Electrical Design Software | Elecdes Design Suite by Scada Systems Ltd

EDS File and Directory Tour

This section gives an overview of the directory structure of an EDS installation.

See also: Information on changing these directories to be network paths.

Imperial specific and Metric specific directories

EDS software can operate in both Metric and Imperial mode. Some directories are specifically for either metric or imperial content.

Directories prefixed with IMP_ are for Imperial content.

Directories prefixed with MET_ are for Metric content.

Metric users will not use the contents of the Imperial specific directories. Imperial users will not use the contents of the Metric specific directories.

Select the system you wish to see directories for: Metric Imperial Both

Directory Structure

Program, Configuration, and Support

TypePath from EDS folderDescription
Executables \BIN\ 32bit program files.
\BIN64\ 64bit program files.
\Redist\ Redistributable components required for EDS applications.
Support \Demo.exe Demonstration and tutorial movie player.
\MOVIES\ Demonstration and tutorial movies.
\HELP\ Product documentation and help files.
CAD Integration \ELECDES\ CAD package configuration and resource files for Elecdes.
\PNLDES\ CAD package configuration and resource files for Paneldes.
Configuration \el32.ini Global configuration for EDS
\DAT\EDSStrings.dat Language translation text
\BLOCKMANAGER\ Configuration files for Block Manager.
\DGNCONVERTER\ Configuration files for DGN Converter.
\ODBC\Data Sources\ Data source files (.DSN) used to connect to databases.

Content

TypePath from EDS folderDescription
Reports \SAMPLES\ Excel Sample Reports.
Templates \RTEMPLATE\

Templates for EDS reports and catalogs. The report and catalog templates are used to set the field structure of the appropriate report or catalog file. You can therefore rearrange, add and delete fields, as you require.

Template files are DBF database format, contain one blank record and are all named using the pattern "template_*.dbf".

For more information see: How to Customise Report Formats (Ebase), and How to Customise Catalog Formats (Catalog).

Prototype drawings

\IMP_SAMP\

\MET_SAMP\

Includes sample prototype drawings for Protogen. These prototypes have been provided for you to familiarise yourself with the operation of Protogen.

Hookup drawings

\IMP_HOOKUP\

\MET_HOOKUP\

Hookup drawings containing extra parts blocks. Used by Ebase

Borders

\IMP_BORD\

\MET_BORD\

Drawing sheet borders. Used by Elecdes and Paneldes.

Included are a set of sample ANSI borders (A.dwg ... E.dwg) and metric borders (A0.dwg ... A4.dwg).

You will be able to insert your own border drawings into an EDS drawing session if you add the border drawings to this directory.

The following two files are used only by Paneldes: DATUMSC.DWG (datum and scaling block), 2DPROTO.DWG (prototype dwg for two-dimensional plate views, currently unused)

Catalogs

\IMP_CAT\

\MET_CAT\

Components and Conductor catalogs. Used by Paneldes, Elecdes and Ebase.

When asked to specify the size, specification and other manufacturers information when inserting / constructing components, these catalogs are offered as lists of pre-entered components.

e.g. CATC34.dbf is Cables [C] catalog for Manufacturer 34, Pirelli cables

Subdirectories are used for further organisation of catalog files. The catalog files distributed with EDS are divided into manufacturer specific subdirectories and a samples subdirectory by default.

\IMP_CAT\MANUFACT.DBF

\MET_CAT\MANUFACT.DBF

The manufacturer list resolves the manufacturer name to a manufacturer code.

\IMP_CAT\Manufact_subcat_suffix.DBF

\MET_CAT\Manufact_subcat_suffix.DBF

The manufacturer subcatalog suffix list provides a description to identify catalog files split into two or more subcatalogs.
Symbols

\IMP_CNCT\

\MET_CNCT\

Wire, terminal, cable, ferrule(wire label), wire order, screen and conductor extension symbols. Used by Elecdes.

If you wish to add or modify any of these general connectivity symbols, the desired symbol must reside in this directory or the USER_SYMB directory. Note the naming system for these symbols.

\IMP_GMTD\

\MET_GMTD\

Multi-Terminal Device (MTD) symbols. Used by Elecdes.

You can have subdirectories within your GMTD directory for further organising your MTD symbols.

\IMP_LOOP\

\MET_LOOP\

Instrument loop balloon/bubble symbols. Used by Elecdes.

If you wish to add or modify balloon symbols the desired DWG must reside in this directory or the USER_SYMB directory. Note the naming system for symbols.

\IMP_RFIN\

\MET_RFIN\

General reference and indicator symbols (such as arrows and switch operators). The cross-reference list header symbols RHEAD*.DWG are also stored in this directory. Used by Elecdes.

If you wish to add or modify general reference symbols, the desired DWG must reside in this directory or the USER_SYMB directory.

