... button in the parts list view.

A dialog window for selecting a file or entering a new file name

appears. After you have entered a file and left the dialog field you
can define the following format settings for the export in the Parts
List Export dialog window:

Figure 11/7: Parts List Export dialog window

Column Header If this option is selected then the names of the attributes appear in
the first row of the text file.

Quotation Marks Select this option to set the field elements in quotation marks.

Delimiter The selected separator is used to separate the columns.

136 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Manage projects

Chapter 12
12. Manage pr ojects

FluidDraw supports the management of projects by compiling

different files under one name in a single project file. This has the
following benefits: When opening a project all of the associated
data is loaded. It is possible to rapidly access files belonging to a
project via the project window.Parts lists whose elements are
located in different circuit diagram files can be maintained in one
project.

12.1 Create new project

→ Select the New... / Project... menu item from the Project

menu and enter a file name for the new project.

Project files possess the prj file suffix. By default they only con-
tain links to files contained in the project. If you wish to pass on a
project then you must either pass on all of the associated files
along with the project file or activate the “Save Projects as Single
File” option.

When creating a new project, a project folder is automatically

created to store the project file and all other files belonging to the
project. This automatically created project folder has the same
name as the project file. If you create the project file in an empty
folder this will be used for the project (i.e. another new folder will
not be created underneath it). The automatic creation of project
directories can be activated and deactivated in the options under
Save.

In the project window a project is represented hierarchically as a

list. The top element is the project node. Below this are the asso-
ciated circuit nodes and parts list nodes which can be differentiated
from each other via the symbol in front of the name.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 137

12.2 Project nodes

Every project possesses one project node as the uppermost ele-

ment. All of the project-specific properties are saved with the
project node. Right-clicking on a project node opens a context
menu. You can also find the menu items on the Project menu.
Here you can find the functions for adding and removing files,
among other things.

Under the Properties... menu item from the Project menu you
can define properties for the project. Properties that can be speci-
fied for both projects and circuits are described under Circuit and
project properties.

12.2.1 Project archiving

Project files generally consist of links to the files contained therein.

However, where desired FluidDraw can also save the project along
with all of the associated files in one single file. Among other
things, this makes it easier to pass on the project. Activate the Save
Projects as Single File option in the Archiving tab.

138 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 12/1: Project dialog window: Archiving tab

Save Projects as Single File If this option is activated all of the files belonging to the project are
saved in a single file.

Please note the advice displayed under this option.

12.3 Circuit and parts list nodes

A circuit node is created beneath the project node for every circuit
file that belongs to the project. This also applies to parts lists since
they are saved as circuits. These are just displayed differently in the
window. All of the circuit-specific or parts list-specific properties are
saved with the circuit node.

Right-clicking a circuit node opens a context menu containing the

following menu items:

Open... Opens the selected circuit or the selected parts list in a window.
Double-clicking on the node in the project tree also opens the
window.

Close Windows Closes the window of the selected circuit or the selected parts list.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 139

Remove From List Removes the selected circuit or the selected parts list from the
project.

Rename... Changes the description of the selected circuit or the selected parts
list.

Properties... In this dialog window you can enter data for the circuit or parts list.

Note: Please note that the additional parts list-specific properties

can be set using the window view of the parts list.

Figure 12/2: Page dialog window: Drawing Size tab

Here you can define the circuit dimensions and orientation, both of
which are relevant for printing.

12.4 Unplaced objects

Various symbols consist of a main component and several second-

ary components. For solenoid valves in particular FluidDraw man-
ages the associated solenoid coils automatically. The linking of
solenoid valves with their solenoid coils is described in detail
underLink solenoid valves and solenoid coils.

140 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 If a main component is inserted into a circuit diagram, the asso-
ciated coils are automatically entered in the Unplaced Objects
symbol library.

Figure 12/3: Circuit diagram with solenoid valve and associated

solenoid coils in the Unplaced Objects symbol library

The associated coils are already internally linked with the solenoid
valve in the circuit diagram. Clicking one of the “electric connec-
tors” in the solenoid valve automatically highlights the correspond-
ing coil in the Unplaced Objects library.

Figure 12/4: Highlighting of the connector link with associated

solenoid coil

As soon as you drag a coil from the library into a circuit diagram it is
“used up” and removed from the library. The valve is entered as the
parent object for the coil.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 141

 Figure 12/5: Inserting a solenoid coil

Assigning a new identification to the coil has a direct knock-on

effect on the valve since the coil and valve are linked. The identifi-
cation is displayed at the valve.

Figure 12/6: Automatic linking of solenoid valve and solenoid coil

If you delete the solenoid coil in the circuit diagram it is automati-

cally added to the Unplaced Objects symbol library again. This
symbol library is completely self-managing.

142 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Circuit and project properties

Chapter 13
13. Circuit and project pr operties

Circuits and projects have a host of common properties. The prop-

erties set in the project can be used by circuits in the project. All of
the properties that can be specified for both circuits and projects
are listed below. The screenshots shown are dialog windows for the
circuits.

Figure 13/1: Properties dialog window

Properties The file name field displays the file name of the circuit or project
along with the complete path. The file name is carried over to the
input field for the “Description” and can be edited there. This entry
is displayed in the upper margin of the window as well as beside
the circuit or project node.

Page number Here you can specify a page number. The page number can be
made up of any character string. The page number can be defined
using the “%PageNumber” predefined placeholder. This placehold-
er can be used in text components and drawing frames among
others.

Drawing Frame Here you can make settings for the drawing frame. This function is
described in the section Drawing frame.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 143

13.1 Attributes

Any number of attributes can be created for every circuit or node in

a project. The attributes are listed in a table in the “ Attributes” tab.
New attributes can be entered in the empty cells at the end of the
table. The use of attributes is described in the section Attributes of
the nodes in a project.

The attributes of a project node are automatically copied to all

circuit and parts list nodes (inherited) and are thus available in all
of the circuit drawings. This concept is particularly useful for the
drawing frames if project attributes are to be displayed in the
circuit diagram, for example. You can find further information in the
section Link text components with attributes.

Circuit attributes copied from a project cannot be edited initially.

The corresponding row in the Attributes tab of the Page dialog
window is grayed out and the “Inherit From Project” option in the
column is activated.

However it is possible to overwrite a copied attribute in a circuit.

The option in the “Inherit From Project” column must be deacti-
vated for this. The value of the attribute can then be edited. This
function can be used to assign individual page numbers in the
drawing frame, for example. If the “Inherit From Project” option is
reactivated then the attribute value is copied from the project
again.

144 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 13/2: Attributes tab

Attribute This column contains the name of the attribute.

Value This column contains the value of the attribute.

Action The buttons in this column allow the following actions: if the
attribute was created in the parent project node then the “ Find
Target... ” action is available. Clicking this opens the Project or
Circuit dialog window for the project node as the target that con-
tains the corresponding attribute. If the attribute was created in the
same node then the “ Delete ” action that allows you to delete the
attribute is available.

Inherit From Project If the attribute was created in the same node then this option is
deactivated and grayed out. This applies to all of the attributes of
the project node since it does not have a parent node. For child
nodes the value of the attribute from the project node is copied
when this option is activated. After deactivating this option it is
possible to locally overwrite the attribute value.

Comment Here you can enter a comment about the attribute.

Translation Table... If you are editing a text field you can use this button to open a
search dialog via which you can find the text ID for a language text
from the translation table.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 145

13.1.1 Predefined placeholders

FluidDraw provides a host of predefined placeholders. These

placeholders can be used intext components and drawing frames
among others.

The placeholders begin with a percentage sign. The following

predefined placeholders are some of those available:

%PageNumber The page number is specified in the properties dialog window for
the circuit diagram.

If analyses are split across several pages, the number of the sub-
page is added to the page number with a minus sign. If, for exam-
ple, the entered page number is “42-01” and the page displayed is
the third page in an analysis then the placeholder “%PageNumber”
is replaced by the character string “42-01-03”.

%PageDescription The description for the page is specified in the properties dialog
window for the circuit diagram.

%PageFileName Stands for the file name of the page without the file path.

%PageFullFilePath Stands for the file name of the page with the full file path.

%PageFileDateTime Stands for the date and time of the most recent change to the
circuit diagram.

%PageFileDate Stands for the date of the most recent change to the circuit dia-
gram.

%PageFileTime Stands for the time of the most recent change to the circuit dia-
gram.

