Editing Libraries

Shape Element File

Edraw Shape Element File has the suffix name *.ede.

you can save any shape in the drawing to element file for later use. Select the shape then press F11.

Video Tutorial - Create Library from Images

Video Tutorial - Create Library from Custom Shapes

Add a New Shape to Library

1. Right click the title bar of the library you want.

   If the library has not already been opened, click the Open library to open the library.

2. Click Edit.

3. Right click the pane of the library then click Import Symbol...

4. On Add Shape dialog box, you can:
   1. Type the shape's name in Name box.
   2. Type the shape's description in Prompt box.
   3. Select the shape's element file (element file (ede): the file contains the shape's information).
   4. Select the shape's icon file (icon file: the miniature of the shape displayed in library pane).
5. Click OK.
6. Right click the title bar of the library you add a shape to and click Save library to save the changing.

Delete a Shape from the Library

1. Right click the title bar of the library you want.

   If the library has not already been opened, click the Open library to open the library.

2. Click Edit.
3. Right click the shape you want to delete and click Delete.
4. Right click the title bar of the library you add a shape to and click Save library to save the changing.

Arrange the Shapes in the Library

1. Right click the title bar of the library you want.

   If the library is not opened, click the Open library to open the library.

2. Click Edit.
3. Right click the shape you want to change position.
4. Click Move Up or Move Down to modify the position of the shape.
5. Right click the title bar of the library you add a shape to and click Save library to save the changing.

Editing the Shapes in the Library

1. Right click the title bar of the library you want.

   If the library is not opened, click the Open library to open the library.

2. Click Edit.
3. Right click the shape you want to edit.
4. You can do one of the followings:
   1. Click Rename Shape to change the name of the shape.
   2. Click Modify Shape to change the shape's ede file.
5. Right click the title bar of the library you add a shape to and click Save library to save the changing.

Add Library to Default Library Menu

You need to modify the xml config file. The library_max.xml file locates at the 'Install folder\library\library_max.xml'. Use the text editor to open it. It's easy to understand the xml file structure.

For example:

You need put both mytemplate.edt and mytemplate.edl in the 'install folder\library\symbols\'.

Then add the follow code at the library_max.xml file.

<Template path = "\library\Symbols\mytemplate.edt" name = "My Template Name"></Template>

It will add the 'My Template Name' library at the Business Diagram menu.