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ispyisail edited this page Oct 7, 2026 · 8 revisions

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about QElectroTech. Can't find your answer? See Getting Help below.

Installation & Setup

Q: Where do I download QElectroTech?

A: Visit qelectrotech.org/downloads for:

  • Windows installer (.exe, .msi)
  • macOS package (.dmg)
  • Linux AppImage, Flatpak, Snap packages
  • Source code for building from source

Or install via package manager:

  • Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install qelectrotech
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install qelectrotech
  • Arch: sudo pacman -S qelectrotech

Q: What are the system requirements?

A: Minimum requirements:

  • Windows: Windows 7 or later (32-bit or 64-bit)
  • macOS: macOS 10.12 or later
  • Linux: Qt5-compatible distribution (Ubuntu 18.04+, Fedora 25+, etc.)
  • RAM: 512 MB (1 GB recommended)
  • Disk: 100 MB for installation

Note: Exact requirements vary by version. Check releases page for details.

Q: How do I uninstall QElectroTech?

A:

  • Windows: Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall (or Windows Installer if portable)
  • macOS: Drag QElectroTech from Applications to Trash, empty Trash
  • Linux (apt): sudo apt remove qelectrotech
  • Linux (Flatpak): flatpak uninstall org.qelectrotech.QElectroTech
  • AppImage: Delete the downloaded .AppImage file

Q: Is QElectroTech free?

A: Yes! Completely free and open-source:

  • License: GNU GPL v3 (free software license)
  • Source code: Publicly available on GitHub
  • No cost: No licensing fees, subscription, or restrictions
  • Legal: Can be used for personal, educational, and commercial projects

See License for details.

Getting Started

Q: I just installed QET. How do I create my first diagram?

A: Follow the Quick Start Guide for a step-by-step tutorial. You'll:

  1. Create a new project
  2. Add elements from the library
  3. Connect them with wires
  4. Add labels
  5. Save your work

Takes about 10 minutes!

Q: How do I add elements to my diagram?

A:

  1. Find the Elements panel on the right side
  2. Search: Type in the search box (e.g., "switch", "relay")
  3. Browse: Expand categories (Control, Electrical, etc.)
  4. Drag: Click and drag element onto canvas
  5. Place: Release to place; drag again for another copy

Tips:

  • Browse by category if you don't know the name
  • Double-click category name to expand it
  • Double-click an element to place it (it follows the pointer until you click), or drag it onto the sheet. Press Space to rotate a selected element

Q: How do I connect elements with wires?

A: There is no wire tool. Wires are drawn straight from a terminal:

  1. Press the mouse button on a terminal (a connection point on the element's edge)
  2. Drag to the next element's terminal, keeping the button down
  3. Release on it — the wire is drawn and routed automatically

Important: Release on a terminal. Released anywhere else, no wire is created.

Q: How do I add labels to wires and elements?

A:

  1. Double-click on the wire or element
  2. Type your label:
    • Wire: "L1", "Signal_A", "24V"
    • Element: "S1", "R1", "M1"
  3. Press Enter

Label now appears on the object.

Q: Can I undo mistakes?

A: Yes!

  • Ctrl+Z (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Z (macOS) — undo
  • Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z (macOS) — redo
  • You can undo many steps by pressing multiple times

Creating & Saving Diagrams

Q: What file format does QElectroTech use?

A:

  • Projects: .qet files (XML-based, human-readable)
  • Elements: .elmt files (XML format for custom symbols)
  • Both are text files, viewable in any text editor

See Project XML Structure and Elements XML Structure for technical details.

Q: Can I open QET files in other software?

A: Partially:

  • .qet and .elmt are XML, so text editors can view/edit them
  • For electrical design software: Export to DXF or SVG for compatibility
  • For documentation: Export to PDF or PNG

See User Manual → Export & Printing for export options.

Q: How do I export my diagram?

A:

  1. File → Export (or right-click project/sheet)
  2. Choose format:
    • PDF — Best for sharing/printing
    • PNG — Image format for web/documents
    • SVG — Vector format, editable
    • DXF — CAD format (see the page for fidelity limits)
  3. Choose location and filename
  4. Click Export

Q: How do I print my diagram?

A:

  1. File → Print (Ctrl+P)
  2. Configure:
    • Color or black & white
    • Page size and orientation
    • Scaling (fit to page, actual size, etc.)
  3. Print to printer or PDF
  4. For multi-page: Set up sheet (page) layout first

Q: How do I save my project?

A:

  • File → Save (Ctrl+S) — Save current changes
  • File → Save As — Save with new name
  • Autosave: off by default. Set an interval in minutes for Sauvegarde automatique des projets in Configuration → Configurer QElectroTech → Général, tab Projets; it applies from the next start. Crash-recovery copies are separate and always on — see "QET crashed" below
  • Projects save as .qet format

Projects & Organization

Q: How do I create multiple diagrams in one project?