\IMP_SCHE\

\MET_SCHE\

General device symbols (such as circuit breakers and fuses). Used by Elecdes.

If you wish to add or modify general device symbols, the desired DWG must reside in this directory or the USER_SYMB directory.

\IMP_SLIN\

\MET_SLIN\

1 line device symbols (such as transformers and motors). Used by Elecdes.

If you wish to add or modify 1 line device symbols, the desired DWG must reside in this directory or the USER_SYMB directory.

\IMP_WDG\

\MET_WDG\

Wiring diagram symbols. Used by the Wiring Diagram generator.

You may wish to customise these symbols to adjust the appearance of the automatically generated wiring diagrams.

\IMP_XSYM\

\MET_XSYM\

Cross-reference back annotation symbols. Used by Elecdes.

Blocks

\IMP_PNL_BLOCKS\

\MET_PNL_BLOCKS\

3D blocks inserted onto components in Paneldes panel or plant models. These 3D blocks can be used to show the real physical shape of the component instead of the overall box or cylinder used by Paneldes.

Attributes can be included in the blocks to provide labelling.

\IMP_CNCT\2D Blocks\

\MET_CNCT\2D Blocks\

2D Blocks for 2D Panel layout components. Used by Elecdes.

User Symbols \USER_SYMB\ See below
Cable Scheduler \CABSCHED\DBTemplates\ MS Access database files from which a new Cable Scheduler database is created. Adding a customised database into this directory will make the custom file available for use as the basis of any Cable Scheduler project database.
\CABSCHED\ReportTemplates\ Templates for report databases. Custom report database templates can be added to this directory.
\CABSCHED\ImportMapFiles\ Mapping files that are used to import data into a Cable Scheduler database from other data sources. These data sources include EDS projects and EDS catalogs.
Instrument Manager

\IMP_IM\DBTemplates\

\MET_IM\DBTemplates\

MS Access database files from which a new Instrument Manager database is created. Adding a customised database into this directory will make the custom file available for use as the basis of any Instrument Manager project database.

\IMP_IM\DSTemplates\

\MET_IM\DSTemplates\

Output diagrams templates for instrument datasheets. These datasheets are MS Excel workbooks. Customised datasheet templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\HUTemplates\

\MET_IM\HUTemplates\

Output diagrams templates for instrument hookup diagrams. These diagrams are AutoCAD DWG files. Customised hookup templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\TSTemplates\

\MET_IM\TSTemplates\

Output diagrams templates for terminal strip wiring diagrams. These diagrams are AutoCAD DWG files. Customised terminal strip diagram templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\LPTemplates\

\MET_IM\LPTemplates\

Output diagrams templates for instrument loop diagrams. These diagrams are AutoCAD DWG files. Customised loop diagrams templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\LPCustomTemplates\

\MET_IM\LPCustomTemplates\

Output diagrams templates for instrument custom loop diagrams. These diagrams are AutoCAD DWG files. Customised loop diagrams templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\LPComponentTemplates\

\MET_IM\LPComponentTemplates\

Component templates for insertion into loop diagrams. Each component to be shown on a loop must have a template associated with it. These templates are AutoCAD DWG files. Customised loop component templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\LPStageTemplates\

\MET_IM\LPStageTemplates\

Stage templates for insertion into loop diagrams. These templates are AutoCAD DWG files. Customised loop stage templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\ReportTemplates\

\MET_IM\ReportTemplates\

Templates for report databases. Custom report database templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\SSRSReportTemplates\

\MET_IM\SSRSReportTemplates\

RDL Templates for SSRS Reports. Custom RDL templates can be added to this directory.

\IMP_IM\ImportMapFiles\

\MET_IM\ImportMapFiles\

Database mapping files that are used to import data into a Instrument Manager database from other data sources. These data sources include EDS projects and EDS catalogs.

\IMP_IM\Sample Databases\

\MET_IM\Sample Databases\

Database templates used to make a new Instrument Manager database.

\IMP_IM\UserTypes\

\MET_IM\UserTypes\

User configurable component types for Instrument Manager.

\ELECDES\

This directory contains program, menu and configuration files for Elecdes. Protogen also uses support files from this directory.

CAD PackageFileDescription
Any

Names ANSI.DBF

Names IEC.DBF

Two files of tagname formulas for Elecdes.

See Naming Sequencer.

SetupConfig.DBF

Table of "configurations" for EDS, where each "configuration" contains multiple settings that would otherwise need to be changed individually in Setup.

See Configuration Switching.

EDSIMP.LIN and EDSMET.LIN

AutoCAD line type definition containing EDS dashed line type.

SLIDE TEMPLATE.dwg

Template files for making slide.

See Slides and Slide Libraries (Elecdes).

Cable*.TXT

Cable core(conductor) naming sequences. See Naming Sequencer.

