Attribute Setup

I've received a couple e-mails lately with people asking about the different ways to setup attributes in a Dynamic block. Especially attributes in a Dynamic block with visibility states. So there are two different types of attribute situations you can setup in your block. The first option is, you edit an attribute value in one visibility state and all visibility states attributes are affected and show the same value when active. So you could have an attribute that says "Manufacturer" and change that value and affect all visibility states if all visibility states are from the same manufacturer. The second option is have different attributes for each different visibility state. For example if you have that Manufacturer attribute you can have a different manufacturer value for each visibility state.

So what needs to be done in option number 1? Well the first thing you need to do is open your first visibility state. Next issue the Make Visible routine from the visibility toolbar and select your attributes that you want to show in each visibility state. (Note: You can make them visible in all visibility states at once using the BVSHOW command)

The second option you will need to copy your attributes to each visibility state you want it to show in. Next, change the identical attribute tags so no tags are alike. I usually just append a 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C to the end of the tag. If the Tags are identical the block will get confused.

This is a really confusing subject so hopefully this sheds some light. You can also download the attached sample file to better explain it.

Click here to download the sample file. Download attribute_setup.dwg

Comments

[daniel britt]

if you have a multiline attribute, and you copy it across a couple of visibilities there is confusion there too. the prompts come up in a weird order and cant seem to tell the difference between the attributes even with different attribute names

[Emo Nikolov]

What about another situation when you want to unclude block attributes in a dynamic operation such as rotate. What I mean is to rotate an attribute togather with other block objects with the rotate action. I hope you understand what I mean. I tried to do this but the objects rotate and the attributes didn't rotate AT ALL!

[Emo Nikolov]

What about another situation when you want to unclude block attributes in a dynamic operation such as rotate. What I mean is to rotate an attribute togather with other block objects with the rotate action. I hope you understand what I mean. I tried to do this but the objects rotate and the attributes didn't rotate AT ALL!

[bradyj]

Mark,
I am trying to set up a dynamic block as a furnace schedule. I may need more than one line of information because there may be more than one piece of equipment. I can get my visibility state to work fine with this, but the attributes won't toggle off with the visibility state. I have followed what you have mentioned above, but have come to a bump in the road any suggestions.