Renaming electrical drawings in AutoCAD Electrical involves different approaches depending on whether you are aiming to rename the entire AutoCAD Electrical project or individual drawing files (DWG files) within it. While there isn't a direct "rename project" command, both scenarios have specific methods to ensure proper functionality and data integrity.
For an AutoCAD Electrical project, there is no direct "rename" feature built into the software. The recommended and most reliable method is to create a copy of the existing project with your desired new name and then, after verifying the copy, delete the original project. This process ensures that all associated project files, database links, and report configurations are correctly transferred and linked to the new project name.
As per the reference: "There is no direct way to rename an AutoCAD Electrical project. As a work-around, you can copy the project, using the desired project name, and then delete the original project. Follow these steps: Click Projects menu > Project > Copy Project."
Step-by-Step Project Renaming
To rename your AutoCAD Electrical project using the recommended copy-and-delete workaround, follow these steps:
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Access Copy Project Command | In AutoCAD Electrical, navigate to the Projects menu, then select Project, and finally click Copy Project. This action opens the "Copy Project" dialog box. |
| 2. | Select Source Project | Within the "Copy Project" dialog, browse to and select the existing project file (.wdp file) that you intend to rename. |
| 3. | Define New Project Name & Location | Provide a New project file name in the designated field (this will be your desired new project name). Also, specify a New project path (the directory where the copied project files will be stored). |
| 4. | Configure Copy Options | Carefully choose which associated files and folders to copy. Options typically include drawings, subfolders, report files, and other project-related data. Ensure all relevant components are selected for a complete and accurate transfer. |
| 5. | Execute Copy | Click OK to initiate the copying process. AutoCAD Electrical will duplicate the entire project structure under the new name and in the specified location. |
| 6. | Verify and Delete Original | Once the copying is complete, it's crucial to open and thoroughly verify the newly named project in AutoCAD Electrical to confirm that all drawings, links, and project functionalities are correct. After successful verification, you can safely delete the original project files from your file system and remove its entry from the Project Manager to avoid confusion. |
- Practical Insight: Always create a complete backup of your AutoCAD Electrical project files before initiating any major operations like copying or deleting to safeguard against potential data loss.
Renaming Individual Electrical Drawings (DWG Files)
Renaming individual electrical drawing files (DWG files) that are part of an AutoCAD Electrical project is a more direct process, ideally performed using the software's Project Manager. This method automatically updates the project's internal links, maintaining data integrity.
Steps to Rename an Individual Drawing within AutoCAD Electrical
- Open Project Manager: Ensure the AutoCAD Electrical Project Manager palette is open (you can type
PROJECTMANAGERin the command line if it's not visible). - Locate Drawing: In the Project Manager, navigate to and select the specific DWG file name that you wish to rename within your active project.
- Access Rename Option: Right-click on the selected drawing name. From the context-sensitive menu that appears, choose the Rename Drawing option.
- Enter New Name: A dialog box will prompt you to enter the New filename for your drawing. Type the desired new name and then click OK.
- Automatic Update: AutoCAD Electrical will perform two key actions: it will rename the actual DWG file on your computer's disk, and it will automatically update all internal references within the project (
.wdpfile) to reflect the new drawing name, ensuring all links remain intact.
- Note: While it's technically possible to rename a DWG file directly using Windows File Explorer, doing so outside of AutoCAD Electrical's Project Manager will break the link within your project. If you rename a file this way, you will need to manually remove the old, broken entry from the Project Manager and then add the newly renamed drawing back into the project.
