Define Block Attributes - Autodesk 057B1-41A111-1001 - AutoCAD LT 2010 User Manual

Define Block Attributes

To create an attribute, you first create an attribute definition, which stores
the characteristics of the attribute.
The characteristics include the tag, which is a name that identifies the attribute,
the prompt displayed when you insert the block, value information, text
formatting, location within the block, and any optional modes (Invisible,
Constant, Verify, Preset, Lock Position, and Multiple Lines).
If you plan to extract the attribute information for use in a parts list, you may
want to keep a list of the attribute tags you have created. You will need this
tag information later when you create the attribute template file.
Choose Attribute Modes
Attribute modes control the behavior of attributes in blocks. For example, you
can control
Whether an attribute is visible or invisible in the drawing
Whether an attribute has a constant value, such as a part number
Whether the attribute can be moved relative to the rest of the block
Whether the attribute is a single-line attribute or a multiple-line attribute
If an attribute has a constant value, you will not be prompted for its value
when you insert the block. If an attribute has a variable value, such as the
asset number of a computer, you will be prompted when you insert the block.
Understand Single-Line and Multiple-Line Attributes
There are several differences between single-line and multiple-line attributes.
Single-line attributes are limited to 255 characters from the user interface.
Multiple-line attributes provide more formatting options than single-line
attributes.
When editing single-line and multiple line attributes, different editors are
displayed.
Multiple line attributes display four grips similar to MTEXT objects, while
single-line attributes display only one grip.
When a drawing is saved to AutoCAD LT 2007 or earlier, a multiple-line
attribute is converted to several single-line attributes, one for every line of
text in the original multiple-line attribute. If the drawing file is opened in
Create and Modify Blocks | 287