Symbol Libraries

The Importance of Symbol Libraries in Building Automation Systems (BAS)

March 19, 2024

In the realm of Building Automation Systems (BAS), Building Management Systems (BMS), and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), symbol libraries play an integral role. These libraries contain parts and animations that are used to create detailed system graphics within the BAS. Much like a floorplan, these libraries offer detailed representations of a building’s mechanical layout.

The Practical Use of Symbol Libraries

End users or building operators employ these graphics to modify systems within a building. For example, if there’s a request to adjust the temperature in an operating room within a hospital, the operator would navigate the floorplan to locate the specific room, select the room, then alter the temperature via the air handling unit graphic/data point.

Our Symbol Libraries

Symbol Library V5:

Composed of .png images and animated .gifs
Used for animations in some systems
Popular file type for symbol libraries in the industry
Currently on version 5, with a legacy dating back to 2008

Vector Symbol Library:

Built with .svg files and animations for true vector capabilities
Scalable to any display size
Newest addition to our offerings, compatible with select manufacturers’ software
Ideal for use with Tridium’s Niagara V4 software

Both libraries are available for a one-time purchase and can be reused across multiple customer projects.

For Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)

The value for OEMs lies in having a modern Symbol Library (SL) that boasts an extensive collection of pieces and parts reflecting the current HVAC/mechanical industry standards. Additionally, maintaining uniformity across platforms ensures that all installations have a consistent appearance. A robust symbol library empowers UI builders with an accurate and efficient set of symbols.

Advantages for System Integrators and End Users

Symbol Library V5: Enhances aesthetic appeal, allows system integrators to stand out from competitors, offers a one-time purchase cost, includes a wide variety of images and animations, and supports multiple systems that utilize .png files, including .JAR module compatibility.
Vector Symbol Library: Provides true vector functionality, which is crucial for responsive web-based applications, along with a one-time purchase cost, a comprehensive collection of images and animations, and .JAR module availability.

Upgrade Your Graphics

Considering the importance of accurate and visually appealing system graphics, our symbol libraries offer an invaluable resource for building operators, system integrators, and OEMs alike. Whether you prefer the proven reliability of our Symbol Library V5 or the modern scalability of our Vector Symbol Library, each collection is designed to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

Are you ready to upgrade your BAS system graphics and stand out in the industry? Contact QA Graphics to explore our offerings and make your purchase today. Transform your building’s operational interface with our state-of-the-art symbol libraries!

QA Graphics Symbol Library

August 3, 2023

QA Graphics’ first major project as a company was building a custom symbol library for one of the largest building control manufacturers in the world. They looked to us, even as a new company, due to the early investment we made in state-of-the-art 3D software and rendering equipment, plus our expertise in creating system graphics for building automation systems. The company hired us to develop a custom look and feel that would separate them from the competition. We provided a 3D pieces-and-parts library with animations, as well as an extensive set of prefabricated system graphics. The customer embedded this into their software to distribute to end users. With this experience, QA Graphics went on to create several other custom libraries for control manufacturers across the globe. We have created a total of eight libraries since 2006, of which three are still in use.

While we always welcomed the manufacturers’ need for custom-built, embedded symbol libraries, a new opportunity came to light. The system integrators who represented these manufacturers also had a need to have their own look and brand when it came to building system graphics. We took the years of work and developed our own graphic libraries, specifically catered to system integrators to use to differentiate themselves in their own markets. The result is the V5 .png library and the Vector library.

We have two types of BAS/BMS/HVAC symbol libraries. These libraries are pieces and parts, with separate animations. They are used to design system graphics within the BAS. Like floor plans, they are representations of the mechanical layout of the building in detail. The end user or building operator uses these graphics to make changes to the system inside the building. An example of this might be when, within a hospital, the operator gets a request to change the temperature in an operating room. They would go to the floor plan to find the specific operating room, click on that room, then find the air handling unit graphic/data point and change the temperature.

Our first symbol library is composed of .png images and animated .gif, or a series of images, to build animations in some systems. This is the most common file type for symbol libraries in our industry. We are on version five of ours, and it has been around since 2008.

Our second library is composed of .svg and animations, and it is a true vector library. It will scale to whatever size you are displaying it on. It is our newest library but limited to just a few manufacturers’ software, as our industry is behind on web-based UI. We mostly sell this to someone using Tridium’s Niagara V4 software. Both libraries are sold as a one-time purchase to be used repeatedly for customer projects.

Reasons to Purchase a Symbol Library

Symbol Library V5

More aesthetic look to graphics, system integrators can differentiate themselves from local competition with a better-looking user experience.
One-time purchase price
Extensive number of images and animations
Can be used in multiple systems that support .png file type.
.JAR module.

Vector Symbol Library

True vector functionality (responsive for web-based applications).
One-time purchase price.
Extensive number of images and animations.
.JAR module availability.

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For more information on our symbol libraries, contact QA Graphics today.

QA Graphics’ New Symbol Library Components to Substitute Schneider’s Struxureware/Ecostruxure Graphic Library

October 20, 2022

QA Graphics has created a new component to offer their clients using Schneider’s Struxureware/Ecostruxure software. This tool is an extension update of their existing Symbol Library v5 that will easily replace Struxureware/Ecostruxure’s existing graphic library. This symbol library component will effortlessly integrate within the software, allowing Struxureware/Ecostruxure users to implement QA Graphics’ extensive Symbol Library – free of charge for those who own a Symbol Library v5. The difference with QA Graphics’ component library is that the symbols are already set up with animations to be dragged and dropped in so points can be mapped within the graphic editor.

While the new symbol library component is for Schneider’s Struxureware/Ecostruxure software only, the Symbol Library v5 files can be delivered for any control system. QA Graphics has provided several of the leading control system manufacturers and private companies graphic libraries since their first edition in 2007. Becoming an expert design resource for the building controls industry, providing graphics for any type of building automation system (BAS).

This symbol library offers a competitive advantage in the BAS industry, delivering more appealing and realistic graphics than typically provided with BAS software. The Symbol Library v5 is powerful and includes over 450 total graphic files available, more detailed graphics, and higher resolution images. Giving users access to high-end graphics and animations that more realistically represent the mechanical systems in place.

Additional services clients choose when purchasing a Symbol Library v5 are 3D floor plans and branded template work. Call 515.965.3403 for pricing or to learn more, visit: https://www.qagraphics.com/bas-symbol-library-2/. OEM’s can contact us as well about creating a customized library for your software controls.