1. Drawings for Electrical Systems

2. What is GWCAD for? It’s an easily used software programme
for designing and estimating
electrical systems for residential and service industry applications

3. What does GWCAD provide?
It enables installers and
designers to produce:
- location plan drawings of the building part
- drawings of the electrical system
- a distribution layout (including accessories)
- calculate lighting requirements
- a list of materials

4. GENERAL FEATURES
This is a programme that works independently (AutoCAD not required)
The programme has a two-dimensional CAD engine with all the main AutoCAD commands (layer, grid, filters, block management, etc.)
It is possible to import and generate “dwg” and “dxf” files
Drawings and images in the usual formats (bmp, jpg, wmf, etc.) can be imported and used for designing the system

5. MENU BAR
TOOL BAR
The programme’s commands are in the various drop-down menus of the “Menu bar”.
Some commands (the main ones) are available at the icons beneath the menu bar and to the left of the worksheet. These icons are all in the “Tool Bar”.

6. TOOL BAR
The various “Tool Bars” available can be put on display by going to the Tool Bar command in the menu “File/Preferences”.

7. TOOL BAR The commands in the menu: - File - Tools continued ...
Tools menu
Cancel
Format grid
Grid on-off
Magnet on grid on-off
Text
Font style
Orthogonal on-off
Duplicate
Move
Edit attributes in blocks
Insert images
Calibrate images
File Menu
New
Open
Save
Undo
Copy
Redo
Cut
Paste
Print

8. TOOL BAR - Display ... continued ...
List
Distance
Display Menu
Expand
Reduce
Previous
Zoom extension
Zoom page
Pan
Reset
Zoom
Zoom/expand/reduce: these are the commands that make it possible to enlarge or distance the contents by a scale factor.
Pan: for moving the display in a dynamic way
Reset: this is for regenerating the drawing, clearing the screen, updating the entities and showing the not visible variations made to certain entities.

9. TOOL BAR - Status - Architecture ... continued ... Status Menu
Layer
Line style
Architecture Menu
Wall
Door
Window
Column
Move
Move/edit object
Property
Colour

10. TOOL BAR - Electrical ... Electrical Menu Symbols library
Calculate accessories domestic series
Edit device
Explode box
Box numbering
Distribution layout
Insert distribution accessories
Identifier (ducting key)
Calculate lighting requirements
Symbols key
List of materials

11. COMMANDS BAR
COMMANDS BAR: after having launched a command (clicking on the icon or using the menu bar), messages appear in the Commands Bar representing requests for operations or parameters that the programme is expecting.
The various possibilities are separated by “/”, and to select one, just click on it.
Example: after having clicked on the icon “Wall”, you can:
draw the “Starting point” of the wall, or
- click on “Arch wall” to draw an “Arch wall”, or
- click on “Properties” (the window “Wall properties” appears)

12. SETTING
SCALE AND PAGE
On starting up GWCAD, it is possible to adjust the worksheet by choosing:
format;
direction of the worksheet;
scale;
measuring unit.

13. “FILE” COMMANDS
In the “File” menu there have been included the commands for
managing files (New, Open, Save, etc.);
settings of the drawing sheet;
printing settings.
Specifically:
the “Import-Export” command enables importing drawings in the AutoCAD formats “dwg” and “dxf”;
the “Preferences” command enables setting:
> the background colour
> the measuring unit
> variable aspects
> the menu bars

14. “EDIT” COMMANDS At “Edit” in the menu bar it is possible: to duplicate
generate a series
move
turn
mirror
scale
(…)
the elements drawn,
in the following way:
- launch a command;
select the element to be edited;
follow the instructions given in the commands bar.

15. “DRAW” COMMANDS In the “Draw” menu there are the commands for:
drawing the basic elements (lines, circles, etc.);
write text;
dimension;
manage drawing blocks.

16. “TOOLS” COMMANDS In “Tools” there are various commands:
grid management;
management of styles;
filters for precision drawing.
In detail:
continued...

