Editing Symbol Definitions

Most of a black symbol’s physical attributes cannot be directly changed in the Object Info or Attributes palette. Instead, the components of a symbol must be accessed and edited through the Edit Symbol window. Changes made to a symbol definition affect all existing and future instances of that symbol, unless the symbol was inserted as a group (blue) or plug-in object (red).

Changes to the symbol definition are made from the Resource Browser. Changes to a symbol instance are made from the drawing.

Editing behavior and results depend on the symbol type (see Symbol Types).

 

Symbol Type	Edit Behavior/Result
Black	Edit from the Resource Browser or the drawing by selecting Edit from the context menu, making changes in the Edit Symbol window. Changes to the symbol, whether made to the definition or the instance, affect both existing and future symbol instances.
Blue	Edit from the Resource Browser by selecting Edit from the context menu, making changes in the Edit Symbol window. Changes to the definition affect future symbol instances only. A blue symbol inserted on the drawing as a group cannot be edited from the drawing in the Edit Symbol window (make edits directly from the Object Info or Attributes palette, and by editing the group). Changes to a drawing instance affect that instance only.
Red	Edit from the Resource Browser by selecting Edit from the context menu, making changes in the Edit Symbol window. Changes to the definition affect future symbol instances only. A red symbol inserted on the drawing as a plug-in object cannot be edited from the drawing in the Edit Symbol window (make edits directly from the Object Info or Attributes palette). Changes to a drawing instance affect that instance only.

Only one component of a hybrid symbol can be edited at one time. Edit the 2D version of the hybrid symbol in 2D Plan projection. Then edit the 3D version separately by changing to a 3D projection and selecting the Edit Symbol command. For 3D objects, only the object’s contents (definition) can be edited in 2D.

To edit a symbol through the Resource Browser:

1.	In the Resource Browser, select the symbol to edit, and select Edit from the Resources menu.

Alternatively, edit a black symbol instance from the drawing by selecting it and selecting Modify > Edit Symbol, selecting Edit from the context menu, or double-clicking on the symbol. Edit the components of a hybrid symbol directly by selecting Edit 2D Component or Edit 3D Component from the context menu.

2.	Only one component of a hybrid symbol can be edited at one time. If the symbol is hybrid, the Edit Symbol dialog box opens.

Parameter	Description
2D/3D Component	Edits the 2D or 3D component of the symbol
Insertion Options	Edits the method of inserting the symbol into a wall (see Creating New Symbols)
Double-click	Sets the future behavior when double-clicking on a symbol. Select whether to display the Edit Symbol dialog box, or directly edit the 2D or 3D component or insertion options. Select Edits the Component based on current view to automatically edit the 2D component if in Top/Plan view, or the 3D component if in one of the 3D views.

3.	Click Edit.

If editing the symbol wall insertion options, select Insertion Options, and then click Edit to access the Insertion Options dialog box. See Creating New Symbols for information on wall insertion options.

If editing components, the Edit Symbol window opens, containing the symbol to be edited. A colored border around the drawing window indicates that you are in an editing mode. The Exit Symbol command becomes available from the Modify menu, and the Exit Symbol button is visible in the top right corner of the drawing window.

If editing nested symbols, select Modify > Edit Symbol again to edit.

4.

When editing components, make the symbol edits in the Attributes or Object Info palette. To edit the symbol insertion point, select all the components of the symbol, and relocate the components about the insertion point crosshairs. The intersection of the crosshairs gives the feedback segment Locus when encountered.

The other component of a hybrid symbol is not automatically adjusted to match changes made to the insertion point. It must be edited separately. Switch easily to the other component from the context menu.

5.	After editing, click the Exit Symbol button (or select Modify > Exit Symbol) to update all instances of the symbol and return to the drawing area.

If editing a symbol that is nested in other symbols, the button returns back to the symbol container.