Electrical Drawing Symbols for Inkscape

Symbols for electric circuits. Contains block diagrams and symbols.

Getting started

• Download and install Inkscape.
• Download the latest version of Inkscape_Symbols_All.svg.

After doing so, open Inkscape_Symbols_All.svg and copy the symbols of interest to your inkscape worksheet.

Optional: If you want to recieve updates, clone this repository by using git:

cd /Documents/Folder/of/Interest   
git clone [email protected]:upb-lea/Inkscape_electric_Symbols.git

Optional: To update the symbols library, use

git pull

Optional: Click the watch button to receive update notifications.

Overview

Using the library (Important!)

• Open Inkscape_Symbols_All.svg and copy the symbols of interest to your inkscape sheet.
• Do not resize the individual elements. Use the size as given!
• Always draw on the grid!
• Enable snapping! (see settings screenshots below)
• Grid on/off by #-key
• Recommended way to move objects: drag them next to a endpoint (it makes a difference where you touch the component), to make sure to work on the rough grid (recommended, not the fine one).
• Recommended way to modify wires: mark line (F1-key for mark-tool), press F2-key, click on the end of the line so that the fixed point becomes red, now you can move this point.
• Recommended way to rotate the component: mark the component, and use the rotate buttons at the upper part of the toolbar.
• Recommended way to mirrow components: press v (vertical) or h (horizontal).
• Recommended way to changes text: click on text, press t for editing mode.
• Change color of area: mark area, click on Color.
• Change color of line: mark line, shift + click on Color.
• Colors used in this template: GNOME HIG Colors.
• Recommended snapping settings, can be set top right inside Inkscape
  

Examples

Example Boost Converter

Example Dual Active Bridge Converter

Example Switching Behaviour

Set drawing size

The best thing to do before you start drawing is to consider where the drawing will be used. For example, if the drawing will be used on an A4 (210 mm width) paper with 2.5 cm margins on each side, set the drawing width within Inkscape to 160 mm. For two-column text, use 80 mm image width. This way you will get good drawing results relative to the written text.

Use high quality vector graphics inside your documentation software

Follow the steps to use vector graphics in your documentation software. The vector graphics are rendered in very good image quality, unlike conventional png images. However, each program has its own characteristics and requires a different file format.

LaTeX

• In Inkscape: File -> Save Copy -> yourdocument.pdf.
• Include this pdf in your LaTeX document.

LibreOffice

Drag and drop the Inkscape .svg-file into your writer/impress document.

MS Office

• In Inkscape: File -> Save Copy -> yourdocument.emf.
• Include this emf-file in your Word/PowerPoint document.

Bug Reports

Please use the issues report button within github to report bugs.

Contributing to this repository

For new symbol requests, please open an issue with a single example drawing attached. I will then redraw the symbol, modify it if necessary to fit with the other symbols, and add it to the library.

• Please use lines with rounded ends.
• Always draw on the grid (rough or fine).
• Points of components to which a wire can be connected must lie on the rough grid.
• Use standard line width.

Changelog

Find the changelog here.

Troubleshooting

Make sure that you run the latest version of Inkscape.