146 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

13.2 Page Dividers

Page dividers can only be defined for pages. Editing of page divid-
ers is described under Page dividers.

13.3 Basic Unit Length

The symbols in the FluidDraw symbol libraries are created accord-

ing to various DIN ISO standards. Instead of specifying absolute
units of length, the standards simply use a relative basic unit of
length “M”. All of the symbols have been created with reference to
this basic unit of length “M”. The actual size of the symbol is not
defined until the symbol is inserted into a circuit.

Information on how to convert the basic unit of length “M” is stored

with the circuit diagram. You can change the set values for a circuit
diagram by calling up the properties dialog window for the circuit
diagram using the Page Properties... menu. You will find the
relevant settings in the Basic Unit Length tab.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 147

 Figure 13/3: Basic Unit Length tab

As soon as the value of “M” is changed, the sizes of the existing

symbols are recalculated with respect to the specified basic unit of
length. The specification has no effect on elements in the drawing
frame.

The Basic Unit Length tab is also in the project settings. The set-
tings made in this tab are used as a template for circuit diagrams
created from new in the project tree.

13.4 Language

The language settings are found in the Language tab. The settings
made in this tab affect language-dependent text, etc. in parts lists.
The language used for program elements such as buttons is de-
fined via the program options, see Language.

148 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 13/4: Language tab

Inherit From Parent Node Copies the language settings from the parent project node.

Product Catalog Defines the language used for the Festo product catalogue. All of
the product attributes are displayed in the relevant language. The
predefined attributes are also displayed in this language.

Translation Table Defines the translation table to be used.

Translation Language Defines the language from the selected translation table to be
used. The user-defined attributes are displayed in the selected
language.

13.5 Encryption

Projects and circuit diagrams can be encrypted. The encryption

method used is AES-128.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 149

 Figure 13/5: Encryption tab

Enable Encryption This option activates and deactivates encryption. When encryption
is activated the password to be used can be entered in the Pass-
word input field.

150 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

13.6 Designation Conventions

Figure 13/6: Designation Conventions tab

This tab is used to define the settings for the designation conven-
tions. Further information can be found under Equipment identifica-
tions and designation conventions.

Settings can be made for the following sets of conventions: Flui-

dics, Electrics and User Defined. If the Inherit From Parent Node
option is active then the sets of conventions will be copied from the
parent project node.

Frame Identification Defines that the identifications produced by the selected set of
conventions will be framed.

Specifications can be made for Installation, Location and Circuit

that will be evaluated for displaying the symbol identifications. If
the Inherit From Parent Node option is active then the specification
will be copied from the parent project node.

Example The example shown illustrates the effects of the selected designa-
tion conventions.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 151

Automatically frame identifi- If “free input” is chosen for a symbol identification then this option
cation for free input determines whether these identifications should be framed.

13.7 Cross Reference Representation

Figure 13/7: Cross Reference Representation tab

This tab is used to define the settings for the cross-reference repre-
sentation. You can find further information under Cross-reference
representation. If the Inherit From Parent Node option is active then
the settings will be copied from the parent project node.

Example Illustrates the effects of the settings using an example.

Reset Resets the settings to the settings defined in FluidDraw.

152 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Special functions for electric circuits

Chapter 14
14. Special functions for electric circuits

14.1 Potentials and conduction lines

The creation of horizontal and vertical potential lines is supported

by drawing conduction lines. The end points of the conduction line
consist of potentials that also serve as interruptions. In the dialog
window for drawing conduction lines you can specify whether the
potentials should have an identification.

In this example we want to draw three horizontal potential lines

where each line comes from a preceding sheet “1” and is continued
on a sheet “3”.

You open a dialog window where you can make the settings shown
using the Insert Conduction Line... menu item or the button
on the toolbar.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 153

 Figure 14/1: Settings for the potential lines to be created

You can then define the end points of the line with two consecutive
mouse clicks.

Figure 14/2: Three horizontal potential lines

The identifications of the potentials can be changed. In this exam-

ple we want to rename the potential from L4 to L6.

→ Double-click the left-hand potential L1. Then enter L4 for the

identification in the dialog window.

Then following prompt then opens.

154 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 14/3:

FluidDraw supports the automatic renaming of the potentials linked

with the source potential. If you answer “Yes”, the potential L1 on
the right-hand side will also be renamed L4.

→ Rename the potentials L2 and L3 to L5 and L6 in the same way.

→ Then enter the corresponding markers for the predecessors or

successors in the properties dialog windows for the potentials.
If the corresponding cross-references have the same markers in
the respective predecessor and successor pages, the potential
lines might look as follows.

Figure 14/4: Three horizontal potential lines with cross-references

14.2 Cables and wiring

Cables and wiring are represented in the circuit diagram by a spe-

cial cable symbol. All of the lines defined by the cable symbol are
assigned to a cable or to wiring. You can define for the symbol
whether it is a cable or wiring.

Wiring only summarizes the defined lines (wires) graphically in the

circuit diagram and is assigned the identification “W” by default.
Wiring is not listed in analyses such as cable maps and cable lists.
Unlike a cable, wiring cannot be assigned to a product. With wiring,
product information can only be saved in the lines.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 155

 If the cable symbol represents a cable then a cable object must be
assigned to the symbol. Product properties can be saved in the
cable object and are analyzed in cable maps and cable lists, etc.
Several cable symbols can reference the same cable object. This is
the case if, for example, a cable has to be spread over several
pages.

Figure 14/5: Cable symbol

→ Select the Cable menu item from the Insert menu or click
the button to define a cable or wiring.

This activates a mode that allows you to insert a cable symbol by

making two consecutive clicks. All of the lines that are defined by
the cable symbol are initially assigned to wiring.

If you want to use a cable instead of wiring you can assign a cable
object to the symbol using the properties dialog window for the
cable symbol.

156 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 14/6: Cable Symbol dialog window, Wires tab

Layer Defines the drawing layer for the cable symbol.

Cable ‟ Wiring Defines whether the cable symbol represents a cable or wiring
comprising single wires. Wiring is not listed in cable maps, etc. If
Wiring is selected then an identification can be specified that can
be displayed with Display Identification.

If Cable is selected then an existing cable object can be assigned to

the cable symbol using a drop-down list. A new cable object can be
created using the Create New... button. Clicking Properties...
opens the properties dialog window for the selected cable object.

Wires In order to analyze cable maps the component connections that join
a wire must be determined. The connectors are automatically
entered in the list box if they can be uniquely assigned. If a unique
assignment is not possible, the relevant connector must be se-
lected manually via the list box. The identification for the individual

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 157

 wires can also be entered. These are saved in the individual lines
(wires). The wire identifications are displayed at the cable symbol
using the Display button.

Reverse Direction The entries in the From and To column are automatically defined as
the direction of the wires when creating the cable symbol. Clicking
the Reverse Direction button reverses the directions of all of the
wires.

Renumber From: Clicking this button renumbers all of the wires defined by the cable
symbol, starting with the number entered in the list box.

Figure 14/7: Cable Symbol dialog window, Display Attributes tab

In the “Display Attributes” tab you can select the attributes of the
associated cable object that are to be displayed at the cable sym-
bol.

→ Click the Create New... button to create a new cable symbol.

The following dialog window opens.

158 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 14/8: New Cable dialog window

Containing Page Indicates the page where the cable object will be saved. This is
important if various cable symbols on different pages reference the
same cable object. The cable object is only saved with one page.

Identification Enter the identification for the cable here.

Number of Wires Enter the number of lines (wires) in the cable here. The number can
be higher than the underlying lines if, for example, a concrete cable
has unconnected wires. If the associated cable symbols overscore
more lines than are defined in the cable object, a warning is output
when the page is checked and the corresponding entries are hig-
hlighted in color in the cable lists.

After you specify the identification for the cable and confirm the
dialog, the cable object is generated and the cable symbol is as-
signed to it.

→ Click the “ Properties... ” button to edit the properties of the

cable object.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 159

 Figure 14/9: Properties dialog window: Cable tab

Number of Wires Defines the number of lines (wires) in the cable. The number can be
higher than the lines overscored by the associated cable symbols if,
for example, a concrete cable has unconnected wires. If the asso-
ciated cable symbols overscore more lines than are defined in the
cable object, a warning is output when the page is checked and the
corresponding entries are highlighted in color in the cable lists.

The associated cable symbols are listed in rows in the table. You
can jump to the associated cable symbol using the “ Find... ”
button.

