Terminal AutoCAD: Breaking The wd.

env File Down Line By Line Page 1 of 12

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013 Total Pageviews

Breaking The wd.env File Down Line By Line 37,108

The wd.env file is simply a text file that contains settings and paths that direct AutoCAD Electrical to certain files and actions. These files can include the catalog and
footprint lookup databases, slide libraries, and user circuits. This file is pivotal to setting up a proper networked/multi-user environment.
Click to feed the fish
Where does the wd.env file live? See this blog post.. Where Does The wd.env Path Get Set?

Listed below in red is the default wd.env file. My comments will be in black under the line they are describing. Throughout this break-down I will show examples of changes,
showing both the wd.env file and the results.

First of all, every line that starts with an asterisk (*) is ignored by Electrical. These lines are for our comments and notes while working on the file. Instead of blowing away
an entire line and replacing it with my own text, I will add an asterisk to the default line and then copy and paste it below the line being modified. That way I can always
reference or return to the default if needed. And as always, make a copy of this file before you start playing with it.

* AutoCAD Electrical - project environment settings.

* Format is: env code,setting,description (separated by commas)
This row shows the format used in all other lines below.
* The setting value, if a path, can be fully hard-coded or can include one
* of the following aliases:
*
* %PF_DIR% = base executable install folder
* (example: "c:\Program Files\Autodesk\Acade 2010\")
* (corresponds with global GBL_WD_BASEINSTALL)

* %DS_DIR% = base "Documents and Settings" folder

* (example: "c:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical 2010\R18.0\enu\Support\")
* (corresponds with global GBL_WD_DOCSETBASE) Search This Blog

* %WD_DIR% = base folder where "wd.env" is located

Search
* (example: "c:\My Documents\AcadE 2010\AeData\")
* (corresponds with global GBL_WD_DOCSETWDBASE)

* %SL_DIR% = base folder for "Libs" symbol library subfolder

Labels
* (example "c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2010\Libs\")
* (corresponds with global GBL_WD_BASELIBS)
AutoCAD
* %ACAD_SUP_FIRST% = first path listed under ACAD support file path list Automation (16)
* %ACAD_SUP_LAST% = last path listed under ACAD support file path list
%PF_DIR%, %DS_DIR%, %WD_DIR%, %SL_DIR%, %ACAD_SUP_FIRST%, %ACAD_SUP_LAST% These are only aliases to predefined paths. The global variables Customizing
must be modified to modify these paths. See below...
*
(26) Databases
Humor
******************
*
News (12)
* "*" in first column disables the line (i.e. comments it out) Reporting
*
************************************************************************************
* NOTE: internal global variables can be preset using a "SETQ:" prefix. Tutorial (16)
* Format is: "SETQ:", global variable name, value, description
This is the format needed for setting global variables. Want to move all the standard symbols to the network? Add a row with your network path as shown in the next
row.
SETQ:GBL_WD_BASELIBS,L:\Electrical Symbols\, Network symbol library location
About Me
Remember to press Default button in the Project Properties dialog for each row affected.
Stan Wile
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* By default, "value" is evaluated as a character string. To force it to read as an ► June (5)
* integer, real, or nil value, preceed value with ' character.
► May (4)
* ex: SETQ:GBL_wd_pi,'3.1416, evaluates as "real" number
* ex: SETQ:GBL_wd_int,'7, evaluates as "integer" number ► April (1)
* ex: SETQ:GBL_wd_xx,'nil, sets global to "nil" or null value

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Terminal AutoCAD: Breaking The wd.env File Down Line By Line Page 2 of 12

* ex: SETQ:GBL_wd_str,romans.shx, defaults to character string value ► March (3)

There are many global variables. The text above is simply showing how to insert null values, or place a series of numbers. This is necessary because the value between
▼ February (2)
the two commas is considered a text field. If the value being entered between the commas is a number be sure to pay attention to these rules.
* Breaking The
************************************************************************************ wd.env File
* Program executable, dialog, and support files
Down Line
By Line
************************************************************************************
WD,%PF_DIR%/support/,AutoCAD Electrical dialog files, xls templates, and other support files AutoCAD
This is the support folder. An alternate support path can be set below. To change the support path here you need to first update the GBL_WD_BASEINSTALL variable. Electrical -
This is set as the base install location and typically I leave it alone. Wire
From/To
************************************************************************************ Annotation
* User temp file folder, CANNOT shared with other users On th...
************************************************************************************
WD_USER,%DS_DIR%/user/,AutoCAD Electrical user temp file folder ► January (9)
All users must have their own temp folder. This is another path that I leave as is. There are cases where users only have write permissions to a certain folder on their
local drive and then this path is used. ► 2012 (30)
► 2011 (4)
► 2010 (2)

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Runs an external LISP routine to retrieve the footprint block name and catalog data. This button is only found on the Insert Footprint from Schematic List and the Insert Footprint from Equipment List dialogs.

