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FAQs: PTW Format Files
When installing a new version, PTW's format files (datablocks, queries, forms, symbols, etc.) are backed up and replaced with new files. If you have customised your existing format files, then you will probably want to revert to using your old files. This is possible in one of two ways (the first method is also described in the PTW V5.0 Update Installation Notes, supplied with the V5.0 updates).
Method 1: Copying the old files and deleting the new files
To find out where PTW stores the format files, click on Project>>Options>>Miscellaneous Files. This is normally C:\PTW32\LIB, but can be changed to be any directory. When PTW backs up the existing format files, they are copied into a back-up directory (normally C:\PTW32\LIB\BACKUP1).
Using Windows Explorer, or My Computer, copy the files from the back-up directory to the miscellaneous files directory. This will allow you to use all the formats that you used before, but will not allow you to use any of the new formats that have been included in the latest version.
The format files include DRAW.FMT, COMPEDIT.FMT, SYMBOLS.UGS, IMPEXP.FMT, QUERY.ARC, PTWFORMS.FRM, and Arc Flash label formats (AF*.SS_).
Method 2: Importing old formats into the new PTW format files
Using PTW, it's possible to import forms and datablocks from one format file to another. Using the symbol generator, it's possible to copy and paste symbols between different symbol files.
This method takes a little longer, but allows you to use your old format files as well as the new PTW format files.
To import datablocks from another file:
Click on Run>>Datablock Format and then click on the Import.... icon (see screenshots below).
Method 1: Copying the old files and deleting the new files
To find out where PTW stores the format files, click on Project>>Options>>Miscellaneous Files. This is normally C:\PTW32\LIB, but can be changed to be any directory. When PTW backs up the existing format files, they are copied into a back-up directory (normally C:\PTW32\LIB\BACKUP1).
Using Windows Explorer, or My Computer, copy the files from the back-up directory to the miscellaneous files directory. This will allow you to use all the formats that you used before, but will not allow you to use any of the new formats that have been included in the latest version.
The format files include DRAW.FMT, COMPEDIT.FMT, SYMBOLS.UGS, IMPEXP.FMT, QUERY.ARC, PTWFORMS.FRM, and Arc Flash label formats (AF*.SS_).
Method 2: Importing old formats into the new PTW format files
Using PTW, it's possible to import forms and datablocks from one format file to another. Using the symbol generator, it's possible to copy and paste symbols between different symbol files.
This method takes a little longer, but allows you to use your old format files as well as the new PTW format files.
To import datablocks from another file:
Click on Run>>Datablock Format and then click on the Import.... icon (see screenshots below).
(Left): Use the Run menu to access the Datablock Format tool. Alternatively, the standard shortcut is Ctrl + D.
(Right): In the dialogue box that appears, click the "Import..." button on the bottom right. All other options are irrelevant for this operation; the "Import..." button will open a new window which allows you to locate your old datablock format file and import all datablock formats. This effectively merges your old format file with your new one.
To import forms from another file:
Click on Document>>Form Layout and then click on the Import.... icon (see screenshots below).
Click on Document>>Form Layout and then click on the Import.... icon (see screenshots below).
(Left): Use the Document menu to access the Form Layout tool.
(Right): In the dialogue box that appears, select the "Forms" tab and click on the "Import..." button. All other options are irrelevant for this operation. A new window will open which allows you to locate your old form format files and import all the formats. As with the datablock formats, the old format file is merged with the new one.
To copy symbols from another file:
1. Close down PTW.
2. Open up both files using PTW's Symbol Generator (this is a separate program available via your Windows Start menu).
3. Go to the symbol file that you want to copy from.
4. Right mouse click on the icon that you'd like to copy and click on Copy. (See screenshot below).
1. Close down PTW.
2. Open up both files using PTW's Symbol Generator (this is a separate program available via your Windows Start menu).
3. Go to the symbol file that you want to copy from.
4. Right mouse click on the icon that you'd like to copy and click on Copy. (See screenshot below).
5. Go to the symbol file that you want to paste into.
6. Right mouse click on the component type.
7. Click on paste.
8. Click on the OK button.
To import queries from another file: (V5.0R2.2 or later)
Click on Run>>Query... (or click on the Query icon) and then click on the Import.... icon in the dialogue box which appears (see screenshots below).
6. Right mouse click on the component type.
7. Click on paste.
8. Click on the OK button.
To import queries from another file: (V5.0R2.2 or later)
Click on Run>>Query... (or click on the Query icon) and then click on the Import.... icon in the dialogue box which appears (see screenshots below).
(Left): Use the Run menu to access the Query tool. Alternatively, the standard keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + Q.
(Right): The Query tool can be used to import Queries from your old files. Click the "Import..." button and ignore all other options. This will open a new window which allows you to import all queries from an old query file.