Quick-Reference Guide

Introductory tutorial to the basics

of CLIP PROJECT advanced planning
and marking software

CLIP PROJECT advanced 2007

planning and marking software
 Features

Two software packages in one

CLIP PROJECT advanced combines our proven rail design planning software with easy-to-
use marking software for all your industrial cabinet needs. This comprehensive program
updates automatically via the Internet so that you always have the newest product
information and software versions.

CLIP PROJECT advanced planning

Use CP planning to develop your DIN rail assemblies
complete with bridging, marking and other accessories.
Features include:

• Auto correction feature checks to

ensure all needed end covers, brackets,
etc. are included in your rail design
• Export 2-D and 3-D files in DWG
and STEP formats
• Drag & drop functionality
• Complete documentation
including mounting lists, BOM,
marking and accessory lists

CLIP PROJECT advanced marking

CP marking allows you to create terminal block, wire
and equipment/device markers quickly and easily.
Features include:

• Easy-to-use material selection tree

• Automatic sequencing of numbers
or letters
• Automatic line repetition
• Immense symbol library including
hazard, warning and electrical symbols
as well as organizational approvals
• On-screen alignment for all Phoenix
Contact printers
• Import existing marking files
directly from Excel

1
CLIP PROJECT planning: Getting Started

STEP 1 Click the CLIP PROJECT advanced icon to open the software.

Select which program to

open.

Click planning.

STEP 2a. Set CLIP PROJECT options.

Click Options, Click
Parameters, then go to the
CLIP PROJECT tab.

Change measurement
units between metric
and inch.
Note: All projects must be
closed in order to change
this option.

Choose which type of

list to drop into Word or
Excel.

Set separator to a comma.

Check Online update to
receive the latest updates
to our database.

2
CLIP PROJECT planning: Getting Started

STEP 2b. Set up Import/export configurations.

Click the Import/
export tab in the
parameters window.

If you use EPlan, set up

the proper import/export
configurations for EPlan
products.

Click the box under CLIP

PROJECT marking to
start the marking program
directly upon export.

For those using CMS-

MARK-WIN, specify the file
path to the program.

STEP 3 Create a new project or open an existing one.

Click New to create a

new project.

3
CLIP PROJECT planning: Getting Started

STEP 4 Select the type of DIN rail, designate length, name of rail, and
add end brackets and rail caps if desired. Click OK.

Type of DIN rail

Length of rail

Name of project

End brackets and end caps

STEP 5 Click the Graphics Viewer/Equipment Table button to

toggle between 2-D graphical and table views. You can now add
products to the rail.

Click Graphics Viewer

button to switch views.

Click to select product.

Additional products can
be added to the right of
the end clamp.

4
CLIP PROJECT planning: Getting Started

STEP 6 Start building your rail assembly. Click Terminal Block

icon to open Insertion
Center window for
terminal blocks.

Use the tree diagram to

browse products.

Find and highlight the

product you want to add
to the assembly rail.
Specify quantity, Click
the Insert button.

or

Enter a part number

Repeat this step for other DIN rail products. (article number) or
description (designation)
and Click Find.
STEP 7 Bridging: Bridging can be installed after terminal blocks have
been inserted on the rail.

Highlight multiple
blocks for bridging by
holding the Ctrl key and
clicking on the blocks.

Click Bridge icon to

open the Bridge
Selection window.

Select an open channel -

represented by a green
dot. Highlight the bridge
to be used. Click OK.
(A red dot means the
channel is unavailable.)

5
CLIP PROJECT planning: Getting Started

STEP 8a. Marking: Most products have marking areas for easy identification. Highlight the individual
Marking individual products: block or product to be
marked.

Click Marking 1-2-3

icon to open the Mark
Element window.

Highlight the areas on

the block to be marked.

Choose print orientation.

Select font height.

Enter text in ‘Leading’

box. Click OK.

Hold the Ctrl button

and Click to highlight
STEP 8b. Marking multiple blocks:
multiple side-by-side
blocks.

Click Marking 1-2-3

icon to open the Mark
element window.

Highlight the areas on

the block to be marked.

Choose print orientation.

Select font height.

Enter start value and step

size for consecutive
numbers. Use the leading
and subsequent fields for
pre and post-text.

Click OK.

6
CLIP PROJECT planning: Getting Started

STEP 9 Use the Auto-correction option to make sure rail assembly is

correct and complete with necessary end covers and
end clamps.

Click the
Auto-correction icon.
Corrections will be made
automatically.

STEP 10 Adjust the length of the DIN rail.

Right click on the rail

name in the preview
window.
Click Properties.

Click Accept
minimum length
button to automatically
configure the rail to the
shortest length.
Click OK.

Right click on the

rail and choose center
elements on mounting
rail.

7
CLIP PROJECT planning: Printing Documentation

STEP 11a. Print a drawing of the assembly, purchase

order list, mounting list or other lists.

Click Project, Click

Print or Print Preview
to open the Print
Selection window.

Select items to print.

Click OK.

STEP 11b. Terminal Strip (Drawing of Assembly) and Purchase

Order List.