*.SLB

Icon menu slides, stored in slide libraries.

See Slides and Slide Libraries (Elecdes).

LAYER.REF

Text file containing Elecdes specific layers.

FieldDescriptors.dbf

Table of short descriptive titles for database fields and attributes.

ACAD only ACAD.LSP Elecdes executable loading for AutoCAD (Elecdes BOOT file).
ACAD.PGP AutoCAD command alias e.g. ST = stretch.
FCAD only ELECDES.MCR FelixCAD macro file to boot the Elecdes modules
ELECDES.KEY FelixCAD command alias e.g. ST = stretch.

\ELECDES\ISUPPORT\ and \ELECDES\MSUPPORT\

This directory contains metric / imperial specific menu / configuration files for Elecdes.

CAD PackageFileDescription
Any GMTDBASE.DWG Prototype drawing for making new MTD Symbols.
*.DBF Icon menu files for Elecdes. RIGHT BUTTON menu file for Elecdes running with GSTARCAD.
*.V60 Backup files after an upgrade.
ACAD only SCADA.MNU Elecdes pull down menu file
SCADA.CUI The Elecdes pull down menu file in XML format, it only exists after first use of Elecdes or Paneldes.
SCADA.DLL Toolbar button bitmaps for loading with the menu
*.MNR MNS MNC AutoCAD created compiled menu files. (These will only appear after first use of Elecdes)
FCAD only ELECDES.MNU Elecdes pulldown menu file (FelixCAD menu + ELECPART menu)
ELECPART.MNU Elecdes pulldown menu lines to make ELECDES.MNU
*.MNP Elecdes palette or toolbar files.

\ELECDES\BMP\

This directory contains BMP files used in the Elecdes *.MNP toolbars for FCAD.

\PNLDES\

This directory contains menu and configuration files for Paneldes (AutoCAD Only).

ACAD.LSP Paneldes executable loading for AutoCAD (Elecdes BOOT file).
ACAD.PGP AutoCAD command alias e.g. ST = stretch.
LAYER.REF Text file containing Elecdes specific layers.
PANELDES.MNU Paneldes pulldown menu file
PANELDESMNU.V60 A backup file of PANELDES.MNU after an upgrade.
PANELDESMENU.DBF RIGHT BUTTON menu file for Paneldes running with GSTARCAD.
PANELDES.DLL Toolbar button bitmaps for loading with the menu
*.MNR MNS MNC AutoCAD created compiled menu files. (These will only appear after first use of Paneldes)

User-Customised Symbol and Template Directory

USER_SYMB

This directory is provided for you to store your own custom symbols, MTD symbols, 3D blocks, wiring diagram templates, report templates and catalog templates, and FieldDescriptors.dbf.

Elecdes will always check for the file in this directory before the standard installation directory when inserting any symbol or locating a template. You can place custom symbols and templates in either this directory or the other symbol and templates directories and Elecdes will find it when required.

If you place a symbol into the USER_SYMB directory with the same name as a symbol in another directory, Elecdes will use the USER_SYMB file.

You can create subdirectories inside the USER_SYMB directory that match the subdirectories of a standard EDS installation (those subdirectories listed above).

For example: \USER_SYMB\MET_SCHE or \USER_SYMB\IMP_CNCT

If you create a specific subdirectory then EDS will look only in that subdirectory of USER_SYMB for customised symbol or template files that would normally be stored in the matching standard subdirectory. Using standard subdirectories inside USER_SYMB will increase performance as EDS will not search the other subdirectories of USER_SYMB.

The USER_SYMB directory is provided for storing small numbers of customised files that you wish to use for all drawings. If instead you wish to create symbols or templates for different clients, you should use a client directory for each client, see Multi-Client Library Manager (MCLM).

NOTE: USER_SYMB is not checked for catalog files and directories. EDS does not look for the catalog directories MET_CAT and IMP_CAT under USER_SYMB in addition to the standard installation.

Catalog files are always loaded from only the currently configured catalog directory. To use an alternate catalog directory you must change the catalog directory location in EDS Setup.

Client Directories and USER_SYMB

EDS programs will search for files (e.g. Elecdes symbol files) in the following order:

  1. The appropriate subdirectory under the current Client Directory.

     e.g. C:\CLIENTS\Blue City Water\IMP_SCHE

  2. The appropriate subdirectory under the USER_SYMB directory.

     e.g. C:\EDS\USER_SYMB\IMP_SCHE

  3. The USER_SYMB directory itself.

     e.g. C:\EDS\USER_SYMB

  4. The appropriate subdirectory under the EDS installation directory.

     e.g. C:\EDS\IMP_SCHE

Client-specific files always have priority, even over files stored in the USER_SYMB directory. EDS will use the client-specific file even if it has the same name as one of the files supplied with, and stored in, the default EDS installation.