Fluid Draw ENGB

FluidDraw® P6
Manual
2019-09
FluidDraw P6 is an application for creating electro-pneumatic circuit
drawings.
It contains a wide range of standard circuit diagram symbols as well

as all components from the Festo product catalogue with their part
numbers and technical details. If you have set up a user account for
the Festo Online Shop, your shopping baskets are also available in
FluidDraw. FluidDraw also supports DXF files and circuit drawings
created with older FluidDraw versions and the FluidSIM pneumatic
simulator, in addition to its own file format.
Contents
1. Installation and licensing 12
1.1 FluidDraw installation program 12

1.1.1 Installing FluidDraw 13
1.1.2 Installing the CodeMeter licence server 19
1.2 Licence management 21
1.2.1 Activating licences 25
1.2.2 Deactivating licences 30
1.2.3 Relocating single licences (licence borrowing) 34
1.3 Licences / troubleshooting 38
1.3.1 CodeMeter Control Center 39
1.3.2 WebAdmin 41
2. Getting started 46
2.1 Ribbon 46
2.2 Creating a new project 46
2.3 Organising projects, symbols and libraries 51
2.4 Inserting a symbol from the menu 52
2.5 Symbol libraries 54
2.5.1 Creating your own library 56
2.5.2 Creating new symbols 57
2.6 Project files 58
3. Library, project window and object browser 59
3.1 Changing the window position 59

3.2 Automatic hiding and displaying 59
4. Editing circuits 61
4.1 Inserting and arranging symbols 61

4.2 Using the Festo product catalogue with FluidDraw 61
4.3 Using the Festo shopping basket with FluidDraw 63
4.4 Inserting valve terminals via order code 66
© Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw 3

4.4.1 Distributing valve terminals to several pages 67
4.5 Connecting connectors 69
4.6 Automatically connect connectors. 70
4.7 Inserting T-distributors 72
4.8 Moving lines 74
4.9 Defining the properties of the lines 77
4.10 Deleting a line 79
4.11 Defining the properties of the connectors 79
4.12 Defining a component connector / setting a T-distributor 81
4.13 Deleting a component connector 82
4.14 Configuring directional control valves 82
4.15 Configuring cylinders 84
4.16 Grouping symbols 86
4.17 Creating macro objects 86
4.18 Deleting symbol groups and macro objects 87
4.19 Aligning symbols 87
4.20 Mirroring symbols 87
4.21 Rotating symbols 88
4.22 Scaling symbols 89
5. Drawing frame 91
5.1 Using the drawing frame 91

5.2 Drawing frame editor 94
5.2.1 The structure of a drawing frame 94
5.2.2 Drawing Size 96
5.2.3 Page border 97
5.2.4 Page Dividers 98
5.2.5 Title block customizing 100
5.2.6 Title block location 107
5.3 Adding fixed elements to drawing frames 108
5.4 Page dividers 113
6. Additional tools for creating drawings 117
6.1 Drawing aids 117

6.1.1 Grid 117
4 © Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw

6.1.2 Alignment lines 117
6.1.3 Object snap 118
6.1.4 Rulers 119
6.2 Drawing layers 119
6.3 Displaying line jumps 121
6.4 Selection filter 122
6.5 Cross-references 124
6.5.1 Creating cross-references from symbols 126
6.5.2 Cross-reference representation 127
6.5.3 Managing cross-references 129
6.6 Drawing functions and graphical elements 130
6.6.1 Hatching 131
6.6.2 Text 133
6.6.3 Image 133
6.6.4 Line 135
6.6.5 Rectangle 137
6.6.6 Circle 139
6.6.7 Ellipse 141
6.6.8 Polyline (traverse line) 143
6.6.9 Connecting cable 145
6.6.10 Interruption/potential 147
6.7 Checking the drawing 150
7. The object browser 152
7.1 Navigating in the object browser 152

7.2 Filter criteria for the object browser 154
8. Manage Product Database 157
9. Manage Translation Tables 164
10. Dimensioning 172
10.1 Drawing dimensions 172

10.2 Settings for dimensioning 173

11. Equipment identifications and designation conventions 175
11.1 Renumber Designations 177
12. Component attributes 181
12.1 Component attributes in the Properties dialogue window

182
12.2 Identification 184
12.3 Catalogue Properties 186
12.4 User Defined Properties 187
12.5 Drawing Properties 188
12.6 Main and secondary elements 189
12.7 Linking main and secondary elements 189
12.8 Linking solenoid valves and solenoid coils 193
12.9 Attributes of the text components 196
12.10 Linking text components with attributes 199
12.10.1 Text constants 202
12.11 Text components with predefined links 203
12.12 Changing the properties of several objects simultaneously
205
13. Managing projects 207
13.1 Creating a new project 207

13.2 Project node 208
13.3 page node 208
13.4 Global objects 210
13.5 Unplaced objects 213
14. page and project properties 216
14.1 Attributes 217

14.1.1 Predefined placeholders 219
14.2 Page Dividers 220
14.3 Basic Unit Length 220
14.4 Language 221
14.5 Encryption 222

14.6 Designation Conventions 224
14.7 Cross Reference Representation 225
14.8 Representation 226
15. Tables 227
15.1 Using tables 227

15.1.1 Editing contents 228
15.1.2 Formatting 229
16. Reports 230
16.1 Using reports 230

16.2 Parts lists 231
16.2.1 Inserting a new parts list 231
16.2.2 Adapting a parts list 232
16.2.3 Adding user definied attributes to the parts list 237
16.2.4 Editing the parts list contents 239
16.2.5 Exporting a parts list 240
16.2.6 Sending it to the Festo Online Shop 242
16.2.7 Differences between parts lists in version 5 and 6 242
16.3 Table of contents 243
16.3.1 Inserting a new table of contents 243
16.3.2 Adapting the table of contents 244
16.4 Connector lists / terminal diagrams 244
16.5 Reports in detail 244
16.5.1 Object selection 246
16.5.2 Column selection 254
16.5.3 Appearance 258
17. Functional diagram 264
17.1 Edit modes 264

17.1.1 Edit Mode 265
17.1.2 Drawing a diagram curve 267
17.1.3 Insert text boxes 268
17.1.4 Insert signal elements 268

17.1.5 Draw signal lines and insert signal connections 269
17.1.6 “Format” mode 272
17.2 Properties dialogues 273
17.2.1 Diagram properties dialogue 274
17.2.2 Text box properties dialogue 275
17.2.3 Diagram columns properties dialogue 276
17.2.4 Signalling element properties dialogue 278
17.2.5 Signal lines properties dialogue 279
17.2.6 Signal link properties dialogue 280
17.2.7 “Format” dialogue 281
17.3 Rows 283
17.3.1 Add row 283
17.3.2 Insert row 283
17.3.3 Copy row 283
17.3.4 Moving rows 284
17.3.5 Delete row 284
17.4 Scrolling and zooming in and out 284
18. Special functions for electric circuits 286
18.1 Potentials and conduction lines 286

18.2 Cables and wiring 288
18.2.1 Managing cables 293
18.2.2 Inserting a cable map 294
18.2.3 Inserting a cable list 295
18.3 Terminals and terminal strips 295
18.3.1 Setting terminals 295
18.3.2 Setting multiple terminals 298
18.3.3 Creating terminal strips 301
18.3.4 Managing terminal strips 303
18.4 Terminal diagram 304
18.4.1 Setting links 305
18.5 Contact image 309
19. Circuit input and output 312
19.1 Printing circuits and parts lists 312

19.2 Importing DXF files 313
19.3 Exporting circuits 315
20. Template management 318
20.1 Template management dialogue 318

20.2 Adjustment of the folder structure 319
21. Options 321
21.1 General 322

21.1.1 Language 322
21.1.2 Menu bar 323
21.1.3 Dialogue boxes 323
21.1.4 Project 323
21.1.5 Check for updates at start-up 324
21.2 Save 325
21.3 Product Catalogue 326
21.4 Folder Locations 328
21.5 Translation Table 329
21.6 Connector Links 330
21.6.1 Connect Automatically 330
21.7 Warnings 332
21.7.1 Warnings 332
21.7.2 Show Warnings 333
21.8 Appearance 334
21.8.1 Override Default Settings 334
21.8.2 View 334
21.8.3 Zoom 335
21.8.4 Grid 335
21.9 Designation Conventions 335
21.9.1 Default Settings 336
21.9.2 User Defined 337
21.10 Cross Reference Representation 337
21.11 Text Sizes 339
21.12 Dimension 340

21.12.2 Preview 341
21.13 Drawing Layers 341
22. Ribbon overview 343
22.1 Quick access toolbar 343

22.2 File 343
22.3 Home 345
22.4 Insert 349
22.5 Select 352
22.6 Edit 355
22.7 View 357
22.8 Page 360
22.9 Project 362
22.10 Library 363
22.11 Manage 365
22.12 Help 366
23. Adjust Ribbon 368
23.1 The Ribbon 370

23.2 Tree view and Command view 371
23.3 Adding Elements 372
23.4 Removing Elements 375
23.5 Moving Elements 376
23.6 Creating new Elements 376
23.7 Renaming Elements 377
23.8 Large / Small Symbol 380
23.9 Reset to default settings 381
23.10 Import / Export 381
23.11 Assign shortcuts 382
23.11.1 Assign new Shortcut 383
23.11.2 Remove Shortcut 386
23.11.3 Restore shortcuts 387

Index 388

Installation and licensing
Chapter 1
1. Installation a nd lice nsing
FluidDraw uses the CodeMeter technology from Wibu-Systems for

software protection. The CodeMeter Runtime must be installed for
this. If the Runtime is not installed or if it is too old, then a current
Runtime version of FluidDraw setup will be installed.
1.1 FluidDraw installation program
You can select the language to be used during the installation on

the start page of the installation program. Install FluidDraw is
used to start the installation. The Install Licence Server selection
is described further below.

1.1.1 Installing FluidDraw
Figure 1/1: FluidDraw setup: start page

Figure 1/2: FluidDraw-Setup: End-User Licence Agreement
Please confirm the licence conditions for a new installation. For an

update installation no further settings have to be made and the
installation can be started immediately.
FluidDraw requires the CodeMeter Runtime from Wibu-Systems for

licensing. If no suitable version of the installation program is found
on your system, the Runtime will be installed in the next steps.
You require administrator rights to install the CodeMeter Runtime.
If you would like to install FluidDraw under a user with limited

rights, exit the installation program after the CodeMeter Runtime
has been installed and start it again.

Figure 1/3: FluidDraw setup: installation of the CodeMeter Runtime
In the next step, you can select whether to perform a complete

installation or a network access installation (client installation). For
a client installation, FluidDraw must already be installed. In this
case, the installation program does not perform an installation but
only creates a link to the program already installed.

Figure 1/4: FluidDraw setup: type of installation
If your CodeMeter licences are provided by a licence server in your

network and if this licence server is in a different subnet, you can
use the following dialogue to specify the IP address of the licence
server. If you are using a local licence or if the licence server is in
the same subnet, you can simply continue with Next .

Figure 1/5: FluidDraw setup: Specify licence server (optional)
Then you can select whether FluidDraw is to be installed for all

users or only for the currently logged on user.
You require administrator rights to select “ For all users”.

Figure 1/6: FluidDraw setup: Select User Group
Then you can select the target folder and start the installation.

Figure 1/7: FluidDraw setup: selecting the target folder
1.1.2 Installing the CodeMeter licence server
You can use any PC in your network as the licence server. The
following conditions must be met for this:
— The CodeMeter Runtime from Wibu-Systems must be installed

on the server PC and the Server Access option must have been
activated in the Runtime.
— The client PCs must have access to the server PC via the LAN.
— Valid licences must have been activated on the server PC or a

CodeMeter USB plug with valid licences must be inserted.
The activation of licences is described in the “Licence manage-

ment” chapter.

Figure 1/8: FluidDraw setup: start page
If you started the FluidDraw installation program on a PC that you

want to use as the server, then you can select the Install Licence
Server to install the CodeMeter Runtime from Wibu-Systems. The
“ Server Access” option is automatically activated in the Runtime. If
there already is a suitable version of the CodeMeter Runtime on the
PC, the Runtime will not be installed and only the “ Server Access”
option will be activated. The “ Server Access” option can also be
activated and deactivated using the tools from Wibu-Systems. For
details, see “ CodeMeter Control Center and WebAdmin” chapter.

Figure 1/9: FluidDraw setup: installing the licence server
1.2 Licence management
FluidDraw licences are mainly output and managed via a ticket

system. In this case, you will have received a ticket from your
licensor that you can use to import (activate) and manage your
licences via the Internet. The ticket number consists of 5 alphanu-
merical strings of 5 characters each that are separated by a minus
sign, e.g. “8A7T4-6P7GW-5YQLN-4WDWL-KR3M7”. The licences can
be managed using the “ Online Licence Activation Wizard”. This
wizard is available as a separate program “CodemeterActivation-
Wizard.exe” in the “bin”folder of your FluidDraw installation or can
be accessed directly from FluidDraw via the Manage Manage
Licences... menu item.
The following conditions must be met to be able to use the activa-

tion wizard.

— The activation wizard must be able to establish an Internet
connection. If the PC is behind a proxy, a dialogue is opened in
which you can enter the required proxy data.

on the PC used to open the activation wizard. If that is not the
case, you can use the wizard to open the corresponding down-
load page of Wibu-Systems in the standard browser.

on the PC to which the licences are to be imported.
— The activation wizard must be able to access the PC to which

the licences are to be imported via LAN.
→ Enter your ticket number on the start page of the activation

wizard.
You can also copy the complete ticket number in the first input field
via the clipboard. The ticket number is then automatically distribut-
ed to the five input fields.

Figure 1/10: Online Licence Activation Wizard
If the activation wizard has no access to the PC to which the licenc-

es are to be imported, various files need to be exchanged between
this PC and the licensor. Only select the Transfer files manually
button in this case. An Internet site opens that guides you through
the file exchange process.
→ Select Next to access the licence information for your ticket

via the Internet.

Figure 1/11: Activation wizard: Select licence
The table lists all licences for your ticket number. Free licences that
can be activated are displayed on a green background. If no free
licences are available, you will be informed. Every line contains a
number of licences of a product that can be activated or deactivat-
ed together.
Name Contains the name of the licensed product.
Number of licences Specifies the maximum number of licences that can be activated or
deactivated.
CmContainer Contains the serial number of the CodeMeter container in which the
licences were activated. The container can be a hardware plug
(CmDongle) or a software-based licence (CmAct).
Found server

Contains the name of the server with the corresponding CodeMeter
container. If the CodeMeter container cannot be found in the LAN,
this field is empty and the licence cannot be deactivated.
→ Select “ Activate” if you want to import (activate) licences or “

Deactivate/Re-host” if you want to deactivate or relocate li-
cences.
1.2.1 Activating licences
After selecting “ Activate”, you can select the number of licences

you want to activate. This dialogue is skipped if only one licence is
available.

Figure 1/12: Activation wizard: Specify number of licences
You can select whether to import the licences locally or to a PC in

the network (if available).
The CodeMeter Runtime from Wibu-Systems must be installed on

the PC in the network.

Figure 1/13: Activation wizard: Select location of licence
Then, you can define the CodeMeter container type. It can be a

hardware plug (CmDongle) or a software-based container (CmAct).
To use a hardware plug, you need to own one. The software-based
container is automatically created by the activation wizard.

Figure 1/14: Activation wizard: Select licence type
Before the actual activation, a summary of the licences to be acti-

vated is displayed to you again.
→ Start the activation with “ Activate”.

Figure 1/15: Activation wizard: Executing activation
The individual activation steps are carried out via the Internet and
highlighted in colour.

Figure 1/16: Activation wizard: activation successful
Finally, you can close the activation wizard or have the current
licence information displayed for your ticket via Back to licence
overview .
1.2.2 Deactivating licences
After selecting “ Deactivate/Re-host” in the licence overview, you

can select whether you want to deactivate licences or relocate an
individual licence.

Figure 1/17: Activation wizard: Deactivate/Borrow licences
→ Select “ Deactivate licences”.
You can now select the number of licences you want to deactivate.
This dialogue is skipped if only one licence is available.

Figure 1/18: Activation wizard: Specify number of licences
Before the actual deactivation, a summary of the licences to be

deactivated is displayed to you again.
→ Start the activation with “ Deactivate/Re-host”.

Figure 1/19: Activation wizard: Executing deactivation
The individual deactivation steps are carried out via the Internet
and highlighted in colour.

Figure 1/20: Activation wizard: deactivation successful
overview .
1.2.3 Relocating single licences (licence borrowing)
The activation wizard supports the simple conversion of a single

licence into a software licence. That is a practical function e.g. if
you have multiple licences on a server and want to use an individu-
al licence for a foreseeable time locally on a laptop (licence borrow-
ing). You can also carry out the necessary steps manually using the
activation wizard. The necessary steps for licence borrowing are
automated, however. The steps are deactivation of a licence and

subsequent activation of a single software licence on the local
computer.
→ Select “ Deactivate/Re-host” from the licence overview.
Figure 1/21: Activation wizard: licence overview
→ Finally, select “ Re-host a single licence to the local machine.”.

Figure 1/22: Activation wizard: licence borrowing
The subsequent steps are carried out automatically.

Figure 1/23: Activation wizard: step 1: deactivation

Figure 1/24: Activation wizard: step 2: activation
overview .
If you want to give back your licence, you must deactivate it.
1.3 Licences / troubleshooting
To be able to start FluidDraw, it must find a valid and available

CodeMeter licence. The CodeMeter Runtime from Wibu_systems is
used to install various tools that you can use to query licence
information and make settings.

Licence server refers to the computer that can directly access the
CodeMeter container (CmContainer) with licences. A container can
be a connected hardware plug (CmDongle) or an imported soft-
ware-based CodeMeter-Act licence (CmAct).
Client computer refers to the computer on which FluidDraw is

started and on which it requests a licence from the licence server. If
the CodeMeter containers are on the local computer, then licence
server and client computer are identical. Various requirements
must be complied with for successful access to the licence. How
you can check these requirements using the tools of Wibu-Systems
is described afterwards.
1. A current CodeMeter Runtime must be installed on the licence

server and on the client computer.
2. The licence server must have direct access to the CodeMeter

container with the corresponding licences.
3. If the licence server is not also the local computer, then the “
Server Access” option must be selected on the licence server.
4. The client computer must be able to access the licence server

via the network and its licence information. If the licence server
is in a different subnet, then the IP address of the licence serv-
er must be specified on the client computer ( Server Search
List).
1.3.1 CodeMeter Control Center
The CodeMeter Control Center is installed, along with the Code-

Meter Runtime. The connected CodeMeter containers of the com-
puter are displayed via the CodeMeter Control Center. No Code-
Meter containers are listed that are on other licence servers in the
network. The CodeMeter Control Center can be started via the start
menu under “CodeMeter”-“CodeMeter Control Center” or by click-
ing the corresponding symbol on the task bar.

Figure 1/25: CodeMeter Control Center symbol on the task bar
Next to the list of connected CodeMeter containers, you can use the
“WebAdmin” button to have detailed licence information displayed
in the Internet browser and you can make various settings. The
WebAdmin is described in the next section.
On the licence server, you can use the CodeMeter Control Center to
check if your CodeMeter containers really are available or connect-
ed. More information on the CodeMeter Control Center can be
found in the Help for the program.

Figure 1/26: CodeMeter Control Center
1.3.2 WebAdmin
The CodeMeter Runtime is also used to install the WebAdmin that

you can use to access detailed licence information and make
runtime settings. The WebAdmin can be opened via the CodeMeter
Control Center, which was described in the previous chapter. All
WebAdmin functions are described in this Help. Only the main
functions important for starting FluidDraw are explained below. The
WebAdmin always shows a view of the licences and settings of a
selected licence server. You can therefore also have information of
a different licence server in the network displayed.

Figure 1/27: WebAdmin: selecting the server
First check if the new licences are available on the licence server.
Start the WebAdmin directly on the licence server and check on the
“Containers” tab if your CodeMeter container is available with the
corresponding licences.
Figure 1/28: WebAdmin, tab: Containers
If the licence server is not the local computer and if the licences are
to be available to other client computers, then the “ Server Access”
option must be selected. You can configure this on the “ Configura-

tion”-“ Server”-“ Server Access” tab. Select “ Enable” in the “
Network Server” group.
Figure 1/29: WebAdmin, tab: Server Access
Next, check if the licences of the licence server can be accessed by

the client computer. Start the WebAdmin directly on the client
server for this purpose. Then, you must select the licence server in
the WebAdmin at the bottom left.

Figure 1/30: WebAdmin: servers found
If your licence server is not listed, there may be one of two reasons
for this.
1. On the licence server, the “ Server Access” option is not acti-

vated (see previous section).
2. The licence server is in a different subnet and this server is not

entered in the server search list.
You can enter the licence server on the tab: “ Configuration”-“

Basic”-“ Server Search List”.

Figure 1/31: WebAdmin, tab: Server Search List
You should now be able to select the licence server at the bottom
left in the WebAdmin and you can then check on the “ Container”
tab if your CodeMeter container is available with the corresponding
licences on the licence server.
Figure 1/32: WebAdmin: licences on licence server
If you still have any licensing problems, please contact Support.

Getting started
Chapter 2
2. Getting started
2.1 Ribbon
For clearer and easier operation with fewer mouse clicks, in Fluid-
Draw 6 a ribbon is used instead of the classic menu bars. The
classic menu bars are still available, however and can be activated
via the Options.
Figure 2/1: Ribbon
The operating instructions in this manual refer to the ribbon. Every

entry in the ribbon can also be found on the classic menu bar. If the
general term “menu” is used in the manual, you can find the corre-
sponding function in the ribbon and also on the classic menu bar.
You can customise the ribbon as well as the keyboard shortcuts to

your own liking. For details, see Adjust ribbons.
2.2 Creating a new project
A project in FluidDraw consists of pages that can be organised

hierarchically in a tree structure. The main node of the tree struc-
ture is the project itself. Sub-nodes can be created under the pro-
ject node for structuring. pages can include circuit diagrams and
reports, such as parts lists.
A sub-node automatically adopts all properties (attributes) of the

parent node, such as the drawing frame. The properties can be
overwritten in subordinate nodes and on the pages or deleted.

Please note that in FluidDraw, version 6, circuit diagrams are al-
ways managed in projects. However, individual pages of older
FluidDraw versions that are not part of a project can still be opened,
edited and saved.
→ On the ribbon, select File New Project... .
First specify the project file to which the new project is to be saved.
A dialogue box appears. The file extension that belongs to a project
file is “fdprj”. Then, the dialogue with the project properties auto-
matically opens.
On the Drawing Frame tab, you can select a drawing frame that is
to be used by default for all pages. Further information on the
drawing frame can be found in the section: Drawing frame.

Figure 2/2: Project dialogue window, Drawing Frame tab: select-
ing a drawing frame
After closing the properties dialogue of the project with OK , a

new empty page is automatically created to which all project prop-
erties are transferred.

Figure 2/3: New project with a page
Via Page Properties... , you can change the properties of a page,

such as the description.
If you select File New Page to add a new page to the project,
the properties dialogue for the new page automatically opens.
You can insert symbols in the new page and connect them with
lines. If you have selected a drawing frame in the project or on the
page, the size of the drawing is automatically set. If you want to
manually define the drawing size then deselect the “ Adopt from
drawing frame” option on the “ Drawing Size” tab and select the
drawing’s desired dimensions and orientation. If the drawing’s
dimensions are larger than your printer’s printing area then you can
distribute your drawing across several pages (tiles)

Figure 2/4: Page dialogue window, Drawing Size tab: setting the
drawing size
For a better overview you can create attributes for every circuit
drawing.
→ Click the “ Attributes” tab to do this.

Figure 2/5: Page dialogue window, Attributes tab: creating
attributes
The attribute table allows you to save any desired data in the form
of attribute value pairs. The associated placeholders (attributes
with the same name) in the drawing frame are replaced by the
values entered.
2.3 Organising projects, symbols and libraries
To support the organisation of the different document types in

FluidDraw, they are classified into one of three groups:

Projects The default location for projects is in the FluidDraw folder con-
tained in the My Documents folder defined by the operating sys-
tem. These have the fdprj file extension.
Symbols Symbols are formal, abstract models, which graphically represent

the function of a component or component group. These can be
simple circuit symbols or also complete circuits. Symbols can be
inserted in their own circuits and connected between the connector
points. They are inserted either using the Insert menu or by
dragging them (“drag and drop”) out of a library window. Symbols
can be combined to libraries.
Libraries Libraries are hierarchically organised collections of symbols. In

addition to the standard library that cannot be changed by the user,
you can compile your own libraries as desired. You can find func-
tions for organising the libraries in the Library menu and in the
context menu of the active library. The library is switched over
using the tab at the top edge of the library window. Library files
have the file extension: lib.
2.4 Inserting a symbol from the menu
To find a specific symbol, you can enter characteristic key words in

the Find Symbol dialogue window or navigate through the hierar-
chical structure.
→ Open a new window, if necessary, and select the Find Symbol

Description... menu item in the Insert menu.
The Find Symbol dialogue window opens. You can enter search
terms in the “ Search” input line. The individual search terms are
separated by commas or blanks. The order of the entries and (up-
per or lower) case are irrelevant.

Figure 2/6: Find Symbol dialogue window
The symbols found are displayed in the two result lists. The library
hierarchy is displayed on the left side. Only those branches appear
that have the fitting symbols. An alphabetically sorted list with the
search hits is displayed on the right side. The symbol of the high-
lighted entry is displayed in the preview. When you have found the
desired symbol, you can select it using the OK button or by
double-clicking the corresponding line in the result list. The symbol
is then attached to the mouse pointer and is positioned on the
drawing area by a left-click.
You can use the Fuzzy Search option to activate a tolerance to also
get results in the event of input errors or spelling variants.
In addition to the option of inserting a specific symbol using the

Find Symbol dialogue window you can also insert a real component

along with its part number and technical details from the Festo
product catalogue. You can find details of how to use the Festo
product catalogue with FluidDraw under Using the Festo product
catalogue with FluidDraw.
2.5 Symbol libraries
FluidDraw can manage several libraries, of which each individual

one is display on a tab of the library window. Libraries that cannot
be changed in FluidDraw are marked by a lock symbol on the tab.
That applies to the standard library and to FluidDraw symbol fold-
ers that you do not manage yourself or for which the logged-on
user does not have any write access.
Every library is displayed hierarchically. Every hierarchy level can

be displayed or hidden by clicking the group name. Right-click a
library to open a context menu that provides the following menu
items for editing the library:
View Defines the size of the symbols displayed. Small , Normal and
Large are available.
Show All Symbols By default, the library contains the symbols and components nor-
mally used that are included in the Festo product catalogue. All
symbols can be displayed with the Show All Symbols option.
These also include those that FluidDraw uses internally e.g. to
assemble valve terminals.
Show default designation Reference letters that comply with the standard are already stored
for typical components. They are displayed by default in the symbol
at the top right. You can deactivate the display with this option if
you do not want it.
Assign reference designa- If a symbol does not have a default identification in the library or if
tion... you want to change it, you can assign an individual identification to
every symbol. A free number is automatically attached to this
identification when it is inserted on a page.

Figure 2/7: Assign reference designation... dialogue window
Enter a standard identification for this symbol. The Manage refer-

ence designations... button opens an overview of all user IDs.
Copy to Other Library Copies the marked symbols to another library. The available librar-
ies are listed in a submenu. Only those libraries that are currently
open (i.e. that appear as tabs in the library window) and that are
not write-protected (indicated by the fact that no lock symbol is
displayed) appear here.
Expand All Opens all hierarchy levels.
Collapse All Closes all hierarchy levels.
There are three types of libraries:
The standard library This library is supplied with FluidDraw and cannot be changed.
Symbol folder Circuit and symbol files stored on the data storage medium can be
used like libraries in FluidDraw. The files of the selected folder are
added as a library via the Library menu and the Add Existing
Symbol Folder... menu item. The library hierarchy exactly matches
the folder hierarchy. These libraries cannot be changed in Fluid-
Draw. Changes must be made directly on the data storage medium.
Own libraries You can create and subsequently edit new libraries via the Library
menu and the Create New Library... menu item (see section
Creating your own library). Using “drag and drop” you can move
the symbols and groups within the library as desired.

2.5.1 Creating your own library
To be able to access frequently used symbols (or circuits) more

quickly, several symbols can be combined to libraries. Libraries are
stored in files with the file extension lib. You can create new
libraries via the Library menu and the Create New Library...
menu item. Right-click the new library to open a context menu that
you can use to edit the library.
The following menu items are available::
Copy Copies the selected symbols to the clipboard.
Paste Inserts the symbols from the clipboard in the library. These symbols
can also be sub-circuits.
Delete Removes the marked symbols from the library.
Rename... Changes the text which libraries display below the symbol.
Add Existing Symbols... Opens a dialogue window for selecting symbol files, which are to be
copied as new symbols into the library.
Copy to Other Library Copies the marked symbols to another library. The available librar-
ies are listed in a submenu. Only those libraries that are currently
open (i.e. that appear as tabs in the library window) and that are
not write-protected (indicated by the fact that no lock symbol is
displayed) appear here.
New Sub-Folder... Creates a new hierarchy level below the active group. The active
group is the one that belongs to the area under the mouse pointer.
It is indicated by a dark blue colour.
Remove Sub-Folder Removes the hierarchy level at which the mouse pointer is.
Rename Sub-Folder... Allows the name of the hierarchy level to be changed at which the
mouse pointer is.

2.5.2 Creating new symbols
Existing symbols from the standard library cannot be changed, but

you can create your own symbols in FluidDraw. To do this, proceed
as follows:
1. Draw symbol You can easily create a new symbol using the line, polyline, rectan-
gle, circle, ellipse, etc. drawing functions. Use these drawing ele-
ments to draw your desired symbol in an empty page. In order to
achieve this precisely, you can activate additional snap functions
such as Snap to End Point , Snap to Centre or Snap to Intersec-
tion using items on the ribbon page Edit . The Show Grid
option in the View page displays a grid in the background. This
has a grid width of 2 M by default. Grid width and style can be
adjusted in program options on the Appearance page.
2. Create macro object After you have drawn the symbol, select all elements of the symbol
and select Create Macro Object from the context menu in the
circuit or from the menu on page Home . The individual drawing
elements are then combined to form a single new symbol with its
own properties.
3. Define connectors Via the Define Connector item in the Insert menu, you can now
add pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical connectors to the symbol.
For the line routing of conduction lines it is optimal if these con-
nectors are placed in such a way that they are located at intersec-
tions with the grid.
4. Save symbol in own sym- Via the main menu item Create New Library... on the ribbon page
bol library Library you can create your own symbol library for your user
symbols. If you use this menu item and specify a file name, a new
empty symbol library is created. You can then drag and drop the
newly created symbol into the new library. When storing the symbol
in the library, you can assign your own symbol name and a descrip-
tion for the symbol.
Now you can use the new symbol from your user library just like a
symbol from the standard library in your projects.

As an alternative to creating your own macro object in steps 1 and
2, you can also import a completely drawn symbol in DXF format. To
do this, use the main menu item DXF Import... in the File menu.
2.6 Project files
FluidDraw project files have the file extension fdprj and are saved
as compressed XML files. An option in the Manage ribbon under
the Options... menu item in the General Save sub-menu allows
you to deactivate this compression so that the circuit files can be
viewed as plain text. This can be useful for version management
software, for example.
Before version 6 of FluidDraw, individual pages could be saved as

circuit diagram files with the file extension circ. These are also
(compressed) XML files. They can still be opened, edited and saved
using the current version of FluidDraw. Please bear in mind howev-
er, that the use of some new functions of FluidDraw requires a
conversion into the current project format. In this case, FluidDraw
displays a message prior to saving the data and offers to create a
backup of the original file.