8
CLIP PROJECT planning: Special Options/Features

STEP 12 Drag and drop your documentation (purchase order or

mounting list) to Microsoft Word or Excel.

Open Word or Excel in

the background, minimize
window, then open Clip
Project in the foreground.

Click and hold on rail

name. Drag cursor from
Clip Project to Word or
Excel. Release button to
transfer data.
Note: If using Excel, make
sure separator is set to
“comma.” See step 2a.

STEP 13a. Export the rail assembly into a 2D drawing file.

Click the rail icon to

highlight the rail assembly.

Click on Data
Interchange on the tool
bar.

Click Export Æ 2D
DXF/DWG. A CAD
Export window opens.

9
CLIP PROJECT planning: Special Options/Features

STEP 13b. Modify the export settings as needed.

Use the dropdown menu

to choose desired file
type (.dwg, .dxf or .dxb).

Set the Target directory

by using the Browse
button.

Click the Export button.

STEP 14 Export marking.

Click Data
Interchange. Click
Export CP marking.

A window will open,

showing the location of
the marking file. Click
OK.

CLIP PROJECT marking

is automatically started.
Note: See parameter setting
in step 2b.

10
 CLIP PROJECT planning: Special Features

STEP 15a. Assign your own part numbers to Phoenix Contact products.
Note: All projects must be closed in order to perform this function.

Click Options. Click

Define user material
no…to open ‘Edit user
material’ window.

STEP 15b. Enter your own part numbers for Phoenix Contact products.
Note: Use the yellow fields to quickly search by part description
or part number.

Highlight the Phoenix

Contact part number for
which you want to apply
your own part number.

Enter your part number

in the Input of user
material no. box.

Click Save.

11
CLIP PROJECT planning: Special Features

STEP 16a. Build your own database.

Click Options. Click

Create user data-
base…to open New
user database window.

STEP 16b. Save your database.

Enter a file name and

note the location.
Click Save.

The ‘New user database’

window will open.

12
 CLIP PROJECT planning: Special Features

STEP 16c. Populate your database.

Note: Use the yellow fields to quickly search by part description
or part number.

Highlight the part you

want in your database.

Click the right arrow

button to add the part
(including accessories) to
your database.

Repeat until all desired

items are in your user
database.
Click Save & exit.

STEP 17a. Insert special areas.

Click product immediately
to the left of the area
where the special area is
to be inserted.

Click Insert. Click

CLIPLINE product line.
Click Special area to
open the Insertion
Center window.

13
CLIP PROJECT planning: Special Features

STEP 17b. Black Box: Insert the necessary information to create a Choose Black Box from
new product. the drop-down menu.

A .bmp digital picture of

the new product can be
placed on the surface
instead of the standard
black box.

Article number,
Designation, and
dimensions are required.

Click Insert.

The new product is now

visible and available for
future reference.

14
 CLIP PROJECT marking: Getting Started

STEP 1 Click the CLIP PROJECT advanced icon to open the software.

Select which program to

open.
Click marking.

STEP 2 To begin, insert a new material.

Click the Material

Insertion icon, or
click Insert and select
Material...

15
CLIP PROJECT marking: Getting Started

STEP 3 Select the type of printer, marker and quantity to be

used for the project. Select your printer.

Use the tree menu under

the printer to choose the
desired application and/
or technology.

Select the desired marker.

Mouse over for an image
of the marker.

Specify the quantity.

Click Insert.

STEP 4 Begin inputting data for your marking project.

Double click on a
marker to enter data.

To enter multiple lines of

text on a marker, hold Alt
+ Enter or use the down
arrow on the keypad.

Tab key moves to the

next marker and also
inserts a new row of
markers.

16
 CLIP PROJECT marking: Getting Started

STEP 5a. Use the quick navigation menu to quickly access some of the
most frequently used options of marking software.

Can adjust font, align text,

insert special characters,
or use the enumeration
feature using easy access
tabs.

STEP 5b. Use the Font tab to:

Change font and font size.

Select bold or italic

options.

17
CLIP PROJECT marking: Getting Started

STEP 5c. Use the Text tab to:

Change font rotation.

Change font alignment.

STEP 5d. Use the Special characters tab to:

Choose symbols from

Standard, Component,
House, Transformer,
Approval, and System font
categories by selecting
the tab along the top of
the window.

Select the desired symbol.

Click Insert or drag and

drop onto the marker.

18
 CLIP PROJECT marking: Getting Started

STEP 5e. Use the 1-2-3 Label tab to automatically enumerate markers.
Use the drop-down menu
to choose numbers or
letters.

Select the start value, end

value, and increment
(step size).

Enter any alphanumeric

prefixes or postfixes if
needed.

Click Make.

Examples

Change font style

and size.

Change text rotation and

alignment.

Insert symbols.

Use enumeration to
quickly create four
markers with the prefix
A- and postfix – T3.

19
CLIP PROJECT marking: Getting Started

STEP 6 Using the Auto fill function.

Enter data into the first
marker.

Right click and select Fill.

The remaining markers in

the row are filled with
that data.

