Library palette

The Library palette includes three types of library elements, that is to say, Symbols, Smart symbols and SmartParts.
This palette is divided into the following sections:

Navigation field

The navigation field at the top shows the library folder you are currently working in.
Back takes you up one level in the hierarchy.
You can use Find to find library elements in the current folder and all subordinate folders. All elements with names matching the character string you entered are listed. When you point to one of the elements found, you can see ToolTips with information on the name, the date the file was saved, the element type and the folder where the file was saved. You can open this folder using the shortcut menu.

Selecting and filtering library elements

Using Filter, you can show or hide specific types of library elements (symbols, smart symbols, SmartParts).

Using Sort criterion, you can sort the library elements alphabetically or by date in ascending or descending order.

Using Hide empty folders, you can hide folders without library elements. When selected, the icon changes to and it is pressed in.

Library

This is where you open the libraries in the Default, Office, Project, Private and External paths and navigate to the required folder.

As soon as you select a folder, you can see the library elements in this folder. A folder can contain Symbols, Smart symbols and SmartParts.

A small symbol indicates the type of library element:

• Symbol or Symbol with resources
• Smart symbol or Smart symbol with resources
• SmartPart

Preview area

You can see a preview of the selected element. You can set the View and View type (Wireframe, Animation).

With the exception of fixtures, you can see the Dimensions of the library element. The dimensions are calculated from the min-max-box of the library element.

Font size area

Use this to define whether a label in the library element is to be resized automatically (Auto-scale) or by a factor you enter (Font factor).

Selection area

You can see illustrations of the library elements in the selected folder. You can set a View for 3D elements. 2D symbols are always displayed in plan view.

To select an element, double-click it or drag it into the workspace and place it there. The input options provide a number of tools you can use to place the element.

The Selection area provides a shortcut menu you can use to define the size of the illustrations. You can even hide them by selecting the Text only option. Clicking an entry displays the associated illustration in the Preview area.
Clicking Customize... opens the Customize dialog box, Palettes tab, where you can customize the palettes for your needs.

Shortcut menu or icon

The icon appears when you point to folders and library elements.

Folders in the default path offer the following options:

• Copy
  Copies the folder to the clipboard; you can paste it into a different path (except the Default path).
• Smart symbols create an opening of the type
  Assigns an opening type to each smart symbol in the folder.
• Smart symbols consider room finish surfaces in animation, sections
  Defines how each smart symbol in the folder adapts to room finishing surfaces.

Modifiable folders offer the following additional options:

• Delete
  Deletes the selected folder.
• Rename
  Renames the folder.
• Paste
  Pastes a folder from the clipboard into the selected folder.
• Cut
  Copies the selected folder to the clipboard and deletes it.
• Open in Windows Explorer
  Opens the selected folder in Windows Explorer.

Library elements in folders in the default path offer the following options:

• Copy
  Copies the library element to the clipboard; you can paste it into a folder you created yourself (this folder must not be in the Default path).
• Open file path
  Opens the folder with the library element in Windows Explorer.

Library elements you created yourself (in the office, project and private folders) offer the following additional options:

• Delete
  Deletes the selected library element.
• Rename
  Renames the library element.
• Paste
  Pastes a library element from the clipboard into the selected folder.
• Cut
  Copies the selected library element to the clipboard and deletes it.
• Resources included (symbols and smart symbols only)
  Defines whether Allplan is to save the resources to the library element or take them from the current project. When you select this option, Allplan saves the current resources to the library element. As a result, the library element always looks the same even if you use it in other projects.

Action bar

Depending on the path and folder, the toolbar at the bottom offers more tools.

New group
Creates a new group in the selected folder.

Insert element
Saves library elements to the current library folder and adds library elements placed in the workspace to the current library folder.

Insert symbol
Saves a new symbol to the current library folder.

New smart symbol
Creates a smart symbol and saves it to the current library folder.

Insert smart symbol
Adds a smart symbol placed in the workspace to the current folder.

Insert SmartPart
Adds a SmartPart placed in the workspace to the current folder.

Add path
Creates a path in the External path folder so that you can access more files with library elements.