Tech Tips

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Block Attribute Editor

Overview
  • When you add a block insert to the drawing, it get its own "local" copy of the block attributes that exist in the block definition that the insert references.
  • The Block Attribute Editor enables you to edit the values and properties of block attributes, in both block definitions, and in block inserts.
  • Changes to the attributes in a block definition can also be applied to block inserts that reference the block definition.

Editing Block Definitions
When editing the attributes in a block definition, you can:
  1. Edit all attribute properties:
    • Tag name, prompt string, value string
    • Text style, text height, width factor, alignment, angle, u/d, b/w
    • Annotative flag
    • Layer and pen colour
  2. Remove attributes from the block definition.
  3. Change the "prompt order" of attributes in the block definition.
  4. Apply changes to the attributes to existing block inserts in the drawing.
  5. Changes can be applied to all, or limited to the current CAD selection:
    • Attribute "value" is never overwritten
    • New attributes are added to the block inserts
    • Orphaned attributes are removed from the block inserts

Editing Block Inserts
When editing the attributes in a block insert, you can:
  1. Edit all attribute properties, except for "Tag name" and "Prompt String"
  2. Remove attributes from the block insert
  3. "Preview" changes to the block insert in the drawing
  4. Note: If the drawing is read-only, or the block insert is on a locked layer, the Block Attribute Editor will not allow changes.

Tutorial: (see sample drawing 'Attribute Editor Tutorial.dr4')

Edit Attributes in a Block Definition
  1. Open "Attribute Editor Tutorial.dr4".
  2. Go to Block Manager (Tools / Block manager):


  3. The block preview displays the number of attributes in the selected block definition.
  4. Select block definition "Forklift_1" in the list of blocks on the left of the Block Manager, then right-click and choose "Edit Attributes..." from the pop-up menu.


  5. In the Attribute Editor, select attribute “SERIAL” in the list on the left side of the editor, then change it’s pen colour to orange using the pen button.
  6. Change the colour of the other 2 attributes (“DRIVER” and “MODEL”) to orange (more easily visible in the drawing than brown).


  7. Click OK.
  8. In the Block Manager preview window, the attributes should be orange.

Edit Attributes in a Block Insert
  1. Select one of the Forklift block inserts in the drawing.
  2. Right-click and choose "Edit Attributes..."


  3. In the Attribute Editor, change the colour of all 3 attributes to green (more easily visible than brown).


  4. Click OK.
  5. In the drawing, the selected block insert's attributes should be green (the colour change will only be visible once the block insert is unselected).

Remove attribute from block/insert
  1. Select a Forklift block insert in the drawing.
  2. Right-click and choose "Edit Attributes..."
  3. In the Attribute Editor, select attribute "DRIVER", then click the "Remove" button:


  4. Click "Yes" when prompted to confirm remove. The attribute “DRIVER” will disappear from the list of attribute on the left of the editor:


  5. Click OK.
  6. In the drawing, the selected block insert should now have it's "DRIVER" attribute removed.

Re-order attributes in a block
  1. You may only re-order attributes in a block definition.
  2. Go to Block Manager:


  3. Select block "Forklift_1", then right-click and choose "Edit Attributes..."
  4. In the Attribute Editor, select the "MODEL" attribute, then click the "Move Up" button to move it to the top of the list:


  5. Click OK.
  6. In the Block Manager, double-click "Forklift_1" to insert it into the drawing.
  7. Click anywhere in the drawing to place the block insert.
  8. You should now be prompted for the value of the MODEL tag (since you have set it to the first attribute in the list).


  9. Press Esc to exit the function.
Note that the position of the attribute within the block does not change, only the order in which you are prompted to enter values for the block’s attributes when you insert a block.

Apply changes to block definition attributes to block inserts in the drawing
  1. Go to Block Manager (Tool / Block Manager)
  2. Select block definition "Forklift_1", right-click and choose "Edit Attributes..."
  3. In the Attribute Editor, make some changes to the attributes (eg: pen colour, text height), then click the "Apply to All" button:


  4. You will be prompted to confirm the changes to the block inserts in the drawing.


  5. Click Yes.
  6. You will get a message that the blocks have been updated e.g. "4 block inserts updated".
  7. The "Forklift" block inserts in the drawing should display the changes you made, for example if you changed the attributes pen colours:


  8. Exit the Block Attribute Editor.
  9. Close the Block Manager.
  10. Confirm that the Forklift block inserts have been updated.


 

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