Defining Attributes

Command: ATTDEF and -ATTDEF

The Attdef command defines how a block's attributes will be created through a dialog box.

The -Attdef command creates block's attribute definitions at the command prompt.

General procedure to define attributes

• Specify the characteristics of the attribute, including its name, prompt, and default value;
• Specify the location;
• Define the text formatting;
• Optionally: set the attribute flags (hidden, fixed, validate or predefined).

To define an attribute

1. Do one of the following:
   • Click the Define Attributes... tool button () on the Tools toolbar.
   • Choose Define Attributes... in the Tools menu.
   • Type attdef in the command bar, then press Enter.

   The Define Attribute dialog opens.

   

2. Define the Attribute:

   • Type a name in the Tag field.
     The Tag Identifies each occurrence of an attribute in the drawing. The name you type in the Tag field can be any combination of characters except spaces. Lowercase letters are automatically converted to uppercase.

   • Type a prompt in the Prompt field.
     The attribute prompt displays when you insert a block containing the attribute. If a prompt is omitted, the Tag is used as the prompt instead.

   • Do one of the following:

     • Type a default value in the Default text field.
       For variable attributes, the default value is replaced by the actual value when you insert a block containing the attribute.
     • Click the Insert Field button () to assign a field value to the attribute (see Using sheet set and sheet properties in a title block).
     • If the Multiple lines flag is checked, the Default text field is dimmed.

   

   Click the button next to the Default text field.
   The Define Attribute dialog temporarily closes to let you create a Mtext entity.

   • Do one of the following:

     • Specify the x-, y-, and z-coordinates for the attribute insertion point.

     • Click the Pick Point button () to specify the insertion point in the drawing.
       You are prompted: Select insertion point.
       The Define Attribute dialog closes temporarily.

   • (option) Set the Invisible attribute flag.
     Attributes with the Invisible flag set do not display nor print.
     If the ATTMODE (Attribute Display Mode) variable is set to 2 , all attributes display, including Hidden attributes.

   • (option) Set the Constant attribute flag.
     Attributes with the Constant flag set cannot be edited.

   • (option) Set the Verify attribute flag.
     Attributes with the Verify flag set must be explicitly validated when a block containing such attributes is inserted.

   • (option) Set the Preset attribute flag.
     When inserting a block you are not prompted to define attributes of which the Preset flag is set. You can edit attribute afterwards though.

   • (option) Set the Lock Position attribute flag to lock the position of the attribute within the block reference.
     Unlocked attributes can be moved relative to the rest of the block using grip editing and multiline attributes can be resized.

   • Define the Text properties: Text Style , Justification , Annotative , Text height and Rotation .

3. Click the OK button to create the attribute in the drawing.
   The Define Attribute dialog closes.

4. (option) Right click to reopen the Define Attribute dialog, then repeat steps 2 and 3 to create another attribute.

Using sheet set properties in a title block

1. Create the sheet set.

2. Define the custom sheet set and sheet properties.

3. Open a sheet (layout) from the sheet set.

4. Create the title block source entities in the paper space layout:
   • Create the borders, line work and fixed texts.
   • Create attributes with fields that refer to sheet set, subset and sheet properties (see To define an attribute).

   See the SHEETSET command to learn more about default and custom sheet set, subset and sheet properties.

   Custom sheet set properties:

   

   Sheet properties and sheet custom properties:

   

5. Create a block from the title block source entities.

6. Copy the block to drawing in one of your block folders (see To insert a block form another drawing).

7. Delete the title block source entities.

8. The title block can be inserted in the other sheets of the sheet set and in any other sheet set where the same custom sheet set and sheet properties exist. All fields that refer to default or custom sheet set, subset or sheet properties are filled out automatically. If no value is available, a field displays hyphens (----) (see also Placing blocks with attributes).