Using Attributes for/in a Title Block

[tips6]

As a newbie to the world of AutoCAD, I'm struggling!!

I currently work as an engineer in a small M&E company. There are only three of us in the office (two elder statesman, and me). Whilst doing my electrical engineering HND, I picked up some basic CAD skills, which I'm attempting to put into action now. As the my two peers are stuck in the hand-designing ways (each to their own), I'm the only one who uses the AutoCAD software. I've managed to design a basic title block in paperspace, complete with viewport for the modelspace, however, whilst in my studies, I used a college-made paperspace which included attributes, and these could be edited ever so easily by simply double-clicking them and changing their values. Would anyone know how this is done, and if so, if there is anywhere I can go to learn how to do it effectively, or alternatively, for them to point me in the right direction of how to do it?

 

Thank you in anticipation of your assistance with this problem.

[rustysilo]

The command to create an attribute is attdef. You can read more about how to do it in the help file or search the net for tutorials. It's pretty simple when it comes down to it. You add attributes to your border/t-block file and then you insert the border/t-block into your plan drawing and you can fill in the attributes as mentioned (double-click).

 

Keep in mind as you create your attributes that the newer ones created are the first ones you are prompted for so you might create the attributes in reverse order of what you would want to be prompted when you insert it.

 

That make sense?

[tips6]

Rustysilo, thank you for your prompt reply. Apoogies though but I don't really understand.

I have drawn a basic titleblock and border layout on my 'A3-sized paper layout' in paperspace. At the moment, I have one layer devoted to text, which I use to label the different sections on the titleblock. These are: "Title (of Drawing)", "Scale", "Drawn By", "Date", the "Drawing No." and the "Revision". I have then made a second text layer for which I use to write in the information text, e.g. what the drawing title is, what scale its at, who drew it, the date of the drawing, etc., etc. Now the questions I'm having trouble with are these:-

Instead of drawing my titleblock in the paperspace then, should I have drawn this 'actual size' in the modelspace for the attributes to work, or doesn't it matter if my titleblock is drawn in PS or MS?

Also, I've had a go with the ATTDEF command, but I'll probably have to try it again with one eye on the help screen.

And, I've also had a look for tutorials on the net, but it seems that every tutorial I look at talks about using attributes for objects, such as chairs, etc., rather than using them in a titleblock and (probably due to my level of knowlegde with CAD) I can't seem to be able to bring them round to what I'm after attributes for. Apologies for the micro-essay.

[slimjramirez]

Tell y'what; when I get to campus tomorrow, I'll give a layman's method of doing what you're looking to do. If I end up at work and unable to answer your question right away, then I'll research it afterhours. Hopefully, I can get a copy of CAD-Lite on my personal machine, just as a basis to answer some of these questions.

 

I was typing out a long list of step-by-steps..but it's only really worth explaining if the person yer trying to help knows exactly what you're talking about.

 

When I get CAD right in front of me, I'll explain it better than the F1/Help can

 

What you're asking is a bit more than just "command line '...###@@#@'".

 

press F1, write in "Create block", go from there...find your way into block editor....then just experiment with it. 'tis the best way of learning it.

 

if y'still need help, i'll keep an eye out, and give pointers when i can provide 'em, but I haven't had a single point where it was easier to read about how to do something rather than just experimenting with it m'self.

[Cad64]

This should help get you going: http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/AutoCAD_tips_create_attribute.html

[tips6]

Justin, thank you for your reply.

---+---

Cad64, thank you for the link. I'll crack on with it and see how far I get. Quick question though... as I already have a titleblock drawn - and I know I'm going to show my inferior side with this one - how do I "explode" it????

[Cad64]

Use the EXPLODE command.

[GE13579]

... or simply x will do?

[Cad64]

... or simply x will do?

 

True, but I always give the full command rather than keyboard shortcuts. Since aliases are fully customizable, his may not be the same as mine or yours. Also, some people use toolbars or pull down menus, so keyboard shortcuts are unknown to them.

[GE13579]

True, I didn't think of it that way ....

 

Thanks Cad64

[schrocks]

Keep in mind as you create your attributes that the newer ones created are the first ones you are prompted for so you might create the attributes in reverse order of what you would want to be prompted when you insert it.

 

Is there anyway to change the order of the prompts after they have been created, or do you just have to start from scratch?

[schrocks]

I found it. battorder within the block editor.

[stevsmith]

I found it. battorder within the block editor.

 

Or you can right click on an attribute and select "attribute order" in the r/click menu to give the same effect.

[qball]

I found it. battorder within the block editor.

 

I think you have to follow with Attsync, no?

[LINHOREKA]

Lĩnh - AE72010@gmail.com

 

Hi, I am Lĩnh. I have an application call Attribute Plus, creating Design Spreadsheet in AutoCAD, with AutoCAD block.

If you are interesting in, click on the link below to load the drawing file from MediaFire and see my introduction in the drawing:

 

http://www.mediafire.com/?1qtvlwl8c4uyine

 

I call the block Paramblock. With Paramblock as design spreadsheet, the attributes and the dynamic block properties are variables. There are several advantages to create design spreadsheet on AutoCAD:

1. You can illustrate your spreadsheet graphically and easily (better than Excel), especially with Dynamic Block.

2. You write the formulas to the VBCode Editor with variables are the Attributes Tags and the Dynamic Block labels. In Excel, you got to write the formulas with the Cell's Address

3. Paramblock is easy to create as my application offer you alot of special technique dealing with the attributes

 

I program this application in AutoCAD 2008, VBA language, Microsoft XP 32 bits. I would work well with AutoCAD 2007 and later.

 

If you like my application, send me some messages about yourself and I would add you to my Address book for further contact. I would create a blog on the application as soon as possible to update the application and something more about AutoCAD

Thank you,

Lĩnh - AE72010@gmail.com

[eoghanoduinn]

Here's another tutorial on attributes and blocks with attributes.

 

http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_2/2-4.htm

 

An easier solution may be to just enter text into the location you require and edit it to suit each drawing.