Creating and editing complex objects

Groups of Objects

To edit a set of objects they can be grouped in the document. You can select the whole group and its elements to edit. New objects can be added to a group and existing objects can be excluded from a group. Objects can belong to several groups at once, and a group can belong to another group. To restore the configuration of source groups, grouped into one group, you have to ungroup nested groups.

Groups can be assigned names or use default names. An unnamed group (a group without its own name) has a default name - An, where n is the number of created groups. Unnamed (anonymous) groups are used for temporary grouping.

Groups are saved with a document and can be used in the following working sessions.

Main distinction between groups and blocks:

• Objects in a group can be edited without ungrouping, but to edit objects in a block, the block must be exploded.
• A group cannot be transferred to another document; it can be used only in the document where it was created.

Commands to work with groups of objects are located as:

Ribbon: Home – Group

Menu: Tools – Group, Ungroup

Toolbar: Group

in the context menu in the drawing area: Group

In the Drawing Explorer toolbar –the Drawing settings section – Groups

Commands to work with groups:

The Select Group mode. Switches the value of the PICKSTYLE variable:

0 – No group selection, an object in the group is selected.

1 – When selecting an object in the group, all objects in the group

are selected.

It is convenient to create, fill and edit groups using the Drawing explorer toolbar.

The Object grouping dialog box is intended for more detailed work.

Creating a Group of Objects

The command to create a group of objects.

The command allows you to create both named and unnamed groups (unlike the Create option of the non-dialog version of the -GROUP command).

Command options:

? Calls additional options for selecting objects.

Name Specifies the group name.

Description Enters description of the group of objects.

Command prompts:

Select objects or [?/Name/Description] Select objects and press ENTER to create an unnamed group.

The command line displays the message: Anonimous

(unnamed) group ‘*A1’ was created.

If the objects have been pre-selected in the drawing, the

command also creates an unnamed group.

Selection of the Name option.

Enter a group name or [?]: Specify the group name

The group name can be up to 25 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and special characters (dollar sign ”$”,

hyphen ”-”, and underscore ”_”).

Or select the ? option to output a list of existing group names

and descriptions to the command line.

Selection of the Description option.

Enter a group description: Specify the description (explanation) for the group.

When creating a duplicate group (a group containing the same set of objects as an existing group in the drawing), the command line prompts:

Group ‘*A1’ with the same objects already exists. Create a new group anyway? [Yes/No]:

When you select the Yes option, a new unnamed group will be created: Anonimous (unnamed) group ‘*A2’ was created.

When you select the No option, a group will not be created: Nothing selected. No group created.

Using Drawing Explorer Bar to Work with Groups

The Drawing Explorer functional bar allows for full-value work with groups.

Quick creation of a group

• 1. Select objects on the screen.
• 2. Call the context menu of the Groups section of the Drawing Explorer toolbar.

3. Select the Create group from selection. A group will be created and named Group1, where 1 is a sequence number of the created group.

Editing a group

Edit commands are available in the context menu of the selected group.

Select Selecting and positioning the group’s objects in the center of the

screen.

Rename Renaming the group.

Explode Removing the selected group. Objects included in the group are

not removed from the document.

Add selected objects in

group

Adding preselected objects in a group.

Remove objects from

group

Removing objects from the group selected in the workspace.

Add to working set Adding all objects of the specified group in the current selection.

Remove from working

set

Removing all objects of the specified group from the current

selection.

To edit groups in the Object grouping dialog box, use the command of the context menu Groups > Edit…

Object Grouping Dialog

Command line: G, CLASSICGROUP, GROUPCMD

The command opens the Object Grouping dialog box where there is a list with the names of existing groups in the document and descriptions for every group that is selectable:

Parameters:

Group Identification

Group Name: Specify a group name.

Description: Displays the description of the group (if it was specified during group

creation).

This button temporarily closes the dialog box for selecting an object when

you need to clarify its group.

