Symbol libraries

I have two questions about symbols...

1. I've created 4 symbols and placed 200 instances of them.
The symbols were originally created inside the CDR file. (and are still stored in it)
I have now exported the symbols to a CSL - how do I re-link the symbols to the CSL file?

2. How do I edit the CSL file so that the symbols are updated in the CDR file(s)?
I've opened the CSL file, edited the symbols and saved it.
Then I re-open the CDR file expecting the symbols to be updated - but they are not.

  • No one knows? At least question no. 2....

      • I've read the complete section "Working with symbols" but I don't see it answered there.

        It seems that is not possible to edit a symbol that is in "Local symbols"  - unless I edit the CSL file,
        but I can't figure out how to update the CDR file the symbol is inserted into.

        • Does this help?........

           

          • Please download this CSL file, it only contains one rectangle, 100 x 100 mm in size.

            Create new document in coreldraw.
            Symbol manager docker, Local symbols, Add Library and select downloaded CSL file.
            Now place that 100x100mm rect in you doc, save it as "test 100 x 100.cdr" and close it.

            Now, how do you edit the CSL file (say, change rect to 50 x 50) so that when you
            open the "test 100 x 100.cdr" it now contains the 50x50 rect, and not 100x100 anymore?

            When I edit the CSL file and then reopen CDR file it doesn't update anything.

             

            Oh, and how come  you have any symbols listed when "Symbols" is selected?
            (In Symbol manager "Untitled-1, Local Symbols, Symbols, Network Symbols").
            (Symbols looks a bit grayed, like it is selected).

            I get a listing of symbols either by clicking on "Untitled-1" (with internal symbols)
            or on "test 100 x 100.csl" under "Local Symbols", but I get nothing when clicking on "Symbols"

            • aleksazr said:

              Create new document in coreldraw.

              Symbol manager docker, Local symbols, Add Library and select downloaded CSL file.
              Now place that 100x100mm rect in you doc, save it as "test 100 x 100.cdr" and close it.

              Now, how do you edit the CSL file (say, change rect to 50 x 50) so that when you
              open the "test 100 x 100.cdr" it now contains the 50x50 rect, and not 100x100 anymore?

              When I edit the CSL file and then reopen CDR file it doesn't update anything.

               

              Oh, and how come  you have any symbols listed when "Symbols" is selected?
              (In Symbol manager "Untitled-1, Local Symbols, Symbols, Network Symbols").
              (Symbols looks a bit grayed, like it is selected).

              I get a listing of symbols either by clicking on "Untitled-1" (with internal symbols)
              or on "test 100 x 100.csl" under "Local Symbols", but I get nothing when clicking on "Symbols"

              Ok, I downloaded and used your CSL file, no problems, except it had an outline of 5.3 meters? Something funny there but easily resolved.

              Now, to edit that symbol you need to realize that it is linked to other files, so it will be un-editable. What you need to do is re-convert it to an object (Edit> Symbol> revert to Objects) Make your changes, then re-save it as a symbol. That new symbol will now work in your new drawing and can be placed into other drawings too. I guess what I am trying to say is that the symbol is specifically for that document. It can be edited and that edit will affect a global change to all the symbols in that document only.

              Also, don't forget about the symbols drop down dialogue box too at Edit>Symbol

              See her for more info... I am sure others will chime in with more info later.

              • OK, thank you very much for all your input.

                I was under impression that coreldraw just links the object to the external CSL file,
                and always reads the info from there when opening the CDR file.
                (Some PCB programs that I use, for example, work that way.)

                However, you can even delete the CSL file and it will still work, the object is still accessible. 
                Completely different from what I thought in the first place.

                Thanks again.

                As for the 5.3 meters of outline... I normally use it as additional info when exporting to AI.
                I've made my own CNC and the outline specifies things such as speed etc.
                5350mm is my default outline width so any new objects are created like that.
                However, I have adjusted the outline before exporting to CSL.
                I have now downloaded and tested that "test 100 x 100" and it shows as 1mm
                in my coreldraw, so I don't know why it shows as 5350 in yours.