Course Code: CENG-13

Goal: Prepare and manage your Visio shape library for consistent, efficient project execution by aligning visual design assets with CUBE component workflows.

Session Overview

Duration: 1 Hour
Format: Instructor-led (via Microsoft Teams or in-person)
Level: Intermediate (Engineering & CAD Integration)
Resources Provided:

• Shape Library Folder Template.
• Shape Naming Guide.
• Sync Troubleshooting Tips.
• Sample File Path Setup Document.
• “Synchronize with CUBE” Quick Reference

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Organize Visio shapes into a clear, structured folder hierarchy for easy reuse.
• Categorize shapes by type and function to improve searchability and standardization.
• Place and manage shapes within the “My Shapes” directory for user-specific access.
• Link and synchronize shapes with CUBE components for dynamic documentation.
• Understand how estimates and systems relate to Visio shapes in project workflows.
• Configure file paths and sync settings for team and personal libraries.
• Use and manage the “Synchronize with CUBE” function effectively.
• Clear synchronization when creating reusable template drawings
  

Session Agenda

13.1 Folder Structure for Shape Organization

• How to create a clean, scalable directory structure.
• Recommended folder structure examples:
  
• Controllers.
• Field Devices.
• Tags.
• Panels.
• Placeholders
  
• Advantages of centralized vs. decentralized shape storage.
• Team folder considerations for version control and sharing
  

13.2 Recommended Shape Categories

• Shape grouping best practices by discipline or function.

• Naming conventions to support filtering, search, and CUBE sync.

• Examples of recommended categories:
  

• HVAC Controllers.

• Access Control Devices

• Fire Alarm Initiating Devices.

• Tags & Labels.

• CUBE-Linked Components
  

13.3 Placing Shapes in “My Shapes”

• Using the “My Shapes” folder in Visio for quick access.
• Customizing your favorites for repetitive use.
• Differences between local and network-based shape storage.
• Loading stencils automatically on Visio startup
  

13.4 Synchronizing Shapes with CUBE Components

• How to link Visio shapes to CUBE components.
• Assigning component metadata to a shape (Part Number, Description, I/O).
• Previewing shape data in estimate documents or drawings.
• Maintaining consistency between estimate data and Visio output
  

13.5 Understanding the Relationship Between Estimates and Systems

• How Visio shapes represent systems and components from the estimate.
• Tracking shapes to systems, BOMs, and control schematics.
• Synchronization workflows:
  
• Estimate → System → Component → Shape
  

13.6 Setting Up File Paths and Sync Options

• Configuring file paths for library folders in Visio.
• Syncing local shape folders to team/shared drives.
• Syncing CUBE with your shape library through correct path mapping.
• Understanding permissions and limitations for multi-user access
  

13.7 Using “Synchronize with CUBE”

• Overview of the sync process and what it updates.
• Syncing symbols with component data.
• Ensuring updated part references and drawing links.
• Verifying that synced shapes pull from the current estimate
  

13.8 Clearing Sync for Reusable Templates

• When and why to remove sync from a drawing.
• How to prepare a Visio file as a reusable template.
• Avoiding data conflicts in shared or archived drawing files.
• Best practices for maintaining clean, reusable stencils
  

Hands-On Exercises

Participants will:

• Set up a folder structure and import sample stencils.
• Add categorized shapes to “My Shapes” and open them in a drawing.
• Link a shape to a CUBE component and sync to a sample estimate.
• Use the “Synchronize with CUBE” function to apply updates.
• Clear sync settings to save a drawing as a clean template.
  

Post-Session Action Items

To reinforce learning, participants are encouraged to:

• Organize their own shape library and establish a shared team structure.
• Sync at least three shapes with components used in current projects.
• Develop a shape-naming standard for internal documentation.
• Create a base Visio template file with cleared sync for future reuse.
• Coordinate with CAD and estimating teams to ensure alignment between drawings and estimates

Note: When scheduling, make sure to include this session code: CENG-13.

Schedule Your One-to-One Session