Training and Implementation Support for AutoCAD Electrical, ecscad, and promis-e

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Welcome to

Electrical Computer Aided-Design Consulting Headquarters

Doug McAlexander, Inc.

(770) 841-8009

"Doug is one of the most knowledgeable people I've encountered in the controls space. He really knows the industry and has a tremendous depth of knowledge around AutoCAD Electrical. He has a keen ability to help any customer succeed."

Scott Reese
Product Line Manager
Autodesk, Inc.

More References and Comments

Creating a preferred vendor parts catalog for AutoCAD Electrical®

When you share the vendor catalog (default_cat.mdb) across a network you will naturally experience a slower response time due to network traffic/latency. Here is one way to speed up the part number Lookup. Copy the default_cat.mdb file and rename the copy to complete_cat.mdb. Now go into the default_cat.mdb and remove all parts you will never use. If you never use AB, then remove AB from all tables. Note: The easiest way to do this is when installing AutoCAD Electrical® 2008, only check the boxes for vendors you prefer. Once the catalog database is trimmed down to only your preferred vendors the search time will be less. Okay, now you right-click on your project name and select Properties. Click the button labeled "Other". Next click on the radio button labeled "Optional: Define a secondary catalog lookup file for this project." Browse to the complete_cat.mdb file. OK out of all the dialog boxes.

From now on a lookup will go to the "trimmed down" default_cat.mdb. If later you need one of the parts from the complete catalog, click the "Other" button from within the Lookup dialog and follow the prompts to temporarily switch to the complete catalog.

More Tips and Tricks

AutoCAD Electrical® is an enhanced version of AutoCAD® that gives AutoCAD® the "horsepower" to create controls schematics and panel layouts with speed, consistency, and accuracy. You can leverage past designs so future project lead-times can be trimmed to a minimum. Built-in automated tools further increase your productivity. AutoCAD Electrical® has the tools to make your schematics "smart" so report extraction, error analysis, and even language conversions are easy tasks. You can even convert an entire electrical project from JIC to IEC symbols, or vice versa, with a few keystrokes.

We can put your personnel on the fast track to becoming highly efficient with electrical CADD software. If you already use AutoCAD®, you can make the switch to AutoCAD Electrical® with relative ease. The file format doesn't even change. And yes, you can convert your existing "dumb" AutoCAD® drawings to the intelligent AutoCAD Electrical® format. We have a staff of trained personnel who can convert older drawings from other formats or from standard AutoCAD format so your design team can stay focused on new projects.

Services Provided

On-site training of your personnel, including U.S. and International design standards

Installation, Implementation, and Customization Support for AutoCAD Electrical®

Let us convert your existing drawings to AutoCAD Electrical® format

Off-load your extra work to us so you can meet demanding deadlines

Full ECAD support, including smart border template creation, symbol creation, and maintenance of your symbol library, so your designers can stay focused on sales orders

Phone support for your Electrical CADD questions

Credentials

Over 20 years of experience in the controls design and documentation industry.

U.S. and International standards, including JIC, NFPA-79, UL-508A, and IEC-60204.

Prior to working as a private consultant, Doug McAlexander, the president of Doug McAlexander, Inc., was in charge of training, implementation, and maintenance of the Electrical CADD system for an industrial machinery manufacturer with offices around the world. In fact, they are now one of our main clients.

Doug is factory trained in the use of AutoCAD Electrical®, Toolbox/WD®, VIA/WD®, and Promis-e®. He is certified by the Autodesk Consulting Group and serves as a technical advisor and beta tester for future enhancements to AutoCAD Electrical®. Autodesk has hired Doug to train their field personnel as far away as Europe and Australia.

If you would like to discuss your ECAD needs, whether it be training, implementation, or design support, please feel free to call Doug at (770) 841-8009, or send an e-mail to ECADConsultant@aol.com.

This site created and maintained by Doug McAlexander, Inc.

Questions or Comments?

Last Update February 8, 2010