Defining attributes

You add an attribute to a drawing by first defining it and then saving it as part of a block definition. To define an attribute, you specify the characteristics of the attribute, including its name, prompt, and default value; the location and text formatting; and optional modes (hidden, fixed, validate, and predefined).

To define an attribute

Advanced experience level

  1. Do one of the following:
  2. In the Define Attribute dialog box, type the name, prompt, and default value.
  3. Under Insert Coordinates, specify the location of the attribute, or click Select to select a point in the drawing.
  4. Under Attribute Flags, select the optional attribute modes.
  5. Under Text, specify the text characteristics.
  6. To add the attribute to the drawing, do one of the following:

 

  1. Type the name you want to assign to the attribute.
  2. Enter the identifying prompt information displayed when you insert a block containing the attribute.
  3. Enter the default or constant value. For variable attributes, the default value is replaced by the actual value when you later insert a block containing the attribute.
  4. Specify the x-, y-, and z-coordinates for the attribute insertion point.
  5. Select to create a hidden attribute.
  6. Select to create a fixed-value attribute.
  7. Select to create an attribute whose value must be validated when you later insert a block containing the attribute.
  8. Select to create an attribute whose value is defined and not requested when you later insert a block containing the attribute, but that you can edit after the block is inserted.
  9. Click to add the attribute and keep the dialog box active so you can define another attribute.
  10. Click to add the attribute and end the command.
  11. Specify the text rotation angle, or click to specify the rotation angle by selecting two points in the drawing.
  12. Specify the text height, or click to specify the height by selecting two points in the drawing.
  13. Choose the text justification.
  14. Choose the text style from those styles already defined in the drawing.
  15. Click to specify the attribute insertion point by selecting a point in the drawing.

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Attaching attributes to blocks

Editing attribute definitions

Editing attributes attached to blocks

Extracting attribute information