Electrical Switches, Outlets, and Cover Plate symbols?

[Bruce Kieffer]

Are there any 3D drawn electrical switches, outlets, and cover plates already drawn in the Vectorworks libraries or in a 3rd party library?

[Steven Kenzer]

Bruce, I often go to Sketchup's 3D Warehouse for stuff like this: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/search/?q=outlets

[Bruce Kieffer]

Thanks. Looks like @michaelk has a library. I emailed him for the file.

[E|FA]

@Bruce Kieffer If you're allowed to share the file here, it would be appreciated.

[Bruce Kieffer]

@michaelk sent me his file. It's great but has more of what I don't need and not enough of what I do need, so I am making my own library. I can't share his file, but I will post my file when I am done. Here's what I have so far.

 

[michaelk]

Looks great, @Bruce Kieffer!

[Bruce Kieffer]

I'm done creating my electrical devices library. I'm writing how to use the library instructions now. I will post the file tomorrow.

[domer1322]

When you post it, can you also post it in an older version of VW …….  Say down to ver 2015 ?

[Bruce Kieffer]

@domer1322 I'm delayed a bit. I have two more switches to add, and I want to create a worksheet to count devices. I will post the file after that, and I will back save it as far as possible, which for Vectorworks 2022 is Vectorworks 2017.

[Bruce Kieffer]

My Electrical Devices library is attached. Here are the use instructions:

 

1) Feel free to use this library in any way you want. Your comments, suggestions, and questions are welcome.

 

2) Place this file in your Vectorworks favorites folder so it is easily accessed from the Resource Manager.

 

3) Use this library like how you would buy these devices at a building supply store. Say you want a double box with a switch and an outlet. From the resource manager grab a switch symbol, an outlet symbol, a double plastic box symbol, and a double cover plate symbol.

 

4) Align those components, group them, then class them in a class like Switches and Outlets (you choose the name). Remember; the underlying class is none for all the symbols, so the none class in your drawing has to be turned on for the symbols to show even though you set the group class to something else.

 

5) You can also class each component of the group and then show/hide the components as needed in the group.

I did not add any 2D graphics fr display in top/plan schematics, but you could do that if you need to.

 

6) The devices and boxes have a link/source record attached. See the Data tab in the OIP. That info can be modified for your needs. Edit the symbol's 3D component to modify the record data entries.

 

7) I included two materials that can be applied to the cover plates, brass and brushed nickel. If all of your cover plates are say brushed nickel, then apply the material to the cover plate symbol in the 3D edit mode. If you need more than one cover plate material in your drawing then you need to duplicate the symbol and apply the desired material to the duplicate.

 

8) I created symbols for the devices I needed. It should be easy for you to add more by duplicating a symbol, renaming the duplicate, and then modifying the duplicate.

 

Electrical Devices.vwx

[Bruce Kieffer]

@domer1322 Here's the back saved to Vectorworks 2017 version. I cannot know if or how this will function going back that far.

Electrical Devices v2017.vwx

Edited February 22, 2022 by Bruce Kieffer

[lilah]

Thanks, looks great

[Bruce Kieffer]

Here's what the alignment of the components should look like.

 

And the worksheet is on a layer:

[Benutzer]

Thanks for sharing this. I appreciate that they are commonplace devices rather than something exotic.

[michaelk]

@Bruce Kieffer  You didn't model the junction boxes???  🤪

[Bruce Kieffer]

5 hours ago, michaelk said:

@Bruce Kieffer  You didn't model the junction boxes???  🤪

I would need more therapy if I did that!

[digitalcarbon]

Bruce, that is stellar work!

[vmaini]

Super work Bruce!

Anybody knows if is possible to edit the 3d Appearance of the Receptacle ..Devices of the Vector Tool?

 

[Bruce Kieffer]

22 hours ago, vmaini said:

Super work Bruce!

Anybody knows if is possible to edit the 3d Appearance of the Receptacle ..Devices of the Vector Tool?

 

The Receptacle tool is very basic. All I can do is apply a different color or texture, and make simple modifications in the tool's settings dialog box.

[vmaini]

Thank you Bruce, Yes . Actually I like that is a very simple to use tool...the problem for me is that uses all the graphics standards of UK- USA. I succeeded in changing the 2d aspect to have the appearance used here in Spain . The Italian version of VectorWorks (that I have used ) has a great tool for designing and placing in wall receptacles  and switches that basically works with the three components that you have also made: box + components + finishing. Within the tool you can decide were to place the boxes ...for example in the same vertical line next to a door but with different heights for the different elements, very nice but quiet complex to use/learn . I've seen this same structure  in the Revit family that BTicino has made ... impossible to use in VW. Actually I found this MEP part one of the most annoying things to "count" and describe in projects...and is a part with significant budget needs ... so it would be great to have in the international version of VW the Tool available only in VW Italy and Germany . Ups I wrote a lot 😅. All the best to you! ciao!

[Mizell Design]

Hey Bruce,

 

I was poking around on here and came across your switches and outlets, what a great resource, thank you!

 

I am not a Marionette expert by any stretch of the imagination, but pulled together a hopefully functional set of commands allowing me to pick and place the switches/outlets and set their height above finished floor.  I'll probably add a few more to your files later but haven't yet and the weekend is approaching!

 

Hopefully I didn't break your spreadsheeting functionality in the process, who knows.  I'm happy to be taught how to Marionette/architect more effectively if anyone has feedback.  

Electrical Marionette Objects.vwx

[Bruce Kieffer]

Here's my current Vectorworks 2024 Electrical Devices file:

 

Electrical Devices.vwx

[Mizell Design]

I updated my Marionette to add in your J-Boxes.  

 

However, trying to pull the Record Data from the nested symbols is a daunting challenge so the worksheet is currently broken.

2023 10.02 Electrical Marionette.vwx

[ParkerJames]

On 9/29/2023 at 8:15 PM, Bruce Kieffer said:

Here's my current Vectorworks 2024 Electrical Devices file:

 

Electrical Devices.vwx 3.14 MB · 42 downloads

Thanks, Bruce. Really nice job. I was searching for something like this and here it is!

[Bruce Kieffer]

Here's my current Vectorworks 2025 Electrical Devices file, I've added a few devices and new cover plates:

 

Electrical Devices.vwx