Attribute definition order

[The Nickster]

Another attdef question here guys: When you want to change the order in which you "fill in the blanks" of a block containing an attribute definition, I know the command is "battman" short for "block attribute manager."

 

The only problem is when I change the order of the attribute definitions it only does it for that particular block and not the original file... Is there a way I can change the order of the attribute definitions in the original file so every time I insert that block the order will stay the same?

[Ryder76]

How about if you fix the block and then wblock it out to the original's location to replace the file?

[JPlanera]

You have to change the "original"...

[ReMark]

Try this and let me know if it works.

 

Type BATTMAN then select one of the blocks you want to reorder.

 

Highlight the attribute then use either the Move Up or Move Down buttons on the right to change the order.

 

When you have the order the way you want it click on the SYNC button on the right.

 

Finally, click on the Apply button at the bottom.

 

Click the OK button to exit.

 

Now test it.

 

Report back here with the results.

Edited December 21, 2010 by ReMark
can't freakin' type!

[The Nickster]

Try this and let me know if it works.

 

Type BATTMAN then select one of the blocks you want to reorder.

 

Highlight the attribute then use either the Move Up or Move Down buttons on the right to change the order.

 

When you have the order the way you want it click on the SYNC button on the right.

 

Finally, click on the Apply button at the bottom.

 

Click the OK button to exit.

 

Now test it.

 

Report back here with the results.

 

It worked for that drawing, but when I inserted the same block into another drawing, it defaulted to the original order.

[ReMark]

And it will continue to do that, time and time again, until you change the original attributed block.

[The Nickster]

Found this in the help menu:

Command entry: battman

Manages the attribute definitions for blocks in the current drawing. You can edit the attribute definitions in blocks, remove attributes from blocks, and change the order in which you are prompted for attribute values when inserting a block.

 

ok so how do I change the original when all of the attribute definitions are in place?

[ReMark]

You'll have to redefine the original block. You did WBlock it out to your hard drive right?

[The Nickster]

Yes I wblock(ed) it. Working on original now will update in a few...

[Ryder76]

How about if you fix the block and then wblock it out to the original's location to replace the file?

 

I repeat myself...

[ReMark]

I repeat myself...

 

I think there's an echo in here. here. here. here.

[The Nickster]

You'll have to redefine the original block. You did WBlock it out to your hard drive right?

 

alright now i'm getting frustrated.... i took the original and write blocked it again (since you cannot apply the "battman" command to a non-blocked attribute); changed everything to the order that I wanted and synked, applied, and saved it. Inserted the updated write block into a new drawing and the same thing is happening... how can i change the order of the attributes on the original drawing? Where am i going wrong here?!?!

[The Nickster]

nevermind.

Edited December 21, 2010 by The Nickster

[The Nickster]

Thank you all for your help.

[ReMark]

Was that "Nevermind...I solved it!" Or was that "Nevermind...I give up."?

[Griz]

The battman/wblock idea was most of the solution. Instead of overwriting the original block file when you use wblock, give it a new name by adding a "2" to the end of the filename. If you want to test to see if the new block with attributes works first, insert in place of the block you were trying to fix. If it works, then delete the original block dwg file, rename the new file you created to that original name, then insert that one into the host drawing.

 

If this doesn't work then I'm not explaining it correctly.