Enables/Disables highlighting a group’s objects on the screen.

Including Unnamed Switches on/off the input of unnamed groups in the list in the Object Grouping dialog box.

Create Group

This button temporarily closes the dialog box for selecting the objects of a group.

Selectable Switches on/off the mode of whole group selection if one object is selected.

The selection is controlled by the PICKSTYLE variable:

• if the variable has a value of 1, then when selecting any object in the group, all objects in the group are also selected;
• if the variable has a value of 0, then when specifying an object, only that object is selected.

Unnamed Switches on/off the mode for creating unnamed groups.

Change Group

This button temporarily closes the dialog box to allow selecting objects to delete from the selected group.

This button temporarily closes the dialog box to allow selecting objects to add them to the selected group.

This button updates a change of name for a group.

This button opens the Order Group dialog box to change the order of objects in a group.

This button updates the changed description for the selected group.

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This button deletes the selected group. Objects of the group are not deleted from the document.

This button changes the selectable property of a group in the document.

To create a group:

• 1. Enter the name for the created group and its description in the Group Name and Description fields of the Group Identification section. A name can consist of letters, figures or special symbols. The Description field can be empty.
• 2. Select the New button to temporarily close the dialog box to select the objects of a group.
• 3. Select the objects, press ENTER.
• 4. Select OK in the opened dialog box.

To identify a group:

• 1. To define the groups the object belongs to, select the Find Name<.
• 2. After the dialog box temporarily closes, specify an object on the screen.
• 3. The Group Member List dialog box opens with all groups the selected object belongs to:

• 4. Select OK to get return to the previous dialog box.
• 5. Select OK to close the Group Member List dialog box.

To delete objects from a group:

• 1. Select a group in the list.
• 2. Deselect the Selectable checkbox.
• 3. Select Remove<.
• 4. Select the objects to delete.
• 5. Select the End option (in the context menu or command line).
• 6. Select OK to close the dialog box.

Note

The description of the group is saved when all the objects are deleted from the group. To delete a group from a document, select Explode.

Note

When a group is deleted from a document, objects of the group are not deleted.

To add objects to a group:

• 1. Select group in the list.
• 2. Select Add<.
• 3. Select the objects to add.
• 4. Select the End option (in the context menu or command line).
• 5. Select OK to close the dialog box.
• Note

When adding objects belonging to other groups to a group, the Selectable checkbox should be deselected. If it is selected, the groups that the objects belong to will be added to the group.

To rename a group or change a description:

• 1. Select the group**.**
• 2. Make changes in the Group Name and Description fields of the Group Identification section.
• 3. Select the Rename or Description.

The messages like Group name has been updated or Group description has been updated and are shown in the bottom left corner.

4. Select OK to close the dialog box.

To change the order of objects in the group:

• 1. Select the group**.**
• 2. Select Re-Order.
• 3. Specify the required parameters in the Order Group dialog box:

Parameters:

Group Name List of existing groups.

Description Shows the description of the selected group in the list (if it was

specified when the group was created)

Remove from Field to enter the current position (number) of the object in the

position (0-3) group.

Enter new position number for the object

(0-3):

Specifies the new position number of objects in a group.

Number of objects (less than 4): Specifies the number of objects, whose positions are changed.

This button changes the positions of objects in the group.

This button opens the Object Grouping dialog box to display the

order of objects in the group.

This button changes the objects into their opposite order.

Note

The order of object numbering is the order in which objects were selected when they were added to the group. Numbering starts from 0.

Note

You can change the positions of several objects at once.

The Highlight temporarily closes the Order Group dialog box and opens the Object Grouping dialog box:

Parameters:

The button for the previous object selection.

Object: 1 Shows the current position of the object in the group.

The button for the next object selection.

Total: 4 Shows the number of objects in the group.

Note

A selected object is highlighted on the screen.

Group Command (Non-Dialog Mode)

Command line: -GROUP

The command to create, fill and edit groups of objects.