The User Defined Properties tab in the properties dialog window for
the cable symbol lists the cable-specific product properties such as
Cable Type and Length. These properties and the entries in the
Cable tab are analyzed in the cable map, etc.

160 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

14.2.1 Manage cables

All cables within a circuit can be listed and renamed using the
Manage Cables... menu item from the Page menu. You open the
properties dialog window for the relevant cable object using the
Properties... button.

You can also call up the cables of all circuits belonging to the
project using the Manage Cables... menu item from the Project
menu.

Figure 14/10: Manage Cables... dialog window

Containing Page Shows which circuit the cable is assigned to. You can edit this
assignment within a project.

You can add a new cable object to the project using the Create
New... button. Each cable object must be assigned to a page.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 161

 Clicking the Create New... button first opens the following dialog
window where you can define the assignment.

Figure 14/11: Browse Pages dialog window

After you click the Select button a dialog window opens where
you can define the name and number of wires for the new cable
object. The dialog window is described under Cables and wiring.

14.2.2 Insert cable map

You can insert an associated cable map for a cable into the circuit
diagram. You do this by inserting a cable map into a circuit diagram
and then assigning a cable to this map.

→ To insert a cable map into the circuit diagram select the Cable
Map menu item from the Insert menu. Alternatively you can

162 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 click the button. Select Cable Map in the selection dialog
window that opens.

The mouse pointer changes to a crosshair. Click the position in the

circuit diagram where you want to insert the cable map. A dialog
window then opens where you can assign the relevant cable and
customise the appearance.

Figure 14/12: Cable Map dialog window

Cable Defines the relevant cable.

Properties... Opens the properties dialog window for the associated cable sym-
bol.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 163

 You can customise the appearance of the cable map in the “ Ap-
pearance” tab. You can see the effects of the settings straight away
in the preview on the right-hand side.

If the “Lines per Page” option is selected you can specify the num-
ber of lines to be displayed per page. The relevant pages will also
be output when the circuit diagram is printed. Buttons for naviga-
tion are displayed underneath the page if the list is split across
multiple pages.

Figure 14/13: Buttons for navigating through lists

14.2.3 Insert cable list

You can insert a cable list into a cable map.

→ To insert a cable list into the circuit diagram select the Cable
List menu item from the Insert menu. Alternatively you can
click the button. Select Cable List in the selection dialog
window that opens.

The mouse pointer changes to a crosshair. Click the position in the

circuit diagram where you want to insert the cable list. A dialog
window then opens where you can select the associated cable and
customise the appearance.

164 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 14/14: Cable List dialog window, Included Pages tab

Include This Page’s Compo- Lists only the cables in the associated circuit.
nents Only
Include All Project Files Lists all cables in the active project.

Include Selected Files: Lists all cables in the selected circuit in the active project.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 165

 Figure 14/15: Cable List dialog window, Appearance tab

You can customise the appearance of the cable map in the “ Ap-
pearance” tab. You can see the effects of the settings straight away
in the preview on the right-hand side.

If the cable symbols of a cable object overscore more lines than are
defined in the cable object, a warning is output when the page is
checked and the corresponding entries are highlighted in color in
the cable list.

If the “Lines per Page” option is selected you can specify the num-
ber of lines to be displayed per page. The relevant pages will also
be output when the circuit diagram is printed. Buttons for naviga-
tion are displayed underneath the page if the list is split across
multiple pages.

166 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 14/16: Buttons for navigating through lists

14.3 Terminals and terminal strips

14.3.1 Set terminals

You can set individual terminals or multiple terminals in one step.

→ Select the Terminal menu item from the Insert menu or

click the button to define an individual electric terminal.

This activates a mode that allows you to insert a terminal by click-

ing a free point on the electric line.

Figure 14/17:

As soon as you have set a new terminal in this way the dialog
window containing the settings for this terminal appears. You can
use this dialog window to assign the terminal to a terminal strip.
This assignment can also be made or changed later.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 167

 Figure 14/18: Terminal dialog window

Description Contains the description of the terminal or the terminal designa-

tion.

Display If this box is checked then the description entered will be displayed
beside the terminal.

Layer Defines the drawing layer for the line.

Pos. Defines the position of the terminal within the associated terminal
strip. An entry is only possible once the terminal has been assigned
to a terminal strip.

Internal # External Changes the direction of the terminal. The direction is indicated in
the circuit by an arrow that shows which connector is inside the
control cabinet and which is outside. The tip of the arrow points
into the control cabinet.

Show Direction If this box is checked then the direction arrow is displayed at the
terminal.

Terminal Strip Defines the terminal strip containing the terminal in question. The
list contains the terminal strips already created. You call up the
properties dialog window for the selected terminal strip using

168 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Properties... . You can also create a new terminal strip using
Create New... .

Display Identification If this box is checked then the identification for the associated
terminal strip is displayed beside the terminal.

14.3.2 Set multiple terminals

As well as the option of setting individual terminals, FluidDraw also

offers a mode that allows you to set multiple terminals one after
the other. You can keep inserting terminals by simply clicking on
the electric lines until you leave the mode again.

→ To insert multiple terminals select the Multiple Terminals...

menu item from the Insert menu or click the button.

Figure 14/19:

The operation begins with a dialog window where you can make
some settings for the new terminals. Above all you need to first
select an existing terminal strip or create a new one. If a suitable

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 169

 terminal strip does not already exist then a prompt to create a new
one will automatically appear.

Figure 14/20: Define Multiple Terminals dialog window

Description Defines how the new terminals are to be numbered. The Enumerate
Manually option allows you to specify a start number from which
the numbering continues. Otherwise a free terminal from the se-
lected terminal strip is automatically used. The start number “2”
was specified in the example shown.

Display If this box is checked then the description entered will be displayed
beside the terminal.

Direction Defines the direction of the new terminals. The direction is indi-
cated in the circuit by an arrow that shows which connector is
inside the control cabinet and which is outside. The tip of the arrow
points into the control cabinet. The direction can also be changed
later using the properties dialog window for the individual termin-
als.

Layer Defines the drawing layer for the line.

Terminal Strip Defines the terminal strip containing the terminals in question. The
list contains the terminal strips already created. You call up the
properties dialog window for the selected terminal strip using

170 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Properties... . You can also create a new terminal strip using
Create New... .

Display Identification If this box is checked then the identification for the associated
terminal strip is displayed beside the new terminals.

14.3.3 Create terminal strips

FluidDraw does not treat terminal strips as visible objects within

the circuit pages which explains why they cannot be interactively
selected using the mouse in order to highlight them, delete them or
change their properties. Terminal strips can either be managed via
the associatedterminals or using the Manage Terminal Strips...
menu item under Page or Project .

A terminal strip is always part of a specific circuit. To define a new

terminal strip you must therefore define a circuit file in addition to
the description and number of terminals.

Figure 14/21: New Terminal Strip dialog window

All properties can also be changed later at any time. You open the
properties dialog window for a terminal strip via any terminal in
that terminal strip using the Properties... button.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 171

 Figure 14/22: Terminal Strip dialog window

External Target If the target of a terminal inside the control cabinet is unique due to
the wiring, FluidDraw automatically enters the identification for the
connected component. Otherwise the list contains the identifica-
tions of all objects that can be reached from the terminal. The
target search can be controlled by selecting ajunction symbol as a T
distributor.

Internal Target The targets of the terminals outside the control cabinet are listed
here. As with the internal targets, unique links are automatically
entered.

Find... Jumps to the associated terminal in the circuit diagram.

14.3.4 Manage terminal strips

All terminal strips within a circuit can be listed and renamed using
the Manage Terminal Strips... menu item from the Page menu.
You open the properties dialog window for the relevant terminal
strip using the Properties... button.

172 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 You can also call up the cables of all terminal strips belonging to
the project using the Manage Terminal Strips... menu item from
the Project menu.

Figure 14/23: Manage Terminal Strips... dialog window

Containing Page Shows which circuit the terminal strip is assigned to. You can edit
this assignment within a project.

You can add a new terminal strip to the project using the Create
New... button. Each terminal strip must be assigned to a page.
Clicking the Create New... button first opens the following dialog
window where you can define the assignment.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 173

 Figure 14/24: Browse Pages dialog window

After you click the Select button a dialog window opens where
you can define the properties of the new terminal strip. The dialog
window is described under Create terminal strips.

14.4 Terminal diagram

You can insert an associated terminal diagram for a terminal strip

into the circuit diagram. You do this by inserting a terminal diagram
into a circuit diagram and then assigning a terminal strip to this
diagram.

