Symbol/Block Libraries
A recurrent question we get from DraftSight users is, if there are any Symbol/Block libraries available that users can download/use in/with DraftSight. Not all users work in an industry where they have to create specific parts and/or drawings, that they use constantly. You might regularly work in projects where you use Industry Standard Symbols, Blocks, or on another example you might be new user to DraftSight and CAD altogether, and you didn’t had enough time yet to “build up” your own library.
The current DraftSight version (V1R3.1) doesn’t include native Symbol/Block libraries in the installation package. If you already have a legacy library, as long as your files are in the file formats currently supported by DraftSight, you can still use them within DraftSight. Simply go to: Options> File Locations> Library Files Location and set the default path to the library folder (to set your library default path, or simply locate them using the Browse button in the Insert Block command dialog).
If you don’t have a library or if you are looking for expanding your current library, you have several options (some free, some for a fee). A quick search on your favourite search engine for “Free CAD Blocks”, “CAD Blocks Library” or similar, will return you plenty of results of websites, user forums or specialist websites from where you can download parts and files. Also, more and more companies make them available either on their websites, as product catalogues or product specification sheets (some on their websites, some provide them under request).
Saving you some trouble searching for these, I leave you two options for these resources:
- 3DContent Central (http://www.3dcontentcentral.com)
3D ContentCentral® is a free service for locating, configuring, downloading, and requesting 2D and 3D parts and assemblies, 2D blocks, library features, and macros. Join an active community of 1,036,823 CAD users who share and download user contributed and supplier-certified 2D and 3D parts & assemblies, 2D blocks, library features and macros.
- TracePartsOnline (http://www.tracepartsonline.net/)
TracePartsOnline.net part library exclusively for users of DraftSight™ CAD software from Dassault Systèmes. The new library is the first that allows over 1.3 million global DraftSight users instant access to 2D drawings from over 350 leading component supplier catalogs including: 3M, Advantech, Asco Numatics, Bosch Rexroth, Cepex, CGI, Clippard, DE-STA-CO, Facom, IFM, Igus, INA/FAG, Mädler, Norelem, Nozag, Parker Legris, Pneumadyne, RS Components, Schmersal, Schmalz, Schneider Electric, Sherex, Zimm and more.
DraftSight users can freely access the library at www.tracepartsonline.net/ws/draftsight to browse specific catalogs, or use a powerful search engine for cross-catalog searches based on dimensions or other technical properties, to find the part they need. Once parts are selected, the user has access to real-time 3D viewing, a summary of the Bill of Materials (BOM) attributes, and then either download the 2D drawings, receive them by email, or directly insert them into their DraftSight design.
Have fun building your own library or checking out the existing ones from above! Happy hunt!
