Symbols panel and palette

Symbols are DXF or DWG files (or built-in items) that you place in a drawing as blocks. For blocks in general, see Blocks.

The Symbols panel

The panel (In the app: Help ▸ Show me) offers:

• Source (In the app: Help ▸ Show me): the built-in set, or a folder of your own symbols. Open the ⋯ menu and choose Add folder… to add a folder, or Remove folder to drop the current one from the list. The files themselves are not deleted.
• Category (In the app: Help ▸ Show me) narrows the list, and Search symbols (In the app: Help ▸ Show me) filters by name.
• Layout buttons: grid, list (best in a narrow panel) or a floating window.
• Symbol scale: an overall scale applied to every inserted symbol.
• Drawing scale 1: enlarges paper-size symbols (devices) by N, so they print at their real size on a 1:N sheet.
• Count… counts symbols; see Count symbols.

Place a symbol

1. Click a symbol in the panel or in the palette. Its preview follows the cursor.
2. Click to set the insertion point.
3. Type the rotation angle, or click a second time. Press Enter for 0 degrees.
4. The same symbol stays active, so you can place it again. Press Esc or right-click to finish.

If a file holds several symbols, you are asked which one to use. Each placement is one undo step.

Quick Access palette

The Symbols ▾ button in the Quick Access row (In the app: Help ▸ Show me) opens a compact palette with a source list, a search box and thumbnails. A Recent row holds the last eight symbols you placed from the panel or palette. Arrow keys move between thumbnails, Enter inserts and Esc closes. The palette works even when the panel is hidden.

Where the panel lives

Choose View ▸ Panels and pick Symbols panel: Dock in side panel, Dock left, Dock right, Float or Hide. Docked columns can be resized by dragging their inner edge and folded to a strip. Type SYMBOLS to bring a hidden panel back.