drawing electrical diagrams
The ProfiCAD program uses three types of symbols:
symbols from libraries - these symbols are loaded from
the PPD files. They can be edited in the Symbol Editor.
integrated circuits (IC) - these symbols are loaded from
the PICD files. They can be edited in the Symbol Editor.
built-in symbols - gates and transformers. Only some
parameters (number of outlets, coils, etc.) can be edited for these
symbols
Symbol inserting
Library symbols:
Select a symbol group from the group list (upper left symbol of
the screen).
Now the symbols from the selected group are displayed in the
lower left window of the screen. Select the symbol you want from
the lower left window of the screen.
Select the selected symbol location on the screen by moving the
mouse pointer to the desired spot. If you need to rotate the symbol
click the right mouse button. Each click will cause the symbol to
rotate by 90°.
Press the left mouse button to complete the symbol inserting.
Proceed in the same way for other symbols from the selected group,
which you want to draw in your diagram. Now switch to the view mode
(for instance by pressing the Esc key or the 
button on the
toolbar).
you can move the frequently used symbols into the "favourites"
group. This will allow you to find the symbols you need more
easily. To move the symbols in the "favourite" group, proceed as
follows:
1. Select a symbol or group of symbols by the left mouse
button.
2. Drag the symbol over the "favourite" folder (to drag the
symbols press and hold the left mouse button).
3. When the mouse pointer changes its form (to a rectangle and
+) release the left mouse button. The symbols are now in the
"favourites" group.
Proceed in the same way to drag the symbols back from the
"favourite" group to the "all" group.
Transformers: Select "Insert" - "Transformer". A dialog
box appears where the number of primary and secondary windings can
be set (maximum number of coils for each winding is 6). Select the
core type and press OK. The transformer is now inserted in the
document. If you double click the left mouse button on a symbol, a
dialog box allowing you to set the symbol properties will appear on
the screen.
Gate: Select "Insert" - "Gate". Now press the left
mouse button on the spot of the document where you want to place
your symbol.
symbol properties
Every symbol has two basic properties: type and value.
The type stands for the symbol type. R for
resistor, C for capacitor, T for transistor, etc.
The value defines electric properties of the
symbol, e.g. resistance in Ω, capacity in pF, transistor type,
etc.
For each symbol you can also set the position of the labels
describing the type and value properties. The units are tenths of
mm. The easiest way to set the position of these labels is to drag
the text by mouse. If you need to set up the label position more
precisely set the position by numbers.
The last setting allows you to toggle on/off the text label
displaying. Use this function if you do not want to display the
labels in the document but want them to appear in the netlist or
bill of material.
When a diagram contains a symbol, which is not in your library
(you obtained the diagram from someone), you can save it (by
pressing the "Save" button) and update your symbol library.
Moving the symbols in the diagram
If you want to move a symbol in the diagram, proceed as
follows:
1. Click the left mouse button on the symbol.
2. Drag the symbol to the position, where you want it to be (do
not forget to hold the left mouse button when dragging the
symbol).
3. symbols get automatically fixed at the grid. If you want to
place a symbol out of the grid, press and hold the Shift key while
dragging it.
4. You can move several symbols at a time if you previously
selected them.
5. It is possible to move the symbols (for very short distances)
using the cursor keys. Select the symbols you want to move first.
When you press the cursor key the selected symbols will move by one
tenths of mm in the appropriate directions.
Automatic numbering
All symbols in the diagram are automatically numbered, e.g. have
a unique type number. For instance if the symbol type is "R",
individual symbols of the same kind are numbered "R1", "R2"... etc.
If no type is selected for the symbol, only the numbers are
assigned to it, e.g. "1", "2"... etc.
Color of symbols
Individual symbols in the diagram can be colored. The color is
selected by the "Object" - "Border color" menu command.