Library, project window and object browser
Chapter 3
3. Library, project window and object browser
3.1 Changing the window position
The library window is firmly attached on the left side by default and
the project window and the object browser (if a project is open) are
on the right side.
To release the window from its position: connect the mouse pointer
to the upper edge of the window. Click and hold the left mouse
button. Move the window a small distance towards the centre of
the screen. Now release the left mouse button. Now you need to
move the library window to the bottom right and the project win-
dow to the bottom left. Once a window has been released from its
fixed position it can be moved freely.
To move the window back into its fixed position: connect the
mouse pointer to the upper edge of the window. Click and hold the
left mouse button. Move the window as far as possible to the right
or the left. Now release the left mouse button. This window snaps
into place. This enables you to fasten the library window in place on
the right and the project window on the left, for example. You can
also fasten both windows on the same side. In this case you can
move the desired window into the foreground by clicking the asso-
ciated tab.
3.2 Automatic hiding and displaying
The tabs provide another practical function: the automatic hiding

and display of the library, the project window or the object browser.
Click the corresponding vertical “ Library”, “ Project” or “ Object
browser” tab at the edge of the window with the mouse pointer.
That hides the window in order that a larger space is provided for
the drawing. To have the window displayed again, it is sufficient to
move the mouse pointer over the tab, which opens the window. As

soon as you have carried out your operation in this window and
move the mouse to a circuit window again, the corresponding
window is automatically hidden. To deactivate the function, click
the corresponding tab again (which then appears in pressed-down
form).

Editing circuits
Chapter 4
4. Editing circuits
4.1 Inserting and arranging symbols
Using the Find Symbol dialogue window and the libraries, you can
insert symbols in the circuit window to be edited. You can also
apply objects from any other window however, by marking them
and dragging them into the desired window. Alternatively, you can
also use the clipboard by selecting the Copy menu item after
highlighting the objects in the Home menu, moving the target
window to the foreground and selecting the Paste menu item in
the Home menu.
If you “drag” objects from one window to another using the mouse
pointer, they are copied. If you drag the objects within a window
from one position to another, they are moved. To copy objects
within a window, you must keep the Shift key pressed when you
move the mouse pointer. The corresponding operation is indicated
by the shape of the mouse pointer: during a shift operation a cross
with arrows appears and for copying there is also a plus symbol
in the bottom right corner of the cross.
4.2 Using the Festo product catalogue with FluidDraw
The FluidDraw standard installation already contains all products

from Festo. For this, an excerpt from the Festo product catalogue is
also installed in several languages.
In order to remain up-to-date, we recommend to always install the

latest update. FluidDraw updates always also include the data of
the current Festo product catalogue.
There are two basic options for inserting symbols with part num-
bers and technical details in the circuit.

Via the symbol search ( If you wish to insert a symbol from the FluidDraw symbol library,
Insert menu and Find simply select a graphical image that represents the function of a
Symbol Description... ) component or component group. For the majority of the symbols
there is a large number of different products with different part
menu item or from the Fluid-
numbers and technical details (attributes and parameters). To
Draw library window)
select a product open the Properties dialogue window by right-
clicking the symbol and click the Find... button.
About the Festo product The product catalogue represents a complete database of the
catalogue available Festo products. If you wish to insert the associated sym-
bols with part numbers and technical details for certain products
then select the Insert menu item from the From Festo Cata-
logue... menu. The Insert from catalogue dialogue window ap-
pears. Enter your key words in the “ Search” input line. The upper
table contains the search result. Highlighting a row there displays
the associated symbol in the preview. Select a product by double-
clicking a table row or using the Add to Selection button. Select-
ed products are collected in the lower table. When exiting the
dialogue window the symbols of the selected products are inserted
into the circuit window. The symbols contain the part numbers and
technical details of the previously selected products in the form of
attribute value pairs.
If you are using a custom product database you can select it in the
Product Database list box. You can use the selected database in the
same way as the Festo product catalogue.

Figure 4/1: Insert from catalogue dialogue window
There are different symbol representations for some products. If

necessary, select a suitable symbol from the preview at the top left.
4.3 Using the Festo shopping basket with FluidDraw
If you want to insert one or more symbols from an existing shop-

ping basket, select the From Festo Shopping Basket menu item in
the Insert menu.
FluidDraw supports shopping baskets that you created with an

installed product catalogue (offline) and also shopping baskets
created via the Online Shop (online).
If you want to insert shopping baskets from the Festo Online Shop,
you must log on with the corresponding user account at Festo.

Figure 4/2: Login to Festo Online Shop dialogue window
On request, FluidDraw can memorise your login data for the Festo
Online Shop. This data is stored in encrypted form in the registra-
tion database for the currently logged-on Windows user. Use this
convenient option only if you are sure that no unauthorised person
uses the PC with your Windows login.
If a proxy is used in your environment for access to the Internet for

which login data needs to be entered, a dialogue automatically
appears in which you can enter this login data for access to the
Internet. Use the same data here that you also use e.g. for your
Internet browser.
After successful login to the Online Shop, the stored shopping

baskets are downloaded and displayed. All shopping baskets are
displayed by default. You can modify the period, if necessary. A
default period can also be defined in the program settings.

Figure 4/3: Insert Shopping Basket dialogue window
Search options are available for further limiting the number of

shopping baskets displayed. Press the Refresh button after any
change to the search parameters to refresh the shopping baskets
displayed.
To insert a specific shopping basket, select it from the list of bas-

kets. You also have the option of deselecting individual items from
the shopping basket.
If you have selected a product without any graphical representa-

tion, a text appears on the circuit drawing that includes the compo-
nent attributes, instead of the symbol. This text also appears in the
parts list just like the ID of the symbols.
You can make the settings that influence the creation of the symbol
designations and accessories using the Tools tab under the
Manage menu item in the Product Catalogue menu. If desired
FluidDraw can automatically generate text elements derived from
the type attribute of the associated symbol.

4.4 Inserting valve terminals via order code
FluidDraw can insert the corresponding symbols from many Festo

order codes. That does not only work via the Festo shopping basket
but also by directly inserting an order code text from the clipboard.
→ Copy the following order code to the clipboard: 10P-10-8A-IC-

V-Z-MMQMGFPCYEVF+MA and then insert the text via Home /
Paste in FluidDraw.
FluidDraw uses it to create the following symbol:
Figure 4/4: valve terminal 10P-10-8A-IC-V-Z-MMQMGFPCYEVF+MA
You can get a more compact, but outdated view for some products
by selecting the Insert legacy valve terminal symbols option under
Manage / Product Catalogue:

Figure 4/5: valve terminal 10P-10-8A-IC-V-Z-MMQMGFPCYEVF+MA,
old representation
4.4.1 Distributing valve terminals to several pages
A complete valve terminal is generally too big for a single page. It is

therefore practical to distribute symbols to several pages. As a
valve terminal consists of a group of individual symbols, FluidDraw
can break up this group to distribute the individual elements to
different pages.
→ Highlight the valve terminal and select the Distribute to mul-

tiple pages... menu item from the context menu (right mouse
button)

Figure 4/6: Distribute to multiple pages... dialogue window
The preview window represents the separation points of the valve

terminal. The black vertical lines show possible separation points,
and the blue ones show those currently selected. You can move the
blue separators with the mouse to change the desired separating
position.
Number of pages Defines how many pages the valve terminal is to be distributed to.
Distance between blocks Defines the space between two blocks on a page.
Draw connection lines If there are several separate blocks on a page, you can connect
them using lines.
Accumulate interruptions The connectors are on the left and right sides of the deleted sym-
bols that are connected via interruptions to the previous or follow-
ing pages. FluidDraw can summarise these connectors for a better
overview and only create a single interruption.
After closing the dialogue with OK , FluidDraw automatically

creates several new project pages according to the distribution and
distributes the individual blocks to the new pages.

4.5 Connecting connectors
To connect two component connectors to a line, move the mouse

pointer over a component connector. A connector is indicated by
the small circle at the end of a connector line of the symbol. As
soon as you “hit” a connector, the mouse pointer is converted into
a crosshair .
Figure 4/7: Mouse pointer as crosshair over a component connect-

or
→ Now, press the left mouse button and move the mouse pointer
to the connector you want to connect to the first one.
The shape of the mouse pointer shows you when you are over
the connector. If the mouse pointer is over a connector to which a
line is already connected, the prohibited sign appears and no
line can be created.
→ Let go of the mouse button once you have hit the second
connector.
FluidDraw automatically inserts a line between the two connectors.

Figure 4/8: Line between two connectors
Vertices can be set when dragging lines. To do so simply release

the mouse button while dragging the line and click the desired
points. The line is completed as soon as you click a second con-
nector or the same point twice. You can cancel the action by press-
ing the Esc key or the right mouse button.
4.6 Automatically connect connectors.
FluidDraw supports two methods of automatically connecting

connectors. The first is to drop a symbol on an existing line. To be
able to use this method, the symbol must have at least two con-
nectors that precisely fit onto one or more existing lines and the
lines that are created must not cross the symbol. The following two
figures show this function.

Figure 4/9: Circuit before the connectors are automatically con-
nected
Figure 4/10: Circuit after the connectors are automatically connect-

ed
Another method of automatically connecting connectors is to

position symbols so that their connectors can be horizontally or
vertically connected with free connectors from other symbols. After
the symbol has been dropped the corresponding lines are automat-
ically drawn if they do not cross any symbols. The free connectors
can also be T-distributors.
You can define how the connectors of different objects are auto-
matically connected in the General Connector Links tab under the
Options... menu item in the Manage menu. The following two
figures show this function.

Figure 4/11: Circuit before the connectors are automatically con-
nected
Figure 4/12: Circuit after the connectors are automatically connect-

ed
4.7 Inserting T-distributors
To insert a T-distributor you do not need to use any special symbol.

FluidDraw automatically inserts a T-distributor if you drag a com-
ponent connector to a line or a line segment to a connector. If you
want to connect two lines, you can also drag one line segment to
another one. FluidDraw then inserts two T-distributors and con-
nects them with a new line.
→ Move the mouse pointer to a connector and press the left

mouse button.
If you are over a line segment, the mouse pointer is converted into
a crosshair .

→ Let go of the mouse button once you have hit the desired point
of the line.
FluidDraw inserts a T-distributor and automatically inserts a line.
Figure 4/13: Line connection with T-distributor inserted
Every T-distributor can be used to connect up to 4 lines.
The default representation of the T-distributor can be selected via
the corresponding drop-down list on the Edit ribbon

page.
You can customise the representation of the T-distributor by dou-

ble-clicking the T-distributor or highlighting the T-distributor and
selecting the Home menu item in the Properties... menu. The “
Properties” dialogue window opens. Select the “ Representation”
tab.

Figure 4/14: T-distributor dialogue window. Tab: Representation
T distributor Defines the representation of the basic T-distributor. Here you can
select whether the distributor should be represented as a filled
circle or a simple intersection.
Cross-Link Defines that the T-distributor should be represented as an electrical

link. This representation has an effect on the connected lines,
which are automatically marked as links.
Junction Defines that the T-distributor should be represented as an electric

junction. This representation has an effect on the terminal destina-
tion search. With a junction, the target in the direction of a straight
line or right angle is found first and then the target via an angled
branch.
4.8 Moving lines
After connecting two connectors, you can adapt the position of the
lines. You can move the line segments parallel by moving the
mouse pointer on the relevant line segment. The “line start” form
of the mouse pointer shows you when you have hit the line.

→ Press the left mouse button and move the line segment in
orthogonal direction to the desired position.
Figure 4/15: Moving a line segment
→ If you let go of the mouse button, FluidDraw will adjust the

adjacent line segments in such a way that the complete line is
retained.
If you move a line segment that is connected directly to a compo-

nent connector, FluidDraw will insert any additional line segments
to avoid gaps.
If you move a line segment that is horizontally or vertically con-

nected with other line segments via T-distributors then these line
segments are moved together with the T-distributors.

Figure 4/16: Moving multiple line segments
Figure 4/17: Moving multiple line segments
If you only want to move the individual line segment in the case
described above then release the mouse button after highlighting
the line segment. Click the segment again and move it while keep-
ing the mouse button pressed.

Figure 4/18: Moving an individual line segment
4.9 Defining the properties of the lines
Lines, like other symbols, can be assigned an identification, cata-

logue properties and user-defined properties. You can find more
information on this under Component attributes in the Properties
dialogue window.
You can also define the style, colour and drawing layer of the lines
by double-clicking a line segment or highlighting the line segment
and selecting the Home menu item in the Properties... menu.
The Line Properties dialogue window opens. Select the Drawing
Properties tab in this window. The settings are applied to the entire
line section as far as the next connector or T-distributor.

Figure 4/19: Line Properties dialogue window: defining the proper-
ties of a pneumatic or electric line
Layer Defines the drawing layer for the line.
Color Defines the colour of the line.
Line Style Defines the line style of the line.
Line Width Defines the line width of the line.
Start Cap Defines how the start of the line is displayed.

End Cap Defines how the end of the line is displayed.
Straight connection line By default, FluidDraw automatically creates all lines orthogonally.
However, it some cases it may be desirable to create a straight
connection between two connectors.
Note: Working lines are typically displayed as continuous lines and

control lines are displayed as dashed lines.
4.10 Deleting a line
To delete a line you can either highlight an associated line segment

and press the Del key or select the Home menu item in the
Delete menu or highlight a component connector and press the
Del key. In these cases it is the line rather than the connector
itself that is deleted.
If you delete a T-distributor to which three or four lines are con-

nected, all lines are deleted. However, if only two lines are con-
nected, only the T-distributor is deleted and the two lines are joined
to form one line.
4.11 Defining the properties of the connectors
You can give a component connector an identification and a blank-

ing plug or a silencer by double-clicking the connector or by high-
lighting the connector and selecting the Properties... menu item
in the Home menu. The Connector dialogue window opens.

Figure 4/20: Connector dialogue window: defining the properties
of a connector
Identification You can enter a text for identifying this connector at the input line.
The identification is shown in the circuit drawing if the Display
option is selected.
Whether or not the identification is actually displayed depends on

the option selected under View Show Connector Descriptions .
Terminator Open the symbol list containing connector terminators by clicking

the button using the arrow. Select a suitable silencer or a blanking
plug.
Note: Please note that this symbol list is only available if a line is
not connected to the connector in question. If you wish to connect a
line to a sealed connector you first have to remove the blanking
plug or silencer. To do this select the empty field in the symbol list
with the connector terminators. The alignment of the connector
terminator can be set via the radio buttons.

4.12 Defining a component connector / setting a T-distributor
You can set T-distributors on existing lines or define a new compo-

nent connector by selecting the Insert menu item in the Define
Connector... menu. FluidDraw then switches to a special mode in
which the next mouse click sets a T-distributor or defines the new
connector. You can cancel the action by pressing the Esc key or
the right mouse button.
Connectors in symbols can be placed at any positions.
Note: To place the connector as exactly as possible at the desired

position, it is recommended to increase the size of the image sec-
tion of the corresponding symbol significantly. As soon as the
mouse pointer is over a symbol, it is converted into a crosshair .
You define the new connection with a left-click.
Figure 4/21: Define Connector... dialogue window
Type of connector Selects the connector type. The following are available: “ Pneumat-
ic”, “ Hydraulic”, “ Electric” and “ Electric (Label)”.
Define multiple connectors Multiple connectors can be set one after the other if this option is
active. You can cancel the action by pressing the Esc key.

4.13 Deleting a component connector
To delete a component connector, select it and select the Delete

Connector menu item in the Home menu.
Note: Bear in mind that the Delete menu item or the Del key
does not delete the connector, only any connected line.
4.14 Configuring directional control valves
If you require a specific valve that you cannot find in the FluidDraw
standard library, you can use the valve editor to create your own
valve symbols.
→ Insert a 5/n directional control valve into a circuit window from

the“ Pneumatic symbols - ISO 1219-1 / Configurable symbols”
library.
To determine the valve bodies and actuation types of directional

control valves, double-click the valve. The Properties dialogue
window opens. Click the “ Configure Valve” tab. That opens the
valve editor.

Figure 4/22: Properties dialogue window: Configure Valve tab
Left Actuation – Right Actua- You can select the actuation types of the valve from the “ Manual-
tion ly”, “ Mechanically” and “ Pneumatically/ Electrically” categories
for both sides of the valve. Click the button with the mouse pointer
and select a symbol element. A valve can have multiple actuation
types at the same time. If you do not want an actuation from a
category then select the empty field in the list. You can also define
whether each side should have a spring return, pilot control, pneu-
matic spring or external supply.
Valve Body A configurable valve can have a maximum of four switching posi-
tions. A valve body can be selected for every switching position.

Click the corresponding button with the arrow to open the list of
symbol elements. Select a symbol element for every switching
position. If you require less than four switching positions, select the
empty field for the positions not required in the list.
Initial Position This is for defining which switching position the valve should as-
sume in the normal position. Note: When making the definition,
make sure that it does not contradict any spring return.
Dominant Signal This is for indicating graphically whether the right-hand signal or
the left-hand signal is to dominate if two equally strong signals are
applied.
Spring-returned This is for defining whether the corresponding side is to be

equipped with a spring return.
Piloted This is for defining whether the corresponding side is to be

equipped with a pilot control.
Pneumatic Spring This is for defining whether a pneumatic spring is to ensure the
return on the corresponding side.
External Supply This creates another connector via which the external supply of the
controller is connected.
Pilot air exhaust Creates a symbol for releasing the pilot exhaust air into the envi-
ronment.
Pilot air exhaust (ducted) This creates a further connector via which the pilot exhaust air is
released.
4.15 Configuring cylinders
If you require a specific cylinder that you cannot find in the Fluid-
Draw standard library, you can use the cylinder editor to create
your own cylinder symbols.

→ Insert a double-acting cylinder into a circuit window from the “
Pneumatic symbols - ISO 1219-1 / Configurable symbols” li-
brary.
Double-click the cylinder to configure it. The Properties dialogue

window opens. Click the “ Configure Cylinder” tab. That opens the
cylinder editor.
Figure 4/23: Properties dialogue window: Configure Cylinder tab
Cylinder Type Click the button with the arrow to open the list of the symbol ele-
ments. Select a cylinder type. Defines whether the cylinder is to be
single-acting or double-acting.

Return Spring Specifies whether a spring is to be inserted for the return in the
right or left cylinder chamber.
Piston Click the button with the arrow and select a symbol element for the
piston. Define whether the cylinder is to have end-position cushion-
ing and whether it can be adjusted.
Piston Rod Click the button with the mouse pointer and select a symbol ele-
ment for the piston rod.
Piston Position You can use the slide ruler to specify the relative piston position in
increments of 25 %. 0 % stands for a completely retracted piston
and 100 % stands for a completely extended piston.
4.16 Grouping symbols
If you wish to combine multiple symbols to a group, then highlight

them and select the Home menu item from the Group menu.
Groups can also be nested, i.e. grouped objects can be grouped
again.
A group is primarily a drawing aid and does not represent a new

component. Every group element is added to a parts list in exactly
the same way as without grouping. Double-click a group element to
open the Properties dialogue window of the clicked group ele-
ment.
If you want to combine multiple symbols to a new component with

its own attributes then create a macro object.
4.17 Creating macro objects
If you wish to combine multiple symbols into a new component with

its own attributes then highlight these and select the Home menu
item from the Create Macro Object menu. This creates a new
macro object. Macro objects are included in the parts lists as

independent components. The original symbols are removed from
the parts lists. It is no longer possible to edit their component
attributes.
4.18 Deleting symbol groups and macro objects
To delete a group or a macro object, highlight the group or the

macro object and select the Ungroup/Break Off menu item in the
Home menu. Always only the very outer group is deleted first. To
delete nested groups, you must carry out the operation several
times.
4.19 Aligning symbols
To mutually align objects, highlight them and select the desired

alignment in the Home menu under the Align menu item or click
the corresponding button on the toolbar.
4.20 Mirroring symbols
The symbols can be mirrored horizontally and vertically. To do this,

select the desired mirror axis in the Home menu under the
Mirror menu item or click the corresponding button

on the toolbar. If you have highlighted several objects simultane-
ously, each object is mirrored on its own. If you want the operation
to apply to a common mirror axis, group the objects prior to the
operation.

You can also enter the drawing properties as component attributes
under the “ Drawing Properties” tab. Enter a negative sign in front
of the scaling factor to mirror the symbol.
4.21 Rotating symbols
The symbols can be rotated in increments of 90 degrees or using

the mouse pointer. For a rotation in 90 degree increments, select
the desired angle in the Home menu under the Rotate menu
item or click the corresponding button on the toolbar. If

you have highlighted several objects simultaneously, each object is
rotated on its own. If you want the operation to apply to a common
axis of rotation, group the objects prior to the operation.
You can also rotate symbols using the mouse pointer by dragging
the edge of the symbol. In order to do this FluidDraw must be in
Enable Rotate mode. This mode can be activated or deactivated
on the Edit ribbon page with the Enable Rotate menu item.
Note: Activating Enable Scale mode deactivates Enable Rotate

mode and vice versa.
→ In Enable Rotate mode, click the edge of a symbol and keep

the mouse button pressed.
Figure 4/24: Rotating a symbol
The current angle of rotation and auxiliary lines are displayed.
→ Keep the mouse button pressed and move the mouse pointer
until the desired angle of rotation is established. The angle
changes in 15 degree steps.

Note: If you also press the Shift key then you can rotate the
symbol continuously.
Figure 4/25: Rotating a symbol
The angle of rotation can also be entered directly in the properties

dialogue window on the Drawing Properties tab.
4.22 Scaling symbols
The component symbols can be scaled using the mouse pointer. In

order to do this FluidDraw must be in Enable Scale mode. This
mode can be activated or deactivated on the Edit ribbon page
with the Enable Scale menu item.
Note: Activating Enable Scale mode deactivates Enable Rotate

mode and vice versa.
→ In Enable Scale mode, click the edge or a corner of a symbol

and keep the mouse button pressed.
Figure 4/26: Scaling a symbol
The current scaling relationship to the current original size is dis-

played.
→ Move the mouse pointer, keeping the mouse button pressed,

until the desired size is established. The scaling relationship is

changed in increments of 0.25. If you also press the Shift key
key then you can scale the symbol continuously.
Figure 4/27: Scaling a symbol
You can simultaneously mirror the symbol by moving the mouse

pointer over the middle of the symbol to the opposite side.
Figure 4/28: Mirroring a symbol
The scaling factors can also be entered directly in the Properties

dialogue window on the Drawing Properties tab.

Drawing frame
Chapter 5
5. Drawing fra me
FluidDraw provides some drawing frames that can be embedded at

the project or page level. FluidDraw provides a special editor for
adjustments or user-specific drawing frames. It can be used to
flexibly adapt the header and the frame with the distribution of
fields.
5.1 Using the drawing frame
To select a drawing frame that is to be used for all pages of the

entire project, open the project’s properties dialogue. You can then
overwrite this setting e.g. for a page with a parts list or for a com-
plete project node and define a different drawing frame.
→ Open the properties of a page and activate the Drawing Frame

tab. Remove the Inherit From Project option, if necessary.

Figure 5/1: Page dialogue window: inserting a drawing frame
Inherit From Project If this option is activated then the drawing frame specified in the
project is copied into the circuit. The path and the file used are
displayed in the “ Frame File” line.
Select... This button is used to open a dialogue that can be used to select a
frame provided. These frame files are to be found in the frm direc-
tory.
Reload File Reloads the frame from the specified file. That can be practical if
the drawing frame was changed in the meantime.
Edit... Opens the frame file for editing in the drawing frame editor.

Remove Local Frame Removes the drawing frame from the circuit. The attributes of the
drawing frame are retained as attributes of the project or of the
circuit.
Reload Frame Attributes When you insert a drawing frame, the attributes of the drawing
frame are listed. These attributes are saved with the project or with
the circuit drawing and can be edited and deleted. You can use the
Reload Frame Attributes to reload all attributes from the drawing
frame and thus update the attribute list of the project or of the
circuit drawing.
→ Click Select... to select a drawing frame.
Figure 5/2: Select Drawing Frame dialogue window
All available frame files are displayed as a tree on the left side. The
desired drawing frame can be selected in this tree. The drawing
frame is then displayed in the preview.
You can find a detailed description of the options for managing the
drawing frames in the section: Manage templates

5.2 Drawing frame editor
You can use the drawing frame editor to create new drawing frames
and edit existing frames.
The editor can be started regardless of a specific project or page

directly via the main menu and the Manage templates... menu
item.
Alternatively, you can open the editor via the properties of the
project or of an individual page. Select a drawing frame first on the
Drawing Frame tab and then press the Edit... button to open this
frame in the editor to edit it.
5.2.1 The structure of a drawing frame
Creating or editing a drawing frame in the editor is split up into

individual small steps, which are displayed on various tabs. The
individual tabs are generally to be gone through in steps from the
left to the right like in a wizard. For navigation, please use the two
< Previous and Next > buttons at the bottom edge of the editor.
As an alternative, you also have the option of going directly to a

specific tab by clicking its title. You can thus change specific as-
pects of the drawing frame in a selective manner. When you use the
editor for the first time, we recommend that you go through all tabs
once in succession to familiarise yourself with the contents of the
individual steps.
The basic structure of a drawing frame consists of the following five

components:
1. Drawing page
2. Outer frame
3. Page dividers

4. Inner frame
5. Header
The drawing space that can be used with the drawing page is de-
fined by the inner frame. The following diagram illustrates the
previously mentioned elements:
Figure 5/3: Elements of a drawing frame
In the following steps, you have the option of changing all proper-
ties of these elements.

5.2.2 Drawing Size
Figure 5/4: Drawing Size tab
On this page of the editor, you can assign a designation and change
the size and alignment of the drawing frame. At the top, you can
either select one of the specified default sizes from the stored list
or enter your complete own dimensions. You can adapt the align-
ment of the frame below.
In addition, the current dimensions are displayed to you in the

preview on the right side for illustration.

5.2.3 Page border
Figure 5/5: Page border tab
You have the option here of designing the outer and inner frame
lines according to your requirements.
At the top you can select the line width, line type and colour prop-
erties for the corresponding frame line. If desired, you can also
remove one line or both lines from the drawing by means of the
check box.
In the centre, you can set the outer edge between the outer frame
line and the edge of the drawing page, as well as the inner edge
between the two frame lines. Your changes of the set values are
displayed to you directly in the preview on the right side.
At the bottom, you can have additional markings drawn in the

drawing frame.

5.2.4 Page Dividers
Figure 5/6: Page Dividers tab
The page dividers can be configured on this tab.
At the top, on the left side, you can configure the labelling proper-
ties of the individual rows. In the area below, you can configure the
labelling properties of the individual columns.
For the distribution of the rows and columns you can either specify
a fixed number or a specific height or width.
— If you define a specific row height or column width, then the

columns/rows are entered with the specified width/height,
starting at the centre of the inner frame. The last column or the
last row on both pages of the drawing frame may be smaller
than the specified width with this distribution. The following
diagram gives an example of the distribution of the columns on
a DIN A4 page in landscape format with a set column width of
50 mm.

Figure 5/7: Example of column widths in the event of a specified
column width
— If you instead specify a fixed number of rows or columns, the

width/height of the inner frame with the specified number is
split up into columns of the same size. The following diagram
shows the distribution of the columns on the same DIN A4 page
as previously with six columns.
Figure 5/8: Example of column widths in the event of a specified

number of columns
The numbers define how the columns or rows are to be labelled.

You can choose between numerical labelling and alphabetic label-
ling with upper or lower case. You can enter with which number or
letter the caption is to begin with in the First Item field.
By default, the columns are labelled continuously from the left to

the right and the rows from top to bottom. Select the Descending
Order check box if you want to reverse the labelling order.
The current status of the page division is displayed to you on the

right side together with special control elements for manually
adjusting the division. The control elements displayed there match
those in the page windows in FluidDraw and can also be used to
configure the complete page division manually. The width and the
height of the vision always correspond to the complete width or
height of the inner frame here, however.

5.2.5 Title block customizing
Figure 5/9: Title block customizing tab
You can adjust and design the header according to your require-
ments here.
General design and layout of The header within the drawing frame consists of a table with a
the header specific number of columns and rows. Either a fixed text, an attrib-
ute link or an image can be entered in the individual cells of the
table.
Using the Select template... button at the top edge of the tab,
you can open a dialogue that you can use to load predefined head-
ers into the editor.

Figure 5/10: Dialogue for selecting a header
You can use the dialogue to select a template for the header. Either
use one of the integrated templates or select a user-defined tem-
plate. The selected header is displayed to you as a preview on the
right side.
Selecting/highlighting cells You can select individual cells of the table by left-clicking them. The
selected cell is then displayed with a thicker, blue border. The
contents of the selected cell, its cell properties and the dimensions
of the corresponding row and column are shown below the dis-
played table.
You can highlight an area with several cells by moving the mouse
over further cells while keeping the left mouse button pressed.
Alternatively, you can click the first and last cell one after the other
while keeping the Shift key pressed. You can highlight several
cells not connected by clicking them with the mouse and keeping
the Ctrl key pressed. The selected area is given a thick blue
border.
Adjusting the table structure You can change the number of rows and columns of the current
table by right-clicking a cell within the table. A context menu ap-
pears for the currently selected cell. You can find commands for
adding an deleting rows or columns below the Insert and Delete
menu items.
You can change the width of a column or the height of a row by

moving the mouse pointer to the edge of the cell, pressing the left

mouse button there and moving the cell border accordingly. The
corresponding cell is thus increased and reduced in size along with
the overall width/overall height of the table. Keep the Ctrl
pressed when you move the mouse to change the size of the cell
without changing the overall width/overall height of the table.
As an alternative to changing the cell width or cell height by moving

the mouse, you can enter the dimensions directly in the input fields
below the displayed table. First select a cell from the row / column
that you want to change and then enter the desired values in the
input fields.
Several cells can be joined to form one cell within the table. Such a
joined cell then covers several columns and/or several rows.
To connect several cells, highlight them first in the table and then
click the Merge cells button on the menu bar above the table
displayed. Only a rectangular continuous cell area can be connect-
ed. When the connection is established, only the contents and
formatting from the top left cell of the highlighted area are re-
tained. The Split cells button is available to separate a joined cell.
Entering a fixed text You can enter a fixed text in a cell by double-clicking the cell with
the left mouse button. An input cursor appears in the cell and you
can enter the desired text directly. You can also highlight a cell and
press the F2 function key to activate direct cell input.
These texts entered by you are not saved in a language-dependent

manner. That means the text you entered is shown as entered,
regardless of the page or project language used later on. If you
want to use a language-dependent text, you can use the predefined
attribute texts, which are displayed to you in the list next to the
displayed table. Highlight the desired text, drag the text with the
left mouse button pressed into the desired table cell and let go of
the mouse button there. Only then is the corresponding internal
placeholder for the attribute text entered in the cell. For the “
Project” attribute, for example, the internal placeholder is
“~FrmAttProject”.
Text formatting You can change the text formatting of a cell using the menu bar
above the displayed table. Select those cells in the table whose
formatting you want to change. Then, click the corresponding
button on the menu bar or select the desired value.

