Categories are used to control visibility in your drawing. All objects and symbols come with a set of categories pre-programmed into them. For products, the categories are specified by the manufacturer. Objects from Configura's extensions (accessories, lights, etc.) also have categories assigned to them. 

Use the Categories tab of the Categorization dialog to create new, assign and remove categories, or edit them in your drawing. Access the Categorization dialog from the Tools drop-down menu or right-click on a selected object and select Categorize.

A common example of changing categories is for dimensions. By default, there is only one category for all dimensions placed from the Tools component tab. However, you may have different types of dimensions, such as Architectural, Panel, Component, or Electrical dimensions. Let's use this example to explore the functionality in the Categories tab. First, we will want to create a few custom categories for the types of dimensions.

Creating custom categories

Open the Categorization dialog from the Tools drop-down menu or right-click on a selected object and select Categorize. 

You can also create your own categories by clicking the black  sign in a row: 

You will be prompted to give your new category a name. If you need to change it later, you can simply double-click on it and rename it! 

Your new category shows in alphabetical order with existing categories. It is distinguished with a  and an  to the right. Click the  to create a sub-category; click the  to delete the custom category.

For this example, we have named our new category "Dimension Types." We can create sub-categories with the different types listed above. Pre-existing categories (e.g. Dimensions) cannot have sub-categories added to them, which is why we have made a new one.

Now, to create the sub-categories, click the  next to "Dimension Types." You will be prompted to create names for each sub-category.

Assigning categories

Now that we have created the necessary categories, we can assign dimensions in the drawing to them. To add or remove objects from a category, select the objects in your drawing. In the drawing below, the red dimensions are measuring architectural components, so we will assign them to the Architectural dimensions category.

 Follow these steps to add the dimensions to their new category:

1. Select object(s) in the drawing to add to the new category. 
   
   Hold down Ctrl to select multiple objects.
2. Optional: Uncheck the box next to their original category (Dimensions) to remove them.
3. Check the box for the new category (Architectural dimensions).

Application tools

Another way to manage categories is with the Apply, Remove, Replace, and Reset tools on the right-hand side of the dialog. 

In order for the tools to be enabled, check a box or boxes next to the category you want to apply or remove. The Reset button is the exception; it can be used without a category first being selected.

Once you have a category selected by checking the box, left-click and release the tool you want to use. Bring your cursor over the drawing area. As you hover near components, the tool will snap to them and you can left-click to apply the tool.

	Apply: Adds selected categories to the objects that you click in the drawing area.
	Remove: Removes selected categories from the objects that you click in the drawing area.
	Replace: Replaces the categories of the object you click with the selected categories in the dialog.
	Reset: Resets the categories of the object you click back to default.

Exporting Categories

Categories can be exported as a reusable file so that they can be used in other drawings and by other users. After you have created custom categories, you can export them to save and share. Simply click Export on the right-hand side of the Categories dialog. Choose a location where you would like to save the categories. It will create a .cmctg file.

To import custom categories, click Import on the right-hand side of the Categories dialog, then find the file and click Open.