AttDef

Defines how a block's attributes will be created through a dialog box.

Accessing the Command

command bar: attdef

aliases: at, ddattdef

menu bar: Tools | Attributes | Define Attributes

toolbar: Attributes |

: attdef

Displays a dialog box:

Enter options, and then click OK.

To create and use attributes, follow these steps:

Use this command to define attributes.
Use the Block command to combine attributes and symbols as blocks.
Use the Insert command to insert blocks with attributes.
Use the AttEdit command to edit the values of attributes, if necessary; use the AttDisp command to toggle the display of attributes in drawings.
Use the AttExt command to extract attribute values to external data files.

Command Options

Option	Description
Tag	Specifies the name of the attribute; this is the name by which BricsCAD identifies the attribute. You can use up to 255 letters, numbers, and punctuation.
Prompt	Specifies the user prompt; this is displayed at the command prompt when the attribute is later inserted in the drawing. You can leave this field blank; BricsCAD uses the tag as the prompt during attribute insertion.
Default	Specifies the default value; this is displayed in angle brackets, like <360>. As with other defaults, the user need only press Enter to accept this value. Click the Insert Field button () to assign a field value to the attribute (see the FIELD command).
Text
Text Style	Specifies the text style for the attribute text; choose from one of the styles defined in the drawing. (You can create additional text styles with the Style command.)
Justification	Specifies the justification of the attribute text, such as Center or Fit.
Height	Specifies the height of the attribute text, unless overridden by the text style. Enter a value, or click the button.
Annotative	Sets the Annotative property of the attribute text.
Height	Dismisses the dialog box temporarily, and then prompts you at the command prompt: Select text height - enter a value, or pick two points in the drawing.
Rotation	specifies the rotation angle of the rotation text. Enter a value, or click the button.
Rotation	Dismisses the dialog box temporarily, and then prompts you at the command prompt: Select text angle - enter an angle, or pick two points in the drawing.
Attribute Flags
Invisible	Hides the attributes; they are not displayed and not printed. (Hidden attributes can be displayed with the AttDisp command.)
Constant	Uses the default value; the user cannot change the value.
Verify	Forces the user to enter the value a second time; this helps to ensure the value is entered correctly.
Preset	Inserts attributes without prompting the user; the attributes can be changed later with the AttEdit command.
Lock Position	Locks the position of the attribute within the block reference. Unlocked attributes can be moved relative to the rest of the block using grip editing and multiline attributes can be resized.
Multiple lines	Uses multiline text instead of single line text. If the Multiple lines flag is checked, a button () displays next to the dimmed Default text field. When you click the button, the Define Attribute dialog box temporarily closes to let you define a multiline text entity. Prompts you: Specify location of multiline attribute: specify a point. The MTEXT command is launched. Type the default text for the attribute, then click the OK button on the Text Formatting toolbar.
Insert Coordinates
Insert Coordinates	Dismisses the dialog box temporarily, and then prompts you at the command prompt: Select insertion point -enter coordinates, or pick a point in the drawing.
X	Specifies the x coordinate of the attribute's insertion point.
Y	Specifies the y coordinate.
Z	Specifies the z coordinate.