Initiating Device Symbols 2.0
After dealing with the head aches of incomplete backgrounds or only receiving PDF versions I found a way to get the symbols I constantly use to stand out and be easily seen. Below is a screen capture showing the dynamic block I created for the detectors commonly used in the drawings. These detector symbols are all part of one block that can filter different views to change the look of the block as seen with the drop down list. I created a hatch for the background of each detector type so now I can just place the block on part of a plan and be seen with out the need of doing a wipe out when it is placed over another object.
Within this block are attributes where labels can be placed to show if the particular detector has a detector guard or is new/existing. Also I can label the detector to show what room it is located in along with the "address" or digital signature it has showing it in the fire alarm control panel program.
All of these attributes can be edited at the same time if need be just by highlighting the necessary blocks and editing the labels in the properties dialog box. So if I need to show that a string of 20 smoke detectors have a sounder base accessory I can highlight them and simple type "SB" in the Accessory label and they will all be change in one step instead of highlighting them and changing them individually.