STEP 7 Using the Automatic wire marking function for 360° visibility
Enter the data on the
on wire markers. wire marker and highlight.

Right click and select

‘Automatic wire marking.’

Data is then automatically

repeated in as many rows
as possible to ensure
visibility in all directions.

20
 CLIP PROJECT marking: Special Features

STEP 8a. Importing Excel files.

Set up the import folder.
Click Data
Interchange, select
Settings.

The ‘Data interchange

wizard’ appears.

For first time imports,

click New Folder and
create a folder for Excel
imports.

Once folder is created,

highlight it and click
New.

STEP 8b. Select the file to import.

Click the Browse

button and search for the
file you wish to import.

Preview the import and

select any heading rows
you wish to skip.

21
CLIP PROJECT marking: Special Features

STEP 8c. Set up the material. Click the Material

mapping tab.

Check the box ‘Enforce

default material.’

Click the Browse

button and choose the
desired marking material.

Click Save.

STEP 8d. Import the project.

Click Run.

22
 CLIP PROJECT marking: Set up a printer

STEP 8e. View the import. The file is then imported,

and you are returned to
the standard view.

You can then make any

changes, adjustments or
additions, and print the
project.

Note: For future imports of

the same file, simply open
the Excel imports folder you
created, select the file and
click run.

STEP 9 Set up a printer.

Click File Æ Print

Setup.

From the Output devices

setup window, highlight
your printer from the list
on the left. Click New.

Select the printer driver

from the drop down menu.

Click Apply.

23
CLIP PROJECT marking: Set up a printer

STEP 10 On-screen print alignment.

Click File Æ Print
Setup.

The output device setup

wizard appears. Select the
printer you need to align
from the list on the left.

Click the Select

Material button to
choose the material you
wish to align.

Click ‘Print test page’ to

print a box around the
perimeter of the marker.

To center the box on the

marker, click the arrow
buttons. Click ‘Print test
page’ again. Repeat until
box is centered on the
marker.

Note: Changes will only be retained for this project. For saving calibrated print alignments for commonly
used materials, see the next section on Material Calibration.

24
 CLIP PROJECT marking: Setting up a printer

STEP 11 Use the material calibration feature to align the print

on specific marking material and save your settings for
future projects. Click File Æ Print
Setup.

The Output devices setup

wizard appears. Select the
printer you have installed
and will be using from the
list on the left.

Click the Material

calibration tab.

Click the Select

material button to
choose the material you
will be printing.

Check the ‘Use preferred

material calibration’ box.

Click ‘Print test page’ twice to check print alignment. This will print a box around
the perimeter of the marker.
Note: Make sure the box is equally positioned around the edge of the marker.

To center the box on the marker, click the arrow buttons in the necessary
directions to move the alignment. Click Apply, click ‘print test page’ again. Repeat
until box is centered on the marker.

Note: This can be done for all markers you print. Alignment calibrations will then be
saved.The next time you change to one of these preferred materials, you will not need to
re-calibrate the print alignment.

25
Phoenix Contact MARKING solutions

BLUEMARK UV printer

• UV printing technology for terminal block, wire

and equipment markers
• Markers won’t smear or fade over time or in
harsh environments
• Prints up to 10,000 markers per hour
• Raised equipment markers can be used instead
of costly engraving

Thermal Transfer Printers

THERMOMARK W1 for endless shrink sleeves

• Unique cutter perforates sleeve to customized

lengths
• 300 dpi resolution
• Red, Blue, and Black ink ribbons

THERMOMARK X1.1 Industrial printer

• Prints terminal block, wire and

equipment markers
• 300 dpi resolution
• Industrial design for high-volume printing

THERMOMARK S1 Compact printer

• Prints terminal block, wire and

equipment markers
• 300 dpi resolution
• Small, lightweight design

26
Phoenix Contact offers a full family of modular components
covering virtually all of your electrical and electronic needs as
well as a broad range of value-added services.

CLIPLINE
• DIN rail-mount terminal blocks
• Marking materials and printers
• Tools
• Ferrules

TRABTECH
• Surge voltage protection

INTERFACE
• Analog signal converters • PLC cabling
• Power supplies • Rail-mount breakout modules
• Relays • Intrinsic safety modules

COMBICON
• PCB terminal blocks
• Electronic component housings

PLUSCON
• Industrial plug connectors
• Sensor cabling and sensor boxes

AUTOMATIONWORX
• Solutions, products and services • Controllers and software
for DeviceNet, Profibus, Ethernet • Fieldbus I/O
and Interbus • Ethernet infrastructure components

Canada USA
PHOENIX CONTACT Ltd. PHOENIX CONTACT
235 Watline Avenue P.O. Box 4100
Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1P3 Harrisburg, PA 17111-0100
Phone: 905-890-2820 Phone: 800-888-7388
Technical Service: 800-890-2820 717-944-1300
Fax: 905-890-0180 Technical Service: 800-322-3225
Website: www.phoenixcontact.ca Fax: 717-944-1625
E-mail: info@phoenixcon.com
Website: www.phoenixcon.com

© 2007 PHOENIX CONTACT L001465c:12.07