************************************************************************************
* Project and drawing-related paths and settings
************************************************************************************
WD_PROJ,%WD_DIR%/proj/,AutoCAD Electrical default project data folder
This is the default save location for new projects. Point this to the folder on the network where all your projects are stored. That will eliminate several clicks each time a
new projects is created.

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*WD_PICKPRJDLG,x:/some path/,to override starting subdir for "PICK PROJ" button

This sets the default open location when browsing for projects. Again point this to the folder on the network where all projects are stored.

*WD_OPEN_DWG,(command "_.ZOOM" "_E"),AutoLISP prog or expression to autoexecute when dwg opened from PROJ dlg
This is a handy little utility that allows a simple command, or an entire LISP, to run at file open. The example they are showing will run a zoom extents on every drawing
right after its opened. Simply remove the asterisk and this line will run. I sure you can find several other good uses for this.

*WD_ZIP,c:/program files/winzip/winzip32.exe,full path/name of zipping utility executable

*WD_ZIP,c:/program files/WinRAR/rar.exe, full path/name for alternate zipping utility
Under Plot Project is a neat little utility that will ZIP all project related files into a single ZIP file. However this utility requires an actual zipping program. Use/modify one of
the above paths to let Electrical know what program you use and where its located.

*WD_PROMPT_SAVE,1,set to 1 to trigger "Save changes" prompt when using open dwg next/prev arrows buttons
Remove the asterisk from this row and the Next/Previous buttons will prompt for a Save if there are any pending saves needed. After pressing Yes or NO the drawing will
close and move on to the Next/Previous drawing. With this row commented out (*), Electrical saves automatically if there are pending changes.

************************************************************************************
* Plotting & Reporting Path
************************************************************************************
WD_DWF_PC3,DWF6 ePlot.pc3,alternate "dwf" plotter config pc3 file reference
*WD_JPG_PC3,PublishToWeb JPG.pc3,alternate "jpg" plotter config pc3 file reference
*WD_PNG_PC3,PublishToWeb PNG.pc3,alternate "png" plotter config pc3 file reference
The three rows above allow setting default .pc3 names for printing to DWF, JPG, and PNG. Electrical will look in AutoCAD's default .pc3 folder for these files. If you plan
on using these, be sure to set everyone to a network location in AutoCAD's Options as well.

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*WD_PLOT2FILEDIR,x:/some path/,target dir for AutoCAD Electrical's Batch Plot to File

When printing to a PDF, DWF, JPG, ect. Electrical needs a place to drop the files. Typically you end up searching around for the files after their created. The default
path if not using this line is My Documents.

*WD_SAVE2FILEDLG,x:/some path/,default save directory for reports

Set this path to have a default directory for any reports saved out to a file. The default without using this line is My Documents.

*WD_SET_FILES,x:/some path/,folder for report ".set" files

This path is often overlooked. Report settings files should have their own folder on the network. Electrical uses the 'User' folder by default.
The Automatic Report Selection dialog automatically pulls from this location. The other report dialogs will have a Format button that looks to this path for any relevant .set
files.

************************************************************************************
* Menu & Slide Path
************************************************************************************
*WD_MENU,%DS_DIR%/my_menu.dat,to override default schem icon menu
This row allows a custom name and path for the schematic icon menu.

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Remember to press the Default button on the Project Properties row after changing this path.

*WD_PMENU,%DS_DIR%/mypnlmnu.dat,to override default panel layout icon menu

This row allows a custom name and path for the panel icon menu. Again, remember to press the Default button on the Project Properties row after
changing this path.

*WD_SLB,x:/some path/,to override path pointing to ".slb" slide lib support files
New icon menu images will default to this location. Remember to move the original slide libraries (.slb) to this location as well.

Remember to move the original slide libraries (.slb) and their .dll's to this location as well. The

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************************************************************************************
* Misc
************************************************************************************
*WD_SUP_ALT,x:/some path/,to include an alternate support path (searched before normal AutoCAD Electrical support path)
This is where I set my support path. This path is searched BEFORE the one listed at the beginning of this document. By having two support paths you can
place ONLY what has been modified on the network. The rest of the files continue to pull from the users local drive. Typical things that would go into this
directory would be: .wdl, .wdt, .loc, .inst, .wdd, ect.