→ Select the Terminal diagram menu item from the Insert

menu or click the button to insert a terminal diagram into
the circuit diagram. Alternatively you can click the button.
Select Terminal diagram in the selection dialog window that
opens.

174 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 The mouse pointer changes to a crosshair. Click the position in the
circuit diagram where you want to insert the terminal diagram. A
dialog window then opens where you can assign the relevant
terminal strip and customise the appearance.

Figure 14/25: Terminal diagram - Properties dialog window

Terminal Strip Defines the associated terminal strip.

Properties... Opens the properties dialog window for the associated terminal
strip.

You can customise the appearance of the terminal diagram in the

“Print Options” tab. You can see the effects of the settings straight
away in the preview on the right-hand side.

If the “Lines per Page” option is selected you can specify the num-
ber of lines to be displayed per page. The relevant pages will also

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 175

 be output when the circuit diagram is printed. Buttons for naviga-
tion are displayed underneath the page if the list is split across
multiple pages.

The entries in the “Description”, “Identification” and “Connector”

columns are taken from the object properties of the associated
targets.

14.4.1 Set links

You can set so-called links in a terminal strip. These links are drawn
in the circuit diagram as regular electric lines and marked as links.
The representation of the T distributors can be customized using
their properties dialog window.

The following example shows a circuit diagram with a terminal strip

X1 with 10 terminals and the associated terminal diagram. A link
plug is to be placed at level “1” between terminals “7” and “8” and
at level “2” between terminals “8” and “9”, and a wire link is to be
placed between terminals “9” and “10”.

176 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 14/26:

→ Double-click the electric line between terminals “7” and “8”.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 177

 Figure 14/27:

The properties dialog window for the electric line opens. The op-
tions for setting the links are in the top right:

Figure 14/28: Detail of the Line (electric) dialog window

Link Defines that this line is to be treated as a link.

Link Plug Defines that the link is a link plug.

Level Specifies the level if a link plug was selected.

Wire Link Defines that the link is a wire link.

→ Set “Link”, “Link Plug” and “Level 3”.

FluidDraw tracks the line across one distributor point at most. This
means that the specified link will find the contacts “7” and “8”. This
link will be represented in the terminal diagram as follows.

178 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 14/29:

→ Proceed in the same way to set a link plug between “8” and “9”
at level “2” and a wire link between “9” and “10”.

The terminal diagram then has the following appearance.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 179

 Figure 14/30:

14.5 Contact images

The contact images can be displayed within a circuit diagram be-

neath relay coils and similar symbols. The contact images list all the
contacts of the associated relay coil and show which current paths
these contacts are in. The division of the page or circuit diagram
can be defined using the page dividers.

→ To do this select the Display Contact Images menu item from

the View menu.

The contact images of the current circuit diagram are shown or

hidden.

Contact images can be highlighted, moved and aligned like other

symbols.

180 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Figure 14/31:

You can have all of the contacts in a contact image displayed in a

list and customise the appearance by double-clicking the contact
image or highlighting the contact image and selecting the Proper-
ties... menu item from the Edit menu.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 181

 Figure 14/32: Contact Image dialog window

You can customise the representation of the contact image in the

“Print Options” tab.

The “Contacts” tab lists all of the associated contacts. You can
jump to the corresponding contact in the circuit diagram using the
Jump to Target button.

182 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Circuit input and output

Chapter 15
15. Circuit input and output

15.1 Print circuit diagram and parts list

FluidDraw circuits and parts lists can be printed by opening the

Print dialog window via the Print... menu item on the File menu.

In FluidDraw a parts list is the representation of a circuit as a table.

If you wish to print an individual parts list then the corresponding
circuit must be shown in theparts list display.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 183

 Figure 15/1: Print dialog window:

Printer Select the desired output device from the list of the available prin-
ters.

Properties... This button enables you to open the dialog window for setting the
printer options.

Print to File Activate this option if you wish to write the print data to a file.

Print Project Files When you work in a project you can select which circuits and parts
lists are to be printed.

Copies

184 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Select the number of copies. If the printout consists of multiple
pages you can cause FluidDraw to print a correspondingly sorted
sequence.

Scale You can increase or decrease the output size by entering a scaling
factor. If the dimensions of the area to be printed are larger than
the printable area on the paper then the printout is spread across
multiple pages (tiled). You can see the page divisions in the print
preview.

Note: Please note that it may not always be possible to precisely

comply with the page margins. Therefore you should plan a certain
amount of leeway for the page margin.

Page Here you can specify additional margins in order to manually cus-
tomise the print area.

Margins You can select which page the print preview displays.

15.2 Import DXF file

Files saved in the DXF format can be imported and retain most of
their element attributes. If several special points were taken into
account when creating the drawing using a CAD program then
FluidDraw can easily expand the symbol library.

15.3 Export circuit

The FluidDraw circuits can be saved as a file with a variety of differ-

ent formats. The BMP, JPG, GIF, WMF, PNG, DXF, TIF and PDF for-
mats are available. Once you have selected the Export... menu
item from the File menu a dialog window opens where you can
define the different settings for the export. The settings depend on
the format selected.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 185

 Figure 15/2: Export Page dialog window

You are then prompted to select a file name or enter a new one.

Select a suitable resolution for the image file.

Please note that a high resolution generates extremely large files

which mean the export may take longer. However you can cancel
the image export at any time.

186 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Options

Chapter 16
16. Options

You can access the various program settings in the Options dialog
window via the Options... menu item on the Tools menu.

16.1 General

Figure 16/1: Options dialog window: General tab

View In order to simplify connection of connectors FluidDraw draws a

small circle around the connectors on the circuit symbols. Deacti-
vate the Display Snap Radius option in order to disable the display
of the snap-in circles.

Product Catalog Activating the “Insert Symbols With Type Attribute” option causes a
text field to be added with the circuit symbol which contains a link
to the attribute with the type designation of the product when
components are inserted from the Festo product catalogue.

Text fields for accessories When inserting accessories without symbols texts with the type
designation of the products are displayed. Here you can limit the
number of text fields inserted.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 187

Products Specifies which products from the Festo product catalogue are to
be used, for example Europe or Festo worldwide.

Grid Here you can set the grid width and the style. To display the grid
select the Show Grid menu item on the View menu.

As well as absolute values such as “mm” you can also specify the
relative basic unit of length “M”.

16.2 Save

Figure 16/2: Options dialog window: Save tab

Compress Files FluidDraw normally compresses the saved files in order to save
space on the disk. If you deactivate the option the files are saved as
XML files without compression. You can find further information in
theCircuit files section.

Create Backup Files The “Create Backup Files” option causes the previous versions of
saved files are created with the bak file suffix. This enables you to
restore previous versions.

188 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Save New Projects as Single Project files generally consist of links to the files contained therein.
File However, where desired FluidDraw can also save the project along
with all of the associated circuit files in one single file. This serves
to simplify passing on or archiving the project, among other things.
You can set whether a project saves links or all of the associated
files using theProject dialog window ‟ Properties of the project.
This option defines the default setting for new projects.

Create Folder For New A folder with the project name where all project files are stored is
Projects automatically generated when a new project is created if this op-
tion is active.

16.3 Folder Locations

Figure 16/3: Options dialog window: Folder Locations tab

Page Files This is the default path for opening and saving circuits.

Project Files This is the default path for opening and saving projects.

Library Files This is the default path for opening and saving libraries.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 189

Drawing Frames This is the default path for opening and saving drawing frames.

Database Files This is the default path for opening and saving database files.

16.4 Language

Figure 16/4: Options dialog window: Language tab

Program Defines the languages for the program interface including dialog
windows and messages.

Product Catalog Defines the language used for the Festo product catalogue.

Translation Table Defines the translation table to be used.

Translation Language Defines the language from the selected translation table to be
used.

190 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

16.5 Dimension

This tab is used to define the default settings for the dimensions.
You can find further information under Dimension.

Figure 16/5: Options dialog window: Dimension tab

All of the settings are only applied to newly generated dimensions.

They have no effect on existing dimensions in the circuit.

Layer Defines the drawing layer where the newly generated dimensions
are placed.

Automatic Dimensioning Activates and deactivates automatic dimensioning. If this option is

activated then the displayed dimension value is automatically
adapted if the dimension is scaled.

Unit Defines the unit to be used for the dimension.

Show Unit Defines whether the unit should be displayed.