A:

  1. Right-click in Project panel (left side)
  2. New Sheet (a sheet = one page/diagram)
  3. Choose sheet type (Single-line, Multiline, etc.)
  4. Enter title
  5. New diagram ready to edit

Organize:

  • Drag sheets to reorder them
  • Right-click sheet for rename/properties

Q: How do I organize a large project?

A: Best practices:

  • Group by function: Power, Control, Safety, etc.
  • Name clearly: "Main Power", "Control Logic", "Outputs", etc.
  • Use multiple sheets: One per major section
  • Consistent labeling: Use reference designators (S1, R1, etc.)

See Tips & Tricks for advanced organization strategies.

Q: Can I share projects with other QET users?

A: Yes!

  • Email .qet files — Portable, self-contained
  • Cloud storage: Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
  • Version control: Push to Git repo, collaborate
  • Network drive: Share on company network

Note: Both users need QET installed to edit. Others can view via PDF export.

Elements & Libraries

Q: Where are all the available elements?

A: In the Elements panel (right side):

  • Built-in library: 8,000+ symbols included
  • Search: Type component name or number
  • Browse: Expand categories for different types
  • Community: Additional elements on qelectrotech.org/elements

Q: Can I create custom elements?

A: Yes! See Creating Elements for detailed instructions to:

  • Design element graphics
  • Define connection terminals
  • Create metadata
  • Package for sharing

Wires & Connections

Q: My wires aren't connecting properly

A: Common issues:

  1. Not clicking on terminal — Click directly on the small dot (terminal), not near it
  2. Broken connection — Delete wire, reconnect to correct terminal
  3. Crossing wires without connecting — Crossing wires don't join; must connect at terminal
  4. Element has no terminals — Check element type; not all symbols can connect

Solution:

  • Select wire with Selection tool
  • Right-click → Delete
  • Redraw, clicking precisely on terminals

Q: Can I edit wire paths?

A: Yes!

  1. Select the wire (click on it)
  2. Drag the handles on its segments to change the route
  3. Édition → Réinitialiser les conducteurs (Ctrl+K) throws the changes away and lets QElectroTech route the selected wires again

Q: What does a crossed wire mean in QET?

A: By default, crossing wires do NOT connect. They're just visual crosses for complex diagrams. Explicit terminal connections are required.

Performance & Issues

Q: QET is running slowly with my large project

A: Tips to improve performance:

  1. Reduce zoom level if viewing entire diagram
  2. Hide the grid (Affichage → Afficher la grille)
  3. Close unused panels (View → Panels)
  4. Split into multiple sheets if diagram is very large (100+ elements)
  5. Turn off selection handles when not editing

For very large projects (1000+ elements), performance may be limited.

Q: My file won't open

A: Try:

  1. Check file location — Ensure .qet file exists and is readable
  2. Verify permissions — File should be readable/writable
  3. Version compatibility — Try opening in different QET version
  4. Repair corrupted file — Open in text editor, check for XML errors
  5. Restore backup — If file is corrupted

See Issues for bug reports.

Q: QET crashed — how do I get my work back?

Every 20 minutes QElectroTech writes a crash-recovery copy of each open project that changed since the last copy. If nothing changed, no copy is written, so a big project that sits unchanged no longer freezes for a moment every 20 minutes (PR #1013).

It keeps the last three copies of each project, written in turn (PR #1167, merged 2026-09-29). If a project was already damaged when a copy was taken, that copy only replaces the oldest of the three, not your only one.

At the next start after a crash, a window titled Fichiers de restauration (Recovery files) lists each project with a drop-down of its copies. The newest, marked (la plus récente) (most recent), is selected; pick an older one if the newest is the broken one. The copies you did not pick are deleted.

The Fichiers de restauration window: one project listed, with a drop-down set to its newest copy, marked (la plus récente), and Cancel and OK buttons

A copy that cannot be read gives a warning instead of crashing QElectroTech again (PR #1031).

This is separate from autosave, which saves the project itself on a timer and is off unless you set an interval for Sauvegarde automatique des projets (Autosave projects) in Configurer QElectroTech > Général.

Q: What does a crash report contain?

After a crash, QElectroTech shows a report to send with your bug report. On Windows it now says what went wrong and where (PR #1181, merged 2026-09-30):

  • the error by name, such as access violation or stack overflow, and for a bad memory access the address used;
  • where it happened, and the chain of calls that led there, one line per step as module+offset;
  • crashes from a failed check (abort()) or a fatal Qt error, which used to leave no report at all.

Include the whole report when you report the crash: a developer with the same build can turn each module+offset line into a function and line in the source. Reports from Linux are unchanged.

Q: QET won't start

A: Try:

  1. Reinstall: Remove and reinstall QElectroTech
  2. Check logs: Look for error messages on startup
  3. Try a clean profile: Start from a fresh configuration to rule out a bad setting
  4. Clear cache: Remove ~/.qelectrotech/ (Linux) or AppData (Windows)
  5. Update Qt: Ensure Qt libraries are current

File Compatibility

Q: Can I open QET files from older versions?

