User Guide
User Guide
User Guide

Working with Cell Libraries

Cell libraries are the same as DGN files. Any DGN file can be attached as a cell library, and any cell library can be opened as a DGN file. Each model in a DGN file becomes a separate cell. Cell libraries and DGN files can be used as style libraries.

When you create a cell library, a blank default model is created. This blank model displays when you first open the cell library as a DGN file. You can change to different models with the Models dialog box (File > Models).

DWG files can also be attached as cell libraries. DWG files may contain blocks, which you can place as shared cells.

Pre-V8 files and cell libraries are not supported as cells. You cannot open a pre-V8 cell library and upgrade it to a V8 DGN file. It must be attached as a cell library.

The following topics describe procedures for creating and attaching a cell library, and for browsing cells.
To create and attach a cell library
  1. From the Element menu, choose Cells.
    The Cell Library dialog box opens.

  2. From the File menu in the Cell Library dialog box, choose New.
    The Create Cell Library dialog box opens.

    Create Cell Library dialog box

      

  3. (Optional) To select a different destination disk drive, choose the desired drive from the Drives option menu.

  4. (Optional) To select a different destination directory, use the Directories list box.

  5. In the Files field, key in a name for the new cell library.
    By convention, cell library files end in the extension “.cel.”

  6. Click the OK button.

To attach an existing cell library
  1. From the Element menu, choose Cells.
    The Cell Library dialog box opens.

  2. From the File menu in the Cell Library dialog box, choose Attach.
    The Attach Cell Library dialog box opens.

    Attach Cell Library dialog box

      

  3. From the List Files of Type menu, select the type of file to use as a cell library: * .CEL, *.DGN, or *.DWG.

  4. Select the name of the cell library in the Files list box.

  5. Click OK.

Alternative Method — To attach an existing cell library
  1. From the Utilities menu, choose Cell Selector.
    If there is no cell library already attached, the Select Cell Library to Load dialog box opens.

  2. Select the name of the cell library in the Files list box.

  3. Click OK.
    The Cell Selector dialog box opens, displaying a tile for each of the available cells in the attached cell library.

To attach a remote cell library
  1. Key in CELSEL LOADURL.
    The Specify URL for Cell Library dialog box opens.
    (See     Select Remote Design File dialog box for descriptions of the controls in this dialog box.)

  2. In the URL field, specify the path to the remote cell library.

  3. (Optional) Adjust any other settings necessary.

  4. Click OK.

To browse cells
  1. From the Element menu, choose Cells.
    The Cell Library dialog box opens. If a cell library is attached, its name is in the title bar.

    Cell Library dialog box

      

    If no cell library is attached and there are no cells in the DGN file, there is nothing to browse. For information about attaching a cell library, see     To attach a previously existing cell library.

  2. In the list box, select the name of a cell.
    An image of the cell is displayed to the right of the list box.

  3. Browse through the cells by selecting other cells with the mouse or by pressing the arrow keys on the keyboard.
    As each cell is selected, its image is displayed to the right of the list box.

    4. You can browse the contents of cell libraries when setting the Active Cell using the Place Active Cell settings window. Clicking the magnifying glass icon next to the Active Cell field opens the Cell Library dialog box for browsing.