Symbol Library

[dtheffron]

Is there a way to add my own symbols to the symbol libraries used in notes and dimensions?

 

[berlitz]

Yes, you can do so by editing the gtol.sym (an ASCII textfile located in [swinstall]\lang\english ). There is a brief description in the file itself; you have to restart SolidWorks each time you change something, SolidWorks doesn't reread it on the fly.

If you can read german I have a detailed article for that at

http://solidworks.cad.de/kh_gtol.htm

, there are also about 10 userdefined symbols we need sometimes.

There is one drawback: if you want to exchange documents which includes your userdefined symbols you have to send your gtol.sym along with your documents and have to ask your partner to copy it to his/her installation folder.

HTH,
Stefan

--
unofficial german SolidWorks helpsite

http://solidworks.cad.de

tools and programs for SolidWorks

http://swtools.cad.de

 

[macPT]

Thanks to berlitz and the referred article, I was induced to create helpful custom symbols in the gtol.sym file.

You should pay attention to the following:

- it is not an easy task. A lot of trial and error to draw the lines and text in the intended position;
- make a backup of the original file;
- like berlitz said, these symbols only work for you, unless you copy the gtol.sym file to others. Make a backup of the new file to retrieve it on new installations of solidworks (verify if different versions of SW have different original gtol.sym files; if so, do not overwrite: open the files and copy the symbols definition of the old file into the new installed file);
- you must not have sintax errors. If you have one, SW will not start. It will give an error message whitch as nothing to do with the actual cause. If you have an error starting SW after editing gtol.sym, you probably have made a syntax error and you should re-edit the file and make the necessary corrections. If you don't find the error, revert to the original file and... try again in other day.

Regards

 

[design1875]

I'm trying to add a symbol to the library but I don't seem
to be having any luck editing the file to work.
It's an asci file so can I just use word to edit then
rename it with a .sym file extension?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Why do you need to rename it?

Make a backup copy of the original "gtol.sym" file, then edit the original, then hit "Save".


Helpful SW websites faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[design1875]

If I try to open the file it opens in word and when
I try to save, it has a .doc extension on the file.

 

[macPT]

Dont't use Word! Use NotePad.

Regards

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

RMB the gtol.sym file, then select Open with, then select or browse to Notepad.


Helpful SW websites faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091