Symbol Maker

In the Symbol Maker, simply click grid points which become red dots. The sequence of dots are connected by lines which form the shape.

A preview of the symbol is shown in the right margin of the Symbol Maker as a green shape.

Then save the symbol and select it in the toolbox for use just like any other symbol.

To access the Symbol Maker choose the tools tab in the other tools section choose Create or Edit Custom Symbol.

1. Open the symbol maker.
2. Click on the add button.
3. Click on the grid with the left mouse button. A grid point (red dot) appears.
4. Click again to place a second point on the grid. A line appears between the first and second points.
5. Continue placing points on the grid until you have an enclosed figure (end by clicking on the original point, to enclose the shape).

All enclosed parts of the shape, as well as single line extensions constitute the symbol shape.

1. Click the minus button to undo the most recent additions to the shape.
2. To move established points, click the arrow button and then click-and-drag existing points on the grid.
3. To edit an existing symbol, choose File | Open Embedded Symbol or Open Symbol File.

Save the symbol and exit the Symbol Maker

1. When finished, choose one of two save options:
2. File | Save to Symbol File to save the .SYM file to the Symbols folder. Any Milestones schedule can use this symbol. These symbols can be embedded later.
3. File | Save as Embedded Symbol to save the symbol as a part of that schedule. Embedded symbols automatically have EMBEDDED: attached to the beginning of the symbol name, e.g. EMBEDDED:symbol1.sym.
4. Embedded symbols are recommended if you plan to share the schedule containing the custom symbol.
5. Name the file and Save.
6. Choose File | Exit Symbol Maker.

Add the custom symbol to the toolbox

1. In your toolbox double-click on a symbol which should be replaced with the user-defined symbol, such as a .SYM or .BMP file.
2. Under User Defined Shapes:, choose your symbol from the list. The list contains all .SYM and .BMP files in the Symbols folder and embedded symbols for that schedule.
3. Optionally, choose to embed the symbol in the Milestones file.

More information

• If your symbol is not in the list of User Defined Shapes, be sure that symbol is placed in the Symbols folder. To find this folder which contains the user-defined symbols, choose the Tools tab in the Program Options section choose Folders. Notice the path as shown next to Symbols(*). For example, the Symbols folder could be your MyDocuments folder.
• .SYM files can be formatted with fill color, outline color, fill pattern, and other characteristics.

1. Open the symbol maker.

2. Click on the add button.

3. Click on the grid with the left mouse button. A grid point (red dot) appears.

4. Click again to place a second point on the grid. A line appears between the first and second points.

5. Continue placing points on the grid until you have an enclosed figure (end by clicking on the original point, to enclose the first shape). For example, each of the four triangles to the right are single shapes.

6. To begin the second shape, click once with the right mouse button at the place that you want to begin the next piece of the symbol.

7. Next, use the left mouse button to click on grid points until this piece of the symbol is completed.

8. Click with the right mouse button at the spot where you want to begin the next piece.

9. Continue in this fashion until all parts of the symbol are complete.

1. Click the minus button to undo the most recent additions to the shape.
2. To move established points, click the arrow button and then click-and-drag existing points on the grid.
3. To edit an existing symbol, choose File | Open Embedded Symbol or Open Symbol File.

Save the symbol and exit the Symbol Maker

1. When finished, choose one of two save options:

• File | Save to Symbol File to save the .SYM file to the Symbols folder. Any Milestones schedule can use this symbol. These symbols can be embedded later.
• File | Save as Embedded Symbol to save the symbol as a part of that schedule. Embedded symbols automatically have EMBEDDED: attached to the beginning of the symbol name, e.g. EMBEDDED:symbol1.sym.

2. Embedded symbols are recommended if you plan to share the schedule containing the custom symbol.
3. Name the file and Save.
4. Choose File | Exit Symbol Maker.

Add the custom symbol to the toolbox

1. In your toolbox double-click on a symbol which should be replaced with the user-defined symbol, such as a .SYM or .BMP file.
2. Under User Defined Shapes, choose your symbol from the list. The list contains all .SYM and .BMP files in the Symbols folder and embedded symbols for that schedule.
3. Optionally, choose to embed the symbol in the Milestones file. Embedding is recommended if you plan to share the schedule containing the custom symbol.

More information

• If your symbol is not in the list of User Defined Shapes, be sure that symbol is placed in the Symbols folder. To find this folder which contains the user-defined symbols, choose Tools | Options | Folders. Notice the path as shown next to Symbols(*). For example, the Symbols folder could be your MyDocuments folder.
• .SYM files can be formatted with fill color, outline color, fill pattern, and other characteristics.
• Each symbol you design can have as many as 200 points with up to 20 different sections.
  Each section must be a complete outline, and each section must start and end at the same point. You are limited to 20 points for each section.