Figure 5/11: Menu bar above the displayed table
Using the menu bar, you can change the following formatting
properties:
— Font
— Font size
— Font style (B = bold; I = italics; U = underlined)
— Horizontal alignment (left; centred; right)
— Vertical alignment (top; centred; bottom)
— Background colour
— Font colour
If you select a cell in the table, the font and font size of the selected
cell are automatically displayed on the menu bar. The buttons for
the font style, and horizontal and vertical alignment are enabled
according to the current setting in the cell.
Inserting images You can insert an image in a cell by selecting the desired cell and
then clicking the Choose picture... button below the displayed
table. A dialogue appears that you can use to select your image for
insertion. The file formats Bitmap, JPEG, PNG and GIF are support-
ed.
The path and the file name of the selected image are displayed to
you after selecting the image in the input field using the button and
the image is displayed in the highlighted cell of the table. The size
of the image is adapted taking the correct width-to-height ratio of
the cell into account. The maximum width or height of the cell is
always utilised for display purposes. Increase the size of the cell if
the displayed image is to be increased in size.
A newly inserted image is linked to the cell via the path and the file
name. That is indicated by the selected External Link check box. For
each subsequent use of the drawing frame, the image is reloaded

from the specified location. If it is not found there, a red X is dis-
played instead of the image.
To permanently integrate the image in the drawing frame, remove

the check mark from the External Link check box. The image is
embedded in the drawing frame and is always visible in the drawing
frame regardless of the path of the original file. By embedding
graphics in the drawing frame, you increase the memory space
required for the drawing frame and the projects that use this frame.
Therefore, it is best to use images that save space.
Setting frame lines The frame lines in a cell are influenced using the Borderlines
button on the menu bar above the displayed table. Select those
cells in the table that you want to give a frame. Then click the small
triangle at the right edge of the button to open a selection menu of
the available frame lines.
Figure 5/12: Frame line selection
You can set the desired frame for the highlighted cells from this
menu. By selecting No border , you remove all existing borders
from the selected cells. Your frame selection is transferred to the
button and can be set for other cells by clicking the button directly.
Frame attributes and varia- In addition to the previously described contents of the fixed texts
bles and images, variable elements can also be inserted in the header,
whose value is determined later on when the drawing frame is used
in a specific project or page. These are drawing frame attributes,
which are managed later on in the properties of the project or page,

and also predefined variables, which are automatically replaced by
the corresponding value in the drawing.
Drawing frame attributes
Drawing frame attributes are special placeholders that you can

define in the header and at whose point in the final drawing the
value of the attribute of the corresponding page or of the project is
displayed. That can be e.g. the name of the project, the title of the
drawing or the release date.
The available attributes are displayed to you on the left side of the
dialogue in a list view. You can find predefined attributes, prede-
fined variables and user-defined attributes in this list.
Every frame attribute generally consists of two parts: an attribute

caption and a placeholder that is replaced by the value of the
entered attribute later on. The attribute caption is to be found in
the Displayed Text column and the placeholder in the Default
value column. The placeholder is displayed in the Default value
column in grey fonts in pointed brackets if no default value is
entered.
To use an attribute in its frame, select the placeholder of the de-

sired attribute in the Default value column and drag it, while keep-
ing the left mouse button pressed, into the desired table cell. If you
let go of the mouse button over the desired cell, the selected
placeholder is entered there for the attribute. Only by entering the
placeholder in the header is the selected attribute displayed on the
“ Attributes” tab later on when the drawing frame is used. You can
assign a specific value to it.
You can store default values for attributes in the drawing frame. To
do this. double-click the corresponding placeholder in the attribute
list and enter the desired default value. It is then displayed in the
header instead of the placeholder for the attribute. However, the
placeholder is still entered in the corresponding cell. Later on when
the drawing frame is used, the entered default value is transferred
as an attribute value to the diagram. However, it can be changed at
any time there. By entering a default value, you also have the
option of checking if the text formatting and the size of the cell are
correct.

If you want to add the attribute caption in the header in addition to
the placeholder for the attribute value, then highlight the corre-
sponding caption in the Displayed Text column and then drag it,
with the left mouse button pressed, into the desired cell of the
table. The predefined attributes use special variables for the cap-
tion in order that the attribute caption can be displayed in the
corresponding page language.
In addition to the predefined attributes and variables, you have the

option of defining your own attributes. To add an attribute, click the
Add Attribute... button and enter a name for the attribute. Then,
the new user-defined attribute is displayed to you in the list and
you can use it like the previously described predefined attributes in
the header. The only difference to the predefined attributes is that
the caption depends on the language and is not automatically
translated, even if there are different page languages.
Variables
The attribute list on the page on which the table is displayed con-
tains the following predefined variables:
— Page number
— Description
— Installation
— Circuit
— Location
— File Name
— Full file path
— Full project path
— File modification date and time
— File modification date
— File modification time
— Total project pages

These predefined variables are used in exactly the same way as the
previously described frame attributes. Drag the desired variable
from the list into the table. The difference is that the values for the
variables in the specific drawing are entered automatically, which is
why you cannot specify a default value.
5.2.6 Title block location
Figure 5/13: Title block location tab
You can adjust the position of the header within the drawing frame
here.
Select the desired position from the specified options. The modified
position of the header is displayed to you in the preview on the
right side.

5.3 Adding fixed elements to drawing frames
The drawing frame editor shown in the previous section can be

used to create a drawing frame with the main graphic elements
and, above all, a dynamic title block. Additional graphic elements,
such as a watermark or a copyright notice, cannot be created within
the editor. A different concept is provided for this.
Not only those files created with the drawing frame editor can be
used as drawing frames. In addition, it is also possible to use each
individual sheet of an existing project as a drawing frame in anoth-
er project. This way you have the possibility to enrich a drawing
frame with other elements.
The following example shows how you can add a watermark with
text to a given drawing frame:
→ Create a new project with a single page.
→ Select and assign a drawing frame that you want to enrich with
additional objects.
→ Add all new elements to the sheet at the right location. To

create a watermark, insert a text object with the menu item
Text in the menu Insert . Utilize the possibilities to format a
text to increase the font-size, to rotate the text or to change the
colour.

Figure 5/14: Example for a watermark with fixed text
You can also insert a text object that will contain an attribute value
of the project or sheet. For this insert a new text object with a
simple text like “ReleaseStatus”. Additionally set the option At-
tribute Link within the properties of the text object. The text will
then be shown in angle brackets. The entered text “ReleaseStatus”
will be the new frame attribute that will show up in the project
attributes where you can enter a value for it.

Figure 5/15: Example for an additional frame attribute
→ Save the new project with the enhanced drawing frame and
close it.
In order for the extended drawing frame to be used in another

project, the project just created must be added to the template
management. This only has to be done once. The entry is then
preserved and can be used like all other entries.
→ Open the template management with the menu item Manage

templates... in the menu Manage .
→ Klick with the right mouse button on the topmost node with the
label Drawing Frame and select Add Existing Files... from the
context menu.

Figure 5/16: Adding an existing file to the drawing frame templates
→ A dialogue to select a file appears, but initially the dialogue

does not show FluidDraw project files. You can change that by
selecting a different file filter in the lower right of the dialogue.
Change it from “Drawing Frames (*frm)” to "Project Files
(*.fdprj; *.prj).
Figure 5/17: Changing the file filter to show project files
→ Now navigate to the path where you saved the previously

created project, select the project and click Open... . The pro-
ject is then included as a reference in the drawing frame selec-
tion and is available as a new entry.
Now you can use the page with the enhanced drawing frame as
drawing frame in your projects.
→ Open an existing project or create a new project.
→ Select and assign the new enhanced drawing frame for the
project. (In this example the page with a watermark.)

Figure 5/18: Selection of the new drawing frame with watermark
from the frames project
When you have created an additional frame attribute, you will find
it in the project properties in the Attributes tab. There you can
enter an attribute value analogue to the other attributes from the
title block and it will show up in the prepared text field.
Notes:
— The project with the extended drawing frame can also contain
several sheets, e.g. with different contents. The appropriate
frame can be selected according to requirements.
— The extended drawing frame can no longer be edited directly in

the drawing frame editor. If you want to change the drawing
frame, reopen the frame project in FluidDraw and edit the cor-
responding pages. The drawing frame editor can then be called
from there.

— With the extended drawing frames, it is still the case that all
objects of the drawing frame are placed on drawing layer 0 and
cannot be changed. A prominently placed watermark in the
background does not disturb the drawing creation.
5.4 Page dividers
A circuit diagram or page can be logically divided into rows and

columns, which can be labelled with numbers or letters. These page
dividers are usually shown in the drawing frame and serve as a
means of orientation within the page. Above all they allow the
current paths (columns) of contacts to be specified in the contact
images.
The graphical representation of the page dividers matches the

logical page dividers in the drawing frames provided. The logical
page dividers can be shown and hidden via the Show Page Divid-
ers menu item in the View menu or using the button. They
are displayed at the left edge as well as the upper edge of the
circuit window.
If the page dividers are displayed you can customise them using
the mouse so that they match the graphical representation of the
drawing frame, for example. This customisation can be done in
different ways:
→ Click and hold the mouse buttons in a column or row to move

the entire column or row.
Figure 5/19: Page dividers
→ Click and hold the mouse buttons at the outer margin of a

column or row to move the margin of the column or row.

The opposite margin is not moved and the columns or rows are
resized proportionally.
→ Click and hold the mouse buttons at the margin of an inner

division in a column or row to move the margin of the column
or row.
In this case only the adjacent columns or rows are resized.
Columns and rows can be inserted and removed using the and
buttons.
The labelling type and the number of rows and columns can be
defined using the button. The settings are saved as page proper-
ties. The following dialogue window is opened:

Figure 5/22: Page dialogue window, Page Dividers tab
Adopt from drawing frame If this option is activated then all settings that have been defined in
the drawing frame are adopted.
Rows Defines the settings for the horizontal rows.
Columns Defines the settings for the vertical columns.
Number Defines the number of page dividers.
Numbering Numbers, lower case letters or upper case letters can be used for
numbering.
First Item Defines the first numbering item. Numbering is continued in the
same way starting with this element.
Descending Order Reverses the numbering order.
Skip letters ‘I’ and ‘O’ If this option is active, the letters “I” and “O” are not used for
numbering. That prevents any risk of confusion with the numbers
“1” and “0”.

Reset Resets the page dividers to default values.

Additional tools for creating drawings
Chapter 6
6. Additional tools for creating dr awings
6.1 Drawing aids
6.1.1 Grid
For arranging the symbols and inserting the lines it is often practi-
cal to show a point or line grid. You can activate or deactivate the
display of the grid using the View menu item in the Show Grid
menu. You can define more grid settings in the Manage menu
under the Options... menu item on the Representation Grid tab.
In order to simplify handling the connectors snap into place when

they are close to a grid line. This makes it easier to find the precise
position when moving the connectors.
Note: The grid snap function may sometimes not be desired as it

prevents free positioning. In this case you can keep the Ctrl key
pressed during the moving operation, which temporarily deac-
tivates the grid snap function.
6.1.2 Alignment lines
Connectors of symbols should be aligned horizontally or vertically

as precisely as possible. Then, they can be connected with a
straight line.
FluidDraw supports precise positioning by the grid snap function on

the one hand, and by automatically displaying red alignment lines
while the highlighted objects are moved on the other hand.

→ Opens a circuit file that contains several objects. Highlight one
of them and move it slowly back and forth over and next to
other objects.
Pay attention to the red dashed lines that appear if two or more
connectors lie below each other.
Figure 6/1: Automatically displaying the alignment lines
In order to simplify handling the connectors snap into place when

they are close to an alignment line. This makes it easier to find the
precise position when moving the connectors.
Note: The grid snap function may sometimes not be desired as it

prevents free positioning. In this case you can keep the Ctrl key
pressed during the moving operation, which temporarily deac-
tivates the alignment lines and the grid snap function.
6.1.3 Object snap
Various snap points can be activated for precise drawing. During a

drawing operation the mouse pointer snaps into place as soon as it
is close to a snap point.
The following snap functions are available, which can be selected

individually via the ribbon under Edit Snap:

Snap to Grid
Snap to Connector
Snap to End Point
Snap to Mid Point
Snap to Centre
Snap to Intersection
Press the Ctrl key and keep it pressed during a drawing opera-
tion to temporarily deactivate the object snap function.
6.1.4 Rulers
The rulers can be shown and hidden via View Show Rulers .
They are displayed at the left-hand as well as the upper edge of the
circuit window.
6.2 Drawing layers
FluidDraw supports 256 drawing layers that can be shown/hidden

and disabled/enabled individually. You can also define the colour,
the style and the line width for each drawing layer.
Like with most other settings, you can also define drawing layers
separately for the project, a project node or a page. When you
create a new project, the default settings defined under Manage
in Options... / Drawing Layers are copied. You can change these
settings at any time individually in the properties of a project node
or page.
Note: The drawing frame is in layer “0” by default.

Figure 6/2: Drawing Layers dialogue window
Inherit From Parent Node If this option is selected, defined drawing layers are used for the
page in the project or in the parent project node.
Copy from global options This is for copying the settings defined under Manage in Op-
tions... / Drawing Layers.
Please note that the global settings are then copied once. If the
global settings for the drawing frame change later on, the locally
copied drawing layers are retained. That ensures that the appear-
ance of the circuit diagrams does not depend on the user’s individ-
ual settings.

On insert objects to page Define the drawing layer of the objects here if they are inserted via
the clipboard or from another page.
Default Layer You can select the drawing layer where newly inserted objects
should be placed here. If you do not want the symbol level to be
changed when objects are inserted then select the “ Preserve
Object Layer” option.
Number Defines the number of the drawing layer.
Description Defines the description of the drawing layer.
Color Defines the colour of the objects in this drawing layer.
Line Style Defines the line style of the objects in this drawing layer.
Line Width Defines the line width of the objects in this drawing layer.
Display If this option is deselected, the corresponding drawing layer is not

visible and cannot be edited either.
Edit If this option is deselected, objects located in the relevant drawing

layer are visible but cannot be highlighted and therefore neither
moved nor deleted.
6.3 Displaying line jumps
Intersecting lines are sometimes difficult to distinguish from T-

distributors. FluidDraw therefore provides the option of displaying
crossing lines as line jumps. You can find the option as a default
setting under Manage / Options... and as a page or project
setting under Representation

Figure 6/3: Displaying intersections as line jumps
6.4 Selection filter
To edit the circuits, it is frequently useful to select specific object

types or objects simultaneously at certain drawing layers. In addi-
tion to the methods already described with the Ctrl key pressed
and the creation of a selection rectangle, FluidDraw provides the
Select menu.
Figure 6/4: Object selection filter
The selection of the different object types can be used in two ways:
— Set the desired object types before selecting them. With this
option, you define which object types are to be highlighted dur-
ing subsequent selection operations. This filter can be used if
you simply click an object, when you create a rectangle and al-
so with the Select All command. Only objects that meet the
selection criterion are highlighted.

— Set the desired object types after selecting them. With this
option, you can subsequently limit a selection already made.
First select individual objects or all objects and highlight an ar-
ea with the mouse. Then deactivate those object types that you
want to exclude from the selection. FluidDraw memorises the
originally selected objects so that you can adapt the object
types as desired. However, more object types are never select-
ed than were highlighted before selecting the filter.
After using the selection filter, make sure to switch back to the All
Objects option to be able to fully edit your circuit diagram again.
Active Drawing Layer Only With this option, the selection only applies to the selected drawing
layer.
→ First cancel all selections by clicking a free space on the page

or by pressing the Esc key.
You can thus selected the standard drawing layer without changing
any highlighted objects.
→ Now select the drawing layer you want to edit from the drop-
down list.
You can now combine the Active Drawing Layer Only option with
the other criteria.
Protect connector texts That prevents any inadvertent displacement of the connector texts
if you want to move a symbol.
FluidDraw permits the positioning of identifications, connector

designations and attribute links as desired. These texts move along
with the corresponding symbol when it is moved. In the case of
small symbols or e.g. valves with many connectors, it is possible
that you inadvertently select a connector text although you wanted
to move the entire symbol. In this case, you will inadvertently move
the text away from the symbol.
To avoid this type of operational error, the connector texts can be

protected. These texts can therefore not be moved individually.
Instead the entire symbol is automatically highlighted with all other
associated texts. Deactivate this option if you want to position
connector texts individually again.

Layer In this drop-down list, you define the drawing layer to which the
object selection is to apply.
6.5 Cross-references
Cross-references serve to link connected parts of a circuit drawing

when the entire drawing is spread across several pages. This allows
lines to be interrupted, for example, and continued on another
page.
FluidDraw supports two types of cross-references. Paired cross-

references consist of two cross-reference symbols that refer to each
other. The two cross-reference symbols are linked via a unique
label that is entered for both symbols.
The option also exists to reference any object within a project from
a cross-reference symbol. The cross-reference is unidirectional in
this case: from the cross-reference to the target object. This allows
several cross-references to refer to the same object.
Both types enable you to jump directly from a cross-reference to

the associated destination. With the paired cross-reference the
destination is the corresponding cross-reference, otherwise an
object.
Paired cross-references are to be found as symbols in the standard

library under “ Drawing elements and cross-references” and can be
inserted in circuit drawings.
You jump to the corresponding destination either using the Jump

to Target button in the properties dialogue window for the cross-
reference symbol or by highlighting the cross-reference and select-
ing the Jump to Target menu item from the context menu.
The circuit drawings involved must belong to the same project.

Open the Home dialogue window via the Properties... menu
and the Cross-reference menu item. Alternatively you can open this
dialogue window by double-clicking the cross-reference symbol or
using the Properties... context menu.

Figure 6/5: Cross-reference dialogue window
Layer The cross-reference is assigned to this drawing layer.
Text This text is displayed in the cross-reference.
Label Defines the label used to identify the cross-references linked to

each other.
Link If this option is activated then the label entered represents a link to
a target object. The cross-reference only works in the direction of
the target object in this case. This option can be combined with the
Show Location option to show the location of the target object.
Target Text

If the Show Location option is activated then the position of the
target object is displayed here. The representation of the position is
defined in the Cross Reference Representation tab in the proper-
ties dialogue window for the page or project.
If Show Description is activated then the text of the corresponding

cross-reference is displayed for paired cross-references, otherwise
the description of the target object is displayed.
Display Target Text If this option is activated then the above-mentioned text from the
Target Text field is displayed below the text for this cross-reference.
Jump to Target Pressing this button opens the circuit window that contains the
corresponding cross-reference. The relevant symbol is indicated by
an animation.
The font, text colour and alignment of the texts to be displayed can
also be customised.
6.5.1 Creating cross-references from symbols
You can create a cross-reference from one or more symbols.
→ To do so highlight the corresponding symbols and select the

Home Create Cross-reference menu item or the Create
Cross-reference menu item from the context menu.
The highlighted symbols are combined into a group that represents

a cross-reference with two additional texts. One of these texts
shows the label used and the other the target text for the cross-
reference.

6.5.2 Cross-reference representation
The position of the target object can be shown in cross-references.

How it is represented can be specified on the Cross Reference
Representation tab in the properties dialogue window for the circuit
or project. The position can be compiled from the “ Page number”,
“ Page”, “ Page Column”, “ Page Row”, “ Target Connector”, “
Target Object” and “ Object Identification” components. These
refer to the target object. Separators can be specified before and
after each component. The default representation is:
/ Page number. Page Column The description of the page and the
page number is specified in the Properties dialogue window for the
circuit. The page number is a predefined placeholder that can be
used in text components and drawing frames, among other things.

Figure 6/6: Cross Reference Representation tab
Inherit From Parent Node Defines whether the representation rules for the parent node
should be applied.
tions... / Cross Reference Representation.
Please note that the global settings are then copied once. If the
global settings for displaying the cross-reference change later on,
the locally copied options are retained. That ensures that the ap-
pearance of the circuit diagrams does not depend on the user’s
individual settings.

Suppress Inherited Parts If this option is active, components of the cross-reference are
hidden that are valid for all elements of the corresponding page or
project.
Example A position example that conforms to the specified rules is displayed

here.
6.5.3 Managing cross-references
All paired cross-references in a project are listed in a dialogue

window that is opened using the Project Manage Cross Refer-
ences... menu item. Using this dialogue you can jump to all paired
cross-references in the project.
Figure 6/7: Manage Cross References... tab
Label Contains the label for the corresponding cross-reference.

Containing Page A page containing the cross-reference in question can be selected
in the drop-down list.
Jump to Target Using this button you can jump to the corresponding cross-
reference.
6.6 Drawing functions and graphical elements
Graphical elements can be inserted into a circuit via the Insert

under Object or Draw . In order to prevent you from unintentional-
ly moving other symbols when drawing you activate a special mode
for the drawing function in which you can only perform the selected
drawing functions. After every drawing operation FluidDraw returns
to the normal editing mode. To insert another drawing element you
must select the associated menu item or the corresponding draw-
ing function on the toolbar again.
Note: If you want to draw several elements in succession without

exiting the special drawing mode every time, then you can select
the menu item or the corresponding drawing function on the
toolbar while keeping the Shift key pressed. Drawing mode then
remains active until the menu item or the drawing function is deac-
tivated by selecting it again or another drawing function is selected
without the Shift key being pressed.
The Insert ribbon page contains the Draw and Object groups
with the following buttons:
Switches to the mode for inserting a text.
Switches to the mode for inserting an image.
Switches to the mode for drawing a line.
Switches to the mode for drawing a rectangle.
Switches to the mode for drawing a circle.

Switches to the mode for drawing an ellipse.
Switches to the mode for drawing a polyline.
Switches to the mode for drawing a conduction line. You can start
by choosing whether you would like to draw a pneumatic, hydraulic
or electric conduction line.
Switches to the mode for drawing an interruption or potential. You

can start by choosing whether you would like to draw a pneumatic,
hydraulic or electric interruption or such a potential.
The Edit ribbon page enables the definition of the line attributes:
The graphical elements are drawn in the specified colour.
The graphical elements are drawn with the specified line style.
The graphical elements are drawn with the specified line width.
The starts of lines are drawn with the specified symbol.
The ends of lines are drawn with the specified symbol.
Any change to the line attributes does not only apply to drawing
elements that will be inserted in the future, but also to any current-
ly highlighted objects. In this case, you will be asked whether the
properties are also to be transferred to the currently highlighted
objects.
6.6.1 Hatching
Drawing elements that define an area, such as rectangles, circles or

polylines can be given a hatching. The corresponding elements
have a Hatching button that can be used to open the hatching
dialogue.

Figure 6/8: Hatching dialogue window
First Pattern You define the settings for the first hatching here.
Line color Defines the colour of the hatching.
Line Style Defines the line style.
Line Width Defines the line width.
Angle Defines the angle of the hatching.
Distance Defines the line spacing of the hatching.
Second Pattern A second hatching can be activated as an option that can be com-
bined with the first pattern.

6.6.2 Text
A text is inserted at the position of the mouse pointer with a click.

That opens the Properties dialogue window for entering the text
and setting the attributes.
A text can be inserted using the corresponding button of the Object

group on the Insert ribbon page.
6.6.3 Image
An image is inserted at the position of the mouse pointer with a

click. That opens the dialogue window for selecting an existing
image file.
An image can be inserted using the corresponding button of the

Object group on the Insert ribbon page.
Large background images can reduce the processing speed signifi-

cantly, as when symbols are moved or edited the screen view needs
to be rebuilt.
The image-specific properties can be defined in the Properties and

Drawing Properties tabs of the Picture dialogue window for the
image:

Figure 6/9: Properties dialogue window of an image: Drawing
Properties tab
Position Defines the top left position of the image.
Scale Defines the scaling in x or y direction.
Rotation Defines the rotation angle in degrees.
Override Color Defines the colour of the drawing element.
Background Defines that the drawing element is displayed in the background.

This means that all circuit symbols are on top of it. In particular this
means that symbols are not covered by filled drawing elements, for
example.
Foreground Defines that the drawing element is displayed in the foreground.

This means that all circuit symbols are under it. In particular it
means that symbols are covered by filled drawing elements, for
example.

Figure 6/10: Properties dialogue window of an image: Picture tab
File Defines the image file of the image.
External Link If the option is selected FluidDraw only saves one link to the image
file. If this option is deselected, however, the image is embedded in
the circuit. This is the option to be preferred if you want to forward
or archive the circuit drawing.
6.6.4 Line
A line is drawn by defining two points. In contrast to a conduction

line this line is purely a drawing element. As such it can be drawn
with any desired angle but does not allow connections with pneu-
matic or electric connectors.
A line can be inserted using the corresponding button of the Draw

group on the Insert ribbon page.
The line-specific properties can be defined in the Properties dia-

logue window for the line on the Drawing Properties tab:

Figure 6/11: Properties dialogue window of a line: Drawing Prop-
erties tab
Start Point Defines the x/y coordinate of the starting point.
End Point Defines the x/y coordinate of the end point.
Color Defines the colour of the drawing element.
Start Cap Defines how the beginning of the line is displayed.

example.

example.
Reset Reset the settings to the default values.
6.6.5 Rectangle
A rectangle is drawn by defining two diagonally opposite corner

points.
A rectangle can be inserted using the corresponding button of the

Draw group on the Insert ribbon page.
The rectangle-specific properties can be defined on the Drawing

Properties tab of the Properties dialogue window for the rectangle:

Figure 6/12: Properties dialogue window of a rectangle: Drawing
Properties tab
Position Defines the top left position of the rectangle.
Size Defines the width and the height of the rectangle.
Fill Area Fills the rectangle with the specified colour.
Hatching If this option is active, the specified hatching is used to fill the
rectangle.
Scale/rotate With this option, you define if the hatching is to be scaled and
rotated with the drawing element or whether the set angles and
spaces should be retained for the hatching, regardless of the
drawing element.


example.

example.
6.6.6 Circle
A circle is drawn by defining the centre and the radius. You can
draw a circular arc by subsequently entering a start angle and an
end angle in the Properties dialogue window for the circle under
Drawing Properties.
A circle can be inserted using the corresponding button of the

The circle-specific properties can be defined on the Drawing Prop-

erties tab of the Properties dialogue window for the circle:

Figure 6/13: Properties dialogue window of a circle: Drawing
Properties tab
Position Defines the centre of the circle.
Arc Defines the start and end angles of a circular arc.
Size Defines the radii in the x and y directions.
Fill Area Fills the circle with the specified colour.
circle.
drawing element.

Fill mode Determines whether the circle sector (circle sector between the
“pie” radii) or the circle segment (circle segment along the chord of
the circle) is to be filled.

example.

example.
6.6.7 Ellipse
An ellipse is drawn by defining a centre and two axially parallel

radii. You can draw an elliptical arc by subsequently entering a start
angle and an end angle in the Properties dialogue window for the
ellipse under Drawing Properties.
An ellipse can be inserted using the corresponding button of the

The ellipse-specific properties can be defined in the Properties

dialogue window for the ellipse on the Drawing Properties tab:

Figure 6/14: Properties dialogue window of an ellipse: Drawing
Properties tab
Position Defines the centre of the ellipse.
Arc Defines the start and end angles of a elliptical arc.
Size Defines the radii in the x and y directions.
Fill Area Fills the ellipse with the specified colour.
ellipse.
drawing element.

Fill mode Determines whether the ellipse sector (sector between the “pie”
radii) or the ellipse segment (segment along the axis) is to be
filled.

example.

example.
6.6.8 Polyline (traverse line)
A polyline (also called a line chain, section chain or polygon chain)

is drawn by defining two or more points. Each mouse click sets a
further vertex. The polyline is ended by clicking the same point
twice.
A polyline can be inserted using the corresponding button of the

The properties of the polyline can be defined on the Properties tab

in the Drawing Properties dialogue window:

Figure 6/15: Properties dialogue window of a polyline: Drawing
Properties tab
Position Defines the top left position of the surrounding rectangle.
Fill Area If this option is active, the inner area of the polyline is filled with the
specified colour.
Hatching If this option is active, the inner area of the polyline is filled with the
specified hatching.
drawing element.


example.

example.
To change the vertices of a polyline or to set new vertices switch to

“polyline edit mode” by selecting the Edit Edit Poly Line menu
item or by activating the button on the toolbar.
You can move the existing vertices by clicking and dragging them.
The mouse pointer changes to when you mouse over an existing
vertex. If the mouse pointer is over a line without a vertex is
displayed and a new vertex is inserted as soon as you click.
You can remove an existing vertex by clicking the corresponding

vertex while keeping the Ctrl key pressed.
6.6.9 Connecting cable
A conduction line is drawn by defining two end points. A pneumatic

or electric line of this type consists of two connectors with a line
between them. Both connectors can be used as the starting point
for further connections. The conduction lines can only be drawn
horizontally or vertically.
On the Insert ribbon page in the Link group select the Conduc-
tion Line... menu item.

Figure 6/16: Conduction Line... dialogue window
Type of connection line Selects the conduction line type. The following are available: “
Pneumatic”, Hydraulic and “ Electric”.
Define multiple lines Multiple conduction lines can be set one after the other if this
option is active. You can cancel the action by pressing the Esc
key.
If multiple conduction lines with the same distance between them

are to be drawn horizontally or vertically then change the number in
the “ Number of lines” field. You specify the distance to be main-
tained between the lines using “ Distance”.
Under “ Start Point Appearance” and “ End Point Appearance” you

can define the representation of the respective end point. If the “
Display Identification” option is selected then the identification of
the start point is displayed. In order to guarantee that the same

identification is displayed for the start point and the end point, a
text reference for the start point is displayed for the end point
instead of its identification.
Interruptions are used as end points for conduction lines.
After confirming the dialogue window you switch to a special mode

where you define the end points of the line with two consecutive
mouse clicks. Alternatively you can also draw a line by clicking and
dragging it.
An electric conduction line can be a potential line. This is described

under Potentials and conduction lines.
6.6.10 Interruption/potential
If conduction lines are spread over several pages then the line ends
can be assigned interruptions. Interruptions can be used to define
that a conduction line is only interrupted in the drawing and is
continued elsewhere. An interruption can be assigned an identifica-
tion and linked with another interruption. The location of the linked
interruption can be displayed at the source interruption. If an
electric interruption is used with an electric line then this interrup-
tion represents a potential. The use of electric potentials is de-
scribed under Potentials and conduction lines.
You can insert an interruption into an existing line or position it

freely in a circuit.
→ On the Insert ribbon page in the Link group select the

Interruption/Potential... menu item.
A dialogue window opens where you can make various settings for
the interruption to be inserted.

Figure 6/17: Interruption/Potential... dialogue window
Type of connector Defines whether a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric interruption

(potential) is to be inserted.
Define multiple connectors Multiple interruptions can be set one after the other if this option is
active. You can cancel the action by pressing the Esc key.
You can edit the properties for an interruption by double-clicking it.

The following dialogue window opens.

Figure 6/18: Interruption/Potential dialogue window
Layer Defines the drawing layer for the interruption.
Identification Defines the identification for the interruption. The identification is

displayed in the circuit if the Display option is active.
Target Interruptions can refer to each other in pairs. The opposite interrup-
tion can be selected from a list or entered directly in the list box.
Browse... opens a dialogue window where all interruptions are
displayed in a tree structure and can be selected. Only interrup-
tions that are not linked are shown in the list if the Only Free Inter-
ruptions/Potentials option is active.
Jump to Target If the interruption is linked with another interruption then this
button can be used to jump to the opposite interruption.
Show Location If this option is activated and the interruption is linked with another
interruption then the position of the opposite interruption is dis-
played as a page coordinate (e.g. page number/column).
Representation A symbol that defines the representation of the interruption can be

selected from a list. To illustrate the representation the relevant
symbol always additionally shows the intersection of two lines.

6.7 Checking the drawing
Using the Check Drawing menu item in the Page menu you can
have FluidDraw check your drawing for possible drawing errors.
FluidDraw displays the following messages where necessary:
— Duplicated identification labels
— Duplicated cross-reference labels
— Unresolved link targets
— Superimposed objects
— Lines through connectors
— Superimposed lines
— Open connectors
— Open pneumatic connectors
— Open hydraulic connectors
— Open electric connectors
— Incompatible connections
— Cyclic object references
— Objects outside the drawing area
— Missing translations
— Translated numbers detected
— Ambiguous terminal strip references
— Unassigned cables
— Unassigned terminals
— Duplicated terminal references
— Connection errors found in the GRAFCET diagram.

