Introduction to ATPDraw version 5 - Freeware tool guide - overview

Oct 24, 2026

Introduction to ATPDraw version 5 as a Windows graphical, mouse-driven dynamic preprocessor for ATP. Covers what ATPDraw is, how it creates ATP input files from “what you see is what you get,” and key interface elements such as layouts, dialogs, and main menu options. Summarizes historical Windows releases from early DOS versions to version 5, plus core workflows including transformer and machine modeling, multi-phase circuits, vector graphics, grouping, models, and lines & cables modeling. Includes node naming, component dialogs, capabilities, and supported file types.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages57

Reading Time2 h 24 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

ATPDraw overview

Interface and menus

Transformer and machine modeling

Multi-phase circuits and vector graphics

Grouping, models, and lines & cables modeling

ATPDraw history

DOS versions (1991-1995)

Windows versions 1.0 to 5 (1997-2006)

Main windows and layout

Menus and tool bar

Side bar and circuit windows

Circuit map and component selection

Node naming rules

Connected node naming behavior

Warnings for duplicates and disconnections

A..Z extensions and phase handling

Component dialog and editing features

Editable values and clipboard support

Node names, labels, comments, and exclusions

Capability limits and files

Maximum nodes, components, connections

Project, support, data, and help files

1 Introduction to ATPDraw version 5 • Introduction to ATPDraw • Layout and dialogs • Main menu options • Transformer modeling • Machine modeling • Multi-phase circuits • Vector graphics • Grouping • Models • Lines&Cables modeling Hans Kr. Høidalen, NTNU-Norway 2 Introduction • ATPDraw is a graphical, mouse-driven, dynamic preprocessor to ATP on the Windows platform • Handles node names and creates the ATP input file based on ”what you see is what you get” • Freeware • Supports – All types of editing operations – ~100 standard components – ~40 TACS components – MODELS – $INCLUDE and User Specified Components Hans Kr. Høidalen, NTNU-Norway 3 Introduction-ATPDraw history • Simple DOS version – Leuven EMTP Centre, fall meeting 1991, 1992 • Extended DOS versions, 1994-95 • Windows version 1.0, July 1997 – Line/Cable modelling program ATP LCC – User Manual • Windows version 2.0, Sept. 1999 – MODELS, more components (UM, SatTrafo ++) – Integrated line/cable support (Line Constants + Cable Parameters) BPA Sponsored Hans Kr. Høidalen, NTNU-Norway 4 Introduction-ATPDraw history • Windows version 3, Dec. 2001 – Grouping/Compress – Data Variables, $Parameter + PCVP – LCC Verify + Cable Constants – BCTRAN – User Manual @ version 3.5 • Windows version 4, July 2004 – Line Check – Hybrid Transformer model – Zigzag Saturable transformer • Windows version 5, Sept. 2006 – Vector graphics, multi-phase cirucits, new file handling Hans Kr. Høidalen, NTNU-Norway 5 ATPDraw main windows Hans Kr Høidalen, NTNU Norway Main menu Tool bar Side bar (optional) Header, circuit filename Circuit windows Circuit under ~~ ~~construction Circuit map Componentselection menu 6 ATPDraw node naming • "What you see is what you get" • Connected nodes automatically get the same name – Direct node overlap nodes connected nodes overlap – Positioned on connection • Warnings in case of duplicates and disconnections • 3-phase and n-phase nodes – Extensions A..Z added automatically – Objects for transposition and splitting – Connection between n-and single phase Connection Transposition Splitter ABC Hans Kr. Høidalen, NTNU-Norway 7 ATPDraw Component dialog Editable data values Windows Clipboard support Branch output Edit local definitions Icon/help/ pos/name/ units Node names (red=user spec.) Used for sorting Label on screen Comment in ATP file Component not to ATP precision Hans Kr. Høidalen, NTNU-Norway 8 ATPDraw capability • 30.000 nodes • 10.000 components • 10.000 connections • 1.000 text strings • Up to 64 data and 32 nodes per component • Up to 26 phases per node (A..Z extension) • 28 phases in LCC module • Circuit world is 10.000x10.000 pixels (user; 25-400%) • 100 UnDo/ReDo steps Hans Kr. Høidalen, NTNU-Norway 9 Files in ATPDraw • Project file (acp): Contains all circuit data. • Support file (sup): Component definitions. Used only when a component is added to the project. – Standard components: ATPDraw.scl – User defined components: Optionally in global library • Data file (alc/bct/xfm): Contain special data – Stored internally in data structure – Optionally in global library • Help file (sup/txt): User specified help text – Global help stored in sup-file or /HLP directory (txt file) – Local help created under Edit definitions + Hans Kr. Høidalen, NTNU-Norway 10 All standard components: Hans Kr Høidalen, NTNU-Norway

FAQs

What is ATPDraw version 5 used for?

ATPDraw version 5 is a graphical, mouse-driven dynamic preprocessor that prepares ATP input on Windows. It converts what you build visually into the corresponding ATP input file.

How does ATPDraw handle node naming automatically?

Connected nodes automatically get the same name. It warns about duplicates and disconnections, and supports 3-phase and n-phase nodes using A..Z extensions added automatically.

What files does ATPDraw rely on?

ATPDraw uses a project file (acp) for circuit data, a support file (sup) for component definitions, and data files (alc/bct/xfm) for special data stored in an internal data structure. It can also include help text via sup/txt sources.

Oct 24, 2026

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