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      <title>Defining a Symbol</title>
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      <div class="title_topic3" id="xps10_pagetitle">Defining a Symbol</div>
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      <p class="para_topic">This option allows you to create your own symbol by selecting line geometry and/or notes. When used to define a symbol, the system saves the lines and/or text as &quot;line strokes&quot; (i.e., line vectors). You cannot edit the line strokes. The system saves the symbols in the current user-defined SBF file.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">The lines or notes that you use to create symbols must already exist. Therefore, before you use Define Symbol, use another NX application to create the geometry and text.</p>
      <ul>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">To create symbols from geometry, use the Insert&rarr;Curve option to create Line geometry. Create only lines; arcs are not valid objects for creating symbols.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">To create symbols from text, use the Drafting&rarr;Annotation Editor function to create Notes.</p>
         </li>
      </ul>
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            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
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               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">NX does not support user-defined symbols for multi-line text. Each line must be a separate note object. Also, User-defined symbols do not support line fonts and multiple colors. During symbol creation, the system ignores these options. </p>
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      <div class="title_division">Procedure</div>
      <p class="para_division">The process for creating a user defined symbol is simple if, before you define a symbol, make sure to create the original geometry in the correct orientation to the XC. When you add a user-defined symbol to a drafting object, the XC of the original symbol geometry is parallel to the object to which it is added (a dimension extension line).</p>
      <p class="para_division">To define a symbol:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select Define Symbol.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">At the Symbol Name prompt, enter a name for the symbol. Enter a name no longer than eight NX alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9 and .-#/_). The system automatically converts lower case letters to upper case. Use a descriptive name so that you and others can easily recognize its intended use.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">At the Symbol Factor prompt, enter a symbol factor. The symbol factor controls the symbol size when it is used in a line font definition pattern. The value you enter for this option is multiplied by the current value set in the Symbol Size field in the Preferences&rarr;Visualization&rarr;Line dialog. The Symbol Factor of each individual symbol and the Symbol Size determine the actual length between the connecting points of symbols displayed in a line. For example, if the Symbol Size value is .05, a Symbol Factor of 2 causes the symbol to display in a line font at twice the current size (.10). The system displays the  Point Constructor.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">At the next prompt, using the Point Constructor, enter the first connecting point. The anchor point is the placement point for the symbol. You will use this and the next point to locate the symbol when performing any of the following: placing a symbol in a part adding a symbol to a drafting object including a symbol in a text string specifying a line font definition or pattern</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">At the next prompt, using the Point Constructor, enter the second connecting point. Using the WCS, the system automatically adjusts the second point so that it is horizontal to the first. If the second point has a greater XC value than any geometry used in the symbol, it can still define the blank display area when you place the user-defined symbol. Connecting points cannot be coincidental. If they are, the system displays: &quot;Connection Points Coincide&quot;.</p>
            <div class="figure">
               <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/fil_v04fi33.gif"></p>
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            <div class="title_figure">Connecting Points</div>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">At the next prompt, select lines or text by using the cursor, entering an object, a name, or by using Chaining.</p>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <p class="para_division">After selecting the objects you want, the system creates the symbol, enters its name in the current SBF, and displays the Symbol Font Definition menu.</p>
      <p class="para_division">If the SBF file already contains a symbol with the same name, the system displays an appropriate message and prompts you to replace it or not. To replace and overwrite the existing symbol definition with the current data, select Yes.</p>
      <p class="para_division">When you finish defining or modifying the SBF file, the system saves and files the changes.</p>
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            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
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               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">To save your changes, you must have write access to the SBF. </p>
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      <div class="title_division">Placing Symbols</div>
      <p class="para_division">Placing symbols requires an understanding of connecting points. A connecting point is an Anchor Point or an Orientation Point. Use an Anchor Point as a reference location to position a symbol. Use the Orientation Point, in conjunction with the Anchor Point, when positioning a symbol. </p>
      <p class="para_division">Use the Anchor and Orientation connection points for the following:</p>
      <ul>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">To trim drafting object components.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">To locate and orient symbols.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">As control points in dimensioning and line construction.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">To determine symbol length when used in a line font.</p>
         </li>
      </ul>
      <p class="para_division">The following diagram illustrates both connecting points.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/fil_v04fi32.gif"></p>
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      <div class="title_figure">Two Connecting Points</div>
      <p class="para_division">In the above illustration, the left connecting point is the Anchor Point. The right connecting point is the Orientation Point.</p>
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            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
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               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">You do not necessarily have to attach the Anchor or Orientation point to a symbol defining object. You can place either point within or beyond the symbol defining objects. </p>
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