— Syntax errors found in GRAFCET expression.
If there are messages, the corresponding objects are highlighted

after confirming the dialogue window.

The object browser
Chapter 7
7. The object browser
The tab for the object browser is on the right side below the project
window by default. This window can be attached just like the library
or the project window, removed from the main window and hidden.
Whereas the project window gives a hierarchical overview of the

pages of a project, the object browser provides a hierarchical view
of all main components, secondary symbols, sub-objects, lines,
terminal strips, etc. A filter can be used to show or hide specific
object types in a selective manner. In addition, there is an input
field for a text filter including placeholders.
7.1 Navigating in the object browser
The tree view of the object browser provides you with a quick
overview of the components used, their hierarchy, links and their
location.

Figure 7/1: Object browser: tree view
Starting at an object, any secondary symbols, sub-objects and the

page on which it is positioned are displayed as a structure. Opens
the node to view the corresponding elements. Double-click a node
in the object tree to display the corresponding page, select an
object or open the properties dialogue, depending on the context.
Depending on the object type, various links are displayed as sub-

nodes. All terminals of a terminal strip can thus be found, for exam-
ple, or interruptions can be monitored. Conduction lines indicate
e.g. the connectors connected to them and the corresponding
components.
If you move your mouse on to an object node for a moment, a small

preview window appears, showing the symbol or the corresponding
page.

Figure 7/2: Object browser: links of a conduction line
The context menu that you can access using the right mouse button
provides more functions. You can jump to the object here, copy it,
delete it or open the properties.
7.2 Filter criteria for the object browser
You use the filter criteria to determine which object types are to be
displayed in the object browser. For a better overview, you can hide
the complete filter area using the corresponding button. If you
press the button again, the filter options are displayed again.

Figure 7/3: Object browser: filter criteria
Match case Defines whether the (upper or lower) case is to be taken into ac-
count in the filter text in the input field.
Whole word With this option, only those objects are displayed that contain the
filter text as a complete word.
Wild cards You can apply this option to use placeholders in the filter text. The
asterisk “*” stands for any number of characters of any kind and
the question mark “?” represents precisely one character of any
kind. If e.g. the Whole word and Wild cards options are active,
when the filter entry “MM*” is made objects with the identification
“MM1” and also with the identification “MM23” is displayed. If you
enter “MM?” only “MM1”fits because the question mark replaces
the “2” in “MM23” . The “3” remains, which is not detected by the
placeholder. As the Whole word option is set “MM23” is not dis-
played.

Reset Resets the filter criteria to the default setting.

Manage Product Database
Chapter 8
8. Manage Pr oduct Database
As well as the Festo product catalogue, user-defined product

databases can also be managed in a FluidDraw-specific data for-
mat. These product databases can be created from scratch or
opened as an existing FluidDraw product database file.
It is also possible to import databases that were not created using

FluidDraw. Note that the external product databases cannot be
managed in FluidDraw. This must be done using suitable database
tools. The product databases are imported as a copy in the Fluid-
Draw-specific data format.
A product or data record at least contains the “ Supplier”, “ Part

number” and “ Symbol” attributes. Each product can be assigned a
symbol using the “ Symbol” attribute. You can add any number of
other attributes.
The dialogue window for managing the product databases is

opened using the Manage Custom Product Databases... menu
item.

Figure 8/1: Manage Product Database dialogue window
Product Database Using this drop-down list you can select the product database that
you want to manage.
New... Using this button you can create a new product database. You will
then be asked for a file name under which the product database
should be saved.
Open... Opens a file selection dialogue window that you can use to open an
existing FluidDraw product database.
Import... Opens a file selection dialogue window that you can use to open an
external product database. The database must be in CSV (Comma-
Separated Values) format, which most database programs can
generate. Further settings for import are described further below.

Remove From List Removes the selected product database from the drop-down list.
The associated file is not changed.
Products This tab displays the product database as a table. The “ Supplier”
attribute features a drop-down list containing all suppliers that can
be selected. The suppliers are listed on the Supplier tab.
Supplier This tab lists all suppliers in the product database. Further suppli-
ers can also be added and provided with additional information.
Export... Exports the selected table ( Products or Supplier)) as a CSV file.
Delete Deletes the highlighted product from the product database.
Add Attribute... Further attributes can be added to both the Products table and the
Supplier table.
Attribute Properties... Opens a dialogue window where the attribute properties can be
defined. The dialogue window is described further below.
Assign Symbol... Opens a dialogue window where you can select a symbol that is
assigned to the highlighted product.
If a file was selected for importing an external product database

then various settings can be made using the following dialogue
window. FluidDraw analyses the CSV file to be imported and sug-
gests practical default settings.

Figure 8/2: Product Database dialogue window
Delimiter Defines the separator that can be used to distinguish the attrib-
utes.
Text Identificator Defines whether and how quotation marks have been added to
texts.
Character Code Defines the character set to be used.
Column Assignment Defines the attributes (columns) to be imported from the database
and the attributes predefined in FluidDraw that they should be
assigned to. The data type of the attribute can also be specified.
You can select all attributes using the Select All button and
reverse the selection using the Invert Selection button.

First Row is Column Header Defines that the first row contains the column headers (attribute
names).
First Table Row Defines the row from which the data records are to be imported.
Preview Displays a preview of the data records that are being imported.
The following dialogue window opens if the Export... button was

selected to export either the Products or Supplier table as a CSV
file.
Figure 8/3: Product Database dialogue window
Delimiter Defines the separator that can be used to distinguish the attrib-
utes.

Text Identificator Defines whether and how quotation marks are to be added to texts.
Column Selection Defines the attributes to be exported. You can select all attributes
using the Select All button and reverse the selection using the
Invert Selection button.
Column Header Defines whether an additional first row containing the attribute
names as column headers should be exported.
Preview Displays a preview of the data records that are being exported.
Further attributes for the Add Attribute... and Products tables

can be added using the Supplier button.
Figure 8/4: Add Attribute dialogue window
Different types of attributes can be added.
Predefined Attribute Attributes predefined in FluidDraw can be selected from a drop-

down list. These include Product name, Remark and Description.
Predefined Online Service For most of the components in the Festo product catalogue there is
additional information that can be accessed via the Internet. It
includes documentation, CAD drawings, product images, spare
parts, etc. These sources for the highlighted component can be

accessed directly via the context menu in the circuit diagram. To
also be able to use this function with your own product databases,
external links to corresponding web sites can be stored under the
corresponding categories.
User Defined Attribute If this option is selected you can specify an attribute name and type
for the new attribute.
You can list and remove the attributes in the Attribute Proper-
ties... and Products tables using the Supplier button. The “
Supplier”, “ Part number” and “ Symbol” attributes cannot be
deleted.
Figure 8/5: Attribute Properties dialogue window
The selected attribute can be removed using the Delete Attribute

button.

Manage Translation Tables
Chapter 9
9. Manage Transl ation Ta bles
Translation tables can be managed using FluidDraw. Each row in

the table contains texts in different languages. Each column con-
tains one language. The text ID is a special column. It is used as a
placeholder for a text and can be used at different points in Fluid-
Draw. Depending on the set language, the text in the corresponding
language may be displayed instead of the text ID.
Figure 9/1: Example of a translation table
The text ID can be selected as desired. In the example above the

English term with a preceding question mark was used.
It is also possible to use a language as the text ID. This must be

specified during import, which is described further below. We do
not recommend this approach since the text ID may not always be
unique. For example, in the example above the word “modification”
occurs twice, but is translated differently depending on the context.
The translation tables are stored in a FluidDraw-specific file format.

The translation table and language to be used are specified in a
project or circuit on the Language tab in the properties dialogue
window. You can find further information under Language.
Text IDs can be used in user-defined attributes for both the attrib-
ute name and the attribute value. The text is displayed on a yellow
background in the set language in the corresponding dialogue
windows. As soon as you want to edit an attribute name or attrib-
ute value the text ID is displayed again in the corresponding field.

Figure 9/2: Text IDs in user-defined attributes
FluidDraw provides a search dialogue for finding a text ID for a

specific text in the selected translation table. When you are editing
a text box the following dialogue can be opened using the Trans-
lation Table... button.
Figure 9/3: Translation Table dialogue window
Search Enter a language text here to find the associated text ID. You do not
need to enter the text in full; you can select the desired row direct-
ly.
The selected text ID is displayed in the text box after you confirm
the selection.
If the user-defined attributes are used in parts lists then they are
displayed in the parts lists in the corresponding language. Note
that the predefined attributes are independent of the chosen lan-
guage in the translation table. The language of the predefined
attributes is defined by the language set for the Festo product
catalogue.
Text IDs can also be used in text components.

The dialogue window for managing the translation tables is opened
using the Manage Translation Tables... menu item.
Figure 9/4: Manage Translation Tables dialogue window
Translation Table Using this drop-down list you can select the translation table that
you want to manage.
New... Using this button you can create a new translation table. You will
then be asked to specify a file name under which the translation
table should be saved.
Open... Opens a file selection dialogue window that you can use to open an
existing FluidDraw translation table.
Import... Opens a file selection dialogue window that you can use to open an
external translation table. The translation table must be in CSV

(Comma-Separated Values) format, which most database programs
can generate. Further settings for import are described further
below.
Remove From List Removes the selected translation table from the drop-down list.
The associated file is not changed.
Extract Project Texts If you want to create a new translation table for an existing project,
you can use it to collect the texts used in the project and use them
as an initial list for the translations.
Extract Page Texts If you want to create a new translation table for an existing page,
you can use it to collect the texts used in the page and use them as
an initial list for the translations.
Words This tab displays the translation table.
Export... Exports the translation table as a CSV file.
Delete Deletes the highlighted language entry from the translation table.
Add Language... Adds a further language to the translation table.
Languages... Opens a dialogue window that lists all languages and can be used
to remove a language.
If a file was selected for importing an external translation table then

various settings can be made using the following dialogue window.
FluidDraw analyses the CSV file to be imported and suggests prac-
tical default settings.

Delimiter Defines the separator that can be used to distinguish the lan-
guages.
Text Identificator Defines whether and how quotation marks have been added to
texts.
Column Assignment Defines the languages to be imported from the database and the
languages predefined in FluidDraw that they should be assigned to.
You can select all languages using the Select All button and
reverse the selection using the Invert Selection button.

First Row is Column Header Defines that the first row contains the language names.
First Table Row Defines the row from which the data records are to be imported.
Preview Displays a preview of the data records that are being imported.
The following dialogue window opens if the Export... button was

selected to export the translation table as a CSV file.
Delimiter Defines the separator that can be used to distinguish the lan-
guages.

Text Identificator Defines whether and how quotation marks are to be added to texts.
Column Selection Defines the languages to be exported. You can select all languages
using the Select All button and reverse the selection using the
Invert Selection button.
Column Header Defines whether an additional first row containing the language
names as column headers should be exported.
Preview Displays a preview of the data records that are being exported.
Further languages can be added using the Add Language...

button.
Figure 9/7: Add Language dialogue window
Two types of languages can be added.
Predefined Language Languages predefined in FluidDraw can be selected from a drop-

down list.
User Defined Language You can enter any language if this option is selected.

Figure 9/8: Languages dialogue window
The languages in the selected translation table can be listed and

removed using the Languages button. The “ Text ID” column cannot
be deleted.

Dimensioning
Chapter 10
10. Dime nsioni ng
FluidDraw allows both automatic and manual dimensioning.
10.1 Drawing dimensions
The Insert ribbon in the Dimension group has the buttons that
you can used to select a corresponding mode for drawing the
dimension arrows. The following buttons are available:
Horizontal
Vertical
Align
Angular
Flag
Horizontal, vertical and diagonal dimensioning is done by defining

two points for the section as well as then clicking to position the
dimension text. Angular dimensioning requires the centre point to
be defined as well as two points for the angle. The fourth click in
turn defines the position of the dimension text. The Flag dimen-
sioning function can also be used for general labelling of important
points in the circuit. Two points for a line with any pitch and a final
click for the text are needed for this.

10.2 Settings for dimensioning
Figure 10/1: Dimension dialogue window
Layer Defines the drawing layer for the dimension.
Automatic Dimensioning Activates or deactivates automatic adaptation of dimensioning

when the dimension length is changed.
Length If the Automatic Dimensioning option is deactivated you can enter

any number that is displayed as the length dimension. A unit can
also be selected. Show Unit defines whether the unit should be
displayed.
Decimals Defines the number of decimal places.
Factor Determines the factor with which the real length is multiplied for
the displayed value. This is necessary if you are creating a drawing
with a scale other than 1:1.
Color Defines the colour for the dimension.

Line Style Defines the line style for the dimension.
Line Width Defines the line width for the dimension.
Dimensions, like all other objects in FluidDraw, can be moved,

rotated, mirrored and scaled. The display value of the dimension is
automatically adapted during scaling if the Automatic Dimension-
ing option is activated.

Equipment identifications and designation conventions
Chapter 11
11. Equi pment identifications and desig nation conve ntions
FluidDraw supports the structured and hierarchical assignment of

equipment identifications, i.e. a complete equipment identification
can be made up of several component identifications.
The following attributes can be used for structuring and are put
together according to predefined conventions to form a complete
equipment identification:
— Installation
— Location
— Circuit
— Component
— Connector
The Installation, Location and Circuit attributes can be specified

for a symbol, circuit and project. You can specify whether the at-
tributes should be applied from a parent element (node). For ex-
ample, you can apply the installation information from the circuit
diagram so that it does not have to be individually entered for each
symbol.
Designation conventions describe how the individual Installation,

Location, Circuit, Component and Connector attributes are put
together to form a full identification. They specify the order in which
the individual attributes are put together to form a full identifica-
tion and the separators (prefix or postfix) used between them.
The following example serves to illustrate this. The list below

represents a set of designation conventions. Each attribute can
have a preceding (prefix) or a trailing (postfix) separator. The sepa-
rators to be used are inserted in quotation marks. The specified set
of designation conventions corresponds to the default setting in
FluidDraw for electrical engineering.
— “=” Installation
— “+” Location
— “-” Component

The value of the Component attribute is “B1” and is stored at the
symbol to be identified. Installation is given the value “G1” and
Location is given the value “X1”,which are both stored at the cir-
cuit. A note is included at the symbol that these attributes should
be applied from the circuit. The full equipment identification is then
as follows:
— =G1+X1-B1
If it is clear from the context that Installation and Location are

stored at the circuit then this information can be hidden when
displaying the equipment identification in the circuit for a better
overview. The Suppress Inherited Parts option must be selected at
the associated symbol for this. The identification that is displayed
is then:
— -B1
FluidDraw also supports the hierarchical structuring of identifica-

tions. Using a hierarchy makes sense if a symbol is a subobject of
another object, for example the plug in a plug strip or the solenoid
coil in a solenoid valve. The full identification is put together ac-
cording to the defined designation conventions. The Component
attribute is also added in accordance with the defined object hier-
archy. You start at the top hierarchy level when identifying an
object.
The hierarchy is defined by establishing a reference between a

symbol (object) and the parent object. To illustrate this, we will
continue with the example described above. The symbol with the
Component attribute with the value “B1” was not previously hierar-
chically structured. This is changed by defining at the symbol that it
has “A1” as the parent symbol. The full identification of “B1” is as
follows:
— =G1+X1-A1-B1
The identification that is displayed remains unchanged.

11.1 Renumber Designations
Designations of symbols are automatically assigned when symbols

are created. FluidDraw supports the reassignment of the designa-
tions within a circuit diagram or for all pages of the project. You can
define which symbols are to get new identifications and the order in
which they are to be renumbered.
Renumbering is started via the Page Renumber Designations...

or Project Renumber Designations... menu. The following dia-
logue window opens.

Figure 11/1: Renumber Designations dialogue window
Object Types For each symbol you can specify the designation convention to be
used. You can specify the designation conventions to be taken into
consideration during renumbering under Object Types. Only those
symbols with the appropriate convention are given a new identifi-
cation.
Renumber Unenumerated Only symbols that have not yet been given an identification are
Only (e.g. ?V1) taken into account.
If the Enumerate Automatically option is selected on the Designa-

tion Conventions tab in the program options then FluidDraw auto-
matically assigns identifications for newly created symbols. If this
option is not active IDs beginning with a question mark will be
assigned. According to the convention, FluidDraw interprets these
symbols as not having any identification.

Renumber main components If this option is active renumbering is done in two passes. The main
first, then sub-components elements are re-identified in the first pass and the subordinate
elements in the second pass. A main element is e.g. a valve and its
silencers are subordinate objects.
Labelling Order The labelling order can be defined using the various buttons.
Renumbering is started after you click the Next button.
Figure 11/2: Renumber Designations dialogue window
Current Identification Shows the current full identification.
New Identification Contains the suggested new identification for the component. You
can change this suggestion. The new full identification is displayed
in the Full Identification field.

Full Identification Shows the new full identification.
Displayed Identification Shows the new identification as it is displayed in the circuit. If the
Suppress Inherited Parts option is selected then parts of the identi-
fication such as “ Installation”, “ Circuit” or “ Location” are hidden
if they have been stored in the circuit diagram or project.
Designation Conventions The designation conventions for the component to be identified can
be selected here.
Inherit From Page If this option is not active the following identification components
can be defined for the symbol: “ Installation”, “ Location” and “
Circuit”. Only components that are used in the set designation
convention are available.
The Next button applies the new identification and the Skip
button leaves the old identification unchanged. The system then
continues with the next symbol.

Component attributes
Chapter 12
12. Compone nt attributes
The FluidDraw circuit symbols correspond to the components in the

Festo product catalogue to a large extent. Even if you have not
installed the product catalogue FluidDraw can read most of the
component attributes from the database supplied with the pro-
gram.
Open the Properties dialogue window for the component by dou-

ble-clicking a symbol or using the Home menu and the Proper-
ties... menu item.

12.1 Component attributes in the Properties dialogue window
Figure 12/1: Properties dialogue window of a component
The properties of a component are stored as attribute value pairs.

The attributes are split up into different groups. The first group
contains general properties:

Figure 12/2: Detail from the Properties dialogue window for a
component: general properties
Symbol Displays the name of the circuit symbol. The symbol name is used
to assign fitting products in the Festo product catalogue. The
symbol name cannot be changed by the user.
Description Contains a more detailed description or the complete name of the

circuit symbol where applicable. The user can change it. The identi-
fication is shown as text in the circuit drawing if the “ Display”
option is selected.
Part number The part number identifies a product unambiguously. You can enter
the part number manually or use the Find... button the product
catalogue to search for it. Only in the event of a selection via the
product catalogue are the component attributes stored in the
catalogue automatically applied. You can find these attributes in
the Properties dialogue window of the component on the Cata-
logue Properties tab.
Layer In this drop-down list, you define the drawing layer of the symbol.
Depending on the setting for drawing layers, the symbol might not
be displayed or might not be able to be edited. In order to make the
symbol visible or change its settings, you have to temporarily
activate the drawing layer in the Page or Project menu under
the Drawing Layers... menu item.
Identification Here you can assign an identification that uniquely identifies the
component in the circuit diagram. The identification is shown as
text in the circuit drawing if the “ Display” option is selected.
Note: FluidDraw automatically assigns a unique identification when

inserting or copying circuit symbols. An automatically assigned
identification text begins with a question mark and can be edited by

the user (FluidDraw shows a warning if you are assigning an identi-
fication that already exists).
You can make more detailed settings for the equipment identifica-
tion on the Identification tab.
Display in Parts Lists Deselect this option if you do not want the symbol to appear in the
parts lists.
12.2 Identification
On the “ Identification” tab you can enter properties that influence

how the identification for the symbol is displayed in the circuit
diagram. You can find further information under Equipment identi-
fications and designation conventions.

component: Identification tab
Treat as Contact Actuator If this option is activated then contacts can be linked with this
symbol and the symbol is assigned a contact image. This allows the
number of symbols that can actuate contacts to be extended as a

user-defined setting. For example it allows custom relay magnets to
be defined.
Parent Object If this option is activated then a parent object can be specified
whose identification is used to make up the full identification.
Parent objects can be selected via the list box or their full identifica-
tion entered directly. The “ Browse... ” button opens a dialogue
window that shows all objects in the project as a tree.
Full Identification This field shows the full equipment identification.
Inherit prefix/postfix If this option is deactivated then the separators that are inserted
before (prefix) or after (postfix) the identification can be specified.
The separators specified in the designation conventions are ig-
nored in this case. In combination with parent objects this enables
aspect changes as described in EN 81346-1.
Displayed Identification This field shows the equipment identification displayed in the
circuit diagram. If the Suppress Inherited Parts option is selected
then parts of the identification such as “ Installation”, “ Location”
or “ Circuit” are hidden if they have been stored in the circuit dia-
gram or project. The parts of the parent object’s identification are
also hidden if a parent object was specified.
Designation Conventions Here you define the designation convention to be used for the
identification. The following are available: Fluidics, Electrics, User
Defined and Free Input. The properties dialogue window for the
circuit where the designation conventions can be displayed and
customised is opened using the Designation Conventions...
button.
Installation The Installation property that can be used as part of the identifica-
tion is defined in this field. If the Inherit From Parent Object option
is selected then the property is applied from the circuit, project or
specified parent object. This field is only visible if Installation is
used in the set designation convention.
Location The Location property that can be used as part of the identification
is defined in this field. If the Inherit From Parent Object option is
selected then the property is applied from the circuit, project or
specified parent object. This field is only visible if Location is used
in the set designation convention.

Circuit The Circuit property that can be used as part of the identification is
defined in this field. If the Inherit From Parent Object option is
selected then the property is applied from the circuit, project or
specified parent object. This field is only visible if Circuit is used in
the set designation convention.
12.3 Catalogue Properties
Component attributes from the product catalogue as well as attrib-

utes specified by the user are displayed in tabular form on various
tabs. The table entries from the catalogue cannot be edited. The
value of an attribute is listed in the “ Value” column. This value can
be displayed as text in the circuit diagram next to the symbol if the
“ Display” option is activated.
The component attributes applied from the product catalogue are

displayed on the “ Catalogue Properties” tab.

component: Catalogue Properties tab
12.4 User Defined Properties
You can enter your own component attributes on the “ User Defined
Properties” tab.

component: User Defined Properties tab
Text Buffer When you edit a text box, you can use this button to insert a text
that you would have recently entered elsewhere. That saves work
and any input errors.
Translation Table... If you are editing a text box you can use this button to open a
search dialogue via which you can find the text ID for a language
text from the translation table.

To change an entry, the corresponding row must be highlighted
with a click. By another click of the table cell to be changed, you
can edit the entry in the cell.
A row can be deleted by first clicking the row to highlight it. The
highlighted row can then be deleted using the Del key.
You can add any attributes of your own by filling in the empty cells
in the last row.
12.5 Drawing Properties
You can enter a number of drawing properties that influence how

the symbols are displayed in the circuit diagram on the “ Drawing
Properties” tab.

component: Drawing Properties tab
Position Defines the top left position of a component.

Scale Defines the scaling factor in the x or y direction. The scaling factor
can also be defined using the mouse pointer. This is described in
the section: “Scaling symbols”.
Rotation Defines the rotation angle in degrees. The rotation angle can also
be defined using the mouse pointer. This is described in the sec-
tion: “Rotating symbols”.
Override Color If this option is selected, you can select a different colour for dis-
playing the symbol.
Reset Sets the geometry settings to the default values: scaling to 1,

rotation to 0 and “ Override Color” deactivated.
12.6 Main and secondary elements
As described under Component attributes in the Properties dia-

logue window the FluidDraw circuit symbols correspond to the
components in the Festo product catalogue to a large extent. These
symbols are called main elements. However there are also second-
ary elements, which do not correspond to elements in the Festo
product catalogue. These secondary elements are usually symbolic
representations of a partial aspect of an associated main element.
All product properties are stored at the main element. The second-
ary elements only have a description and a reference to the associ-
ated main element. In electrical engineering in particular, compo-
nents such as relays are divided into main and secondary elements
where the coil is the main element and the contacts are the sec-
ondary elements.
12.7 Linking main and secondary elements
Main and secondary elements are linked using the symbol for the
secondary element. The circuit diagram detail shows a relay com-
prising a coil as the main element and two contacts as the second-

ary elements. The contacts are to be linked with the coil. This
information is evaluated when displaying the contact image.
Figure 12/7: Relay comprising coil with two contacts
The symbol identifications are the default settings used in Fluid-

Draw. The symbols are not linked to each other yet.
→ Open the corresponding properties dialogue window by dou-

ble-clicking a contact.

Figure 12/8: Properties dialogue window for a contact
Description Defines a description of the secondary element. In the case of a

contact, this is shown in the contact image.
Main Component A compatible main element can be selected from a list. The main
element identification can also be entered directly as text.
Browse... Opens a dialogue that shows all compatible main elements as a

tree in accordance with the object hierarchy.
Link If this box is given a check mark then the secondary element is
logically linked with the main component. If the main component is
then renamed, the link is retained and the identification of the
linked secondary element is adapted as appropriate to the main
element identification.
Find Target... If the secondary element is logically linked with a main element, a
search can be performed for the associated main element using this
button.
Display If this box is given a check mark then the main element’s identifica-
tion is shown as the identification for the secondary element.
Suppress Inherited Parts If there are designation conventions assigned to the main element,
parent parts of the identification that are defined in the circuit
diagram or project are hidden.

→ From the list of compatible main elements select “Q1” . Pro-
ceed in the same way for the second contact.
Selecting from the list of compatible main elements automatically

establishes the logical links between the contacts and the coil. The
circuit diagram should now look like as follows.
Figure 12/9: Relay comprising coil with two contacts
If you now change the identification of the coil in “Q2” the logical
links mean that the identifications at the contacts are automatically
also changed to “Q2” .
Examples of this are relays with the coil as the main element and
the contacts as secondary elements as well as electromagnetic
directional control valves with the pneumatic symbol as the main
element and the valve solenoids as secondary elements in the
electrical part of the circuit diagram.

12.8 Linking solenoid valves and solenoid coils
The coils belonging to solenoid valves are usually displayed sepa-

rately in the electrical part of a circuit diagram. The link between a
solenoid valve and the associated coils is defined at the solenoid
valve symbol.
The following circuit diagram shows a solenoid valve and the sym-
bols for two separate solenoid coils. No link has been established
yet between the solenoid valve and the coils.
Figure 12/10: Solenoid valve and two separate coils
There are two ways of establishing a link between a solenoid valve

and a coil. The first is using the properties dialogue window for the
solenoid valve.
→ Open the appropriate properties dialogue window by double-

clicking the solenoid valve and select the Connector Labels
tab.

Figure 12/11: Properties dialogue window, Connector Labels tab
This tab shows all solenoid valve’s connectors. Connectors refer,

among other things, to the logical connection options for the sole-
noid coils. The input fields of the left-hand electric connector are
described below. The descriptions apply in the same way to the
right-hand connector and other types of logical connectors.
Electric Connector (Left) The identification for the left-hand solenoid coil can be entered in
this list box or selected from a list. When you click this field the
corresponding connector is highlighted in the preview. This helps to
locate the connector, particularly when dealing with turned or
mirrored symbols.

Browse... Opens a dialogue that shows all compatible solenoid coils as a tree
in accordance with the object hierarchy.
Link If this box is given a check mark then the solenoid coil is logically
linked with the connector at the solenoid valve. If the solenoid coil
is renamed the link is retained and the identifications of the coils at
the solenoid valve are changed to match the coil identifications.
Find Target... If the connector at the solenoid valve is logically linked with a coil a
search can be performed for the associated coil using this button.
Display If this box is given a check mark the coil’s identification is shown as
the identification for the solenoid valve connector.
→ Select: “-K1” from the list of compatible solenoid coils.
Figure 12/12: Left connector linked with “-K1” coil
The second way to link a solenoid valve with a coil is to double-click

the solenoid valve’s connector directly. The coil connectors are
represented like pneumatic connectors within the solenoid valve by
means of small circles.
→ Double-click the right connector of the solenoid valve.
A dialogue window opens whose fields correspond to the entries

for a connector on the Connector Labels tab of the Properties
dialogue window.

Figure 12/13: Connector dialogue window
→ Select: “-K2” from the list of compatible solenoid coils.
The (electric) connectors of the solenoid valve are now linked with
the solenoid coils.
Figure 12/14: Link between solenoid valve and solenoid coils
The above-mentioned ways of linking a solenoid valve and coils

should only be used if each symbol has been individually inserted
into the circuit diagram. For projects, FluidDraw manages the asso-
ciated coil symbols for each solenoid valve internally. When a
solenoid valve is inserted into a circuit diagram, the associated
solenoid coils are simultaneously placed in a special library. This
concept is described under Unplaced objects.
12.9 Attributes of the text components
In FluidDraw, text components are for inserting comments and

captions, on the one hand. On the other hand, they can be used to
define identifications and accessories without symbol representa-

tion. Double-click a text or select the Home menu and the Prop-
erties... menu item to open the Properties dialogue window for
the text component.
Figure 12/15: Properties dialogue window for a text component
A text component has all attributes of a standard component. The

text properties are to be found on the “ Edit Text” tab.

Figure 12/16: Detail from the Properties dialogue window for a text
component: Edit Text tab
Edit Text Enter your text in the input field on the left side. You can also enter
a multi-line text. For a line break, press the Return key.
Alignment Defines the horizontal or vertical alignment of the text in the text
box.
Font... Defines the font type of the text.
Color... Defines the colour of the text.

Frame Text Draws a frame around the text box.
Fixed Width Normally, FluidDraw automatically adapts the width of the text
boxes to the text contents. You can define a fixed width with this
option if you do not want it. That may be practical if you have only
limited space. The text is then compressed, if necessary, in order
that it fits in the defined box.
Attribute Link If this option is activated a text that identifies a link to an attribute
is displayed instead of the text entered. The value of the selected
attribute is displayed in the circuit diagram. You can find a detailed
description of this function under Linking text components with
attributes. A Predefined variable... predefined placeholder such
as the page number can also be selected using the button.
Character Map... Opens a dialogue with all available characters to facilitate the input
of letters and symbols that cannot be accessed directly using the
keyboard.
Translation Language Defines the language from the selected translation table to be
used. The text is displayed in the selected language, provided the
selected translation table has a corresponding entry for this lan-
guage.
The language defined on the page is used by default. In deviation,

e.g. to create a multilingual document, you can select a different
language for every text.
12.10 Linking text components with attributes
Text components can also display attributes of other components,

values of predefined placeholders, attributes of a circuit or the
project. The text component must be linked to the corresponding
attribute for this. The linked attribute is defined in the input field of
the “ Edit Text” tab in the Properties dialogue window for the text

component. The activated Attribute Link option defines that the
text in the text box should not be displayed but rather interpreted
as a link.
Example:
Let us assume your project is called “Project1” and has the page
“Page1”. On it is a “V1”symbol whose value of the “supplier”
attribute you want to display, i.e. in the example the value “Festo”.
→ Insert a text component into the circuit drawing by selecting

the Text entry on the Insert ribbon page in the Object
group and then left-clicking the circuit drawing. The Properties
dialogue window for the text component then opens.
Note: You can open the dialogue window of an existing text com-
ponent by double-clicking it or using the Home menu and the
Properties... menu item.
→ Select the Attribute Link option and then click the Browse...
button.
A window opens displaying the hierarchy of all available attributes.

