Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published June 2003

The Fundamentals of Attributes

Attributes are fine for automating the placement of drawing Name, Drawn by, Rev number, etc., but what about adding door or sprinkler head information to a block so you can run a take-off later? For those of you with the gloves off and just slugging your way through AutoCAD, let's look at a way to add attributes to a block. Next month, we'll track those blocks and the attributes assigned to them.

AttDef Basics

To add attributes to a block (or .dwg file you Wblock out), you need to define the attribute(s) prior to using the Block or Wblock commands. Type Attdef at the command line and you get the Attribute Definition dialog box. Each attribute must be defined, therefore, each of the four attributes associated with the ellipse in the figure required the use of the Attribute Definition dialog box for their definition.

Mode frame:

Invisible - Most commonly used for data that need not appear in the drawing but can be extracted later.
Constant - A variable that can be edited, but is typically the default condition.
Verify - Will give the user what I call an "idiot check" by prompting "Are you sure?" after the value is entered.
Preset - The value is uneditable but needs to be associated with the block.

Attribute frame:

Tag - No spaces; something generic.
Prompt - What do you want the command line to say when the block/file is inserted?
Value - You may want to define the attribute with a default value that is the most common. In the figure, a hollow metal (HM) door may be more common than solid core (SC). If a format of text entry is required, you may want to the default text to read nn-xx-01.

Text Options frame:

Justification - Your call.
Text Style - Choose from the available text styles of the current drawing. Thankfully, when your attributed file/block is inserted into another drawing, if that host drawing does not contain the specified text style, it is automatically created.
Height & Justification - Enter the values or pick the buttons and graphically indicate the values.

Insertion Point frame:

Pick Point - Pick the button and pick the base point position for the first attribute text. The justification is per the Text Options "Justification" setting.

Note: After picking the insertion point for the first attribute text, check the "Align below previous attribute definition" box for successive placement of vertically aligned attribute text and they'll line right up, single-spaced (but you can move them later if need be).

Application

Once you have created the attributes, use Block or Wblock and include the text in the selection.

Tip: If you need to edit the Tag, Prompt or Default fields, simply double-click on the attribute text and make the edits in the Edit dialog.

Insert the block into the drawing using the Insert command or DesignCenter. After specifying the insertion point you will be prompted for the attributes you defined for that block!

Enter attribute values
Enter door number <XXXA>: 0603
Door Type <HM>:
Frame Type <HM>:
Lockset ID <#24>:

Top of page

Local Navigation