19.2 Inserting Attributed Blocks

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When an attributed block is inserted into a drawing, the attribute prompts will follow the standard insertion prompts. This can occur in one of two ways – command line prompts or the Enter Attributes dialog box.

Let's look at the command line method first; then we'll look at the dialog box in Section 19.2.2.

Note 

AutoCAD includes a system variable – Attreq – which controls whether or not you'll be prompted for attribute values. If the variable is set to 1, AutoCAD prompts on the command line or with a dialog box. If you set this system variable to 0, however, AutoCAD won't prompt at all for attribute values and you must use the attribute editor to add the values.

Whether or not AutoCAD prompts for attribute values at the command line or with a dialog box is controlled by the Attdia system variable. A setting of 0 means that you'll receive prompts on the command line, whereas a setting a 1 calls a dialog box.

Do This: 19.2.1 Inserting Attributed Blocks Using the Command Line

1. Open the pid-19.dwg file the C:\Steps\Lesson19 folder. The drawing looks like Figure 19.2.1a.

   
   Figure 19.2.1a

2. Be sure the Attdia system variable is set to 0.

3. Follow these steps.

   TOOLS	COMMAND SEQUENCE	STEPS
   	Command: v	1. Restore the Cont_Station1 view. The view looks like Figure 19.2.1.1a (without the arrow).
   	Figure 19.2.1.1a
   		2. Set the current layer to VA.
   	Command: -i Enter block name or [?]: c:\steps\lesson19\gate Specify insertion point or [Scale/X/Y/Z/ Rotate/PScale/PX/PY/PZ/PRotate]: _endp of Enter X scale factor, specify opposite corner, or [Corner/XYZ] <1>: [enter] Enter Y scale factor <use X scale factor>:  [enter] Specify rotation angle <0>: [enter]	3. Using the command line approach, insert the gate block you created in the last exercise. Find it in the C:\Steps\Lesson19 folder. Insert it at the endpoint of the line referenced by the arrow in Figure 19.2.1.1a. Accept the default size and orientation.
   	Enter attribute values How much does it cost?: 55.00 What is the rating? <150#>: [enter] What size is it? <4">: [enter]	4. Once you've accepted the rotation angle, AutoCAD asks you to Enter attribute values. Enter a price of 55.00 and accept the default rating and size. (Note that you assigned these defaults in our last exercise.) Notice that the prompts appear in the order in which you selected the attributes when you created the block – unless you used a window to select. In that case, the prompts appear in reverse order from the order in which you created them.
   	Verify attribute values How much does it cost? <55.00>: [enter]	5. Remember that used the Verify mode when creating the Price attribute. AutoCAD now asks you to verify the price you entered. (Note that the price you entered is the default. This makes it easy to simply confirm the entry.)
   	Command: qsave	6. Save the drawing but don't exit. It looks like Figure 19.2.1.6a. Notice that the Type, Vendor, and Price attributes aren't visible. Notice also that the valve assumed the characteristics defined by the VA layer, and the attribute text assumed the characteristics defined by this drawing's Text layer.
   	Figure 19.2.1.6a
   		7. Repeat Steps 3 through 6 to place the other block valve. The drawing looks like Figure 19.2.1.7a. (Can you think of an easier way to have achieved the same results?[*])
   	Figure 19.2.1.7a
   	Command: qsave	8. Save the drawing but don't exit.
   [*] You could simply have copied the existing attributed valve

We'll look at the dialog box approach next. Note that, although the dialog box presents a comfortable user interface, familiarity with the command line approach will prove quite handy when you use AutoCAD's iDrop tools.

Do This: 19.2.2 Using a Dialog Box to Insert Attributed Blocks

1. Be sure you're still in the pid-19.dwg file the C:\Steps\Lesson19 folder.

2. Set the Attdia system variable to 1.

3. Follow these steps.

   TOOLS

   COMMAND SEQUENCE

   STEPS

   

   Command: v

   1. If the Cont_Station1 view isn't current, restore it now.

   

   Command: i

   2. Insert the globe block from the C:\Steps\Lesson19 folder. Put it at the endpoint of the opening in the bypass line (Figure 19.2.2.2a). Accept the size and orientation defaults.

   
   Figure 19.2.2.2a

   

   3. AutoCAD presents the Enter Attributes dialog box (shown). The box shows the command line prompts with their defaults (yours may appear in a different order). Notice that no prompts are given for the Vendor or Type attributes. Remember that these were created as Constants and can't be changed.

   Accept the defaults, but enter a price of 75.00 in the appropriate text box.

   

   4. Pick the OK button to complete the command. Your drawing looks like Figure 19.2.2.4a.

   
   Figure 19.2.2.4a

   

   Command: qsave

   5. Save the drawing but don't exit.

   

   Command: i

   6. Insert the control valve and the drawing (both have already been created for you in the C:\Steps\Lesson19 folder) as shown. The price of the control valve is 175.00; the price of the drain is 35.00.) The drawing looks like Figure 19.2.2.6a.

   
   Figure 19.2.2.6a

   

   Command: qsave

   7. Save the drawing but don't exit.

   8. Use the blocks in Figure 19.2.2.8a to complete the drawing. (The blocks have already been created and can be found in the C:\Steps\Lesson folder.) See the completed drawing in Figure 19.2.2.8b. Use the price list shown here to assign attribute values.

   
   Figure 19.2.2.8a

   SIZE/VALVE	GATE	GLOBE	CONTROL	CHECK
   ¾"	35.00
   2"	55.00
   4"	85.00	175.00	275.00
   6"	125.00			195.00
   8"	385.00
   10"	585.00

   
   Figure 19.2.2.8b

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