Please note that only those objects are listed that have an identifi-
cation assigned by the user. Identifications beginning with a ques-
tion mark “?” are not also listed. These are identifications that have
been automatically assigned by FluidDraw. The desired attribute is
to be found under “ Attribute Tree” - “Project1” - “Page1” -
“Supplier”.

Figure 12/17: Browse Attributes dialogue window
→ Highlight the desired “supplier” attribute and then click the

Select button.
In the input field the “Project1.Page1.-V1. Supplier” value is dis-

played and in the preview “Festo” is displayed. The complete and
unique name of an attribute also includes all hierarchy levels,
starting with the project. The individual levels in the name are
separated by dots. It is also possible to only enter the attribute
name in the input field. In this example “supplier”. The attribute is
searched for in the hierarchy upwards, starting with the text com-
ponent. If the desired attribute is not found at the component, the
attribute is searched for in the circuit and then in the project.
If the attribute is not found, the attribute name is displayed in

pointed brackets in the circuit. The missing attribute can be created
at a later point in time. The link is then created automatically.
A text object as an attribute link can display various attribute val-

ues and variables, provided it is in its own text line.

12.10.1 Text constants
If the Attribute Link option is selected, the entered texts are not
displayed directly, but interpreted as attributes or predefined
variables. If a fixed text is to be displayed in addition to an attribute
or variable value, it can be inserted in quotation marks. Such text
constants must be in a line of their own, like also the links.

Figure 12/18: Edit Text dialogue window with a text constant
12.11 Text components with predefined links
For component attributes and connector identifications that can be

displayed, text components are automatically created that are
linked to the corresponding attributes. Open the Display Attribute
dialogue window for adapting how the text is displayed by double-
clicking the text component or via the Home menu and the
Properties... menu item.

Figure 12/19: Display Attribute dialogue window
Alignment Defines the horizontal or vertical alignment of the text in the text
box.
Scale Defines the scaling factor of the text in the x or y direction.
Note: You can also change the text size by selecting another font
size in the font type dialogue window. You open this dialogue
window using the Font... button under Text Attributes.
Rotation Defines the rotation angle of the text box in degrees.
Font... Defines the font type of the text.
Color... Defines the colour of the text.
Frame Text Draws a frame around the text box.
Find Target... The destination of a linked text is the attribute to which the text
refers. This button is used to open the Properties dialogue window
of the object that includes this attribute.

12.12 Changing the properties of several objects
simultaneously
If several different objects are highlighted, a dialogue window

appears with different categories on selecting the Properties...
menu item in the Home menu. Corresponding tabs are available
for the various object types depending on the objects highlighted.
Figure 12/20: Properties dialogue window with several highlighted

objects
The individual tabs of the dialogue contain the same control ele-
ments as the dialogues of the individual objects.
If a specific setting does not have the same value for all objects
selected, this is indicated by the fact that the control element
indicates an “undefined” state or no value is entered. If you keep it
this way, the individual values of this property remain untouched
for the selected objects. If you change the value, however, it is
adopted for all objects selected.

Managing projects
Chapter 13
13. Managing proj ects
FluidDraw supports the management of projects by being able to

combine different pages under one name in a project file.
13.1 Creating a new project
→ Select the File / New... menu item from the Project...

menu and enter a file name for the new project.
Project files have the file extension fdprj.
In the project window, a project is displayed hierarchically. The top

element is the project node. Any sub-folders and the corresponding
pages are displayed underneath. It is practical to create sub-folders
for various content-related areas, such as for pneumatic connec-
tions, electrical activations and parts lists or other reports.
Figure 13/1: Hierarchical representation in the project window
The folders and pages in the project tree can be moved interactively
with the mouse to change the order. You can also change the
hierarchy by dragging folders to another position. If you hold down
the Ctrl key, you can also move the nodes using the cursor keys
on the keyboard.

13.2 Project node
Every project has a project node as the topmost element. The

project node is used to save all project-specific settings. Right-
clicking a project node opens a context menu. You can also find the
menu items in the Project menu. You can also find the functions
for adding and removing files here.
Under the Project menu item from the Properties... menu you
can define properties for the project. Properties that can be speci-
fied for both projects and circuits are described under Circuit and
project properties.
13.3 page node
A page node is created beneath the project node for every page file
that belongs to the project. The page node is used to save all cir-
cuit-specific settings.
Right-clicking a page node opens a context menu containing the

following menu items:
Open... Opens the selected page in a window. The window can also be
opened by double-clicking the node in the project tree.
Close Windows Closes the window of the selected page.
Delete Deletes the selected page and removes it from the project.
Rename... Changes the description of the selected page.
Properties... In this dialogue window you can enter data for the page.

Figure 13/2: Page dialogue window: Drawing Size tab
Here you can define the circuit dimensions and orientation, both of
which are relevant for printing.
Renumber Pages... Opens a dialogue window for renumbering the pages.
Figure 13/3: Renumber Pages... dialogue window
Prefix Defines the prefix. It precedes all pages.
Start number Defines the first page number of the new numbering.
Postfix Defines the postfix. It is attached to all pages.
Leading zeros Defines the number of places. An appropriate number of zeros

precede numbers with a small number of digits.

Only this project node Defines if only the pages are to be renumbered that are directly
under this node or all pages in all sub-folders of the selected node.
Note: Select the topmost project node and remove this option if
you want to renumber all pages of the entire project.
13.4 Global objects
Most symbols are for components that correspond directly to a part

number. Some symbols have several representations in the circuit,
whereas others are sub-objects of other symbols. Certain compo-
nents do not have any direct equivalent in the circuit. These include
terminal strips, cables and also valve terminals.
Terminal strips The individual terminals are drawn in the circuit diagram. A terminal
strip can be entered in the properties dialogue for the terminals.
These terminal strips are not displayed as symbols, however, but
are managed by FluidDraw as global objects.
Cables The individual cable symbols are inserted in the circuit diagram. A
cable can be entered in the properties dialogue for the cable sym-
bols. Like the terminal strips, these cables are not displayed as
symbols but are also managed by FluidDraw as global objects.
Valve terminals If a valve terminal is created by inserting an order code, the corre-
sponding valve slices, end plates, etc. are to be found as grouped
symbols on a circuit page. These symbols represent actual compo-
nents. However, they should not appear individually in parts lists.
Instead the virtual “valve terminal” object includes all attributes to
be displayed in the parts lists. Such valve terminal objects are also
managed by FluidDraw as global objects.
There are three ways to edit the properties of global objects:
Find Target, Jump to Target In the properties dialogue of a subordinate object, a terminal or a
cable symbol, you have the option of jumping to the corresponding
parent object.

Figure 13/4: Properties dialogue window: Find Target
Object browser Global objects are displayed in the object browser just like all other
objects on the pages of the project.

Figure 13/5: Object browser: displaying global objects
Manage Terminal Strips... , In the Project menu under Manage you can open special dia-
Manage Cables... , Manage logues that allow you to manage the various global objects. Here,
you can also open the corresponding properties dialogues, delete
Global Objects... objects or create new ones.

Figure 13/6: Manage Global Objects... dialogue window
13.5 Unplaced objects
Various symbols consist of a main element and several secondary

elements. For solenoid valves in particular FluidDraw manages the
associated solenoid coils automatically. The linking of solenoid
valves with their solenoid coils is described in detail under Linking
solenoid valves and solenoid coils.
If a main element is inserted into a circuit diagram, the associated

coils are automatically entered in the Unplaced Objects symbol
library.

Figure 13/7: Circuit diagram with solenoid valve and associated
solenoid coils in the Unplaced Objects symbol library
The associated coils are already internally linked with the solenoid
valve in the circuit diagram. Clicking one of the “electric connect-
ors” in the solenoid valve automatically highlights the correspond-
ing coil in the Unplaced Objects library.
Figure 13/8: Highlighting the connector link with associated sole-

noid coil
As soon as you drag a coil from the library into a circuit diagram it is
“used up” and removed from the library. The valve is entered as the
parent object for the coil.

Figure 13/9: Inserting a solenoid coil
Assigning a new identification to the coil has a direct effect on the

valve since the coil and valve are linked. The identification is dis-
played at the valve.
Figure 13/10: Automatic linking of solenoid valve and solenoid coil
If you delete the solenoid coil in the circuit diagram it is automati-

cally added to the Unplaced Objects symbol library again. This
symbol library is completely self-managing.

page and project properties
Chapter 14
14. page a nd project properties
pages and projects have a number of common properties. The

properties set in the project can be used by pages in the project. All
properties that can be specified for both pages and projects are
listed below. The figures show dialogue windows for the pages.
As pages normally contain circuits, the term circuit is used as a

synonym for page in the following. pages can also contain e.g.
parts lists.
Figure 14/1: Properties dialogue window
Properties The file name field displays the file name of the circuit or project
along with the complete path. The file name is transferred to the

input field for the “ Description” and can be edited there. This entry
is displayed at the upper edge of the window as well as next to the
circuit or project node.
Page number Here you can specify a page number. The page number can be
made up of any character string. The page number can be accessed
using the predefined placeholder“%PageNumber” . This place-
holder can also be used in text components and drawing frames.
Drawing Frame Here you can make settings for the drawing frame. This function is
described in the section: Drawing frame.
14.1 Attributes
Any number of attributes can be created for every circuit or node in

a project. The attributes are listed in a table on the “ Attributes”
tab. New attributes can be entered in the empty cells at the end of
the table. The use of attributes is described in the section: Attrib-
utes of the nodes in a project.
The attributes of a project node are automatically copied to all

circuit list nodes (inherited) and are thus available in all circuit
drawings.
This concept is particularly useful for the drawing frames if project

attributes are to be displayed in the circuit diagram, for example.
You can find further information in the section: Linking text com-
ponents with attributes.
Circuit attributes copied from a project cannot be edited initially.

The corresponding row in the Page tab of the Attributes dialogue
window is greyed out and the “ Inherit From Project” option in the
column is activated.
However it is possible to overwrite a copied attribute in a circuit.

The option in the “ Inherit From Project” column must be deactivat-
ed for this. The value of the attribute can then be edited. This
function can be used to assign individual page numbers in the
drawing frame, for example. If the “ Inherit From Project” option is

reactivated then the attribute value is copied from the project
again.
Figure 14/2: Attributes tab
Attribute This column contains the name of the attribute.
Value This column contains the value of the attribute.
Action The buttons in this column allow the following actions: if the attrib-
ute was created in the parent project node then the “ Find Target...
” action is available. Clicking this opens the Project or Circuit
dialogue window for the project node as the destination that con-
tains the corresponding attribute. If the attribute was created in the
same node then the “ Delete ” action that allows you to delete the
attribute is available.
Inherit From Project If the attribute was created in the same node then this option is
deactivated and greyed out. This applies to all attributes of the
project node since it does not have a parent node. For child nodes
the value of the attribute from the project node is copied when this
option is activated. After deactivating this option it is possible to
locally overwrite the attribute value.

Comment Here you can enter a comment on the attribute.
14.1.1 Predefined placeholders
FluidDraw provides a number of predefined placeholders. These

placeholders can also be used in text components and drawing
frames.
The placeholders begin with a percentage sign. The following

predefined placeholders are some of those available:
%PageNumber The page number is specified in the properties dialogue window

for the circuit diagram.
If reports are spread across several pages, the number of the sub-
page is added to the page number with a minus sign. If, for exam-
ple, the entered page number is “42-01” and the page displayed is
the third page in a report then the placeholder “%PageNumber” is
replaced by the character string “42-01-03”.
%PageDescription The description for the page is specified in the properties dialogue
window for the circuit diagram.
%PageCircuit Specifies the “ Circuit” value of the page’s designation convention.
%PageLocation Specifies the “ Location” value of the page’s designation conven-

tion.
%PageInstallation Specifies the “ Installation” value of the page’s designation con-

vention.
%PageFileName Stands for the file name of the page without the file path.
%PageFullFilePath Stands for the file name of the page with the full file path.

%PageFileDateTime Stands for the date and time of the most recent change to the
circuit diagram.
%PageFileDate Stands for the date of the most recent change to the circuit dia-
gram.
%PageFileTime Stands for the time of the most recent change to the circuit dia-
gram.
%ParentDescription Stands for the description of the page’s parent project node.
%ProjectDescription Stands for the description of the project.
%ProjectFullFilePath Stands for the file name of the project with the full file path.
%TotalPages Specifies the total number of pages of the project.
14.2 Page Dividers
Page dividers can only be defined for pages. Editing page dividers
is described under Page dividers.
14.3 Basic Unit Length
The symbols in the FluidDraw symbol libraries are created accord-

ing to various DIN ISO standards. Instead of specifying absolute
units of length, the standards simply use a relative basic unit of
length “M” . All symbols have been created with reference to this
basic unit of length “M” . The actual size of the symbol is not de-
fined until the symbol is inserted into a circuit.
Information on how to convert the basic unit of length “M” is stored

with the circuit diagram. You can change the set values for a circuit
diagram by opening the properties dialogue window for the circuit

diagram using the Page Properties... menu. You will find the
relevant settings on the Basic Unit Length tab.
Figure 14/3: Basic Unit Length tab
As soon as the value of “M” is changed, the sizes of the existing

symbols are recalculated with respect to the specified basic unit of
length. The specification has no effect on elements in the drawing
frame.
The Basic Unit Length tab is also to be found in the project set-
tings. The settings made on this tab are used as a template for
circuit diagrams created from scratch in the project tree.
14.4 Language
The language settings are to be found on the Language tab. The

settings made on this tab affect language-dependent text, etc. in
parts lists. The language used for program elements such as but-
tons is defined via the program options, see Language.

Figure 14/4: Language tab
Inherit From Parent Node Copies the language settings from the parent project node.
tions... / Language.
Product Catalogue Defines the language used for the Festo product catalogue. All
product attributes are displayed in the relevant language. The
predefined attributes are also displayed in this language.
Translation Table Defines the translation table to be used.
used. The user-defined attributes are displayed in the selected
language.
14.5 Encryption
Projects and circuit diagrams can be encrypted. The encryption

method used is AES-128. pages that are components of a project
cannot be encrypted individually. In such a case, you can only
encrypt the entire project.

Figure 14/5: Encryption tab
Enable Encryption This option activates and deactivates encryption. When encryption
is activated the password to be used can be entered in the Pass-
word input field.

14.6 Designation Conventions
Figure 14/6: Designation Conventions tab
This tab is used to define the settings for the designation conven-
tions. You can find further information under Equipment identifica-
tions and designation conventions.
tions... / Designation Conventions.
Frame Identification Defines that the identifications produced by the selected set of
conventions are framed.
Specifications can be made for Installation, Location and Circuit

that are evaluated for displaying the symbol identifications. If the
Inherit From Parent Node option is active then the specification is
applied from the parent project node.
Example The example shown illustrates the effects of the selected designa-
tion conventions.

14.7 Cross Reference Representation
Figure 14/7: Cross Reference Representation tab
This tab is used to define the settings for the cross-reference repre-
sentation. You can find further information under Cross-reference
representation. If the Inherit From Parent Node option is active
then the settings are applied from the parent project node.
tions... / Cross Reference Representation.
Example Illustrates the effects of the settings using an example.

14.8 Representation
Figure 14/8: Representation tab
This tab is used to define the settings for the crossing lines. You
can find more information under Line jumps. If the Inherit From
Parent Node option is active then the settings are applied from the
parent project node.
tions... / Appearance.
Display Line Jump Crossing lines are represented as jumps.

Tables
Chapter 15
15. Tables
FluidDraw provides fixed tables and automatic reports. Whereas a

table is for displaying fixed lines and columns with static or dynam-
ic contents, an report is used to list objects of a page or of the
entire project according to specific rules and automatically adapt
them if objects are added or omitted.
FluidDraw provides typical reports, such as parts lists, terminal

diagrams or content overviews. These templates can be adapted
flexibly. You can also use an editor with a wide range of functions
to define individual reports and them save them as user-defined
templates. You can find more information in the section: Reports.
15.1 Using tables
Tables can be inserted using the Insert menu under List . A table
is inserted at the position of the mouse pointer with a click like the
drawing elements. That opens a dialogue, which can be used to
define the initial size of the table. The table is then inserted in the
current page and the properties dialogue window opens for filling
in and formatting the table.

Figure 15/1: Properties of a table
15.1.1 Editing contents
You can change the contents and formatting of the table using the
table’s properties dialogue window. The way to edit the table is
similar to that of familiar Office products.
To enter any text, highlight the desired cell using the mouse and
enter the text using the keyboard. To edit existing text in a cell
without overwriting it completely, press the F2 function key. That
takes you to the cell where you can edit the existing contents.
In addition to fixed text, attribute links and predefined placeholders

can also be used in tables. The contents of the corresponding cell
then result dynamically from the value of the corresponding attrib-
ute link or the predefined placeholder. If you want to enter an
attribute link in a cell, select the Attribute Link option below the
view of the table to do this. Then, either select a predefined place-

holder using the Predefined variable... button or select an attrib-
ute using the Browse... button.
Texts from a translation table stored in the project/page can also

be used in the table. You can use the Translation Table... button
to select a text from the translation table. The text from the transla-
tion table is displayed in the corresponding translation language of
the page that contains the table.
Images can also be inserted in individual cells instead of a static or

dynamic text. The Choose picture... below the displayed table can
be used to load an image file and insert it in the currently highlight-
ed cell. The inserted image is always scaled to the available size of
the cell. In the program options, you can define if an image is em-
bedded by default when it is inserted in the table or if only a refer-
ence to the original file is inserted. Images are always embedded
with the default setting.
Existing table data e.g. of an Office application can usually be

applied using copy and paste. Only the contents are applied, no
formatting. If the copied table is bigger than the current table, it can
be increased in size accordingly on request.
15.1.2 Formatting
Via the toolbar above the table in the properties dialogue, you can
change the formatting of the currently selected cells of the table.
You can define the column width and row height of the correspond-
ing columns and rows of the table interactively using the mouse. To
do this, move the mouse pointer to the edge of a cell in the table.
There, the mouse pointer is converted into a shift pointer and,
keeping the left mouse button pressed, you can move the edge of
the cell, thus changing the column width or row height.

Reports
Chapter 16
16. Reports
In addition to compiling the circuit documentation, overviews in

tabular form of the components used are required in various views.
A parts list or order list of all components for procuring the required
parts, a terminal diagram for the correct wiring by the electrical
engineer in the control cabinet and a tube list for the correct identi-
fication and connection of all pneumatic components by the
equipment manufacturer.
16.1 Using reports
Reports can be inserted using the Insert menu under List . a

report is inserted at the position of the mouse pointer with a click
like the drawing elements.
In previous versions of FluidDraw a defined set of reports was

available that could be adapted to your requirements to a limited
extent. With version 6, these options have been expanded signifi-
cantly, so that now all reports provided can be adapted very flexibly
to the requirements of the corresponding project.
Reports in FluidDraw are always a tabular list of objects. The result

of a report that is displayed on a page in the project is created
dynamically while the program is running and displayed in the
circuit diagram. If any change is made to the objects included in the
report, this is automatically reflected in the report result.
In version 6, reports have been completely re-designed and imple-

mented. The layout of the templates provided corresponds to that
of the known templates in version 5. Reports from version 6 are not
downward-compatible with version 5. That means reports created
using version 6 cannot be displayed in version 5.
The use of some standard reports is shown first in the following

sections. Then the basic concepts of the reports are described in
detail.

16.2 Parts lists
All those objects are listed in the predefined parts lists that have
set the “ Display in Parts Lists” ID in their properties. That applies
to the following elements of the project: main components, sub-
components, connection lines, terminal strips and cables.
If a part number from the Festo catalogue or a separate product

database is assigned to a symbol, the ID is automatically set. The
ID is not automatically set for conduction lines. Please open the
properties here and set the ID so that it appears in the parts list.
Single position parts list
Each object is listed individually in the parts list.
Accumulated parts list
All objects with the same part number, type, item name and suppli-
er are summarised in one line. The total number of components
summarised in the line is displayed in the Quantity column.
16.2.1 Inserting a new parts list
Proceed as follows to insert a new parts list:
→ In the Insert menu select Report under List .
→ Select a point on the page where the new parts list is to be

inserted. That opens a selection dialogue that you can use to
select a report that is to be inserted on the current page.
→ You can find the single position parts list on the left side of the
tree structure under Standard reports => Parts lists => Single
Position Parts List. Select Single Position Parts List. As soon as
you select the entry, a preview of the report is displayed on the
right side for the currently open project.

→ Confirm the selection the parts list by exiting the selection
dialogue using the OK button.
Before the report is inserted at the desired point on the page, a

properties dialogue appears with the settings of the selected re-
port. You have the option of defining specific settings here directly
before the report is inserted in the circuit diagram.
Confirm the properties dialogue and the parts list is inserted in the
circuit diagram at the point you selected.
16.2.2 Adapting a parts list
You can use the properties dialogue of the parts list to define
important settings and adapt the parts list to a certain extent.
You can generally select the drawing layer at the top right and at
the bottom left, the Save as new template... button provides you
with the option of saving the current report as a new template.
In addition, the details of the parts list are defined on the individual
tabs of the properties dialogue, which are now explained in detail.

Figure 16/1: Properties of the parts list: Object selection tab
On the object selection tab, you can select which pages of the
project are to be taken into account in the parts list.
Include this page’s compo- Only lists the components of the page on which the parts list is
nents only positioned.
Include All Project Files Lists all components from all pages of the project.
Include Selected Files: Only lists the components from the selected pages of the project.
Exclude global objects Excludes global objects from the report.

Figure 16/2: Properties of the parts list: Column selection tab
You can use the Column selection tab to influence which columns
are to be included in the parts list and how the parts list is sorted.
All columns are listed on the Selected columns table that are
currently included in the parts list. A column of the parts list is
displayed in every line with the following data:
ID Consecutive number of the corresponding column.
Column heading Heading of the corresponding column in the parts list.
Contents Contains one or more placeholders, similar to the predefined

placeholders in a text box for the property or the attribute that is to
be displayed in this column.
Display Defines whether the column is displayed or not.
Those columns are displayed in the list under Available columns

that can also be added to the parts list. You can use the buttons
between the Available columns list and the Selected columns
table to add more columns to the parts list or remove selected

columns from the existing list. You can use the buttons to the right
of the table to change the order of the columns.
Below the table Selected columns the button Combine columns is

available for merging columns. The button is deactivated as long as
only one row is selected in the table. When more than one row is
selected, the Combine columns button is activated. If this button is
pressed, the following dialog opens in which the details of the
summary can be defined.
Figure 16/3: Combine columns
Column heading The column header of the new merged column.
Combination The first value found in the selected columns is output in the com-
bined column.
Concatenation The contents of the selected columns are displayed in the com-
bined column one after the other, separated by the specified sepa-
rator.
You can adapt the sort order of the parts list using the Sorting
button. Click this button to open the sort dialogue.

Figure 16/4: Default sort order of a parts list by the Identification
column
Sorting in ascending order by the Identification column is set by

default.
Figure 16/5: Properties of the parts list: Appearance tab
How the parts list is displayed on the page can be adjusted on the
Appearance tab. The changes made are displayed directly in the
preview.

16.2.3 Adding user definied attributes to the parts list
The templates supplied for parts lists and accumulated parts lists
are designed to list components with stored catalog data from the
Festo catalog or from your own product database. If components
are inserted via the menu items Insert => From Festo Cata-
logue... or From Custom Database or subsequently assigned
catalog data via a part number, the evaluations immediately con-
tain the appropriate data. The situation is different if user-defined
attributes for type, supplier etc. are used and these are to be listed
in the parts list. To do this, the supplied template must be modified
accordingly. This is possible in the properties of an report in the
Column selection tab.
Figure 16/6: Properties of the parts list: Column selection tab
On the left-hand side of the Column selection tab, a list is dis-

played with all properties of the components contained in the
project that are available for evaluation. These are the properties of
components, lines, terminal strips and cables. The properties are
indicated here with their name. To differentiate between user-

defined attributes and catalog attributes, the suffix User Defined
Attribute is appended to the name of those attributes.
The standard templates for item BOMs and summarized BOMs are
designed to list the part number, type, and item name from the
catalog attributes, and description and vendor from the user-
defined attributes. You can recognize this by the placeholders
entered in the Contents column. “dki-attribute” refers to catalog
attributes and “user-attribute” to user-defined attributes.
If you do not use product databases in your project and store the
product data such as the type directly in the user-defined proper-
ties, the template must be adapted as follows:
→ In the Available columns list, search for the user-defined

attributes that you have entered. Look for the suffix User De-
fined Attribute.
→ Select the required attributes and add them to the parts list.
You can use the > button or drag and drop the columns into the
list of selected columns.
The selected user-defined columns are now also displayed in the

parts list. The two buttons to the right of the table with the selected
columns can be used to adjust the order of the columns in the parts
list.
If you do not use any components with product data in your project,
you can delete the corresponding columns from the parts list by
selecting them and clicking Delete .
However, it is often the case that both components with catalogue

data, such as Festo products, and components without catalogue
data are present in the circuit diagram. In this case, it is unpleasant
that the catalog attributes and the user-defined attributes are
output with the same heading in different columns. This can be
solved by combining the corresponding columns into one column.
To do this, proceed as follows:
→ Select the columns with the same heading or meaning in the

table Selected columns. Press and hold the Ctrl key to select
several rows successively.

→ As soon as more than one line is selected, the Combine col-
umns button is activated. Click this button. The following dia-
log appears, in which you can define how the columns should
be combined.
Figure 16/7: Combine columns
→ If necessary, change the column header and leave the summary

type at Combination.
The selected columns are then replaced by the new combined

column, which now combines the contents of the previous columns
in one column.
16.2.4 Editing the parts list contents
The identification, description and user-defined attributes of indi-

vidual components in the parts list can be edited directly in the
parts list on the page.
→ Insert a parts list on a page and highlight it by simply clicking it

with the left mouse button.
→ Then, switch to edit mode by selecting Edit from the context

menu of the report (right mouse button). Alternatively, you can
also highlight the report and select Edit => Edit List/Table
in the menu.

In edit mode, all fields that cannot be changed are highlighted in
grey. The remaining fields can be edited directly.
→ If you click such a field, you can change the contents. Finally,
confirm your input with Enter or by using the arrow up/down
keys to switch to another line.
The new value is then transferred directly to the component.
Note: If you change the identification of a component, as the sort

order in the parts list is changed that may also change the position
of the component in the parts list. Therefore, pay attention to the
order of the components if you want to edit several identifications
in succession.
16.2.5 Exporting a parts list
Every parts list can be exported to a text file with separators. These
files can then easily be further processed with other applications,
such as spreadpage programs.
→ Highlight the parts list you want to export and open the context
menu. Select Export... from the context menu.
The following export dialogue appears in which you can define the
format for export.

Figure 16/8: Settings for exporting a parts list
Column Header If this option is selected, the column headings of the parts list are
displayed in the first line.
Quotation Marks If this option is selected, all values of the parts list are displayed in
quotation marks.
Delimiter You can define here which separators are to be used to separate
the individual columns.
Character Code Defines the character coding for the text file created. Change this
value if umlauts and special characters are not exported correctly.
After confirming the export dialogue, you can define the location
and file name of the text file to be created. Then, the parts list is
exported.

16.2.6 Sending it to the Festo Online Shop
All components of a parts list that have a part number and for which
either Festo or nothing is entered as the supplier can be sent to the
Festo Online Shop and transferred to the shopping basket there. A
parts list may basically also include products of other suppliers,
which are filtered out during transmission to the Online Shop.
→ To transfer the selected parts list to the Online Shop, select

Send to Festo Online Shop... from the context menu.
The standard Internet browser defined on your PC automatically

opens. The parts list is displayed to you again there with the items
relevant to the Online Shop. You have the option of adapting the
quantity again here prior to transfer to the shopping basket. Click
Send to transfer the items to the shopping basket.
16.2.7 Differences between parts lists in version 5 and 6
The reports in version 6 have been greatly improved compared to

the lists in version 5, so that they can be better adapted to individ-
ual requirements. Previously, tube lists or cable diagrams, for
example, were fixed and could not be supplemented with addition-
al columns. With the standard templates for reports, we try to
simulate the predefined lists of version 5. However, there are some
points that work somewhat differently in the new reports as com-
pared to the known lists of version 5.
In the case of parts lists, this applies especially to the automatic

listing of attributes. In the old part lists of version 5, every newly
added user-defined attribute was automatically listed in the parts
list. This is no longer the case with the new part lists in version 6.
Certain columns are preset in the standard template for the item
parts list and are not automatically supplemented with new col-
umns when new attributes are defined. This means that if new user-
defined attributes are added, they must be added manually via the
part list properties. You do this by opening the parts list properties

and switching to the Column selection tab. There you can select
from the list on the right those attributes and properties that you
want to appear in the parts list.
Another difference to version 5 is that user-defined attributes no

longer automatically overwrite catalog attributes with the same
name. Instead, certain columns can be grouped together in the new
reports.
Tip: In principle, you only have to customize the parts list once to
meet your individual requirements. You can then use the Save as
new template... button in the parts list properties to save it as a
new template. You can then use your individual template instead of
the standard template for new part lists.
16.3 Table of contents
The table of contents consists of a list of all pages or of selected

pages of a project. The name of the page and the number of pages
are displayed.
You can use the properties of the table of contents to have further
attributes of the individual pages displayed, such as date infor-
mation, change notes, etc.
16.3.1 Inserting a new table of contents
→ Select the Report item from the Paste menu.
→ Select the point on the page where the table of contents is to

be inserted.
→ You can find the table of contents in the tree under Standard
reports => Index / Directories => Table of contents. Select it

and click OK . Alternatively, you can also double-click the en-
try in the tree.
16.3.2 Adapting the table of contents
You can define in the properties of the table of contents which

pages are to be displayed and which additional page attributes are
also to be displayed.
16.4 Connector lists / terminal diagrams
In addition to the previously described parts list, the accumulated

parts list and the table of contents, there are further pre-defined
reports that are to be found in the selection dialogue in the branch
with the connector lists and terminal diagrams.
16.5 Reports in detail
Reports in FluidDraw are always a tabular list of certain, selected

objects.
The selection of the objects to be listed is therefore the basis for

the report. An object at this point refers to the various elements of
a project, such as components, conduction lines, terminals, cables,
etc. How objects are structured in the reports is described in the
following section on object selection.
The result of a report is always a table with values of the properties

of the selected objects. The table created consists of a defined
number of header lines and a variable number of position or result
lines. The header lines are displayed once at the beginning of the

table. If the report is distributed over several pages, the header
lines are displayed again on each page.
A table template consisting of the header lines and a template for

the position line are the basis for the table view. Details are provid-
ed in the following section on representation.
The reports in FluidDraw provide several ways of evaluating the

objects included in the project. However, the following reports are
not possible:
— Cross-project reports are not possible. You can only create

reports within a project that refer to the current project.
— Filters on grouped data can be defined. Reports for listing all

components that occur more than five times in the project are
not possible, for example.
— Sub-queries or nested reports are not possible.
Various dialogues are used in FluidDraw to influence the properties

or the structure of a report. If you double-click a report on the page
or its properties, the properties dialogue appears first. Only certain,
selected settings of the report can be modified in this dialogue. The
“ Edit details... ” button can then be used to open a further dia-
logue with the details of the report. In this dialogue, the report can
be adapted completely, compared to the properties dialogue.
This separation into two dialogues is done in FluidDraw to simplify

the use of reports during daily work and to conceal the complex
details of a report. The dialogues are designed such that it should
normally not be necessary to jump to the details of a report when
using a report in the project. The corresponding details only need
to be adapted if the basic structure of a report needs to be adapted.
For a comprehension of the concepts and dialogues described

below, we recommend that you study the default reports provided
with their settings and use them as the starting point for your own
reports. All concepts described below are used more or less in the
default reports and are thus explained.