Decimals Defines the number of decimal places.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 191

Scale Factor Determines the factor by which the real length is multiplied for the
displayed value. This is necessary if you are creating a drawing with
a scale other than 1:1.

16.6 Designation Conventions

Figure 16/6: Options dialog window: Designation Conventions tab

This tab is used to define the default settings for the designation
conventions. You can find further information under Equipment
identifications and designation conventions.

The settings are only applied to newly generated projects or cir-

cuits. They have no effect on existing objects.

Settings can be made for the following sets of conventions: Flui-

dics, Electrics and User Defined.

Frame Identification Defines that the identifications produced by the selected set of
conventions will be framed.

192 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Enumerate Automatically Defines that the identifications of newly inserted symbols will be
automatically numbered. All of the project files and not just the
current circuit will be taken into consideration for the numbering if
Consider All Project Files is active.

16.7 Cross Reference Representation

Figure 16/7: Options dialog window: Cross Reference Representa-

tion tab

This tab is used to define the default settings for the cross-
reference representation. You can find further information under
Cross-reference representation.

The settings are only applied to newly generated projects or cir-

cuits. They have no effect on existing objects.

Example Illustrates the effects of the settings using an example.

Reset Resets the settings to the settings defined in FluidDraw.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 193

16.8 Connector Links

Figure 16/8: Options dialog window: Connector Links tab

Allow connections between Only connectors of the same type can be connected if this option is
same connector types only active. For example a line from an electric connector to a pneumatic
connector cannot be created in this case.

FluidDraw supports theautomatic connection of connectors. The

following settings define which connections should be automatical-
ly created.

Pneumatic ‟ Horizontal Pneumatic connectors that are on one horizontal line will be auto-
matically connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.

Pneumatic ‟ Vertical Pneumatic connectors that are on one vertical line will be automati-
cally connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.

Electric ‟ Horizontal Electric connectors that are on one horizontal line will be automati-
cally connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.

Electric ‟ Vertical Electric connectors that are on one vertical line will be automatical-
ly connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.

194 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

16.9 Warnings

Figure 16/9: Options dialog window: Warnings tab

Show Warnings Different types of warnings that FluidDraw should or should not
deliver can be activated and deactivated here. These warnings
include “Duplicated identification labels” and “Superimposed
objects”.

Enable Background Check All of the circuits will be checked during editing if this option is
active. Only the criteria that would lead to the warnings specified
under “Show Warnings” are checked. Objects that caused an error
are highlighted in red in the circuit. If this option is not active then
the check must be initiated manually using the Page ‟ Check
Drawing menu.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 195

16.10 Automatic Updates

Figure 16/10: Options dialog window: Automatic Updates tab

Check for updates at startup FluidDraw can search on the Internet for a new version when the
program starts. You can activate or deactivate the automatic search
here.

Check for updates now... As soon as there is an Internet connection you can use this button
to initiate the search for a new FluidDraw version.

196 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

16.11 Text Sizes

Figure 16/11: Options dialog window: Text Sizes tab

This tab defines the font sizes to be used for objects newly inserted
into the circuit diagram.

Label/Attribute This group lists the font sizes used for identifications and cross-
references, etc.

List/Table This group lists the font sizes used for analyses and tables.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 197

Menu overview

Chapter 17
17. Menu overview

17.1 File

New

New / File...
Opens a new window for creating a new circuit drawing.

New / Project...
Opens the dialog window for creating a new project.

Open

Open / File...
Opens a new window for selecting an existing circuit drawing.

Open / Project...
Opens the dialog window for selecting an existing project.

Add
Adds files, etc. to the active project.

198 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Add / New Page...
Creates a new circuit file and adds it to the active project.

Add / New Parts List...

Creates a new parts list and adds it to the active project.

Add / Existing Files...

Opens the dialog window for selecting existing files to be added to
the active project.

Close
Closes the active window or project, etc.

Close / File...
Closes the active window.

Close / Project...
Closes the active project.

Save File
Saves the circuit diagram in the active window to disk.

Save File As...

Saves the circuit diagram in the active window to disk under a new
name.

Save Project
Saves the active project.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 199

 Save Project As...
Saves the active project under a new name on the data storage
medium. Files that are within the project folder are duplicated while
references to external files are left. With external file references you
must therefore consider that changes to these files affect all
projects containing them.

Save as Component Library...

Saves the active project as a library. As a result a new library sym-
bol is generated for every circuit. The new library bears the name of
the project with the lib file suffix.

DXF Import...
Opens the dialog window for selecting a saved DXF file. The se-
lected file is subsequently converted into a FluidDraw circuit dia-
gram. The original file remains unchanged.

Export...
Exports the circuit diagram in the active window to the data storage
medium as a BMP, JPG, GIF, WMF, PNG, DXF or TIF file.

Page Setup...
Sets up the printer properties for a page to be printed.

Print Preview
Opens a print preview as a page view.

Print...
Opens the FluidDraw Print dialog window to set the print options
for the active circuit.

200 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Recent Files
A file can be selected for opening from a list of the recently opened
files.

Recent Projects
The most recently opened projects can be selected for opening
from a list.

Exit
Ends FluidDraw.

17.2 Edit

Undo
Undoes the last editing action for the active circuit.

Redo
Takes back the last undo-action for the active circuit.

Cut
Deletes the selected objects and adds them to the clipboard.

Copy
Copies the selected objects to the clipboard

Paste
Pastes the objects from the clipboard into the active circuit.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 201

 Delete
Deletes the selected objects from the active circuit.

Select All
Selects all of the objects from the active circuit.

Group
Groups the selected objects.

Create Macro Object

Creates a macro object out of the selected objects.

Create Cross-reference
Creates a cross-reference.

Ungroup/Break Off
Ungroups the selected groups or macro objects.

Enable Scale
Activates or deactivates the “enable scaling” mode which enables
the scaling of symbols with the help of the mouse pointer.

Enable Rotate
Activates or deactivates the “enable rotate” mode which enables
the rotation of symbols with the help of the mouse pointer.

Edit Poly Line

Activates or deactivates the “Edit Polyline” mode that allows you to
edit a polyline.

202 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Align
Aligns the selected objects with each other.

Rotate
Rotates the selected objects by 90, 180 or 270 degrees anti-
clockwise. Grouped objects are rotated around the center point of
the group rectangle.

Mirror
Mirrors the selected objects horizontally or vertically. Grouped
objects are mirrored along the axis of the group rectangle.

Delete Connector
Deletes the selected component connector.

Properties...
Opens the Properties dialog window for the selected circuit sym-
bols in order to enter the component properties. This also enables
you to carry over attributes from the Festo product catalogue.

The Connector dialog window is opened for the selected compo-

nent connector enabling you to enter the connector propertiest.

When a line segment is highlighted a dialog window opens enabl-

ing you to enter the line properties.

If multiple objects are selected then a dialog window with a limited

selection of properties appears. It only contains those properties
which affect all of the selected objects.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 203

17.3 Insert

Find Symbol Description...

Opens the search dialog for selecting a symbol via its appearance
or its description.

From Festo Catalog...

Opens the Festo product catalogue to select a component via the
product features.

From Festo Shopping Basket...

Opens the Festo product catalogue to transfer components from an
existing shopping cars.

From File...
Opens the dialog window for selecting an existing text file in CSV
format which was created by an export from the Festo product
catalogue.

From Custom Database

Opens a dialog window similar to the Festo product catalogue for
selecting a component via the product properties. It is not the
database of the Festo product catalogue that is used, however, but
the selected user database.

Conduction Line...
Opens a dialog window that defines the settings for one or more
conduction lines that are to be inserted in the circuit diagram after
the dialog window is confirmed.

204 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Define Connector...
Creates a new component connector the next time the left mouse
button is clicked in a circuit symbol.

Interruption/Potential...
Adds an interruption or an electric potential to the circuit diagram.

Parts List
Inserts a parts list into the circuit diagram.

Terminal
Inserts a terminal into the circuit diagram.

Multiple Terminals...
Inserts multiple terminals into the circuit diagram.

Terminal diagram
Inserts a terminal diagram into the circuit diagram.

Cable
Inserts a cable into the circuit diagram.

Cable Map
Inserts a cable map into the circuit diagram.

Cable List
Inserts a cable list into the circuit diagram.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 205

17.4 Draw

This menu contains functions for freely drawing graphical elements

such as lines, rectangles, circles, etc as well as for inserting texts
and images.

