Data Links and Blocks

[resullins]

Ok guys... first, my apologies if this has been discussed. I searched but couldn't find a discussion that really talks about what I'm asking. So here goes...

 

My company produces drawing sets that show the same information in multiple places. I.e. an attribute in drawing A is also shown in a different block in drawing B and a different block in drawing C and in a table. This creates problems in that as soon as one piece of information changes, you have to change it in 14 places... and it creates typos. A LOT of typos. So I'm trying to come up with a good solution as to how to link these pieces of information.

 

I know how to use data links in a table... but is there a way to link block attributes? Also, am I just barking up the wrong tree? Because in my head, you'd have to manually link all of these things for every new drawing, and they can be easily broken.

 

Any help would be appreciated. My boss is ALL about some information overload.

[Tuns]

It might be a roundabout way, but you could create a data link between excel and a table in the drawing, then link the attribute in the block to that cell. There might be an easier way but I'm too busy right now to really mess around with it.

[resullins]

Well, that would be fine, since we have to have the tables in there anyway... but how do I link the attribute to a cell?

[Tuns]

When you click "insert field" in the Enhanced Attribute Editor, click the Field Category drop down menu and select "Object" then select "Formula". You should see 4 options to the right. Select cell then pick which cell you want to link it to. Note: the attribute will only update when you use the REGEN command.

[steven-g]

You could use a field in a block attribute to read a table, but I think it only works for numeric values and not text! Or you could use a field in a table to read any value from an attribute in a block, but then things get difficult datalinks and fields don't get on well together (at least they didn't a few months ago). But it could be worth your while looking it up

[ReMark]

Well if I understand the problem correctly you could have three different drawings with three different blocks but all three blocks would have at least one attribute that was the same. Is that right?

 

Assuming for the moment that was the case then it would be possible to make the job of changing the attribute somewhat easier though not necessarily automatic.

 

I would open the first drawing and invoke the ATTOUT (Attribute Out) command. This will create a text file. Let's call this the "MasterList". Open MasterList.txt with Notepad. Find and change the value of the attribute. Save the file.

 

Open the second drawing and invoke the ATTIN (Attribute In) command. The Enter input filename window will appear. Select and open MasterList.txt. An alert box will appear that looks like this:

 

 

This window appears because AutoCAD expected to find a copy of the original block from the first drawing. Don't be alarmed. Continue on.

 

Click on the Yes button. When the window closes pick the block whose attribute you want to change. The change is made. Save your drawing. Do the same thing for the third drawing.

 

It isn't pretty but it is functional. You'll still have to open the other drawings but you won't have to physically change the attribute just select the appropriate block.

Edited January 16, 2014 by ReMark

[BIGAL]

Maybe put all the steps into a script, a lisp could search the attout file and change the value then continue on, the script will open and close multiple dwg's with no problems.