*WD_ACADPATHFIRST,1,if 1 then check ACAD path first before AutoCAD Electrical paths
If your using the we.env file correctly, I have a hard time finding a reason for this line. In any case, if you need the AutoCAD support paths searched
before the Electrical paths remove the asterisk from the front of the row.

*WD_SCR_DLG,x:/some path/,to override starting path for SCRIPT file selection dialog
A number of dialogs have the option to call to an outside script. This path allows you to set a default path to those scripts. The default is the 'User' folder.

WD_MSG,ENU (English-US),map internal prompts and messages to specific language column in wd_msg.mdb file
This row sets what language should be used in prompts and messages. The wd_msg.mdb files its in the install location\support. Other choices are ESP
(Spanish), DEU (German), ITA (Italian), JPN (Japanese), CHS (Simplified Chinese), FRA (French).
This database may need custom modification. The JPN and CHS columns are completely empty in my database. Many of the rows only have English.

*WD_LASTSURF,%DS_DIR%/user/lastsurf.tmp,extern text file listing last surfed item

Creates text file with info from the last item that was surfed on.

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*WD_PRINT_FONT,"Courier New" 10, Dialog's PRINT report font name and optional point size. Put quotes around multi-word font names (ex:
WD_PRINT_FONT,"Times New Roman" 10)
This sets the font name and size when printing a report directly from the report dialogs.

*SETQ:GBL_wd_qsok,1,Project database freshen operations: 1=suppress prompt for QSAVE

This is another time where Electrical auto-saves. Using this line will have Electrical prompt you if there are any pending saves.

*SETQ:GBL_wd_backup_prompt,1,ZIP backup prompt before project-wide operations: 1=prompt for backup

If this line is used you will be prompted with the following dialog every time a project wide function is performed. Pressing 'Create Backup' will use the zip
utility defined above to (zip) backup the entire project.

*SETQ:GBL_wd_green_x_at_connection,0,Insert wire - dynamic green x's at connections: 0=suppress

Tired of seeing the green x's when inserting a wire? Using this line will turn off that feature.

*SETQ:GBL_wd_xref_mtext_pinfont,"romans.shx",graphical cross-references - font for the "terminal pin" text

*SETQ:GBL_wd_xref_mtext_pinsize,"0.67",ratio pin/reference text size
These two rows set the font and font height for the graphical format type contact pin data. In my example below I am showing Arial.

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*SETQ:GBL_wd_wnum_noduplicate_chk,'("GND" "24VDC" "COM")

When this line is used, any text string listed is ignored by the duplicate wire number check. For example now all motors can have a 'GND' wire and
Electrical will not complain or try to renumber them.

*SETQ:GBL_wd_colga_leaderlay,"SYMS"
*SETQ:GBL_wd_colga_textlay,"MISC"
These two set the default layers for the leader and text used in the Wire Color/Gauge Label command.

*SETQ:GBL_wd_break_parameters,'(0.85 40.0), distance ratio/angle for PLC I/O and connector jagged break lines
This line drives the defaults for the jog in PLC breaks.

*SETQ:GBL_wd_default_plot_outputdevice,"Default Windows System Printer.pc3", Default output device

For the life of me I can't figure out what this line does. If anyone knows please comment and I'll update this post.

*SETQ:GBL_wd_importdbUppercase,0, if 0 then Import from Project Database unchecks Force values to upper case
As values that are wrote back into the schematic from the scratch database are automatically capitalized. The only time this would be a problem is when
making outside changes to the scratch database and then writing them back into the project. If any of those changes were lowercase they would be pushed

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into the project as uppercase. Enable this line and those values would honor their original case.

And that my friend is a complete break down of the wd.env file.

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Labels: Customizing

2 comments:

Rhesus Minus February 18, 2013 at 11:02 PM

Hi Stan.

I really like your posts. Not many good AcadE resources left on the internet.
However.. I belive you're wrong about the WD_XCAT.
This variable makes you able to use an external LISP-program to do a catalog lookup (when pressing the lookup-button in the Edit Component/Footprint dialogs.)

THL

Reply

Stan Wile February 21, 2013 at 8:16 PM

After digging deeper on that line I do believe your right. Once I find some time to run some tests I’ll rewrite that section and give you credit for catching my error.

Reply

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