A: Yes! QET maintains backward compatibility:

  • Older .qet files open in newer versions
  • Some formatting may change with UI updates
  • Features added in newer versions won't be present in older files

Best practice: Keep files in current QET format.

Q: What about files from different QET versions?

A: Generally compatible, but:

  • Files made in v0.100 should open in v0.100+
  • Files from v0.9 work in v0.100
  • Very old files (v0.6 and earlier) may have compatibility issues

If having trouble, see Issues.

Advanced Topics

Q: How do I create element libraries?

A:

  1. Create custom elements (see Creating Elements)
  2. Organize in folders
  3. Distribute .elmt files to users
  4. Users copy to element collection directory

Or publish on Community Elements repository.

Q: Can I use QET in scripts or automation?

A: Limited support:

  • Python terminal block generator available
  • Some command-line support in development
  • See Contributing for scripting roadmap

Q: How do I contribute to QElectroTech?

A: Multiple ways:

  1. Report bugs — GitHub Issues
  2. Create elements — Share symbols and components
  3. Translate — Help internationalization efforts
  4. Write code — See Contributing for guidelines

Q: Where can I find example projects?

A: Examples available:

Platform-Specific Questions

Q: How do I launch QET on Linux?

A:

  • Application menu — Search for QElectroTech
  • Command line: qelectrotech
  • Desktop shortcut: Create launcher for quick access

Q: How do I launch QET on macOS?

A:

  • Applications folder → Double-click QElectroTech
  • Launchpad → Click QElectroTech
  • Dock → Drag application to Dock for quick access

Q: How do I launch QET on Windows?

A:

  • Start menu → Search "QElectroTech" and click
  • Desktop shortcut → Double-click (if created during install)
  • Command line: qelectrotech (if in PATH)

Didn't Find Your Answer?

Resources:

Still Stuck?

Post on the QElectroTech Forum with:

  1. Description of your problem
  2. QET version you're using
  3. Steps to reproduce
  4. Screenshots if helpful
  5. Your operating system

Community members are very helpful and responsive!

Home tools

qelectrotech

Getting Started

Home

🌐 Languages — English · Français · Deutsch

Downloads

Windows without admin rights — the portable archive, no installer

Quick Start Guide

User Manual

FAQ

Tips & Tricks

Guides

Conductors — wire properties, what feeds which export, cables, and hops where wires cross

Wires per terminal — limit the wires on a terminal, chain wiring instead of stars

Printing and exporting — paper, PDF, images, and what each path does differently

Linking elements — master, slave, terminal

PLC modules — I/O tables and linking a wire to a specific point

Using the element editor — drawing tools, saving, checks

Grid size and element size — why symbols aren't all the same scale, and scaling one without leaving the grid

Preferences reference — what each settings page does

Saving and loading settings — your whole setup in one file, to copy or keep

Keyboard-only control — mouseless QET, and what still needs a mouse

Mouse modifiers — what Shift, Ctrl and Alt change while you drag

3D mouse — SpaceMouse pan, zoom and buttons

Aligning items — snap symbols back to the grid, or line them up

Pictures on a sheet — labels, crop, transparency, what they cost in the file

Arcs and curved wires — the Arc tool, pulling an arc in or out, rounding a corner with a fillet, dashed arcs for lighting layouts

Grouping items — select, move and copy several items as one

Finding your place on a sheet — go to a cell like B13 or 4-B7, keep the headers in sight, show the cell limits, zoom and pan

Showing and hiding kinds of items — hide texts, wire numbers, shapes, pictures, tables or cross-references on every sheet

Drawing faster — place without dragging, the S shortcut bar, command search, gestures

Customising QElectroTech — keys, toolbar size and contents, the gesture ring (partly pending)

Managing collections — folders, writability, building your own shortlist

Templates — reusable multi-element blocks, placed by double-click or drag

Search & Replace — bulk property changes

Building a nomenclature query — the BOM/summary table builder

Linking wires across pages — sheet reports

Variables & formulas — %f, %{label}, sequences

Auto-numbering — schemes, sequences, freezing

Terminal strips — strips, levels, bridges

Title block templates — the .titleblock format

Importing EPLAN parts (.edz) — EPLAN Data Portal

DXF import & export — two unrelated features, one format; command-line export and layers

The project database — the in-memory SQLite cache

File formats
Elements XML
Project XML
Development

Building from Source

Contributing Code

Automating QET — CLI, XML formats, external tools

CLI Reference — command line usage

JavaScript Scripting — --run, geometry editing, undo

MCP server — let an AI assistant read, verify and edit projects

Connecting an AI assistant — setup for Claude, Copilot, Gemini, Codex, Cursor, LM Studio

Script buttons — stored scripts with an icon, by hand or by an assistant

Live mode — an assistant working in the open project while you watch

Macro recorder — record a task by hand, for an assistant to script

Development Roadmap

Vision — proposal, under discussion

Developer Tools

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