Line
Draws a line by defining two defined end points.

Poly Line
Draws a polyline by defining the vertices with successive mouse
clicks. The drawing operation can be cancelled by pressing the
Esc key or clicking the right mouse button. The last vertex must
be set with a double-click.

Rectangle
Draws a rectangle by defining two diagonally opposite corner
points.

Circle
Draws a circle by defining a middle point and a radius.

Ellipse
Draws anellipse by defining a middle point and a radii on parallel
axes.

Text
Inserts a text at the mouse position.

206 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Picture
Inserts an image at the mouse position.

Dimension
Inserts a dimension symbol.

17.5 Page

Check Drawing
Checks the active circuit drawing for drawing errors.

Paper Size...
Opens a dialog window enabling you to set the paper size.

Language...
Opens a dialog window enabling you to set the circuit language.

Renumber Designations...
Opens a dialog window enabling you to interactively renumber the
symbol identifications.

Manage Terminal Strips...

Opens a dialog window enabling you to manage the terminal strips
in the circuit.

Manage Cables...
Opens a dialog window enabling you to manage the cable objects
in the circuit.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 207

 Properties...
Opens an dialog window enabling you to set the circuit properties.

17.6 Project

Add Current Window

Adds the active window to the file list of the open project.

Remove Current Window

Removes the active window from the file list of the open project.

Manage Terminal Strips...

Opens a dialog window enabling you to manage the terminal strips
in the project.

Manage Cables...
Opens a dialog window enabling you to manage the cable objects
in the project.

Manage Cross References...

Opens a dialog window enabling you to manage the cross-
references in the project.

Properties...
Opens the dialog window for entering the project properties.

208 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

17.7 View

Circuit Diagram
Switches from the parts list view to the circuit diagram view.

Parts List
Switches to the parts list view.

Library
Shows or hides the libraries window.

Project
Shows or hides the window for managing the project files.

Standard Size
Displays the circuit diagram in its original size.

Previous View
Displays the previous view of the circuit diagram. Repeatedly
activating this function switches back and forth between the views
previously used.

Fit to Window
Set the zoom level to fit the entire circuit diagram into the window.

View Detail
Defines the new view by drawing a rectangle while holding down
the left mouse button.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 209

 Zoom In
Zooms the view of the circuit diagram in by one step. Three steps
correspond approximately to doubling the zoom factor.

Zoom Out
Zooms the view of the circuit diagram out by one step. Three steps
correspond approximately to halving the zoom factor.

Show Page Borders

Shows or hides the page borders in the form of a red rectangle. This
rectangle displays the borders of the paper format defined on the
Paper Size... menu. Using the print preview you can decide
whether and how the drawing is distributed among multiple sheets
when printing.

Show Grid
Shows a background grid in the active circuit window. The grid
settings can be made in the General tab under the Options...
menu item from the Tools menu.

Show Rulers
Shows or hides the rulers in the active circuit window.

Show Page Dividers

Shows or hides the page dividers in columns and rows. Cross-
references can refer to the column and row containing a symbol.
The position and number of the columns and rows can be interac-
tively defined via the page dividers shown.

210 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Show Connector Descriptions
Shows or hides the connector descriptions. The Display option can
be selected in the properties dialog window for the connectors. This
option is only evaluated if “ Individual ” was selected.

Show Connector Descriptions / All

Shows all connector descriptions regardless of the settings at the
connectors.

Show Connector Descriptions / Individual

Shows only the connector descriptions for those connectors with
the Display option activated.

Show Connector Descriptions / None

Hides all connector descriptions regardless of the settings at the
connectors.

Show Terminal Directions

Shows or hides the direction arrows at the terminals. The tip of the
arrow points into the control cabinet here.

Show Terminal Directions / All

Shows all arrows regardless of the settings at the terminals.

Show Terminal Directions / Individual

Shows only the arrows for those terminals with the Show Direction
option activated.

Show Terminal Directions / None

Hides all arrows regardless of the settings at the terminals.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 211

 Display Contact Images
Shows or hides the contact images.

Drawing Layers...
Opens a Drawing Layers dialog window enabling you to set the
properties of the drawing layers.

17.8 Library

Add New Library...

Creates a new library.

Add Existing Library...

Opens the dialog window enabling you to select a saved library file
with the lib file suffix. The library saved in the file is added to the
library window.

Add Existing Symbol Folder...

Opens the dialog window for selecting an existing folder. The entire
contents of the selected folder, including all of the circuit symbols
and sub-folders contained therein are displayed as a library.

Close Current Library

Removes the active library from the list in the library window. The
library file is not deleted by this action and can be opened again
using the Library menu and the Add Existing Library... menu
item.

212 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Rename Active Library...
Opens a dialog window for entering the name of the library. This
function is only available to libraries which the user has created.
For write-protected libraries the folder name is shown in the tab.

Sort Current Library Alphabetically

Sorts the contents of the active library alphabetically. This function
is only available to libraries which the user has created. Write-
protected libraries are automatically sorted and cannot be resorted
by the user.

17.9 Tools

Options...
Opens the dialog window with program settings, file paths and
language options.

Custom Product Databases...

Opens a dialog window for managing custom product databases.

Translation Tables...
Opens a dialog window for managing translation tables.

Restore Defaults...
Resets the program settings to the default values. This enables you
to undo unintentional settings made.

Note: Use this function if you feel that FluidDraw is behaving unex-
pectedly or files and windows have suddenly disappeared.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 213

17.10 Window

New Window
Opens a window with an additional view of the active window.

Navigation Pane
Opens an overview window with a scaled-down view of the entire
circuit diagram. The currently visible area of the active window
appears as a white area. The non-visible area of the drawing is
shaded grey. By drawing a rectangle in the overview window with
the mouse pointer you can define the section of the circuit diagram
displayed in the active window. Simply left-clicking on the overview
window moves the visible area while retaining the zoom level.

Cascade
Arranges the windows so that they overlap.

Tile Horizontally
Arranges the windows into horizontal tiles.

Tile Vertically
Arranges the windows next to each other.

Close All
Closes all open windows.

214 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

17.11 Help

Contents
Displays the contents of the FluidDraw help pages.

Index
Displays the index of the FluidDraw help pages.

Search
Displays the search dialog for the FluidDraw help pages.

Check for updates...

As soon as there is an Internet connection you can use this menu
item to initiate the search for a new FluidDraw version.

About...
Displays the FluidDraw program information.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 215

Functional diagram

Chapter 18
18. Functional diagra m

You can find the function diagram in the standard FluidDraw library.
You can apply the functions from the Edit menu to the function
diagram. Double-click the function diagram or open the Functional
diagram using the Properties... menu item on the Edit menu.

The buttons in the upper toolbar of the editor are for editing a
function diagram. The following six buttons determine the editing
mode:

Edit Mode

Draw diagram curves

Insert signal elements

Insert text boxes

Draw signal lines and insert signal connections

Insert additional signal lines

The selected mode is highlighted in white or displayed as a pressed

button. shows that signal lines can be drawn in the diagram
area by clicking, for example.

If you hover the mouse pointer over a button for a short period of
time then a short description is displayed.

216 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

18.1 Edit Mode

This mode serves to adjust the objects in the function diagram.

Elements in the diagram can be moved. Changing the size of text
boxes is only possible in this mode.

Movement and dragging operations can be cancelled using the

Esc key.

If the mouse pointer is moved outside the window area while the
left mouse button is held down the view automatically scrolls.

Double-clicking on a diagram element (diagram row, text box,

signaling element, etc.) opens a dialog window in which you can
make the desired adjustments.

18.1.1 Set diagram properties

Clicking on the button opens a dialog window in

which you can set the diagram properties.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 217

Text columns ‟ Number If the number of text columns is changed than all of the table text
boxes are distributed horizontally and evenly.

Text columns ‟ Width If the width of the text columns is changed than all of the table text
boxes are distributed horizontally and evenly.

Diagram columns ‟ Number The diagram columns are located on the right-hand side of the
function diagram. The diagram curves can be drawn in this area.
The number of diagram columns can also be changed by dragging
the mouse pointer to the right-hand edge of the diagram.

Diagram columns ‟ Width

Color The color which the grid lines are drawn in the diagram area.

Row height Defines the row height of all of the rows.

18.1.2 Table textboxes

The table textboxes are located on the left-hand side of the function
diagram.

218 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Double-clicking on a table textbox opens the corresponding dialog
window.