17. “TOOLS” COMMANDS …
the “Ortho” command is for drawing and shifting elements vertically or horizontally;
the Grid is a network of points (the distance between which can be set using the command “Grid”) which enables making precise drawings; these points can also be “magnetised” (they can bind movements while drawing) by activating “Magnet on grid on-off”
with the “Textstyle” command, the text can be differentiated using Windows fonts

18. “VIEW” COMMANDS
In “View” there are various commands for displaying the drawing.
Specifically:
the “Zoom” command is for enlarging a detail in the drawing, and is used by:
- launching the command;
click on the upper-left corner of the detail to be enlarged;
click on the lower-right corner of the detail to be enlarged,
the command “Zoom Extension” is for seeing the whole drawing on the screen

19. IMPORTING IMAGES AND LOCATION PLANS
With GWCAD it is possible to import images in various formats (bmp, jpg, etc.), for instance, scanned layout plans:
“Location plan” menu/”Insert image”;
follow the instructions in the dialogue window that opens;
select the file wanted from the hard disk on your PC;
specify the insertion point (click);
move the mouse until the image is enlarged to the size wanted;
click again to confirm the insertion of the image.

20. DRAWING COMMANDS BUILDING PART Wall:
click on the icon “Wall” (if necessary, select the command orthogonal);
type out “p” (Property) in the commands bar (or click on the word “Property”) and press Enter in order to set the depth of the wall;
continued...
wall
door
window
column
move
move/edit object
proprieties

21. DRAWING COMMANDS BUILDING PART
...
select the point in which the section of wall is to start (click on the left of the mouse)
move the mouse until reaching the length required
select the end point of the wall section (click on the left of the mouse).
It is possible to also draw arch walls by clicking on the option “Arc wall” in the commands bar

22. DRAWING COMMANDS BUILDING PART
Doors, Windows, Columns:
Select the relevant icon for the element to include;
(if necessary) set the properties (typing “p” in the commands bar or clicking on the word “Properties” the windows shown here will pop up);
clicking on the left of the mouse will select the insertion point.

23. DRAWING COMMANDS BUILDING PART
Furnishing library:
from the main menu, select “Archi/Architectural libraries”;
select the symbol required and position it by clicking inside the layout;
orient the furniture item within the location plan by moving the mouse;
fix the element within the layout by giving another click or by pressing Enter (pressing Enter, the orientation chosen will not be retained).

24. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Once the location plan has been made, the second group of icons is for inserting the standard symbols referring to the electrical system.
Functions:
insertion, editing, automatic accessorising of the components in the domestic series
insertion of other electrical components
distribution layout and selection of the relative accessories
calculation of lighting requirements
preparation of the list of materials included in the location plan
symbols library
calculate domestic series accessories
edit device
explode box
box numbering
distribution layout
insert distribution accessories
identifier (ducting key)
calculate lighting requirements
symbols key
list of materials

25. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electrical symbols
In the library there are symbols associated with GEWISS products, and symbols for non-GEWISS products:
select the icon “Symbols library”;
select the category of symbols (Luminaires, sockets, Domestic series – terminals, etc.)
select the electrical symbol
select the series and device at the dialogue window
position and direct the device chosen within the location plan
Symbols library

26. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Domestic series accessories
It is now possible to select:
Series
Fitting
Plate colour
To insert the plate associated with one or more control/socket modules:
click on the command “Insert domestic series accessories” and select in a box one or more symbols of the compatible domestic series:
click on the left of the mouse at the first top corner of the area where the control modules are present;
continued...
Calculate domestic series accessories

27. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
...
move the mouse to the second top corner: a rectangle will be created around the group of devices;
click to confirm and then Enter.
A dialogue window appears for establishing the type of fitting and the plate wanted
Once the composition has been created, the accessories will be added to the list of materials

28. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Further commands relating to the Domestic series
Device properties: for changing the type of device inserted
Explode composition: for cancelling the operation for calculating domestic series accessories so as to return to the original devices without accessories
Number boxes: to number the boxes and get a list of components in which there is the reference to the box they come from
continued...
Device properties
Explode composition
Number boxes

29. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
...
Change serie-installation-cover plate: to change the plate and/or fitting and/or Series of components inserted. For instance, a system can be made up using components from a certain Series (Black System) and, afterwards, you can decide to convert all the components inserted in the drawing in the same ones from another Series (Playbus). Any products that have no corresponding elements in the new series are signalled, and the products from the original Series retained
continued...

30. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Defining symbols scale
The command Set composition makes it possible to set a scale for all the symbols, so that they can be inserted proportionally into an imported location plan (for instance). The symbols can be larger or smaller, increasing and decreasing the amount in the “Correction factor for fixed blocks”.

31. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Duct choice
You can lay out a distribution route (tubes or channels)
Select the command “Distribution layout” and click inside the location plan at the initial point of the distribution layout. A dialogue box enables:
setting the initial height above ground and the width;
choosing the tube/sheath etc.;
adding new lines already defined or create new ones as required.
Distribution layout

32. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Duct design
Once the choice of duct has been made, its route can be laid out by moving the mouse to the point wanted and clicking on its left side.
While drawing, there are shown:
the length of the section
the height from the floor.

33. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Duct design
The duct can be designed virtually at various heights above ground by using the command “Upward”; this can be activated while designing the distribution by clicking on the word “Upright” to the left of the command bar.
The points where the duct rises/descends are marked by an arrow

34. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Displaying ducts
Using the command “ASSONOMETRIC PROJECTION” it is possible to get a 3D view, generating an image after having defined the two coordinates and traced round the area to be projected:
continued...

35. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM…
Assonometric projection of the ducting

36. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Distribution accessories This command is for selecting and adding accessories to the distribution system inserted (tubes or channels).
The programme only offers the accessories compatible with the type of channel/tube selected.
Operating the command:
click on the specific command
click on the channel (or tube)
click on the quantity and set the amount
Add distribution accessories

37. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Lighting calculation
This can be done in two ways. METHOD 1:
devices > illumination
After having inserted the luminaires, select the command “Lighting calculation”:
select the area of interest (with a double click at its top corners or clicking inside it)
a dialogue window will open – shown here – which gives the results of the lighting requirement values
continued...
Lighting calculation

38. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM…
At this point it is possible:
to change the luminaires,
modify the level of illumination
change the number of luminaires
For each change, the programme updates the values (either the number of luminaires or the level of illumination)
continued...

39. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
METHOD 2:
illumination > luminaires
Select the command “Lighting calculation”:
select the area of interest (with a double click at its top corners or clicking inside it)
a dialogue window will open, shown here
choose the luminaire wanted;
set the level of illumination wanted
“Calculate” the programme calculates the number of luminaires required
continued...
Lighting calculation

40. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM…
At this point it is possible:
to change the luminaires,
modify the level of illumination
change the number of luminaires
For each change, the programme updates the values (either the number of luminaires or the level of illumination)

41. DRAWING COMMANDS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Lighting calculation
Positioning of luminaires:
at the end of calculating the values, the software gives the possibility of indicating the positioning of the luminaires on lines and columns.
Excess luminaires are automatically eliminated

42. LIST OF MATERIALS QUANTITIES ESTIMATE The list can be:
Regarding the electrical components drawn, a list of materials can be prepared
The list can be:
Whole drawing (regarding the whole drawing)
Layers ON only (relating only to the active layers)
Selected (based on the area selected)
Bill

43. LIST OF MATERIALS QUANTITIES ESTIMATE
Regarding the components in the domestic series:
in the list of materials it can be decided to take account of the cables and tubes that the programme automatically inserts in the composition;
the various components can be grouped by box, so as to have for each element the reference to the composition.

44. LIST OF MATERIALS QUANTITIES ESTIMATE The list of materials can be:
printed
saved to file in text format (txt)
saved to file to be processed by the programme “GWPRICE”

45. KEYS AND
IDENTIFIERS
Symbols list: it is possible to insert in the drawing the key to the symbols used in the electrical diagram
Marker:
for each distribution layout, the identity data for the duct can be included in the drawing
Marker
Symbols list

46. PRINT
The “Print” command ( from the menu “File”) enables various options to be set:…
continued...

47. PRINT …
A) Paper (page format): scale, staggering, printing on 1 or more sheets, etc. …
continued...

48. PRINT …
B) No paper (object to be printed): print all, print window (details can be printed, also very enlarged, on a sheet in whatever format wanted – “Indicate” command), etc.
continued...

49. PRINT …
C) Setting (to set page and printer): margins, conversion colours-thickness, printer settings, etc.
continued...

50. MANUAL
Within GWCAD (“Help GWCAD” command) there is a Manual available in which all the functions and commands in the programme are explained.
This manual, in “pdf” format, can be viewed on screen or printed