16.5.1 Object selection
Every FluidDraw project consists of a wide range of different ob-

jects, such as components, conduction lines, cables, terminal strips
and terminals, which are organised on different sides. In addition,
there are global objects in which the higher-order data of several
components is stored, such as for a valve terminal.
The object selection defines which of these objects from the project
are to be taken into account in the report. Should the report include
all connector lines or should it be a report of all components includ-
ing their connections? This is defined fundamentally with the object
selection and determines which properties and attributes are
available for displaying the results of the report.
Every object in FluidDraw has certain properties and attributes,

which can be displayed and edited using the properties dialogue of
the corresponding object. These are e.g. the description of a page
or a component, the various IDs such as “ Display in Parts Lists” or
the catalogue and user-defined attributes. In the object selection,
you can define filter criteria based on the values of these properties
and attributes to limit the number of objects listed in a suitable
manner.
The object selection is split up into two views:
Object selection at properties dialogue
The properties dialogue contains the selection of the pages includ-

ed in the report and it displays the quick filters.
Object selection at report details
You can use the “ Edit details... ” button in the properties dialogue
of a report to access the details of the report. You can specify in
detail there on the object selection tab which objects are to be
taken into account in the report.

Figure 16/9: Details of a report: Object selection tab
The objects included in the report are listed under “ Selected ob-
jects”. You can use the “ Add ” button to select an object class and
add it to the report. You can use the Remove button to remove
the currently selected object class from the report again.
If you highlight a selected object class, additional control elements

are displayed below the list of selected objects that you can use to
define filter criteria for the object class selected.
Simplified quick filter This option defines how the quick filters, which are explained
below, are displayed in the properties dialogue.
Hide page selection Defines whether the report can be limited to specific pages or not in
the properties dialogue.
If you press the Add button, the following dialogue appears for
selecting the object class:

Figure 16/10: Selecting an object class in the Object selection
Object hierarchy Some objects in FluidDraw are organised in a hierarchical structure,

which is also displayed in the object browser. That applies e.g. to
the terminals of a terminal strip or to the connectors of a compo-
nent.
a report can use this hierarchical structure in the object selection

e.g. to also evaluate the corresponding sub-objects for the corre-
sponding main object at the same time, or to be able to define
specific filters at the sub-object.
That means that e.g. specific main components can be evaluated

and also all connectors of precisely these main components. The
question is only how the sub-objects, i.e. in the example the con-
nectors of the main components, are to appear in the report. There
are generally two ways to do this. They are illustrated using the
following example. The following three cylinders with their con-
nectors are evaluated:
Figure 16/11: Circuit diagram example for illustrating the output

mode
In the event of a report of the main components only, like in a

single position parts list, you will get the following result:

Figure 16/12: Result of the object selection with main components
only
The circuit diagram contains the three main components that meet
the filter criteria for selecting objects. In this example, the same
criterion is used as in the single position parts list (“ Display in
Parts Lists” must be set). Therefore, the result of the report has
three lines, one line for each component.
If the connectors of the main components are now also to be evalu-

ated, the connectors can also be added to the object selection as
sub-selection for the main components. The object selection would
then look like as follows:
Figure 16/13: Object selection with main components and connect-

ors
The report now not only contains the main components but also the
corresponding connectors of the main components. In this exam-
ple, components M1 and M2 each have two connectors and M3 has
one connector. Previously, only main components were listed in the
result. Where are the additional connectors now to be displayed?
For this. there are the following two options, that are distinguished
via the output mode:
Next to each other
In Next to each other output mode, the sub-objects are each dis-
played in the same line with their parent object. For the example,
this would then look like as follows:

Figure 16/14: Report result in ’next to each other' mode with main
components and connectors
The result now has five lines as the three components have a total
of five connectors.
Below each other
In Below each other output mode, the sub-objects are displayed in

their own separate rows below the main objects. For the example,
this would look like as follows:
Figure 16/15: Report result in ’below each other' mode with main
components and connectors
The result now has eight lines: three for the components and five
for the connectors. This representation highlights the hierarchy of
the objects. That can be further emphasised by colouring the object
classes, like in the example here.
Contents of the report result
As previously shown, the result of the report in the event of an

object selection with sub-objects depends on the selected output
mode. That does not only apply to the number of result lines creat-

ed, but also to the contents of the result lines. If the definition was
made in the column selection for a specific column that e.g. the
identification is to be displayed there, it depends on the corre-
sponding output mode selected how this is interpreted.
In Below each other output mode, the individual objects selected

are displayed below each other in the result. That means that
precisely one object is represented in the result with each line. In
this case, the properties selected in the column selection therefore
always refer to the corresponding object of the line. In the example
above, the identification of the main component would be dis-
played in a column with the identification, followed by the identifi-
cation of the connectors in the lines below.
In Next to each other output mode, the main objects are displayed
with their sub-objects together in one line, as described above. The
number of sub-objects determines the number of result lines. In
this case, the properties selected in the column selection refer to
the selected sub-objects. In the example above, that means that
only the identification of the corresponding connectors is displayed
in succession a column with the identification. In the example
above, this is the third column with the heading: Connector.
If you want to access the properties of a main object in an output

line in Next to each other output mode, what is called a level selec-
tor must be inserted in front of the variable. It has the following
syntax:
Level selector level

e[0]. Topmost level of the object selection
e[1]. First sub-level of the object selection
e[2]. Second sub-level of the object selection
e[3]. Third sub-level of the object selection
In the example above, the level selector e[0] was used for the
second column with the Component heading to display the identi-
fication of the main component. Therefore in the column select, for
the Component column “e[0].designation” is entered as the con-
tent whereas for the third Connector column, only “designation” is
entered.

Figure 16/16: Example of the use of the level selector
Filter criteria The selected object classes can be limited to specific objects using
a separate filter. It is thus e.g. possible to only have those compo-
nents of a specific supplier displayed or whose identification starts
with a specific letter.
To configure or adapt the filter criteria for an object class, highlight

them in the list of the selected objects. An additional group then
appears with input fields for the filter criteria. The input fields in
this group always only apply to the currently selected object class
from the view of the objects to be listed. A separate filter can thus
be set individually for every class.
A filter consists of one or more filter criteria that are listed in indi-
vidual lines. Every filter criterion consists of the following elements:
ID An automatically assigned consecutive number for the filter criteri-

on. This ID is used later on in the filter logic for the identification of
a filter criterion.
Property A specific property or an attribute by which the object selection is

to be limited. The properties of the corresponding object class are
available here. The available attributes are determined from the
current project. That means that e.g. for the Main Component
object class, all attributes are available here that are currently used
in the components of the project.
1. OP Defines the first operator for this filter criterion. The following
operators are available:
Operator meaning
= Is equal to
<> Unequal
{} Is empty

!{} Is not empty
[*] Contains
[!*] Does not contain
> Greater than
>= Same or greater than
< Smaller than
<= Same or smaller than
1. Value The value for the application with the first operator.
2. OP To define a value range, a second operator can be defined here.

The first and second operators are always linked logically with AND.
2. Value The value for the application with the second operator.
Comparison method Controls how the comparison operators such as greater than or
smaller than are applied. This is especially important for properties
that include both letters and numbers.
Quick filter If this ID is set, the filter criterion is provided in the properties
dialogue on the object selection tab as a quick filter. The filter
criterion value can thus be adapted quickly and directly in the
properties of the report and does not need to be changed in the
details of the report.
Lock operators Disables the operators against changes in the quick filter in the
properties dialogue. Only the value for the filter criterion can then
be changed in the properties dialogue, not the operator.
Display name Defines a display name for the selected property in the quick filter.
Filter logic
If more than one filter criterion is specified, by selecting the filter

logic you can define how the individual criteria are to be linked to
each other. The following selection is available here:
AND conjunction All criteria must be met in order that an object appears in the re-
port.

OR disjunction At least one criterion must be met in order that an object appears in
the report.
User Defined The individual criteria are linked to each other by a user-defined
logic. It can be entered in the input field to the right of the selec-
tion. The individual criteria are addressed via their corresponding
ID number. AND and OR are available as the operators. Partial
expressions can be inserted in round brackets. The following filter
logic is thus e.g. possible: 1 AND (2 OR 3)
The filter logic is checked directly while it is entered and if there are
errors a note is displayed directly in the input field. As soon as the
entered filter logic is valid, it can be applied using the Apply button
and saved.
16.5.2 Column selection
The column selection is used to define which properties or attrib-

utes of the selected objects are to be output in which column of the
report. That defines the basic structure of the report result as the
report result always has as many columns in the position lines as
selected here and that have the Show ID.

Figure 16/17: Details of a report: Column selection tab
Selected columns The main element of the column selection is the table of selected
columns. All columns taken into account in the report are listed
here with the following data:
ID Consecutive numbering of the column. Is used as the index for

addressing the column headings.
Column heading Freely selectable column heading for the corresponding column.
Contents The contents of the column. This is explained in more detail below.
Display Defines whether the column is displayed in the report result or not.
A hidden column can still be used for sorting and/or for grouping.
Function The column is only displayed in the table if the Group option is
selected. Defines the grouping function for the corresponding
column of the report.
Available columns The list of available columns is to be found on the left side of the
tab. All those properties and attributes are listed there that are not
included yet in the report. This is controlled using the Hide already

used columns option below the list. Deselect this option if you also
want to view the properties already used in the list.
The list of available properties contains all properties and attrib-

utes of the objects from the current project. That means only those
attributes are available here that are also used in the objects of the
current project.
Adapting the selected col- You can add new columns of the report using the buttons between
umns the list with the available columns and the selected columns or
delete columns. Alternatively, you can use the Add button to
create a new empty column at the end of the list of columns and
use the Remove button to delete the currently selected column.
You can also transfer new columns from the list of available col-
umns via drag and drop to the list of the selected columns. This has
the benefit that you can define directly at which position the new
column is to be inserted.
You can use the two buttons to the right of the list of the selected
columns to change the order of the columns.
Contents of a column Normally only one placeholder is specified in the Contents field of
an individual column for a property of the objects to be listed. This
can e.g. be the part-number placeholder for the part numbers of
components.
In addition, a fixed text can be entered in quotation marks if it is

also to be displayed in every line of the result. For example, by
entering “T:” part-number in the result, the fixed text “T:” can
precede every part number. The quotation marks can be omitted if
the fixed text does not contain any letters or numbers. That means
individual separators, such as blanks, colons etc. can also be
entered without quotation marks.
In this field it is still also permitted to specify several placeholders

for properties. The corresponding placeholder is replaced in the
resulting list with the value of the property. It is thus possible e.g.
to display several properties together in one column. For example,
you could enter part-number:attribute[ Supplier]] to display the
part number and the supplier together in a column, separated by a
colon.

If no value is specified for the property of the placeholder used or if
this property does not exist in the listed object, the placeholder is
replaced by an empty string.
Sorting Every report can be sorted by one or more selected columns. The
sort order is set using a separate dialogue that can be accessed
using the Sorting button.
Figure 16/18: Dialogue for sorting a report by specific columns.
You can use the buttons above the sort criteria to add more sort
criteria, delete/copy existing criteria or change their order. The
columns of the sort criteria have the following contents:
Column Selection of the column by which sorting is carried out.
Order A..Z: ascending order; Z..A: descending order
Mode Default (natural)

Natural sort order of the values. (A1 < A2 < A11)
Alphabetical
Lexographic sort order of the values. (A1 < A11 < A2)
Numeric
An attempt is made to interpret the contents of the column as a
number and to sort according to this number.
Grouping Instead of specifying each individual object in the result of the

report, the result can also be summarised. To do this, select the “
Group” option at the top right of the tab. After selecting the option,
the additional “Function” column appears in the table of the select-
ed columns. The grouping function can be selected for every col-

umn in this new column. The following grouping functions are
available:
Group Defines the column as a criterion by which its values are to be

grouped.
List Connects the grouped individual values to form a list separated by

commas.
Sum Calculates the sum of the grouped individual values.
Minimum Calculates the minimum of the grouped individual values.
Maximum Calculates the maximum of the grouped individual values.
Count Determines the number of grouped individual values.
An example of the grouped report is the standard template of the

accumulated parts list.
16.5.3 Appearance
The table view of the report in the project can be set in a similar
manner to the object selection in the properties dialogue and also
in the details of the report. The options in the properties dialogue
are more limited than in the details of the report. The drawing
properties can only be edited in the properties dialogue.

Figure 16/19: Properties of a report: Appearance tab
In the properties dialogue, you can define the following settings on

the Appearance tab:
Font size Adaptation of the font height in percent of the font used in the
report. The size of the table is not changed by this adjustment.
Additional Line Spacing Increases the height of all lines by the specified percentage factor.
(50% means that every line is displayed with 1.5 times the height.)
That does not change the font height.
Additional Cell Spacing Increases the width of all columns by the specified percentage
factor. (50% means that every column is displayed with 1.5 times
the width.)
Lines per Page You can also use this option to define how many lines of the report
result are to be displayed on each page. If this option is selected
and a value greater than 0 is entered, the report result is displayed
distributed among several pages. The specified number of lines
refers to the result lines below the header lines of the report. The
header of the report is repeated on every page.

Figure 16/20: Properties of a report: Drawing Properties tab
In the properties dialogue, you can define the following settings on

the Drawing properties tab:
Anchor Position The result of a report is created dynamically from the current data
of the project and is updated accordingly on a continuous basis.
That may change the size of the report on the page. You can use
this option to define which corner of the report is to have a fixed
position on the page. If the report is updated, this point remains
fixed and the report only grows in the other direction.
Scale Factor Defines the scaling of the report in the horizontal and vertical
directions.
Rotation Defines the rotation angle for rotating the table.
You can use the Reset button to reset all values on this tab to the
default settings.

Figure 16/21: Details of a report: Appearance tab
The basic table template for the table view of the report can be
adjusted in detail on the Appearance tab in the details of a report.
The table template is displayed in the centre of this tab. It is split

up into header lines and a single position line. The header lines and
the position line are displayed in the table template with a small
space between them to emphasise the difference between the
header part and the position part. No space is displayed between
the header and position lines at this point in the finished report on
the page. There is also a note in the dialogue to the right of the
header lines that informs you which lines belong to the header
lines.
The table template defines the basic structure for the output of the
report in the project. The specified header lines are output once in
the header of the report and the position line is duplicated accord-
ing to the number of lines in the result. Therefore, the position line
is only displayed once here in the view of the template. Afterwards,
in the result of the report, it is naturally displayed several times, if
applicable. Unlike on the Appearance tab in the properties dia-
logue, this view is not a preview of the result of the report, it only
represents the structure.

The number of header lines of a report is generally not limited and a
report without header lines is also possible. There is always only
precisely one position line, by contrast.
The number of columns of the table template matches the number

of selected columns with Display ID on the column selection tab.
The variables/placeholders of the corresponding column in the
column selection are entered in the position line, in the respective
column. In addition to the column selection, the contents can also
be adapted here. The available properties of the selected objects
are provided in the Variables list on the left side of the tab for this
purpose. They can be assigned to the corresponding cells of the
table template e.g. using drag and drop.
Variables can also be used in the headers of a report in addition to

fixed texts. To use the column heading defined in the column selec-
tion there is the fixed column[x] variable. The ID of the correspond-
ing column must be entered instead of the x. This variable is re-
placed by the corresponding column heading when the report is
created.
Like in the position lines, properties of the selected objects can

also be output in the header lines. For this, the same variable can
be used that was specified in the position line. When you create the
report, the first object is applied to replace this property.
Like in the position line, fixed texts and variables can be combined
in the header lines. However, unlike in the position lines it is not
necessary to insert a fixed text explicitly in quotation marks in the
header lines and if a variable could not be replaced it is retained in
the form of text.
Each cell of the template can be given a specific formatting using

the toolbar above the table. This works here like the formatting of
cells of the table drawing element or the header of a drawing frame.
The formatting options are described in more detail in these chap-
ters.
In addition to the toolbar above the table, the background colour

can be set below the table for various lines of the report. Select
here for which lines you want to save a specific background colour.
Changes concerning the position line, such as a background colour
for uneven lines are only visible in the project.

Functional diagram
Chapter 17
17. Functional diagra m
You can find the function diagram in the FluidDraw standard library.
You can apply the functions in the Edit menu to the function
diagram. Double-click the function diagram, or use the Home
page and the Properties... menu item to open the Functional
diagram.
The Functional diagram can be used to draw a function diagram

with signal lines, signals and diagram lines. The lines of the func-
tion diagram consist of two parts: the table text boxes on the left
and the diagram area on the right. The table text boxes may consist
of several columns and an adjustable grid can be applied to the
diagram area. The grid represents the different states of the dia-
gram in rows and the time sections in columns.
Figure 17/1: Functional diagram
17.1 Edit modes
The Functional diagram provides various edit modes that are

selected via the toolbar at the top of the editor. The edit modes and
their operation are shown briefly below.

You can always use the Esc key to switch back from every mode
into Edit Mode. The current selection is cancelled with the right
mouse button. That can be particularly helpful e.g. for drawing
signal lines (see Draw signal lines and insert signal connections).
17.1.1 Edit Mode
In Edit Mode, the objects can be adapted within the function dia-
gram. Objects can be moved and the size of free text boxes and
table text boxes can be changed.
To move an object, click it with the left mouse button and keep it
pressed. If you move the mouse, a preview of the new position of
the object is displayed. The object is moved to the new position
when you let go of the left mouse button.
To change the size of a text box, move the mouse pointer to the
edge (or to the corner if it is a free text box) until the cursor is
converted into the “change size” cursor. With a left-click and by
keeping the mouse button pressed, you can now adapt the size of
the text box. If a text box is reduced in size to the extent that the
text no longer fits in it, the font size is reduced. However, if the size
of the text box is increased, that will also increase the font size up
to the previously selected font size.
All moving and dragging operations can be cancelled using the

Esc key. As already mentioned, the current selection can be
cancelled by a click with the right mouse button. Undo and Redo
can be used to undo and redo operations.
Properties of objects can be changed in Edit Mode by double-

clicking the object. That opens the properties dialogue window for
the object.
Selected objects (apart from diagram columns and table text boxes)
can be deleted by pressing the Del key.

In addition, in Edit Mode, you can copy texts between the table text
boxes by clicking a table text box while keeping the left mouse
button pressed. The text of the box is displayed at the mouse
pointer and if you let go of the left mouse button over another table
text box it is copied there. If you keep the Shift key pressed when
you let go of the left mouse button, the text is moved and removed
from the original text box.

17.1.2 Drawing a diagram curve
The diagram lines can be drawn in this mode. A vertex is created on

the grid of the diagram column with each left-click. The points are
automatically connected.
Keeping the left mouse button pressed, you can move existing
vertices like in Edit Mode. Marked vertices are shown in grey. The
Del key is used to delete a selected vertex.
Should the automatic connection of points in diagram line mode

not result in the desired diagram, points can be exchanged by
dragging one point to the other. For this, the points must be below
each other vertically (in the same step). The points are exchanged
and the automatic connection is created.
It is also possible to create a “peak” within a step. Set a point in the

diagram and set another point within the same step (vertically
below each other). Then set a point at the starting point. That
results in a vertical deflection.

17.1.3 Insert text boxes
Text boxes can be inserted with a left-click in this mode. Free text
boxes can be created above the table text boxes, in the diagram
column and also below and to the right of the diagram. When you
create a text box, the text box dialogue opens, in which the text and
the font can be set. The text box is adapted to the text entered
when the dialogue is confirmed.
In “ Edit Mode”, you can change the size and the position of a text
box with the mouse pointer.
17.1.4 Insert signal elements
In this mode, signal lines can be inserted in the diagram columns

with a left-click. If you select the Insert signal elements button with
a simple left-click, after adding a new signalling element, the mode
switches back to Edit Mode. If you select the mode with a double-
click, you can add several signalling elements in succession.
The signalling elements are aligned with the grid of the diagram
column by default. If the signalling element is to be positioned
freely, you can keep the Alt key pressed during positioning,
which prevents any alignment with the grid.
Keeping the left mouse button pressed, you can move signalling
elements like in Edit Mode.

17.1.5 Draw signal lines and insert signal connections
In this mode, signal lines can be freely created and automatically

inserted between diagram vertices or from signalling elements.
Creating signal lines freely Vertices are added to the current line with a left-click. If no line is
selected, the first click creates a single vertex and the second click
creates a line to the second vertex. All other vertices are immedi-
ately added to the selected line, as shown in the preview. You can
press the Esc key to exit the mode completely and switch back to
Edit Mode.
To start a new signal line, you can cancel the current selection with
a right-click and start a new signal line with a left-click.
An existing line can be continued by clicking once with the right

mouse button (cancel selection) and then left-clicking to select the
starting point / end point of an existing signal line. It is marked and
the line can be continued.
Individual vertices that do not belong to any signal line are deleted
when signal line mode is exited.
If you keep the Shift key pressed when setting a vertex, the new
point is aligned vertically or horizontally to the currently selected
vertex. To do this, the mouse pointer must be moved roughly to the
same height above / below or next to the starting point.
You can insert another vertex within an existing signal line by

keeping the Ctrl key pressed while you click the desired point on
the line with the left mouse button.
Creating signal lines from Every signalling element has a connecting point for signal lines.
signalling elements Starting at this point, signal lines can be automatically drawn to a
grid point. The editor creates a signal line with vertices and arrow
head.

To create a signal line this way, you must first right-click the selec-
tion to cancel it. Then, move the mouse pointer over a the connect-
ing point of the signalling element until the cursor is converted into
a connecting cursor. If you now click with the left mouse button and
keep it pressed, a preview of the new signal line is displayed, which
can be moved to the desired grid point. The new signal line is
created when you let go of the left mouse button.
Creating signal lines between Signal lines can be created between vertices of the diagram lines
diagram vertices with support. After cancelling the selection (right-click with the
mouse), the cursor is moved over a vertex of the diagram line until
it changes and becomes a connecting cursor. If you now click with
the left mouse button, keep it pressed and move the mouse pointer
over another diagram line vertex, a preview of the new signal line is

displayed. The new signal line is created when you let go of the left
mouse button.
The signal line is created, as shown in the preview, with vertices

and is given an arrow head.
Creating signal links Signal lines can be connected using signal links. If you move the
mouse pointer over a signal line, the mouse pointer is converted
into a connecting cursor. If the selection was previously empty, left-
click the signal line to create a signal link. It is used as the starting
point for the linked signal line. An existing signal line can also be

ended with a signal link if the last point ends on a signal line, as
described.
Signal links can be moved on the signal line in Edit Mode and,
unlike vertices, they cannot be positioned freely.
Signal links are displayed as logical AND links by default (filled,

large circle). In the signal link properties dialogue, the representa-
tion can also be converted to a logical OR link.
17.1.6 “Format” mode
With “Format” mode, properties of a text box can be copied and

transferred simply to other text boxes. If “Format” mode is activat-
ed, the corresponding dialogue opens immediately in which all
properties of a text box (apart from the size) can be selected. If a
text box is already selected when the mode is activated, the values
of the selected text box are applied. They can be subsequently
changed. If no text box is selected, the last settings are used.
After confirming the dialogue, the cursor changes to the “Format”

cursor. Left-click a text box (free text box or table text box) to trans-
fer all properties. The mode can be exited at any time by pressing
the Esc key.

For a new function diagram. you can use the “Format” dialogue at
the start to define how all newly created text boxes are to be for-
matted by selecting the “ Use as default” option. This has no effect
on text boxes already in the diagram.
17.2 Properties dialogues
The properties dialogues of the various objects are listed in the

following sections and the individual options are explained. The
properties dialogues can be accessed by double-clicking an object
with the left mouse button. Only the general diagram properties of
the complete function diagram can be accessed using the
button.

17.2.1 Diagram properties dialogue
Click the button to open the diagram properties dialogue

that includes basic settings for the function diagram (e.g. the num-
ber and size of the table text boxes).
Figure 17/2: Functional diagram: properties
Text columns – Number Defines the number of table text boxes. If the number is changed,
all table text boxes are adapted to a standard size.
Text columns – Width Defines the width of the individual table text box. If the width is
changed, all table text boxes are set to the selected width.
Diagram columns – Number Defines how many grid columns the diagram column is to have. The
number of grid columns in the diagram column can also be changed
by pulling the right edge of the diagram.
Diagram columns – Width Defines how large the space is to be between the grid columns.
Color Opens the colour dialogue that enables the colour to be selected in
which the grid lines are drawn in the diagram columns.
Row height Defines the height of a row. Unlike the width of the individual table
table text boxes that can be subsequently adapted, all rows have
the same height. The height of the rows can also be adapted by
pulling the lower edge of the diagram.

17.2.2 Text box properties dialogue
Double-click a text box to open the text box properties dialogue, in

which the font and the alignment can be set.
Figure 17/3: Text box: properties
Font... Opens the font dialogue that you can use to set the font and font
size. The function diagram editor also supports text in bold, italics,
crossed out and underlined.
Color Opens the colour dialogue that enables the font colour to be se-
lected.
Frame For free text boxes only: specifies whether a frame is to be drawn
around the text box. If no frame is drawn, the text box is displayed
on a transparent background. If this option is selected, the text box
is given a white background.
Width Defines the width of the current text box. If the size is changed the
current text is reduced in size if it is too long. If it is a table text box,

the size of the complete table column is adapted. Unlike when
changing the width of a table text box with the mouse, with this
option the cell is increased / reduced in size without changing the
size of adjacent text boxes.
Height Defines the height of the current text box. If the size is changed the
current text is reduced in size if it is too high. If it is a table text box,
the height of all lines is adapted.
Horizontal adjustment Specifies the horizontal alignment of the text within the text box.
Vertical adjustment Specifies the vertical alignment of the text within the text box.
Negate text Negates the text in the text box. Like in mathematics, a line is
drawn over the actual text for this.
Using a text box as a table To format the contents of a text box like a table, you can use tabu-
lators. They are inserted by keeping the Ctrl key pressed while
pressing the Tab key. Each line can thus be split up into cells of
equal size that are arranged according to the alignment. Each text
box line can have a different number of cells. The arrangement of
text within the cell is thus highly flexible.
17.2.3 Diagram columns properties dialogue
Double-click a diagram column to open the diagram columns prop-

erties dialogue, in which the numbering, the grid and the represen-
tation of the column can be adapted.

Figure 17/4: Diagram columns: properties
States – Number Specifies the number of states, thus defining the number of hori-
zontal lines of the diagram column.
States – Base state Defines the basic state of the diagram column. Diagram curves that
are drawn between two points in the basic state are displayed with
a thinner line.
Numbering – Number Specifies how many steps are to be numbered. 0 must be entered if
numbering is not to be carried out.
Numbering – Start column Defines the column at which numbering is to be started.
Numbering – Start number Defines the number with which numbering is to be started.
Numbering – Step width Defines the increment between two numbers. With an increment of
2 and a start number of 1, numbering would be 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.
Numbering – Loop Specifies whether the numbering is to represent a loop. If this

option is selected, an equality sign and the start number are also

displayed after the last number. For 3 numbered steps with a start
number of 1 and an increment of 1, numbering would be 1, 2, 3=1.
Representation – Display Specifies whether two arrows are to be displayed in the top left
arrows corner of the diagram column that point to the right and down-
wards.
Representation – Display grid Specifies whether the grid of the diagram column is to be dis-
played.
Representation – Display text Defines whether a text box is to be displayed. The text box is dis-
1 played to the right of the horizontal arrow if the Display arrows
option is selected. The text box is linked to this diagram column
and cannot be moved to any other line.
Representation – Display text Defines whether a text box is to be displayed. The text box is dis-
2 played to the right of the vertical arrow if the Display arrows option
is selected. The text box is linked to this diagram column and can-
not be moved to any other line.
Representation – Line color Opens the colour dialogue that enables the colour of the diagram
lines to be selected.
17.2.4 Signalling element properties dialogue
Double-click a signalling element to open the properties dialogue

for signalling elements, in which the representation of the signal
can be selected.

Figure 17/5: Signalling element: properties
Signal type Specifies how the signalling element is to be displayed.
Display description Defines whether a text box is to be displayed for labelling the
signalling element. The text box can be moved freely. However, it is
linked to the signal. When moving the signal, the text box is moved
along with it.
Color Opens the colour dialogue that enables the colour of the signalling
element to be selected.
17.2.5 Signal lines properties dialogue
Double-click a signal line to open the signal lines properties dia-

logue, in which the colour and the display options of the signal line
can be set.

Figure 17/6: Signal lines: properties
Display description Inserts a text box that can be moved on the signal line.
Display additional descrip- Inserts a text box that can be used to add an additional description.
tion The text box can be positioned freely. However, it is linked to the
description on the signal line. If the text box is moved on the signal
line the additional description is moved along with it.
Start with arrow An arrow head is displayed at the start of the line. The arrow head
can be moved freely on the line.
End with arrow An arrow head is displayed at the end of the line. The arrow head
can be moved freely on the line.
Color Opens the colour dialogue that enables the colour of the signal line
to be selected.
17.2.6 Signal link properties dialogue
Double-click a signal link to open the signal link properties dia-

logue, in which the representation of the signal link can be select-
ed.

Figure 17/7: Signal link: properties
Representation Specifies how the signal link is displayed.
17.2.7 “Format” dialogue
Click the “Format” button to open the “Transfer format” dialogue,

in which the settings can be selected that can then be transferred
to other text boxes.

Figure 17/8: Transferring the format
Font... Opens the font dialogue that you can use to set the font and font
size. The function diagram editor also supports text in bold, italics,
crossed out and underlined.
Color Opens the colour dialogue that enables the font colour to be se-
lected.
Frame For free text boxes only: specifies whether a frame is to be drawn
around the text box. If no frame is drawn, the text box is displayed
on a transparent background. If this option is selected, the text box
is given a white background.
Horizontal adjustment Specifies the horizontal alignment of the text within the text box.
Vertical adjustment Specifies the vertical alignment of the text within the text box.
Negate text Negates the text in the text box. Like in mathematics, a line is
drawn over the actual text for this.
Use as default Specifies whether the selected settings are to be applied as the
default settings to all new text boxes.

17.3 Rows
The number of rows and their position in the function diagram can
be subsequently changed. Therefore, in addition to adding and
deleting rows, it is also possible to copy rows with their complete
contents or move them in the diagram.
17.3.1 Add row
Click the Add row button to add a new, empty row at the end of the
function diagram. The table text boxes are created with the default
settings (see Defining default settings).
17.3.2 Insert row
Click the Insert row button to add a new, empty row in front of the
selected row. If an object is selected that is in a line, the new line is
inserted above the assigned line.
17.3.3 Copy row
It is possible to copy lines in the function diagram. As the diagram

lines and texts of the table text boxes are frequently similar or
identical, the copy function saves a great deal of manual work.
Click the Copy row button to copy the currently selected line and
insert it under the selected line. If an object is selected that is in a
line, the assigned line is copied.

When copying, the contents and settings of the table text boxes
and the diagram column, the diagram lines and the signalling
elements are copied. Free text boxes and signal lines are not cop-
ied.
17.3.4 Moving rows
Rows in the function diagram can be subsequently moved. That

enables a flexible arrangement of existing rows without having to
delete rows.
Click the “ Move row up” and “ Move row down” buttons to move
the currently selected row up / down. If an object is selected, the
corresponding row is moved. All objects of the row are also moved,
apart from free text boxes. As vertices of signal lines are also af-
fected, moving a row can result in changes in the signal lines.
17.3.5 Delete row
Click the “ Delete row” button to delete a highlighted diagram row.

If an object is selected that is in a row, the assigned row is deleted.
17.4 Scrolling and zooming in and out
The mouse wheel can be used to scroll the view vertically (if scroll
bars are displayed). If you keep the Shift key pressed, you can
use the mouse wheel to scroll horizontally.

