ATTDEF — Define Attributes

Creates an attribute definition for a block.

• Command: ATTDEF · Global name: _ATTDEF · Alias: ATT, DDATTDEF
• Ribbon: Insert › Attributes
• Menu: Insert

Creates an attribute definition: a variable text that, once included in a block, asks for its value each time the block is inserted (a drawing number, a reference, a manufacturer...). It is shown with its tag until it is included in a block with BLOCK.

Usage

1. Enter ATTDEF (or ATT) or click the button.
2. In the Attribute Definition dialog box, choose: - Mode: Invisible, Constant, Verify, Preset and Lock position (the ones used last time). - Attribute: the tag (a single word without spaces, converted to uppercase), the prompt shown when the block is inserted and the default value. - Insertion Point: its coordinates or, with Specify On-screen, pick it after OK. - Text Settings: the justification, text style, height and rotation.
3. Click OK and, if you left it on-screen, specify the point.

In scripts, SCRIPT and AutoLISP there is no dialog box: everything is asked on the command line, as in -ATTDEF.

Options

• Invisible: the value is not shown in the drawing.
• Constant: the value is fixed and is not asked on insertion.
• Verify: flags the attribute so that its value is checked on insertion.
• Preset: flags the attribute so that it takes its default value.
• Lock position: the attribute cannot be moved apart from the block.

Notes

• The proposed height is the fixed height of the text style or, if it has none, the last one used (TEXTSIZE).
• In LinceCAD, verify and preset attributes are prompted on insertion like the others; the modes are saved for AutoCAD.
• The modes, prompt and default value can be changed later with BATTMAN.
• Annotative and multiline attributes are not available yet. The dialog box cannot be scripted in the AutoCAD console: it has a unit test.

See also

-ATTDEF · BLOCK · BATTMAN · ATTEDIT · ATTEXT · Blocks and attributes