Font size The font size of the text to be shown.

Color A selection from sixteen standard colors for the text to be dis-
played.

Width The width of the selected table column can be changed by dragging
the mouse pointer.

Height The height of the selected table column can be changed by drag-
ging the mouse pointer.

Horizontal adjustment The following alignment options are available: “Left” “Center” and
“Right”.

Vertical adjustment The following alignment options are available: “Top”, “Center” and
“Bottom”

Alignment within a table cell If a text within a textbox should resemble a table then set a tab stop
between the text parts. The text is displayed in the textbox in ac-
cordance with the number of tab stops and the specified horizontal

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 219

 and vertical alignment. To enter tab stops hold down the Ctrl
key.

Examples:

1.

2.

Insert text boxes

18.1.3 Adjust the presentation of the diagrams

The area in which curves can be drawn is located on the right-hand

side of a diagram row.

220 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Double-clocking on this area opens a corresponding window in
which you can define the appearance of the drawing area. Please
ensure that no diagram element, such as a signaling element, for
example, is underneath the mouse pointer.

States ‟ Number The entry defines the number of states and thus the number of
horizontal lines in the diagram row.

States ‟ Base state Horizontal lines are drawn through the base state with a thin pencil.

Numbering ‟ Start column The start column defines which column the numbering should
begin with.

Numbering ‟ Start number The start number defines which number the numbering should
begin with.

Numbering ‟ Number The number specified who many steps need to be numbered.

Numbering ‟ Step width Defines the step width between two numbers.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 221

Numbering ‟ Loop If this field is selected then an equals sign and the start number are
always displayed after the last number.

Representation ‟ Display If this field is selected then two arrows are displayed.
arrows
Representation ‟ Display grid If this field is selected then the background grid is displayed.

Representation ‟ Display text If this field is selected then a textbox is shown which can serve as a
1 label. This textbox belongs to the selected row and cannot be
moved to another row.

Representation ‟ Display text If this field is selected then an additional textbox is shown which
2 can serve as a label. This textbox belongs to the selected row and
cannot be moved to another row.

Representation ‟ Line color Sets the color of the diagram lines.

18.2 Draw diagram curve

In this mode diagram curves can be drawn. Supporting points

can only be inserted on the grid. A supporting point is drawn at
every left-click.

1. 2. 3. 4.

If you hold down the left mouse button then supporting points can
be moved as in the selection mode.

Selected supporting points are shown in grey. Use the Del key to
delete a selected symbol.

222 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

18.3 Insert signal elements

In this mode signaling elements can be inserted by left-clicking.

1. 2.

If you hold down the left mouse button then signaling elements can
be moved as in the selection mode.

Selected signaling elements are shown in grey. Use the Del key
to delete a selected signaling element.

Double-clicking on a signaling element in the selection mode opens

a dialog window in which you can modify how the signaling element
is shown.

Signal type

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 223

Display description If this field is selected then a text is shown which can serve as a
label for the signaling element.

Color The signaling element is displayed in this color.

18.4 Insert text boxes

In this mode textboxes can be inserted by left-clicking.

1. 2. 3.

Selected textboxes are shown in grey. Use the Del key to delete
a selected textbox.

In “Edit Mode” the size and position of a textbox can be changed

using the mouse pointer.

Adjust size:

1. 2. 3.

Move textbox:

1. 2. 3.

224 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Double-clicking on a textbox in the selection mode opens a dialog
window in which you can modify how the textbox is shown.

Font size The font size of the text to be shown.

Color A selection from sixteen standard colors for the text to be dis-
played.

Frame If this field is selected then a frame is drawn around the textbox.

Width The width of the textbox.

Height The height of the textbox.

Horizontal adjustment The following alignment options are available: “Left”, “Center” and
“Right”.

Vertical adjustment The following alignment options are available: “Top”, “Center” and
“Bottom”

Table textboxes

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 225

18.5 Draw signal lines and insert signal connections

In this mode signal lines can be drawn freely or automatically

laid from signaling elements.

18.5.1 Free-draw signal lines

An additional supporting point is set with every left-click. The

process ends when you click the current line while holding down
the Ctrl key, press the Esc key or switch the editing mode. Use
the Del key to delete a selected signal line. If only a supporting
point is selected then only this is removed from the line.

In “Edit Mode” the supporting points belonging to the signal lines

can be moved. If the Shift is held down while setting or moving
supporting points then the supporting point is vertically or horizon-
tally aligned.

In the selection mode double-clicking can change the way the line
is displayed.

Display description A framed label on the line and a label next to the framed label is
shown. The framed label can be moved freely along the line. The
additional label can be moved freely.

226 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Start with arrow An arrow is displayed at the beginning of the line. The arrow can be
moved freely along the line.

End with arrow An arrow is displayed at the end of the line. The arrow can be
moved freely along the line.

Color Line color

If you click a finished signal line to activate the “Freely move signal
lines” mode then a signal logic is inserted. This logic point
(snap point) can then be freely moved along the line 1.

2. 3. + 4. .

In the selection mode you can change how the signal logic is dis-
played by double-clicking on it.

18.5.2 Drawing signal lines from signals

In the “Freely draw signal lines” signal lines can be drawn from
signals. Left-click a signal and hold down the mouse button. Drag
the mouse pointer to a position which you have selected as the end
point of a signal line. The signal line will be drawn once you release
the mouse button.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 227

 1. 2. 3.

18.5.3 Draw signal lines from diagram support points

In the “Freely draw signal lines” mode signal lines can be

drawn from curve support points. Left-click a supporting point and
hold down the mouse button. Drag the mouse pointer to a second
supporting point. The signal line will be drawn once you have the
mouse pointer over the second supporting point and release the
mouse button.

1. 2. 3.

18.6 Insert additional signal lines

In the “Insert additional signal lines” mode additional support-

ing points can be inserted into existing signal lines.

1. 2. 3.

228 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

18.7 Insert row

Clicking on the “Insert row” button inserts a new diagram row

above the current selection. If no cell is market then a new row is
attached to the end of the diagram.

18.8 Delete row

Clicking on the “Delete row” button deletes a selected diagram

row. If nothing is selected then the function is not available.

18.9 Additional editing functions

18.9.1 Zoom

Using the button the view is reset to the standard zoom level.

Using the button increases the zoom level.

Using the button decreases the zoom level.

18.9.2 Undo editing steps

Using the button you can undo the last 50 editing steps.

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 229

 Using the button you can redo the previously undone editing
steps.

230 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

Index

!Index!Index

?
? Menu _____________________________________________ 215
A
Accessories __________________________________________ 188
Alignment ____________________________________________ 42
Alignment lines ________________________________________ 54
Analyses ____________________________________________ 130
Archiving
project __________________________________________ 139
Attribute link_________________________________________ 123
B
Backup copies _______________________________________ 189
Blanking plugs ________________________________________ 34
BMP
export___________________________________________ 185
C
Cable ___________________________________________ 157, 160
manage _________________________________________ 161
Cable list ____________________________________________ 164
Cable List ___________________________________________ 165
Cable map ___________________________________________ 162
Cable Map___________________________________________ 163
Check
drawing __________________________________________ 78
Circle ________________________________________________ 73
Circuit _______________________________________________ 17
check ____________________________________________ 78
input____________________________________________ 183
nodes ___________________________________________ 139
open ____________________________________________ 139
output __________________________________________ 183
print ____________________________________________ 183
properties ___________________________________ 139, 143
XML file __________________________________________ 17

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 231

 Circuit menu _________________________________________ 207
Component attributes _________________________________ 105
Compression
files ____________________________________________ 189
Conduction lines______________________________________ 153
Configurable cylinder ___________________________________ 39
Configurable way valves ________________________________ 37
Connector
connect __________________________________________ 24
define ____________________________________________ 36
delete ____________________________________________ 37
identification ______________________________________ 34
properties ________________________________________ 34
seal _____________________________________________ 34
Connector Labels _____________________________________ 118
Contact _____________________________________________ 115
Contact images _______________________________________ 182
Create drawing frame ___________________________________ 46
Cross Reference Representation __________________________ 61
Cross-reference
create from symbol _________________________________ 60
Cylinder
configure _________________________________________ 40
Cylinder editor ________________________________________ 40
D
Define page dividers ___________________________________ 51
Delete
line ______________________________________________ 34
Designation conventions ________________________________ 98
Designations
number _________________________________________ 100
Dialog window
cable _______________________________________ 157, 160
Cable List ________________________________________ 165
Cable Map _______________________________________ 163
circle ____________________________________________ 73
circuit ___________________________________________ 143
Circuit_____________________________________________ 9
component_______________________________________ 106
connector _________________________________________ 35
contact __________________________________________ 115
Cross Reference Representation_______________________ 61
diagram properties ________________________________ 218