Click the “ Zoom In ” and “ Zoom Out ” buttons to increase /
reduce the size of the view. If you keep the Ctrl key pressed, you
can also use the mouse wheel to change the zoom factor.
The “ Standard Size ” button can be used to restore the default

zoom factor.
The “ Fit to Window ” button is used to automatically select the

zoom factor so that the complete function diagram is displayed in
maximum size.

Special functions for electric circuits
Chapter 18
18. Special functions for electric circuits
18.1 Potentials and conduction lines
The creation of horizontal and vertical potential lines is supported

by drawing conduction lines. The end points of the conduction line
consist of potentials that also serve as interruptions. In the dia-
logue window for drawing conduction lines you can specify whether
the potentials should have an identification.
In this following, three horizontal potential lines are to be drawn

where each line comes from a preceding page “1” and is to be
continued on a page “3”.
To open a dialogue window where you can make the settings dis-
played, press the Conduction Line... button in the Link group on
the Insert ribbon page.

Figure 18/1: Settings for the potential lines to be created
You can then define the end points of the line with two consecutive
mouse clicks.
Figure 18/2: Three horizontal potential lines
The identifications of the potentials can be changed. In this exam-

ple we want to rename the potential from L4 to L6.
→ Double-click the left-hand potential L1. Then enter L4 for the

identification in the dialogue window.
Then, the following prompt opens.

Figure 18/3:
FluidDraw supports the automatic renaming of the potentials linked

with the source potential. If you answer “Yes”, the potential L1 on
the right-hand side is also renamed as L4.
→ Rename the potentials L2 and L3 to L5 and L6 in the same way.
→ Then enter the corresponding labels for the predecessors or

successors in the properties dialogue windows for the poten-
tials. If the corresponding cross-references have the same la-
bels in the respective predecessor and successor pages, the
potential lines might look like as follows.
Figure 18/4: Three horizontal potential lines with cross-references
18.2 Cables and wiring
Cables and wiring are represented in the circuit diagram by a spe-

cial cable symbol. All lines defined by the cable symbol are as-
signed to a cable or to wiring. You can define for the symbol wheth-
er it is a cable or wiring.
A wiring only summarises the defined lines (wires) graphically in

the circuit diagram and is assigned the identification “W” by de-
fault. Wiring is not listed in reports such as cable maps and cable
lists. Unlike a cable, wiring cannot be assigned to a product. With
wiring, product information can only be saved in the lines.

If the cable symbol represents a cable then a cable object must be
assigned to the symbol. Product properties can be saved in the
cable object and are analysed in cable maps and cable lists, etc.
Several cable symbols can refer to same cable object. This is the
case if, for example, a cable has to be spread over several pages.
Figure 18/5: Cable symbol
→ To define a cable or a wiring select the Cable button in the

Electrics group on the Insert ribbon page.
This activates a mode that allows you to insert a cable symbol by

making two consecutive clicks. All lines that are below the cable
symbol are initially assigned to a wiring.
If you want to use a cable instead of a wiring you can assign a cable
object to the symbol using the properties dialogue window for the
cable symbol.

Figure 18/6: Cable Symbol dialogue window, Wires tab
Layer Defines the drawing layer for the cable symbol.
Cable – Wiring Defines whether the cable symbol represents a cable or wiring
comprising single wires. Any wiring is not listed in cable maps, etc.
If Wiring is selected then an identification can be specified that can
be displayed with Display Identification.
If Cable is selected then an existing cable object can be assigned to

the cable symbol using a drop-down list. A new cable object can be
created using the Create New... button. Clicking Properties...
opens the properties dialogue window for the selected cable ob-
ject.
Wires In order to analyse cable maps the component connectors that join
a wire must be determined. The connectors are automatically
entered in the list box if they can be uniquely assigned. If a unique
assignment is not possible, the relevant connector must be select-

ed manually via the list box. The identification of the individual
wires can also be entered. These are saved in the individual lines
(wires). The wire identifications are displayed at the cable symbol
using the Display button.
Reverse Direction The entries in the From and To columns are automatically defined
as the direction of the wires when creating the cable symbol. Click-
ing the Reverse Direction button reverses the directions of all
wires.
Renumber From: Clicking this button renumbers all wires defined by the cable sym-
bol, starting with the number entered in the list box.
Figure 18/7: Cable Symbol dialogue window, Display Attributes

tab
On the “ Display Attributes” tab you can select the attributes of the
associated cable object that are to be displayed at the cable sym-
bol.

→ Click the Create New... button to create a new cable symbol.
The following dialogue window opens.
Figure 18/8: New Cable dialogue window
Identification Enter the identification for the cable here.
Number of Wires Enter the number of lines (wires) in the cable here. The number can
be higher than the lines below if, for example, a concrete cable has
unconnected wires. If the associated cable symbols covers more
lines than are defined in the cable object, a warning is output when
the page is checked and the corresponding entries are highlighted
in colour in the cable lists.
After you specify the identification for the cable and confirm the
dialogue, the cable object is created and the cable symbol is as-
signed to it.
→ Click the “ Properties... ” button to edit the properties of the

cable object.

Figure 18/9: Properties dialogue window: Cable tab
Number of Wires Defines the number of lines (wires) in the cable. The number can be
higher than the lines covered by the associated cable symbols if,
for example, a concrete cable has unconnected wires. If the associ-
ated cable symbols covers more lines than are defined in the cable
object, a warning is output when the page is checked and the
corresponding entries are highlighted in colour in the cable lists.
The associated cable symbols are listed in rows in the table. You
can jump to the associated cable symbol using the “ Find... ”
button. The User Defined Properties tab in the properties dialogue
window for the cable symbol lists the cable-specific product proper-
ties such as Cable Type and Length. These properties and the
entries in the Cable tab are analysed in the cable map, etc.
18.2.1 Managing cables
All cables within a project can be listed and renamed using the
Manage Cables... button in the Manage group of the Project
ribbon page. You open the Properties... properties dialogue
window for the relevant cable object using the button.
In older versions of FluidDraw it was possible to assign a cable to a

specific page. That sometimes caused confusion; all cables there-
fore now become global objects that belong directly to the project
and not to an individual page any more.
For existing circuits created with a previous version of FluidDraw,

you can still access all cables belonging to the page via the Man-
age Cables... menu item under Page .

Figure 18/10: Manage Cables... dialogue window
You can add a new cable object to the project using the Create
New... button.
After pressing the Create New... button for confirmation, a dia-

logue opens where you can define the name and number of wires
for the new cable object. The dialogue window is described under
Cables and wiring.
18.2.2 Inserting a cable map
You can insert an associated cable map for a cable into the circuit
diagram. You do this by inserting a cable map into a circuit diagram
and then assigning a cable to this diagram.
→ To insert a cable map in the circuit diagram, press the Report

button in the List group on the Insert ribbon page.

The mouse pointer changes to a crosshair. Click the position in the
circuit diagram where you want to insert the cable map.
A dialogue window then opens where you can assign the relevant
cable and customise the appearance.
18.2.3 Inserting a cable list
You can insert a cable list into a circuit diagram.
→ To insert a cable list in the circuit diagram, press the Report

button in the List group on the Insert ribbon page.

circuit diagram where you want to insert the cable list.
A dialogue window then opens where you can select the associated
cables and customise the appearance.
18.3 Terminals and terminal strips
18.3.1 Setting terminals
You can set individual terminals or multiple terminals in one step.
→ To define an individual electric terminal select the Terminal

button in the Electrics group on the Insert ribbon page.
This activates a mode that allows you to insert a terminal by click-

ing a free point on the electric line.

Figure 18/11: Inserting a terminal
As soon as you have set a new terminal this way the dialogue
window containing the settings for this terminal appears. You can
use this dialogue window to assign the terminal to a terminal strip.
This assignment can also be made or changed later.

Figure 18/12: Terminal dialogue window
Description Contains the description of the terminal or the terminal designa-

tion.
Display If this box is given a check mark then the description entered is
displayed next to the terminal.
Layer Defines the drawing layer for the terminal.
Pos. Defines the position of the terminal within the associated terminal
strip. An entry is only possible once the terminal has been assigned
to a terminal strip.
Level Defines the level of the terminal.
Display If this box is given a check mark then the terminal’s level is dis-
played next to the terminal.
Internal # External Changes the direction of the terminal. The direction is indicated in
the circuit by an arrow that shows which connector is inside the
control cabinet and which is outside. The arrow head points at the
control cabinet.

Show Direction If this box is given a check mark then the direction arrow is dis-
played at the terminal.
Terminal Strip Defines the terminal strip containing the terminal in question. The
list contains the terminal strips already created. You open the
properties dialogue window for the selected terminal strip using
Properties... . You can also create a new terminal strip using
Create New... .
Display Identification If this box is given a check mark then the identification for the
associated terminal strip is displayed next to the terminal.
18.3.2 Setting multiple terminals
As well as the option of setting individual terminals, FluidDraw also

offers a mode that allows you to set multiple terminals one after
the other. You can keep inserting terminals by simply clicking the
electric lines until you exit the mode again.
→ To do this, click the Multiple Terminals... button in the

Electrics group on the Insert ribbon page.

Figure 18/13: Setting multiple terminals
The operation begins with a dialogue window where you can make
some settings for the new terminals. Above all you need to first
select an existing terminal strip or create a new one. If a suitable
terminal strip does not already exist then a prompt for creating a
new one automatically appears.

Figure 18/14: Define Multiple Terminals dialogue window
Description Defines how the new terminals are to be numbered. The Enumer-
ate Manually option allows you to specify a start number at which
numbering continues. Otherwise a free terminal from the selected
terminal strip is automatically used. The start number “2” was
specified in the example shown.
Display If this box is given a check mark then the description entered is
displayed next to the terminal.
Direction Defines the direction of the new terminals. The direction is indicat-
ed in the circuit by an arrow that shows which connector is inside
the control cabinet and which is outside. The arrow head points at
the control cabinet. The direction can also be changed later using
the properties dialogue window for the individual terminals.
Layer Defines the drawing layer for the line.
Terminal Strip Defines the terminal strip containing the terminals in question. The
list contains the terminal strips already created. You open the
properties dialogue window for the selected terminal strip using
Properties... . You can also create a new terminal strip using
Create New... .

Display Identification If this box is checked then the identification for the associated
terminal strip is displayed next to the new terminals.
18.3.3 Creating terminal strips
FluidDraw does not treat terminal strips as visible objects within

the circuit pages which explains why they cannot be interactively
selected using the mouse in order to highlight them, delete them or
change their properties. Terminal strips can either be managed via
the associated terminals or using the Manage Terminal Strips...
menu item under Page or Project .
Figure 18/15: New Terminal Strip dialogue window
All properties can also be changed later at any time. You open the
properties dialogue window for a terminal strip via any terminal in
that terminal strip using the Properties... button.

Figure 18/16: Terminal Strip dialogue window
External Target If the destination of a terminal inside the control cabinet is unam-
biguous due to the wiring, FluidDraw automatically enters the
identification for the connected component. Otherwise the list
contains the identifications of all objects that can be reached from
the terminal. The destination search can be controlled by selecting
a junction symbol as a T-distributor.
Internal Target The destinations of the terminals outside the control cabinet are
listed here. As with the internal destinations, unique links are
automatically entered.

Find... Jumps to the associated terminal in the circuit diagram.
18.3.4 Managing terminal strips
All terminal strips within a project can be listed and renamed using
the Manage Terminal Strips... menu item from the Project
menu. You open the Properties... properties dialogue window
for the relevant terminal strip using the button.
In older versions of FluidDraw it was possible to assign a terminal

strip to a specific page. That sometimes caused confusion; all
terminal strips therefore now become global objects that belong
directly to the project and not to an individual page any more. For
existing circuits created with a previous version of FluidDraw, you
can still access all terminal strips belonging to the page via the
Manage Terminal Strips... menu item under Page .

Figure 18/17: Manage Terminal Strips... dialogue window
You can add a new terminal strip to the project using the Create
New... button.
A new dialogue opens where you can define the properties of the
new terminal strip. The dialogue window is described under Creat-
ing terminal strips.
18.4 Terminal diagram
You can insert an associated terminal diagram for a terminal strip

into the circuit diagram. You do this by inserting a corresponding
report into a circuit diagram and then assigning a terminal strip to
this diagram.
→ To insert a terminal diagram in the circuit diagram, press the

Report button in the List group on the Insert ribbon page.

circuit diagram where you want to insert the terminal diagram.
A dialogue window then opens where you can assign the relevant
terminal strip and customise the appearance.
18.4.1 Setting links
You can set what are called links in a terminal strip. These links are
drawn in the circuit diagram as regular electric lines and marked as
links. The representation of the T-distributors can be customised
using their properties dialogue window. The following example
shows a circuit diagram with a terminal strip X1 with 10 terminals
and the associated terminal diagram. A link plug is to be set be-
tween terminals “7” and “8” at layer “1”, a link plug between “8”
and “9” at layer “2” and a wire link between “9” and “10”.

Figure 18/18: Terminal diagram
→ Double-click the electric line between terminals “7” and “8”.

Figure 18/19: Setting a link
The properties dialogue window for the electric line opens. The
options for setting the links are in the top right:
Figure 18/20: Detail of the Line (electric) dialogue window
Link Defines that this line is to be treated as a link.
Link Plug Defines that the link is a link plug.
Level Specifies the layer if a link plug was selected.
Wire Link Defines that the link is a wire link.
→ Set “ Link”, “ Link Plug” and “ Level 3”.
FluidDraw tracks the line across one distributor point at most. This
means that the specified link finds the contacts “7” and “8”. This
link is represented in the terminal diagram as follows.

Figure 18/21: Terminal diagram with link representation
→ Proceed in the same way to set a link plug between “8” and “9”
at layer “2” and a wire link between “9” and “10”.
The terminal diagram then has the following appearance.

Figure 18/22: Terminal diagram with link plugs and wire links
18.5 Contact image
The contact images can be displayed within a circuit diagram be-

neath relay coils and similar symbols. The contact images list all
contacts of the associated relay coil and show which current paths
these contacts are in. The division of the page or circuit diagram
can be defined using the page dividers.
→ To show or hide a contact image, press the Display Contact

Images button in the Contact image group on the View rib-
bon page.
Contact images can be highlighted, moved and aligned like other

symbols.

Figure 18/23: Contact image
You can have all contacts in a contact image displayed in a list and
customise the appearance by double-clicking the contact image or
highlighting the contact image and selecting the Home menu item
from the Properties... menu.

Figure 18/24: Contact Image dialogue window
You can customise the representation of the contact image on the “

Print Options” tab.
The “ Contacts” tab lists all associated contacts. You can jump to
the corresponding contact in the circuit diagram using the Jump
to Target button.

Circuit input and output
Chapter 19
19. Circuit input and output
19.1 Printing circuits and parts lists
FluidDraw projects can be printed by opening the Print dialogue

window via the File menu and the Print... menu item.
Figure 19/1: Print dialogue window
Printer Select the desired output device from the list of available printers.

Properties... This button is for opening the dialogue for setting the printer op-
tions.
Print to File Select this option if you want to output the print data to a file.
Print Project Files If you are working in a project, you can select which circuits and
parts lists are to be printed.
Copies Select the number of copies. If the printout consists of several

pages, you can make FluidDraw output stacks of paper sorted
accordingly.
Scale You can increase or reduce the output size by entering a scaling
factor. If the dimensions of the area to be printed are larger than
the printable area on the paper then the printout is spread over
several pages (tiled). You can see the page divisions in the print
preview.
Note: Please note that it may not always be possible to precisely

comply with the page margins. Therefore you should plan a certain
amount of leeway for the page margin.
Page Here you can specify additional margins in order to manually cus-
tomise the print area.
Margins You can select which page the print preview displays.
19.2 Importing DXF files
Files stored in DXF format can be imported while retaining most

element attributes. If some special features are taken into account
when creating a drawing using a CAD program, you can extend the
symbol library of FluidDraw without any trouble.

Figure 19/2: Dialogue window, DXF Import...
Drawing Size Defines the paper size for import. The preview is also set to this
size.
Include objects on paper Applies the objects in DXF format in the paper area.
space
Include objects on model Applies the objects in DXF format in the model area.
space

Include hidden objects Applies the objects defined in DXF format as hidden.
Scale Factor Defines the scaling factor for import.
Fit to Paper Size Adapts the scaling in such a way that the complete drawing fits in
the paper area defined above.
Not all DXF programs make a distinction between paper and model
areas. This also depends on how the CAD drawing was created. The
preview in the import dialogue can be used in cases of doubt to
simply test which options produce the desired result.
19.3 Exporting circuits
The FluidDraw circuits can be saved as a file with a variety of differ-

ent formats. The BMP, JPG, GIF, WMF, PNG, DXF, PDF, SVG, TIF and
PDF formats are available. Once you have selected the File menu
item from the Export... menu a dialogue window opens where you
can define the different settings for export. The settings depend on
the format selected.

Figure 19/3: Export Page dialogue window
Then, you will be asked to select a file name or enter a new one.
Format Select the desired file format.
Resolution Defines the resolution. This setting is only available for specific
image formats.

Bear in mind that a high resolution will result in very large files
being created, which can make the export process take longer. You
can cancel the image export at any time, however.
Color depth Defines the colour depth. This setting is only available for specific
image formats.
Transparent background Sets a transparent background. This setting is only available for
specific image formats.
Print lattice Exports the background grid set in the page.
Encode unicode characters Displays umlauts and special characters with a special code. This
option is only necessary for the DXF format.
Export cross-reference links Exports termination points and other connected objects as links.
This option is only available for the DXF format.
Override Color Links that you click with the mouse during export can thus be
displayed in the defined colour. The existing links are thus easier to
recognise. This option is only available for the DXF format.
Total project pages equals When exporting, only the selected pages are counted and used for
selection the predefined variable "%TotalPages. This is mainly displayed in
the drawing frame as the total number of project pages.
Create overview page (PDF Use this option to create an overview page. This contains the se-
format only) lected project pages as thumbnails on a single page. This option is
only available for the PDF format.
Drawing Layers... Select which drawing layers you want to show or hide when export-
ing.
Target Size Define the desired scaling or the absolute export size here.

Template management
Chapter 20
20. Template ma nage me nt
Templates for specific contents are managed at several points in

FluidDraw. Every file contains a template. Previously, these were
only drawing frames. With version 6, however, this concept has
been extended to include project templates and report templates.
The templates are stored in individual files to make it easier to

exchange them as well as to facilitate their joint use. These tem-
plates are managed using a standardised central dialogue that can
be accessed via the menu item: Manage / Manage templates... .
20.1 Template management dialogue
Figure 20/1: Dialogue for managing templates
You can select the template type whose templates you want to
organize on the left side of the dialogue. The currently selected
template type is always displayed on the right side.

As every template is stored in a single file, template management is
primarily for the clear organisation of access to these files, which
may be located in very different directories on the local PC, remov-
able data storage media or network drives. The aim is therefore to
create options so that the user can manage and make these tem-
plates accessible in such a way that fast access to the template
required is ensured.
The main element on the right side of the dialogue for template
management is a flexible folder structure similar to the project tree
in the project explorer or the Windows file system. How you can
adapt this folder structure to your own requirements is described in
detail below.
20.2 Adjustment of the folder structure
By default, the folder structure has two directory links below the
main folder for the corresponding template type. This is the refer-
ence to the default templates provided in the installation directory
of the program and also the reference to the user folder of the
current folder in which normally the user-defined templates are
stored. The reference to the installation directory cannot be
changed. The reference to the user folder can be changed, howev-
er.
→ To do this, highlight the link and click the Edit... button below
the folder structure. You can then select another directory that
is to be searched for the user’s own templates.
The two default references to the default templates and to the user-
defined templates cannot be deleted, but they can be hidden.
→ To do this, highlight the corresponding link in the folder struc-

ture and click the corresponding Hide button.
Apart from the restrictions for these two predefined folders, you
can define the folder structure as desired. You can use the follow-
ing basic elements to define your own structure:

Add folder... Directory link
You can use the Add folder... button to add a virtual folder to the
folder structure to an existing folder, e.g. from the local hard disk or
a network drive. A link to this directory is then added to the struc-
ture and the directory including all sub-directories is searched for
templates of the currently selected template type. All templates
found in the corresponding directory are displayed in the structure
below the directory link. If templates are found in sub-directories,
they are also listed.
Add files... File link

You can use the Add files... button to add individual or several
concrete templates to a virtual folder of the structure.
New Folder... Virtual directory

You can use the New Folder... button to create a virtual folder in
the folder structure. Virtual folders, directory links or individual file
links can be inserted in this virtual folder. These three buttons are
only available if a virtual folder is selected in the folder structure.
To begin with, this is only the main folder of the corresponding
template type at the very top in the folder structure. The other
buttons below the folder structure can be used to subsequently
modify it.
Create Copy... Creates a copy of the selected template in the file system. You can
use this function to create copies of the templates provided and
then adapt them to your own requirements.
Edit... If a template is currently selected in the folder structure, it is

opened for editing. If a directly link is selected a dialogue opens for
selecting a different directory.
Rename... Allows templates and virtual folders to be renamed.
Remove Removes the selected object from the folder structure. No files are
deleted from the file system when this is done. The button is not
available for the default directories or for the elements below a
directory link.

Options
Chapter 21
21. Options
The Options... button of the Options group on the Manage

ribbon page takes you to the Options dialogue window that per-
mits various program settings.

21.1 General
Figure 21/1: Options dialogue window: General tab
21.1.1 Language
Programme Defines the language for the program interface including dialogue
windows and messages.

21.1.2 Menu bar
Use classic style menus FluidDraw uses ribbons by default with pages and groups for dis-
playing the menus and buttons. If the “ Use classic style menus”
option is active, the classic menu representation is used.
21.1.3 Dialogue boxes
Leave property dialogues The properties dialogues of various objects remain open by default
open until they are closed by the user. You can continue to work on the
circuit diagram while the dialogues are open. Any number of dia-
logues can remain open simultaneously. This performance is also
called non-modal.
Depending on the way you work, it may be practical to keep several

properties dialogues open simultaneously. However, that can also
get confusing very quickly. You can deselect the option if you
desire. Then, any dialogue open for editing must be closed first
before other edit functions can be used. This is also referred to as
modal.
21.1.4 Project
Undo operation across all If you want to undo an operation, use the corresponding Undo
project pages function. You can also undo multiple operations by using the func-
tion several times.
If you edit different pages of a project alternately, it may be desired

to undo all operations made on the various project pages in pre-
cisely the same order. Alternatively, you can define that the undo
operation always only applies to the page you are just editing.

Please note that operations that change different pages of a project
simultaneously may result in undesired results if the undo opera-
tions are not carried out in chronological order. That includes e.g.
spreading valve terminal on to several pages or editing global
objects such as terminal strips or cables.
Create Unplaced Objects Some symbols such as for solenoid valves in the pneumatic dia-
gram require additional corresponding solenoid coils in the electri-
cal part. FluidDraw can automatically provide the corresponding
components in a special library when such objects are inserted. It is
on the left in the area with the component library. It is managed
separately for each open project and has the caption: Unplaced
Objects.
If you do not require these components that were automatically

added to the project, deselect the Create Unplaced Objects option.
21.1.5 Check for updates at start-up
FluidDraw can search the Internet for a new version when the
program starts. You can activate or deactivate the automatic search
here.
Check for updates now... As soon as there is an Internet connection you can use this button
to trigger the search for a new FluidDraw version.

21.2 Save
Figure 21/2: Options dialogue window: Save tab
Compress Files FluidDraw normally compresses the stored files in order to save
memory capacity on the disk. If you deactivate the option the files
are saved as XML files without compression. You can find further
information in the Circuit files section.
Create Backup Files The “ Create Backup Files” option is used to create previous ver-
sions of stored files with the file extension bak. You can restore the
previous version this way.
Verify File Write Activate this option if you want to ensure after a save operation
that the file was written correctly.
Create Folder For New Pro- A folder with the project name where all project files are stored is
jects automatically created when a new project is created if this option is
active.
Embed Image Files If you want to insert an image file in FluidDraw you will be request-
ed to select a file path. You have the choice of embedding the
image or of saving the file path as an external link.
You define the desired default setting here. If you frequently want
to forward or archive your circuit drawings, you should embed the
images.

Save source path If you have embedded an image file the original file path is no
longer required. However, it may still be practical if you can also
see later on where the image came from.
Please note that even if the option is selected the image is not
updated if the image file has changed. The file path is for your
information only. If you desire an automatic update, do not embed
the image but create an external link instead.
21.3 Product Catalogue
Figure 21/3: Options dialogue window: Product Catalogue tab
Retrieve additional data If this option is active, FluidDraw will attempt to obtain additional
when inserting products product properties via an Internet connection.
When this is done, no individual or personal data is transferred to

Festo or third parties.
Products Specifies which products from the Festo product catalogue are to
be used, for example Europe or Festo worldwide.

Default period for shopping From Festo Shopping Basket can be used to import shopping
baskets baskets in FluidDraw. You define here what period is set as the
filter by default. You can also change this period later on using the
insertion dialogue.
Language Defines the language used for the Festo product catalogue.
Insert symbols with type If this option is selected, when components are inserted from the
attribute Festo product catalogue with the circuit symbol, a text box is auto-
matically inserted with a link to the attribute with the type designa-
tion of the product.
Insert FluidDraw symbol There are different symbol representations for some products. If
instead of catalogue symbol you insert anything from the Festo product catalogue you can
choose which symbol you want to apply. You define the default
setting with this option.
Insert legacy valve terminal FluidDraw can automatically convert order codes of some frequent-
symbols ly used valve terminals into the corresponding symbol representa-
tion. You can select here whether you prefer the new horizontal
representation or the vertical representation of the previous ver-
sion of FluidDraw.
Text fields for accessories If you insert accessories without symbol representation, texts
appear with the type designation of the products. You can limit the
number of text boxes inserted here.

21.4 Folder Locations
Figure 21/4: Options dialogue window: Folder Locations tab
Project Templates This is the default path for your own project templates.
Project Files This is the default path for opening and saving projects.
Library Files This is the default path for opening and saving libraries.
Drawing Frames This is the default path for opening and saving drawing frames.
Database Files This is the default path for opening and saving database files.
User defined reports This is the default path for your own reports, such as parts lists,
terminal diagrams, wiring lists, etc.

Page Files This is the default path for opening and saving circuits.
21.5 Translation Table
Figure 21/5: Options dialogue window: Translation Table tab
Translation Table Defines the translation table to be used.
used.

21.6 Connector Links
Figure 21/6: Options dialogue window: Connector Links tab
21.6.1 Connect Automatically
FluidDraw supports the automatic connection of connectors. The

following settings define which connectors should be automatically
created.
Pneumatic – Horizontal Pneumatic connectors that are on one horizontal line are automati-
cally connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.
Pneumatic – Vertical Pneumatic connectors that are on one vertical line are automatical-
ly connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.
Electric – Horizontal Electric connectors that are on one horizontal line are automatically
connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.
Electric – Vertical Electric connectors that are on one vertical line are automatically
connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.
GRAFCET – Horizontal Connectors of GRAFCET objects that are on one horizontal line are
automatically connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.
GRAFCET – Vertical Connectors of GRAFCET objects that are on one vertical line are
automatically connected when a symbol is inserted or moved.

Allow connections between Only connectors of the same type can be connected if this option is
same connector types only active. For example a line from an electric connector to a pneumatic
connector cannot be created in this case.

21.7 Warnings
Figure 21/7: Options dialogue window: Warnings tab
21.7.1 Warnings
Enable Background Check All circuits are checked during editing if this option is active. Only
the criteria that would lead to the warnings specified under “ Show
Warnings” are checked. Objects that caused an error are highlight-
ed in red in the circuit. If this option is not active then the check

must be triggered manually using the Page – Check Drawing
menu.
Drawing Tools Objects that result in a warning are highlighted in red. If you also
activate this option the reason is displayed in an information win-
dow if you move the mouse over the relevant object.
21.7.2 Show Warnings
Different types of warnings that FluidDraw should or should not

issue can be activated and deactivated here. These warnings in-
clude “ Duplicated identification labels” and “ Superimposed
objects”.

21.8 Appearance
Figure 21/8: Options dialogue window: Appearance tab
21.8.1 Override Default Settings
Font Defines the default font used to insert text.
Pen width Defines the default line width used to insert drawing elements.
21.8.2 View
Display Snap Radius To simplify the connection of connectors, FluidDraw draws a small
circle around the connector points of the circuit symbols. Deselect

the Display Snap Radius option to stop the representation of the
circle.
Display Line Jump Defines the default setting for displaying line jumps. That improves
the recognisability for intersecting lines. You only set the default
value here. To change the representation on an existing page, you
can also find this option at the page and project settings.
21.8.3 Zoom
Mouse wheel Defines the direction and the additional key to be used to zoom in
and out using the mouse wheel.
21.8.4 Grid
To display the grid press the Show Grid button in the Drawing
Tools group on the View ribbon page.
Grid Width You set the width of the grid here. In addition to values such as
“mm” you can also specify the relative basic unit of length “M” .
Style You set the grid style here.
21.9 Designation Conventions
This tab is used to define the default settings for the designation
conventions. You can find further information under Equipment
identifications and designation conventions.
The settings are only applied to newly created projects or circuits.

They have no effect on existing objects.

Figure 21/9: Options dialogue window: Designation Conventions
tab
21.9.1 Default Settings
Automatically frame identifi- Defines that the identifications are framed in the event of a free
cation for free input input without using the designation conventions.
Enumerate Automatically Defines that the identifications of newly inserted symbols are
automatically numbered.
Consider All Project Files All project files and not just the current circuit are taken into ac-
count for numbering if this option is active.

21.9.2 User Defined
Frame Identification Defines that the identifications are framed.
21.10 Cross Reference Representation
Figure 21/10: Options dialogue window: Cross Reference Repre-

sentation tab
This tab is used to define the default settings for the cross-
reference representation. You can find further information under
Cross-reference representation.

They have no effect on existing objects.

Example Illustrates the effects of the settings using an example.
Reset Resets the settings to the settings defined in FluidDraw.

21.11 Text Sizes
Figure 21/11: Options dialogue window: Text Sizes tab
This tab defines the font sizes to be used for objects newly inserted
into the circuit diagram.
Preview The defined fonts and font sizes are shown here according to an
example.

21.12 Dimension
This tab is used to define the default settings for the dimensions.
You can find further information under Dimension.
Figure 21/12: Options dialogue window: Dimension tab
All settings are only applied to newly created dimensions. They

have no effect on existing dimensions in the circuit.

Layer Defines the drawing layer where the newly created dimensions are
placed.
Automatic Dimensioning Activates or deactivates automatic dimensioning. If this option is

activated then the displayed dimensioning is automatically adapted
if the dimensions are scaled.
Unit Defines the unit to be used for the dimension.
Show Unit Defines whether the unit should be displayed.
Decimals Defines the number of decimal places.
Scale Factor Determines the factor with which the real length is multiplied for
the displayed value. This is necessary if you are creating a drawing
with a scale other than 1:1.
21.12.2 Preview
The default settings of the dimensions are shown here using an

example.
21.13 Drawing Layers
This tab is used to define the default settings of the drawing layers.

The settings have no effect on existing pages.

Figure 21/13: Options dialogue window: Drawing Layers tab
Default Settings Resets the settings of the drawing layers to the default values.

Ribbon overview
Chapter 22
22. Ribbon overview
22.1 Quick access toolbar
The quick access bar provides some functions that are frequently
used and that are therefore available regardless of the currently
selected ribbon page.
Save File
Undo
Redo
Check Drawing
Connect Automatically
22.2 File
File

New
New / Page
Opens a new window for creating a new page that is added to the
current project.
New / Project
Opens the dialogue window for creating a new project.
New / Project from template...

