Work Flow Overview
The basic steps for importing your layout
Note: Please see the example file at the bottom of this article called "Convention_Drawing.dxf" to use for practice.
Trackers- Align CAD Block references to PVFARM conventions (or create new ones)
Skid- Align CAD Block references to PVFARM conventions (or create new ones)
Align Layer Naming Conventions for PVFARM Conventions:
Roads
Boundaries
Blocks - Group Trackers and a skid into electrical blocks
Save or Export the converted layout as a DXF file (2018)
Import the layout into the PVFARM
Match the trackers and transformers to the appropriate catalog item
NOTE: Please create any new equipment your import requires on the PVFARM side before importing the layout, see this article on how to do this.
AutoCAD / Civil3D Commands
to use when converting existing DWG files for PVFARM without the Plugin
Trackers
Trackers need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_tracker_(Name)'
Make sure the tracker shape is rectangular and a closed polyline
Rename existing tracker block reference via the Rename menu
RENAME command
Blocks section
Find a tracker block
Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_tracker_(Name)'
Make sure the new name is applied for trackers in the Model space
Skid
Skids need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_skid_type(X)'
Make sure the skid shape is rectangular and a closed polyline
Rename existing skid block reference via the Rename menu
RENAME command
Blocks section
Find a skid block
Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_skid_type(X)'
Make sure the new name is applied for skids in the Model space
Boundaries
Boundaries need to be created with the layer 'pvfarm_boundary_(Name)'
Make sure boundaries are closed polylines
use the JOIN command to make closed polylines and join different parts of a boundary
Rename existing boundaries layer via the Rename menu
RENAME command
Layer section
Find a boundary layer
Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_boundary_(Name)'
Make sure the new name is applied for boundaries in the Model space
Roads
Roads need to be created as lines, arcs, and polylines with the name 'pvfarm_road_(X)ft'
Rename existing roads layer via the Rename menu
RENAME command
Layer section
Find a road layer
Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_road_(X)ft'
Make sure the new name is applied for roads in the Model space
Blocks
Electrical blocks need to be created as a block reference with the name 'block_(X)'
Make sure your drawing contains Skids and Trackers
Create a block reference for an Electrical block via the Block definition menu
BLOCK command
Select a skid and a bunch of trackers that belong to an electrical block
run the BLOCK command
Give it the name 'pvfarm_block_(X)'
Select 'Feet' as the Block unit
Make sure the block reference is applied in the Model space
Save or Export from AutoCAD/Civil3D
Save or Export the existing layout as a DXF file (2018 version)
Import DXF to PVFARM
Import the DXF file into the PVFARM
Find a perfect match for trackers and transformers in the Catalog
Create new catalog equipment first if your Catalog version doesn’t contain some trackers or transformers you need
Observe the DXF has roads and boundaries
Add to the Layout
Enjoy your 3D layout in PVFARM 🧡
Please take a look at the example file to use for practice.