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Why can't SW find -hblock drawings?

Question asked by Ken Lux on Aug 24, 2009
Latest reply on Oct 8, 2009 by Ken Lux

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When I try to use 2-D drawing connector blocks when flattening an electrical route, I get the following error:

"No drawing connector block files have been found for the following components:

<part1>

<part2>

To generate connector blocks, use the Routing Component Wizard, found in Routing Tools."

I did use the routing component wizard to create connector blocks. The names match (part1.sldprt and part1-hblock.slddrw). The part and the connector block are in the same directory (X:\data\design library\routing\electrical where X: is a networked drive). I also copied the connector block drawings to X:\data\design library\routing\electrical\harnessing\packages just in case.

Why do I get this error?

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Andy Hughes Aug 26, 2009 4:39 AM
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Hi Ken,

Can you tell me which release you are using. I don't recall seeing any other reports of this problem, It may be network related but to be honest I doubt it. Could you please post the files in question so I can give them to QA for testing.

Andy
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- Greg Kramer @ Andy Hughes on Oct 8, 2009 4:22 PM
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  Hi Andy
  
  It looks like we meet again. I experiencing this issue as well. I only have this problem for connectors that I manually add to the solidworks library. The connectors that came with sldwks work great and I am able to modify their hblocks and they still work great. But when I go through the component wizard and try to add the hblock I get the exact error as Ken. Attached I have the .prt file I was using and the hblock that was generated in the component wizard.
  
  Thanks for all your help
  Greg
  Attachments
  - 3_520412_2.SLDPRT.zip273.7 KB
  - 3_520412_2-hblock.slddrw.zip35.3 KB
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- Chad Cameron @ Andy Hughes on Oct 8, 2009 5:19 PM
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  Andy,
  
  I too am having the same problem. Like Greg, the parts that I create with the component wizard and add to the default electrical library will not show the blocks at all on the harnessboard drawing.
  
  Chad
  
  Solidworks 2008 sp 5.0
  Windows XP
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  - Ken Lux @ Chad Cameron on Oct 8, 2009 7:56 PM
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    I found something that kindof works, but the documentation on what must be in an -hblock drawing is either non-existent or difficult to find (I found some info once, but can't find it now for the life of me).
    
    Forget about the electrical component wizard as the file the wizard makes doesn't work.
    
    1. Make a drawing of the connector.
    2. The drawing should include two views: the side view and the end view.
    3. On the side view, add 2 notes. One is "000" and the other is "111". I believe that this defines the orientation of the connector with respect to the harness cable. The cable enters the connector at the "000" note and "111" note is horizontally aligned with the "000" note at the opposite end of the connector. (maybe you need a horizontal line between the two notes)
    4. Add notes for pin numbers as desired
    5. Save the drawing as a DXF file
    6. Import the saved DXF file into a SW drawing (this reimporation strips a bunch of stuff from the file).
    7. Save the new SW drawing as part-hblock.slddrw in the same directory as part.sldprt
    
    One problem is that the connector-block drawings made this way have a fixed orientation, so if the cable is coming in from the opposite direction as you've assumed in your drawing, then the hblock will be either upside down or a mirror image.
    
    As I said before, I can't remember where I found this information. I thought that some of it was from the SW help file, but the exporting and reimporting I found on the web. I also thought I saw some information in the SW help file regarding color-coding the pins, but can't find that anymore either (maybe they assumed that their electrical component wizard produced useable hblock files and so they eliminated the instructions on how to make one yourself).
    
    I have no understanding of the block heirarchy used in the standard library hblock drawings, but assume that there is some reason for them - perhaps for getting the correct orientation when flipping the connector-block drawings?
    
    Attached is an example of a connector-block drawing I made in this manner. I've had a bit of trouble duplicating this success, though.
    
    Also check: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Solidworks\Solidworks2009\design library\routing\electrical\harnessing\packages for more built-in examples.
    Attachments
    D3899-24-1C-hblock.slddrw.zip244.0 KB
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- Ken Lux @ Andy Hughes on Oct 8, 2009 8:28 PM
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  Hi Andy,
  
  Sorry for the late reply.
  
  I'm using SW2009 SP4.0. Files are attached.
  
  Note that the -hblock drawing looks nothing like those in the \routing\electrical\harnessing\packages directory.
  
  I remember seeing some instructions in at least an earlier version of the help file that described how to make these drawings yourself, but can't seem to find it anymore. Do you have a link to those instructions? I can make hblock files that show up on drawings, but they are misplaced and half of them are upside down or mirror images.
  
  Thanks,
  Ken
  Attachments
  - dummy route.SLDDRW.zip84.8 KB
  - 1718371-1C-hblock.slddrw.zip20.1 KB
  - dummy.SLDASM.zip403.2 KB
  - 1718371-1C.sldprt.zip1.2 MB
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Why can't SW find -hblock drawings?

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