232 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 diagram size _______________________________________ 9
dimensioning ______________________________________ 96
drawing areas ____________________________________ 221
drawing frame __________________________________ 48, 50
drawing layers _____________________________________ 57
electric line _______________________________________ 33
electric terminal___________________________________ 168
ellipse ___________________________________________ 75
export parts list ___________________________________ 136
Functional diagram ________________________________ 217
image ____________________________________________ 77
line ___________________________________________ 33, 69
line options ______________________________________ 226
Manage Cross References... __________________________ 62
pneumatic line _____________________________________ 33
polygonal chain ____________________________________ 70
polyline __________________________________________ 70
print ____________________________________________ 184
project __________________________________________ 143
rectangle _________________________________________ 72
secondary component ______________________________ 115
set multiple terminals ______________________________ 170
set of connected lines _______________________________ 70
signal logic_______________________________________ 227
signaling elements ________________________________ 223
Terminal diagram - Properties _______________________ 175
text _____________________________________________ 121
text options ______________________________________ 219
wiring ___________________________________________ 157
Dimension____________________________________________ 95
Dimensioning _________________________________________ 95
Draw menu __________________________________________ 206
Drawing element ______________________________________ 62
Drawing frame _____________________________________ 46, 47
import ___________________________________________ 46
insert ____________________________________________ 47
label _____________________________________________ 46
Drawing level _________________________________________ 56
DXF
export___________________________________________ 185
DXF file
import __________________________________________ 185

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 233

 E
Edit
circuit ____________________________________________ 20
Edit menu ___________________________________________ 201
Electric line ___________________________________________ 66
Ellipse _______________________________________________ 74
Equipment identifications _______________________________ 98
Export ______________________________________________ 185
F
Festo product catalogue ________________________________ 20
File menu ___________________________________________ 198
Find target __________________________________________ 131
G
GIF
export___________________________________________ 185
Graphical element _____________________________________ 62
Grid _________________________________________________ 54
Grid dimension ________________________________________ 54
Grid options _________________________________________ 188
Group _______________________________________________ 41
create ____________________________________________ 41
delete ____________________________________________ 42
Guides_______________________________________________ 54
H
Hide
automatic_________________________________________ 18
Hide window __________________________________________ 18
I
Image _______________________________________________ 76
Image file ____________________________________________ 76
Insert
Symbol ___________________________________________ 13
Insert menu _________________________________________ 204
Insert T distributor _____________________________________ 27
Interruption __________________________________________ 64
J
JPG
export___________________________________________ 185

234 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 L
Language text
search ___________________________________________ 88
Layer ________________________________________________ 56
Libraries _____________________________________________ 12
Library ____________________________________________ 15, 18
Library menu_________________________________________ 212
Library window ________________________________________ 18
Line _________________________________________________ 68
delete ____________________________________________ 34
electric ___________________________________________ 66
move ____________________________________________ 30
pneumatic ________________________________________ 66
Line segment _________________________________________ 30
Line type
set ______________________________________________ 32
Link ________________________________________________ 123
Links _______________________________________________ 178
M
Macro object
create ____________________________________________ 41
delete ____________________________________________ 42
Manage Cross References...______________________________ 62
Menu _______________________________________________ 198
circuit ___________________________________________ 207
draw ____________________________________________ 206
edit _____________________________________________ 201
file _____________________________________________ 198
insert ___________________________________________ 204
library___________________________________________ 212
project __________________________________________ 208
tools ____________________________________________ 213
view ____________________________________________ 209
window _________________________________________ 214
Menu. ? _____________________________________________ 215
Mirror ____________________________________________ 42, 44
O
Object snap __________________________________________ 55
Options
Automatic Updates ________________________________ 196
Connector Links ___________________________________ 194

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 235

 Cross Reference Representation______________________ 193
Designation Conventions ___________________________ 192
Dimension _______________________________________ 191
Folder Locations __________________________________ 189
General _________________________________________ 187
Grid ____________________________________________ 188
Language ________________________________________ 190
Save ____________________________________________ 188
text fields ________________________________________ 188
Text Sizes________________________________________ 197
Warnings ________________________________________ 195
P
Page dividers ________________________________________ 147
Parts list ____________________________________________ 130
display __________________________________________ 131
edit _____________________________________________ 131
export___________________________________________ 135
find components __________________________________ 131
find target _______________________________________ 131
nodes ___________________________________________ 139
open ____________________________________________ 139
print ____________________________________________ 183
properties _______________________________________ 133
sort _____________________________________________ 131
Pilot line _____________________________________________ 32
Pneumatic line ________________________________________ 66
PNG
export___________________________________________ 185
Polygonal chain _______________________________________ 70
Polyline ______________________________________________ 70
Port
connect __________________________________________ 24
Potential _____________________________________________ 64
Potentials ___________________________________________ 153
Predefined attributes __________________________________ 146
Predefined placeholders _______________________________ 146
Predefined variables __________________________________ 146
Print _______________________________________________ 183
Product catalogue _____________________________________ 20
Project___________________________________________ 18, 137
add _____________________________________________ 138
node ____________________________________________ 138
print ____________________________________________ 183

236 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 properties _______________________________________ 143
remove __________________________________________ 138
Project archiving______________________________________ 139
Project menu ________________________________________ 208
Project window ________________________________________ 18
Properties ___________________________________________ 143
Properties dialog window ________________________________ 9
cable ___________________________________________ 160
Cable List ________________________________________ 165
Cable Map _______________________________________ 163
cable symbol _____________________________________ 157
circle ____________________________________________ 73
circuit ___________________________________________ 143
component_______________________________________ 106
connector _________________________________________ 35
contact __________________________________________ 115
Cross Reference Representation_______________________ 61
cylinder __________________________________________ 40
dimensioning ______________________________________ 96
drawing layers _____________________________________ 57
electric line _______________________________________ 33
electric terminal___________________________________ 168
ellipse ___________________________________________ 75
image ____________________________________________ 77
line ___________________________________________ 33, 69
Manage Cross References... __________________________ 62
pneumatic line _____________________________________ 33
polygonal chain ____________________________________ 70
polyline __________________________________________ 70
project __________________________________________ 143
rectangle _________________________________________ 72
secondary component ______________________________ 115
set multiple terminals ______________________________ 170
set of connected lines _______________________________ 70
Terminal diagram - Properties _______________________ 175
text _____________________________________________ 121
way valve _________________________________________ 38
wiring ___________________________________________ 157

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 237

 R
Rectangle ____________________________________________ 71
Rotate _______________________________________________ 43
S
Scale ________________________________________________ 44
Search
Symbol ___________________________________________ 14
Secondary component _________________________________ 115
Set of connected lines __________________________________ 70
Show
automatic_________________________________________ 18
Show window _________________________________________ 18
Silencers _____________________________________________ 34
Snap ________________________________________________ 55
Storage locations _____________________________________ 189
Symbol
align _____________________________________________ 42
group ____________________________________________ 41
insert ____________________________________________ 20
mirror _________________________________________ 42, 44
move ____________________________________________ 20
rotate ____________________________________________ 43
scale _____________________________________________ 44
Symbol library ________________________________________ 15
Symbols _____________________________________________ 12
T
T distributor
set ______________________________________________ 36
Terminal ____________________________________________ 168
Terminal diagram - Properties ___________________________ 175
Terminals ___________________________________________ 170
Text _________________________________________________ 76
Text attribute ________________________________________ 123
Text components _____________________________________ 120
Text ID
search ___________________________________________ 88
Text link ____________________________________________ 123
TIF
export___________________________________________ 185
Tiles
Printout ___________________________________________ 9

238 © Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw

 Toolbar
drawing __________________________________________ 62
Tools menu __________________________________________ 213
V
Valve editor __________________________________________ 38
View menu __________________________________________ 209
W
Way valve
configure _________________________________________ 38
Window menu________________________________________ 214
Wiring ______________________________________________ 157
WMF
export___________________________________________ 185
Working line __________________________________________ 32
X
XML file ______________________________________________ 17

© Festo AG & Co. KG „ Art Systems „ FluidDraw 239