Opens the dialogue window for creating a new project that is
based on a project template.
Open...
Opens the dialogue window for selecting an existing project or a
circuit file. The most recently opened files can be selected for
opening from a list.
Save File
Saves the active project.
Save All
Saves all open projects.
Save Project As...

Saves the active project under a new name on the data storage
medium. With external file references you must bear in mind that
changes to these files affect all projects containing them.

Print...
Opens the FluidDraw dialogue window Print for setting the print
options for the active project.
Close
Closes the active project.
Import/Export
DXF Import...
Opens the dialogue window for selecting a stored DXF file. The
selected file is then converted into a FluidDraw drawing. The origi-
nal file remains unchanged.
Export...
Exports the circuit drawing of the active window as BMP, JPG, GIF,
PNG, TIF, WMF, DXF, PDF or SVG file to the data storage medium.
Save as Component Library...

Saves the active project as a library. A new library symbol is then
created for every circuit. The project name is applied as the name of
the new library with the file extension lib.
22.3 Home
Clipboard
Paste
Inserts the objects from the clipboard into the active circuit.

Copy
Copies the selected objects to the clipboard.
Cut
Deletes the selected objects and inserts them in the clipboard.
Select
Properties...
If the circuit symbol is selected, opens the Properties dialogue
window for entering the component properties. It can also be used
to apply the attributes from the Festo product catalogue.
If you highlight the component connector, the Connector dialogue

window opens for entering the connector properties.
When a line segment is highlighted a dialogue window opens

enabling you to enter the line properties.
If several objects are highlighted, a dialogue window appears with

the different and common properties of the highlighted objects.
Select All
Highlights all objects of the active circuit.
Delete
Deletes the highlighted objects of the active circuit.
Delete Connector
Deletes the highlighted component connector.
Group

Group
Groups the highlighted objects.
Create Macro Object

Creates a macro object from the highlighted objects.
Ungroup/Break Off
Deletes the highlighted groups or macro objects.
Create Cross-reference
Creates a cross-reference.
Rotate
Right
Rotates the highlighted objects 90 degrees clockwise. Grouped
objects are rotated around the centre of the group rectangle.
Left
Rotates the highlighted objects 90 degrees anti-clockwise.
Grouped objects are rotated around the centre of the group rectan-
gle.
Mirror
Horizontally
Mirrors the highlighted objects horizontally. Grouped objects are
mirrored at the axis of the group rectangle.

Vertically
Mirrors the highlighted objects vertically. Grouped objects are
mirrored at the axis of the group rectangle.
Align
The buttons of this group can be used to align the highlighted

objects to each other.
Drawing Layers
Highlighted objects can be assigned to the specified drawing layer.

If no objects are highlighted, the specified drawing layer is the
standard layer.
Zoom
Fit to Window
Selects the zoom factor that allows the entire circuit drawing to fit
in the window.
Standard Size
Shows the circuit drawing in its original size.
View Detail
Defines the new view by drawing a rectangle with the left mouse
button pressed.
Previous View
Shows the circuit drawing in the last view. Activate this function
repeatedly to switch back and forth between the views last set.

22.4 Insert
Object
Text
Inserts a text at the mouse position.
Picture
Inserts an image file at the mouse position.
Draw
In this group, you can find functions for freely drawing graphical
elements such as lines, rectangles and circles.
Line
Draws a line by defining two end points.
Rectangle
Draws a rectangle by defining two diagonally opposite corner
points.
Circle
Draws a circle by defining the centre and the radius.
Ellipse
Draws an ellipse by defining a centre and two axially parallel radii.

Poly Line
Draws a polyline by defining the vertices with successive mouse
clicks. The drawing operation can be cancelled by pressing the
Esc key or by clicking the right mouse button. The last vertex
must be set with a double-click.
Symbol
Find Symbol Description...

Opens the search dialogue for selecting a symbol by its appear-
ance or by its description.
From Festo Catalogue...

Opens the Festo product catalogue for selecting a component via
the product properties.
From Custom Database

Opens a dialogue window similar to the Festo product catalogue
for selecting a component via the product properties. It is not the
database of the Festo product catalogue that is used, however, but
the selected user database.
Collection
From Festo Shopping Basket
From Festo Shopping Basket / Online (Internet access

required)...
Opens the dialogue for applying components from an existing
online shopping basket.

From Festo Shopping Basket / Offline (from local product
catalogue)...
Opens the dialogue for applying components from an existing
offline shopping basket.
From File...
Opens the dialogue window for selecting an existing text file in CSV
format that was created by export from the Festo product cata-
logue.
Link
Conduction Line...
Opens a dialogue window that defines the settings for one or more
conduction lines that are to be inserted in the circuit diagram after
the dialogue window is confirmed.
Interruption/Potential...
Adds an interruption or an electric potential to the circuit diagram.
Define Connector...
Creates a new component connector the next time you use the left
mouse button to click a circuit symbol.
Electrics
Terminal
Inserts a terminal in the circuit diagram.
Multiple Terminals...
Inserts multiple terminals in the circuit diagram.

Cable
Inserts a cable in the circuit diagram.
List
Table
Inserts a fixed table in the page.
Report
Inserts an report in the page.
Dimension
Using the buttons of this group, you can insert a dimensioning

symbol in the active page.
22.5 Select
You can use these options to set selection filters.
Options
Active Drawing Layer Only

The selection filters only include the currently selected drawing
layer.
Protect connector texts

Prevents any inadvertent displacement of the connector texts.
Object Types

Select the desired object types here.
All Objects
Main Components
Sub components
Connection Lines
Component Designations
Line Designations
Connector Designations
Cable Designations
Text Objects

Attribute Links
Terminals
Cables
Lines
Rectangles
Circles/Ellipses
Poly Lines
Images
Tables and reports
Drawing Layers

Defines the drawing layer to which the filters apply when the
Active Drawing Layer Only option is selected.
22.6 Edit
Edit
Enable Rotate
Activates and deactivates “Rotation permitted” mode that alloys
you to rotate symbols using the mouse pointer.
Enable Scale
Activates and deactivates “Scaling permitted” mode that allows
you to scale symbols using the mouse pointer.
Edit Poly Line

Activates or deactivates “Edit Polyline” mode that allows you to
edit a polyline.
Edit List/Table
Activates or deactivates “Edit Table” mode that allows you to edit
a table.
Connect Automatically
FluidDraw supports the automatic connection of connectors. You
can temporarily activate or deactivate the function with this option.
Snap
Defines the options for the object snap.

Snap to End Point
Snap to Mid Point
Snap to Intersection
Snap to Centre
Snap to Grid
Snap to Connector
Color
Color
Defines the drawing colour. This setting applies both to future
drawing operations, therefore also (on request) to the currently
marked objects.
Line Style
Line Style
Defines the line style. This setting applies both to future drawing
operations, therefore also (on request) to the currently marked
objects.

Line Width
Defines the line width. This setting applies both to future drawing
operations, therefore also (on request) to the currently marked
objects.
Start Cap
Defines how the beginning of the line is displayed. This setting
applies both to future drawing operations, therefore also (on re-
quest) to the currently marked objects.
End Cap
Defines how the end of the line is displayed. This setting applies
both to future drawing operations, therefore also (on request) to
the currently marked objects.
T-Node
T-Node
Defines how the T-distributor is displayed. This setting applies both
to future drawing operations, therefore also (on request) to the
currently marked objects.
22.7 View
Drawing Tools
Show Page Borders

Shows or hides the page borders in the form of a red rectangle.
This rectangle represents the limits of the paper format set using
the Drawing Size... menu. You use the print preview to decide
whether and how the drawing is distributed over several pages.

Show Grid
Shows a background grid in the active circuit window. The grid
settings can be made on the Tools tab under the Options...
menu item in the General menu.
Show Rulers
Shows or hides the rulers in the active circuit window.
Show Page Dividers

Shows or hides the page dividers in columns and rows. Cross-
references can refer to the column and row containing a symbol.
The position and number of the columns and rows can be interac-
tively defined via the page dividers shown.
Show Connector Descriptions
Shows or hides the connector descriptions. The Display option can

be selected in the properties dialogue window for the connectors.
This option is only evaluated if “ Individual ” was selected.
None
Hides all connector descriptions regardless of the settings at the
connectors.
All
Shows all connector descriptions regardless of the settings at the
connectors.
Individual
Shows only the connector descriptions for those connectors with
the Display option activated.
Show Terminal Directions

Shows or hides the direction arrows at the terminals. The arrow
head points at the control cabinet.
None
Hides all arrows regardless of the settings at the terminals.
Individual
Shows only the arrows for those terminals with the Show Direction
option activated.
All
Shows all arrows regardless of the settings at the terminals.
GRAFCET
Defines whether for GRAFCET elements the formula is to be prefer-

ably displayed or a text description.
Use settings of individual elements
Description, if available
Always show formula
Display Contact Images
Shows or hides the contact images.
Window

New Window
Opens a window with an additional view of the active window.
Navigation Pane
Opens an overview window with a miniature view of the entire
circuit drawing. The currently visible part of the active window is
displayed as a white area. The non-visible part of the drawing is on
a grey background. By creating a rectangle with the mouse pointer
in the overview window, you can determine a section of the circuit
drawing that is displayed in the active window. Simply click in the
overview window with the left mouse button to move the visible
area while maintaining the zoom factor.
Cascade
Cascades the windows.
Tile Horizontally
Arranges the windows below each other.
Tile Vertically
Arranges the windows next to each other.
Close All
Closes all open windows.
22.8 Page
Drawing

Check Drawing
Checks the active circuit drawing for drawing errors.
Numbering
Renumber Designations...
Opens a dialogue window enabling you to interactively renumber
the symbol identifications.
Manage
Manage Terminal Strips...

Opens a dialogue window enabling you to manage the terminal
strips in the circuit.
Manage Cables...
Opens a dialogue window enabling you to manage the cable ob-
jects in the circuit.
Properties
Drawing Size...
Opens a dialogue window enabling you to set the size of the draw-
ing.
Drawing Layers...
Opens a Drawing Layers dialogue window enabling you to set the
properties of the drawing layers.
Language...
Opens a dialogue window enabling you to set the circuit language.

Properties...
Opens a dialogue window for entering the circuit properties.
22.9 Project
Page
Import Current Page

Adds the active window to the file list of the open project.
Delete Current Page

Removes the active window from the file list of the open project.
Numbering
Renumber Designations...
Opens a dialogue window enabling you to interactively renumber
the symbol identifications.
Renumber Pages...
Opens a dialogue for renumbering the project pages.
Manage
Manage Terminal Strips...

Opens a dialogue window enabling you to manage the terminal
strips in the project.

Manage Cables...
Opens a dialogue window enabling you to manage the cable ob-
jects in the project.
Manage Cross References...

Opens a dialogue window enabling you to manage the cross-
references in the project.
Manage Global Objects...

Opens a dialogue window enabling you to manage the global
objects.
Properties
Drawing Layers...
Opens a Drawing Layers dialogue window enabling you to set the
properties of the drawing layers.
Language...
Opens a dialogue window enabling you to set the project lan-
guage.
Properties...
Opens the dialogue window for entering the project properties.
22.10 Library
Add

Create New Library...
Creates a new library.
Add Existing Library...

Opens the dialogue window for selecting a stored library file with
the file extension lib. The library stored in the file is then added to
the library window.
Add Existing Symbol Folder...

Opens the dialogue window for selecting an existing folder. The
entire contents of the selected folder including all circuit symbols
and sub-folders are displayed as a library.
Active Library
Sort Current Library Alphabetically

Sorts the contents of the active library alphabetically. This function
is only available for libraries created by the user. Write-protected
libraries are automatically sorted and cannot be resorted by the
user.
Rename Active Library...

Opens a dialogue window for entering the name of the library. This
function is only available for libraries created by the user. In write-
protected libraries, the name of the folder is displayed on the tab.
Close Current Library

Removes the active library from the list in the library window. The
library file is not deleted by this action and can be opened again
using the Library menu and the Add Existing Library... menu
item.
Identification

Two-letter designations
This is for defining if the reference designations of the components
from the standard libraries are to be proposed with one or two
reference code letters. Two letters are normally used according to
newer standards.
Manage reference designations...

If a symbol does not have a default identification in the library or if
you want to change it, you can assign an individual identification to
every symbol. This dialogue provides you with an overview of all
user IDs.
22.11 Manage
Sources
Manage templates...
Opens a dialogue window for managing templates.
Custom Product Databases...

Opens a dialogue window for managing the product databases.
Translation Tables...
Opens a dialogue window for managing translation tables.
Options
Options...
Opens the dialogue window with program settings, file paths and
language options.

Restore Defaults...
Resets the program settings to the default values. This enables you
to undo unintentional settings made.
Note: Use this function if you feel that FluidDraw is behaving unex-
pectedly or files and windows appear to have suddenly disap-
peared.
Licences
Licence Information...
Opens the dialogue window with information on the licence cur-
rently used.
Manage Licences...
Opens the Online licence manager where the licences that belong
to a ticket number can be managed.
22.12 Help
User’s Guide
Contents
Displays the contents of the FluidDraw help pages.
Index
Displays the index of the FluidDraw help pages.
Search
Displays the search dialogue of the FluidDraw help pages.

Version
Check for updates...

As soon as there is an Internet connection you can use this menu
item to trigger the search for a new FluidDraw version.
About...
Displays the FluidDraw programme information.

Adjust Ribbon
Chapter 23
23. Adjust Ribbon
Using the new “ Adjust ribbon” dialogue, the new user interface of
FluidDraw can be adjusted completely to the users individual
preferences. Besides adjusting the default configuration, all new
user configurations can be created, exported and imported. Chang-
es to the shortcuts are also possible using the dialogue.
You can access the configuration dialogue via the quick access at
the top of the window.

Figure 23/1: “ Adjust ribbon” in the quick access bar
Figure 23/2: Adjust Ribbon Dialogue
FluidDraw allows almost complete customisation to the ribbon.

This includes deleting and customising predefined default pages

and groups. Every page can be deleted to start with an empty
ribbon, which can be built from scratch to fit the users needs.
23.1 The Ribbon
The new ribbon interface in FluidDraw P6 works similar to ribbon

interfaces from other common software. It is divided in pages,
groups and commands, the latter of which also able to contain sub
commands. In the tree view this results in a maximum of 4 levels.
On the top level, the pages are housed, which contain the groups
housing the commands.

Figure 23/3: Up to 4 levels
23.2 Tree view and Command view
By default, the dialogue opens up showing in tree view mode,

which displays the ribbons default configuration on the left side
and the user configuration on the right side. Upon opening the
dialogue for the first time, both sides are identical.

Figure 23/4: Command view
The tree view mode can be changed to the command view mode. In
command view mode, all commands are listed alphabetically on the
left side, providing easy access to select the desired command.
23.3 Adding Elements
You can edit the user configuration using the mouse or the buttons
inside the dialogue. To add an element to the configuration, first
select the position inside the right tree view, where you want to
insert the new element.

New elements are inserted behind the selected element on the
right side. On inserting a page while e.g. a command is selected,
the page is added after the page housing the selected command.
Afterwards, select the element, which is to be inserted, in the left

tree view or command view. The “ Add ” button is then shown as
active. By pressing the button or using the context menu when right
clicking the element to insert, the selected element is copied into
the right tree view.
Some elements, like separators or mutual exclusive commands,

cannot be added using the Add button. New separators can be
added using “ New... ” - “ Separator”. Mutual exclusive com-
mands, like “ View ” – “ Show Terminal Directions ” – “ None ”, “
Individual ”, “ All ” cannot be added on their own, but only the
whole group “ Show Terminal Directions ” can be added.
You can also select elements from the left-hand tree by mouse and
drag them over into the right tree to copy them. An insert point is
shown for valid operations while dragging the element. Release the
mouse to perform the operation.

Figure 23/5: Drag&Drop Operation

Figure 23/6: Operation completed
23.4 Removing Elements
As previously mentioned in the introduction, all predefined ele-

ments can be removed from the user configuration. You can delete
any element by either selecting it in the right tree and clicking the
“Remove” button or right clicking the element and selecting the “
Remove ” command from the context menu.

23.5 Moving Elements
The elements in the right-hand tree can be moved and arranged.

You can use either the buttons “ Up ” and “ Down ” or the re-
spective entries in the context menu. Elements always move on
their own level, so groups will always be child elements of pages
and may jump to the next or previous page accordingly.
Additionally, drag&drop is also available to move elements
with the preview showing like described in Adding Elements.
23.6 Creating new Elements
Using the “ New... ” button, you can create new pages, groups and
separators. After selecting the position in the right-hand tree to
insert the new element at, it is inserted by clicking the respective
entry in the “New” menu.
Separators can only be inserted when a command is selected.
New pages are initially named “ New Page” whereas new groups
are initially named “ New Group”. Using the “ Rename... ” func-
tion, you can of course change the names to your liking. Being user
defined elements, the names will be shown in bold font.
Separators are added by using the “ New... ” – “ Separator” but-
ton. They get inserted after the selected command as well and will
be deleted on saving the configuration, if they are the last element
inside a group.

23.7 Renaming Elements

Click the “ Rename... ” button underneath the right-hand tree to
rename any element but separators. Like user created elements,
renamed elements are shown in bold font.

Besides user created new pages and groups, all renamed elements
can be reverted to their original name. Right click the respective
element and select “ Revert name to '#'” from the context menu.
Elements with customised names, showing up in bold font, won’t

be translated on switching the language. Resetting an elements
name will result in the element being translated again.
23.8 Large / Small Symbol
To highlight commands that are more important or to allow for a

better layout, the size of the commands in the ribbon can be
changed. Use the check box “ Large Symbol” beneath the right-

hand tree to switch between large and small display of the com-
mand. On selecting the command, the check box gets checked
accordingly. If checked, the symbol is displayed as a large symbol ([
Large Symbol] is displayed behind the command name in the tree
as well).
Not all elements support the large symbol appearance. This in-
cludes all commands displaying a check box or radio button them-
selves as well as separators.
23.9 Reset to default settings
Using the “ Reset ” button on the right side beneath the right-
hand tree, all changes can be reverted and the default configura-
tion is restored.
Restoring the default configuration also reverts all shortcuts to

their default assignment.
23.10 Import / Export
Customised configurations can be exported and imported via the “

Adjust ribbon” dialogue. This way, different configurations can be
designed to fit individual scenarios that can easily be exchanged.
Exchanging customised configurations with other users is also
possible.
Ribbon configurations are saved with the file extension PathEx-
tFdric.
On importing a ribbon configuration, the currently used configura-

tion is discarded and can only be restored by cancelling the dia-
logue. Export your current configuration before importing another
configuration, if you plan to use the current configuration again
later.

23.11 Assign shortcuts
Using the “ Assign Shortcut...” button, you can access the configu-
ration dialogue for shortcuts. The dialogue allows for any assign-
ment of shortcuts to single commands. All currently assigned
shortcuts can also be viewed in the dialogue.
Each row in the command list shows the commands name, the
default position in the ribbon as well as the current shortcut.

23.11.1 Assign new Shortcut
First, select the command from the list you wish to customise and
select the shortcut text field afterwards. Shortcuts support an
arbitrary combination of the modifier keys Shift , Ctrl and Alt
and any regular key. You can also decide not to use the modifier
keys at all and directly assign a key. After selecting the text field,
press the shortcut you want to use on the keyboard. Assign the
showed shortcut by clicking the “ Assign” button.
If the shortcut is already assigned to another command, a red

warning message appears below the text-field. Assigning the
shortcut will have to be confirmed in an additional dialogue then.
If a shortcut from the text field is not assigned on changing the
command, a prompt will ask if the shortcut should be discarded.

23.11.2 Remove Shortcut
If a command with an assigned shortcut is selected, you can re-

move the shortcut by clicking the “ Remove ” button next to the
shortcut. Removing a shortcut this way will not bring up a prompt
to confirm.

If you want to delete all assigned shortcuts at once, use the “
Remove all shortcuts” button. You will have to confirm the opera-
tion in a prompt again.
23.11.3 Restore shortcuts
Using the “ Reset ” button the default assignment for shortcuts

can be restored. In contrast to the Adjust ribbon dialogues “
Reset ” button, this will only reset all shortcuts, the ribbon config-
uration is left unchanged.

Index
Index
A
Alignment ____________________________________________ 87
Alignment line _______________________________________ 117
Attribute link_________________________________________ 199
Auxiliary line _________________________________________ 117
B
Backup copies _______________________________________ 325
Blanking plug _________________________________________ 79
BMP
export___________________________________________ 315
C
Cable ___________________________________________ 290, 293
manage _________________________________________ 293
Cable list ____________________________________________ 295
Cable map ___________________________________________ 294
Check
drawing _________________________________________ 150
Circle _______________________________________________ 139
Circuit
check ___________________________________________ 150
input____________________________________________ 312
node ____________________________________________ 208
open ____________________________________________ 208
output __________________________________________ 312
print ____________________________________________ 312
properties _______________________________________ 208
Component attributes _________________________________ 181
Compression
files ____________________________________________ 325
Conduction lines______________________________________ 286
Configurable cylinders __________________________________ 84
Configurable directional control valves _____________________ 82
Connector
connect __________________________________________ 69
define ____________________________________________ 81
delete ____________________________________________ 82
identification ______________________________________ 79
properties ________________________________________ 79
seal _____________________________________________ 79

Connector Labels _____________________________________ 194
Contact _____________________________________________ 191
Contact image________________________________________ 311
Control line ___________________________________________ 77
Cross Reference Representation _________________________ 128
Cross-reference
create from symbol ________________________________ 126
Cylinder
configure _________________________________________ 85
Cylinder editor ________________________________________ 85
D
Defining page dividers _________________________________ 113
Delete
line ______________________________________________ 79
Designation conventions _______________________________ 175
Designations
numbering _______________________________________ 177
Dialogue
cable _______________________________________ 290, 293
circle ___________________________________________ 140
circuit ____________________________________________ 46
component_______________________________________ 182
connector _________________________________________ 80
contact __________________________________________ 191
Cross Reference Representation______________________ 128
diagram properties ________________________________ 274
dimension _______________________________________ 173
drawing area _____________________________________ 277
drawing frame __________________________________ 92, 93
drawing layers ____________________________________ 120
drawing size_______________________________________ 46
electric line _______________________________________ 78
electric terminal___________________________________ 297
ellipse __________________________________________ 142
Functional diagram ________________________________ 265
image ___________________________________________ 134
line _______________________________________ 78, 79, 136
line chain ________________________________________ 144
line options ______________________________________ 280
Manage Cross References... _________________________ 129
object browser
filter____________________________________________ 155
page ____________________________________________ 216

pneumatic line _____________________________________ 78
polyline _________________________________________ 144
print ____________________________________________ 312
project _______________________________________ 46, 216
rectangle ________________________________________ 138
secondary element ________________________________ 191
section chain _____________________________________ 144
set multiple terminals ______________________________ 300
signal link _______________________________________ 281
signalling elements ________________________________ 279
text _____________________________________________ 197
text options ______________________________________ 275
wiring ___________________________________________ 290
Dimension___________________________________________ 172
Dimensioning ________________________________________ 172
Directional control valves
configure _________________________________________ 83
Drawing element _____________________________________ 130
Drawing frame ________________________________________ 91
create ____________________________________________ 91
import ___________________________________________ 91
use ______________________________________________ 91
Drawing frames with watermarks ________________________ 108
Drawing layer ________________________________________ 119
DXF
export___________________________________________ 315
DXF file
import __________________________________________ 313
E
Edit
circuit ____________________________________________ 61
Electric line __________________________________________ 145
Ellipse ______________________________________________ 141
Equipment identifications ______________________________ 175
Export ______________________________________________ 315
F
Festo product catalogue ________________________________ 61
G
GIF
export___________________________________________ 315

Graphical element ____________________________________ 130
Grid ________________________________________________ 117
Grid options _________________________________________ 335
Group _______________________________________________ 86
delete ____________________________________________ 87
form _____________________________________________ 86
H
Hatching ____________________________________________ 131
Hide
automatically ______________________________________ 59
Hide window __________________________________________ 59
I
ID code ___________________________________________ 66, 67
Image ______________________________________________ 133
Image file ___________________________________________ 133
Insert
symbol ___________________________________________ 52
Inserting T-distributors _________________________________ 72
Interruption _________________________________________ 147
J
JPG
export___________________________________________ 315
L
LabelTranslationTable _________________________________ 329
Language text
search __________________________________________ 165
Layer _______________________________________________ 119
Libraries _____________________________________________ 51
Library ____________________________________________ 54, 59
Library window ________________________________________ 59
Line ________________________________________________ 135
delete ____________________________________________ 79
electric __________________________________________ 145
intersect _________________________________________ 121
move ____________________________________________ 74
pneumatic _______________________________________ 145

Line chain ___________________________________________ 143
Line jump ___________________________________________ 121
Line segment _________________________________________ 74
Line type
define ____________________________________________ 77
Link ________________________________________________ 199
Links _______________________________________________ 307
M
Macro object
create ____________________________________________ 86
delete ____________________________________________ 87
Manage Cross References..._____________________________ 129
Mirror ____________________________________________ 87, 89
O
Object browser ________________________________________ 59
tree view ________________________________________ 153
line ____________________________________________ 154
Object snap _________________________________________ 118
Online shop __________________________________________ 63
Options
Appearance ______________________________________ 334
Connector Links ___________________________________ 330
Designation Conventions ___________________________ 335
Dimension _______________________________________ 340
Drawing Layers ___________________________________ 341
Folder Locations __________________________________ 328
General _________________________________________ 322
Grid ____________________________________________ 335
Save ____________________________________________ 325
Text Sizes________________________________________ 339
Translation Table __________________________________ 329
Warnings ________________________________________ 332
Order code ________________________________________ 66, 67
P
page
node ____________________________________________ 208
open ____________________________________________ 208
properties _______________________________________ 216

Page dividers ________________________________________ 220
Parts list
print ____________________________________________ 312
PDF
export___________________________________________ 315
Pneumatic line _______________________________________ 145
PNG
export___________________________________________ 315
Polygon chain ________________________________________ 143
Polyline _____________________________________________ 143
Potential ____________________________________________ 147
Potentials ___________________________________________ 286
Predefined attributes __________________________________ 219
Predefined placeholders _______________________________ 219
Predefined variables __________________________________ 219
Print _______________________________________________ 312
Product catalogue _____________________________________ 61
Project________________________________________ 58, 59, 207
add _____________________________________________ 208
node ____________________________________________ 208
print ____________________________________________ 312
properties _______________________________________ 216
remove __________________________________________ 208
XML file __________________________________________ 58
Project window ________________________________________ 59
Properties ___________________________________________ 216
Properties dialogue ____________________________________ 46
cable symbol _____________________________________ 290
circle ___________________________________________ 140
component_______________________________________ 182
connector _________________________________________ 80
contact __________________________________________ 191
cylinder __________________________________________ 85
dimension _______________________________________ 173
directional control valves ____________________________ 83
drawing layers ____________________________________ 120
electric line _______________________________________ 78
ellipse __________________________________________ 142
image ___________________________________________ 134
line _______________________________________ 78, 79, 136
line chain ________________________________________ 144
Manage Cross References... _________________________ 129
page ____________________________________________ 216
pneumatic line _____________________________________ 78

polyline _________________________________________ 144
project __________________________________________ 216
rectangle ________________________________________ 138
secondary element ________________________________ 191
section chain _____________________________________ 144
text _____________________________________________ 197
wiring ___________________________________________ 290
Properties dialogue window
cable ___________________________________________ 293
electric terminal___________________________________ 297
set multiple terminals ______________________________ 300
R
Rectangle ___________________________________________ 137
Ribbon _____________________________________________ 343
Ribbon page
Edit _____________________________________________ 355
File _____________________________________________ 343
Help ____________________________________________ 366
Home ___________________________________________ 345
Insert ___________________________________________ 349
Library __________________________________________ 363
Manage _________________________________________ 365
Page ____________________________________________ 360
Project __________________________________________ 362
Select ___________________________________________ 352
View ____________________________________________ 357
Rotate _______________________________________________ 88
S
Scale ________________________________________________ 89
Search
symbol ___________________________________________ 53
Secondary element ___________________________________ 191
Section chain ________________________________________ 143
Selection
object types
object filter
filter__________________________________________ 122
Shopping basket ______________________________________ 63
insert ____________________________________________ 63
Show
automatically ______________________________________ 59

Show window _________________________________________ 59
Silencer ______________________________________________ 79
Snap _______________________________________________ 118
Storage locations _____________________________________ 328
SVG
export___________________________________________ 315
Symbol
align _____________________________________________ 87
group ____________________________________________ 86
insert ____________________________________________ 61
mirror _________________________________________ 87, 89
move ____________________________________________ 61
rotate ____________________________________________ 88
scale _____________________________________________ 89
search ___________________________________________ 53
Symbol library ________________________________________ 54
Symbols _____________________________________________ 51
T
T-distributor
set ______________________________________________ 81
Terminal ____________________________________________ 297
Terminals ___________________________________________ 300
Text ________________________________________________ 133
Text attributes _______________________________________ 199
Text component ______________________________________ 196
Text constant ________________________________________ 202
Text ID
search __________________________________________ 165
Text link ____________________________________________ 199
TIF
export___________________________________________ 315
Tiles
printout __________________________________________ 46
Toolbar
drawing _________________________________________ 130
V
Valve editor __________________________________________ 83
Valve terminal _____________________________________ 66, 67
delete ____________________________________________ 66
distribute _________________________________________ 67
symbol ___________________________________________ 66

W
Wiring ______________________________________________ 290
WMF
export___________________________________________ 315
Working line __________________________________________ 77
X
XML file ______________________________________________ 58

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FluidDraw® P6

It contains a wide range of standard circuit diagram symbols as well

1. Installation and licensing 12

1.1 FluidDraw installation program 12

3. Library, project window and object browser 59

3.1 Changing the window position 59

4.1 Inserting and arranging symbols 61

© Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw 3

5.1 Using the drawing frame 91

6. Additional tools for creating drawings 117

6.1 Drawing aids 117

4 © Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw

7. The object browser 152

7.1 Navigating in the object browser 152

8. Manage Product Database 157

9. Manage Translation Tables 164

10. Dimensioning 172

10.1 Drawing dimensions 172

© Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw 5

11.1 Renumber Designations 177

12. Component attributes 181

12.1 Component attributes in the Properties dialogue window

13. Managing projects 207

13.1 Creating a new project 207

14. page and project properties 216

14.1 Attributes 217

6 © Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw

15. Tables 227

15.1 Using tables 227

16. Reports 230

16.1 Using reports 230

17. Functional diagram 264

17.1 Edit modes 264

© Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw 7

18. Special functions for electric circuits 286

18.1 Potentials and conduction lines 286

19. Circuit input and output 312

19.1 Printing circuits and parts lists 312

8 © Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw

20. Template management 318

20.1 Template management dialogue 318

21. Options 321

21.1 General 322

© Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw 9

22. Ribbon overview 343

22.1 Quick access toolbar 343

23. Adjust Ribbon 368

23.1 The Ribbon 370

10 © Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw

© Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw 11

FluidDraw uses the CodeMeter technology from Wibu-Systems for

1.1 FluidDraw installation program

You can select the language to be used during the installation on

12 © Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw

Figure 1/1: FluidDraw setup: start page

© Festo AG & Co. KG • Art Systems GmbH • FluidDraw 13

Please confirm the licence conditions for a new installation. For an

FluidDraw requires the CodeMeter Runtime from Wibu-Systems for

You require administrator rights to install the CodeMeter Runtime.