QCAD library folders

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wpsully
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Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:18 am

QCAD library folders

Post by wpsully » Fri Oct 21, 2022 10:44 pm

I'm trying to create some new library folders to store parts that I have created. However, I can't seem to locate the QCAD library folder hierarchy. I'm using Mac OS 10.15.7. My QCAD-Pro.app application is stored in HD/Applications as shown below. My QCAD folder is stored elsewhere, but neither location has a folder called libraries. The only folders in my QCAD folder is examples and Troubleshooting (which I added myself). The default QCAD library folders are installed. I can see them when I open the Library Browser in the QCAD app, as shown below. I tried searching my Finder for one of the library items in the library folder "Symbols", filename "protractor.svg", but the Finder search didn't generate any results. I'm using QCAD Pro version 3.25.2.0. I've included screenshots of my QCAD interface and my Finder folder structures. Please advise. Thanks!
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MacOS_QCAD_file_structure.png
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Husky
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Re: QCAD library folders

Post by Husky » Fri Oct 21, 2022 11:23 pm

Hi, I'm on a Win OS but the structure is similar to a MAC.

Your second screenshot shows that a QCAD library folder exist below
Applications/QCAD-Pro.app/Contents/Resources/Iibraries/default

If you create your own Library folder you need to tell QCAD where to find it. This tutorial explains how:
https://qcad.org/en/tutorial-working-wi ... rt-library

Note: Depending on your settings below Application Preferences it could be necessary to update the DB to be displayed in the Library Browser

Husky-2022.10.21-09.png
Husky-2022.10.21-09.png (32.33 KiB) Viewed 7065 times
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wpsully
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Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:18 am

Re: QCAD library folders

Post by wpsully » Sat Oct 22, 2022 8:21 am

Husky,

Thanks for your reply. I agree the second screenshot shows the file location is "Applications/QCAD-Pro.app/Contents/Resources/Iibraries/default", but when I search for that location, the search comes up empty. I simply can't find where the library items are stored. The path Applications/QDAD-Pro.app, stops there because QCAD-Pro.app is the application file, not a folder.

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Husky
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Re: QCAD library folders

Post by Husky » Sat Oct 22, 2022 9:19 am

Use a file manger tool to find the location for you. Maybe the MAC Finder will do it ...

A default QCAD installation contains a file named: 2-2valve.dxf
Search for it with a file manger like the "Finder" tool. The result should bring up a path similar to /...qcad-3.27.8-pro-win64\libraries\default\Hydraulics. I've to guess this result - I'm not familiar with MAC's.

On this way you will find the exact location of the libraries and then you can take it from there ...
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If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."

CVH
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Re: QCAD library folders

Post by CVH » Sat Oct 22, 2022 9:30 am

wpsully wrote:
Sat Oct 22, 2022 8:21 am
The path Applications/QDAD-Pro.app, stops there because QCAD-Pro.app is the application file, not a folder.
I think that this is based on a misinterpretation, there are definitely sub folders of 'Applications/QCAD-Pro.app/...' :wink:
It may be that MACOS guards them of or that the Finder has some preference to not show them.

Regards,
CVH

wpsully
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Re: QCAD library folders

Post by wpsully » Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:25 pm

CVH,

Thanks for your input. However, I'm still unable to find the library folders. I used the following Mac terminal commands to show and then hide "hidden" files and folders:

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles NO

As can be seen from the screenshots, those commands do work to show and then hide the "hidden" files and folders. With all "hidden" files and folders shown, there is still no QCAD-Pro.app folder displayed in the path /Applications/QCAD-Pro.app, only the QCAD-Pro.app application. In addition, when I search for 2-2valve.dxf, the search comes up empty. I know the 2-2valve.dxf file is stored somewhere, because I can access it within QCAD-Pro and place it in a drawing. When I place the mouse cursor over the valve in the library browser, it shows a path /Applications/QCAD-Pro.app/Contents/Resources/libraries/default/Hydraulics.
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MacOS_hidden_files_displayed_QCAD_app.png
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MacOS_hidden_files_not_displayed.png
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QCAD-Pro_app_folder_search.png
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2-2valve_dxf_file_search.png
2-2valve_dxf_file_search.png (1.42 MiB) Viewed 6814 times

CVH
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Re: QCAD library folders

Post by CVH » Thu Oct 27, 2022 11:57 pm

Can't help you any further, I am a Win user.

In this topic:
https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic. ... 367#p38367
we read that
/Applications/QCAD-Pro.app/Contents/Resources/scripts/DuplicateLayoutBlock
is a valid script folder on a MAC.
The 'scripts' folder is on the same level as the 'libraries' folder.

And here:
https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic. ... 658#p29644
that
/Applications/QCAD-Pro.app/Contents/Resources.
is the main installation folder for QCAD.
It is there where we can find the command line Tools like dwg2pdf.
And 'scripts' or 'libraries' are subfolders of that.

Regards,
CVH

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Husky
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Re: QCAD library folders

Post by Husky » Fri Oct 28, 2022 12:57 am

@ wpsully

A MAC is not my wheelhouse - this said let's try a different approach ... e_confused

Your screenshot shows that the 2-2valve.dxf exist somewhere within your system.
Let's try a sort of "Reverse Engineering" ... :wink:

Open QCAD, switch to the Library Browser,
navigate to Default/Hydraulics/ (if you can't see it update the Database),
below Hydraulics 3 files are listet - right click on 2-2valve, chose in the Context menu Edit (that will load 2-2valve.dxf into QCAD),

Husky-2022.10.27-04.png
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do not change anything in that drawing - just click in QCAD on Menu/File/Save Us
A File Manager will pop up and offers first to save it to the location where it was loaded from - that should reveal the location of the Library files ...

Husky-2022.10.27-03.png
Husky-2022.10.27-03.png (36.98 KiB) Viewed 6790 times

... no need to save that file, cancel the procedure, close the file in QCAD without saving it.
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."

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