Command options:

Command prompts:

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For selectable groups, select the option:

Yes – the value of the PICKSTYLE variable for the group will be 0 (when selecting an object in the group, only that one is selected);

No – the value of the PICKSTYLE variable for the group will remain 1 (when selecting any object in the group, all objects in the group are selected).

Blocks

A block is a collection of associated drawing objects processed as a whole entity. A block can be created of any number of objects and inserted in a drawing any number of times.

It is convenient to use blocks to create drawing elements for multiple use, thus accelerating and simplifying the drawing process.

Blocks can be used to create user libraries of frequently used parts and details.

Relating all references of a block to the same block description in the drawing database allows you to decrease the file size, as with every new insertion of a block, only information about the insertion place, scale factors and rotation angle is added to the information available.

A block creation implies its definition (description), which is stored in the block table of a document and is not displayed in a drawing. A block definition can contain links to other (nested) blocks. The only restriction to nesting blocks is that they cannot be inserted to themselves.

A block insertion in a drawing is called a block reference (block instance).

Any block description can have multiple references or not have any. When modifying a block description (or redefining a block), all its references are changed automatically.

An existing block (definition) can be changed by redefining it. After modifying a block definition, all references of this block in a document change automatically.

When a block is created, objects are placed in the block together with their current property values that cannot be changed without a block redefining. For example, if a block was created of red segments, it will be not possible to change segments color after the block is created. Therefore, it is required to take thought of the block behavior at its insertion in advance, i.e. at the stage of its creation.

So that:

• a block properties are defined by properties of a layer it will be placed on, with assignment of color, linetype and lineweight of this layer to all objects included in the block, it is necessary to create all block objects on the 0 layer with assignment of color, linetype and lineweight By layer.
• color, linetype and lineweight of block objects are defined at placing it in a drawing, it is necessary to assign color, linetype and lineweight By layer to block objects when creating. In other words, block objects in this case inherit current values of color, linetype and lineweight. If current properties are not specified explicitly in a drawing, block objects will inherit properties of the current layer.
• block objects retain their original properties, i.e. always have certain color, linetype and lineweight, the respective properties should be explicitly specified before the objects are included in the block

definition. In other words, when creating block objects in this case you should not use settings of color, linetype and lineweight By layer or By block.

When being created, a block can be attended with attributes, i.e. explanatory text, which is acceptable to change in the process of inserting the block in the drawing and which can be displayed on the screen or stay invisible (hidden) and is not printed out.

There are several ways to create and use blocks:

• It is possible to group objects and save them as a block in the current drawing (menu Draw – Block > Create);
• It is possible to save a block in a separate file to use it in other drawings by specifying WBLOCK command in the command line;
• It is possible to insert a drawing with available blocks as a reference to any other drawing (menu Insert – Block, Open button in the Insert block dialog box);
• It is possible to create a file with a set of frequently used blocks to use it as a library.

Creating a Block

The Create block command is also available in the context menu.

The Block definition dialog box opened by the Create block command allows you to specify parameters for creating a new block or redefining the description of already existing block:

Options:

Name: Names the block being created.

To redefine the existing block, select the name from the drop-own

list.

Base point

Specify On Screen Turns on/off the mode for selecting the base point by cursor on

the screen after the dialog box is closed.

Pick point Button that temporary closes the dialog box to specify the base

point on the screen by mouse cursor.

X: Y: Z: Fields to specify coordinates of the block insertion point.

Objects

Specify On Screen Turns on/off the mode for selecting objects after the dialog box is

closed.

Select objects Button that temporary closes the dialog box to specify objects on

the screen by mouse cursor.

Retain Turns on the mode for retaining the selected objects in the

drawing after the block is created.

Convert to block Turns on the mode for creating a block reference at the location of

selected objects after the block is created.

Delete Turns on the mode for deleting the selected objects from the

drawing after the block is created.

Objects selected: 4 Displays information on the number of objects selected to create

the block.

Behavior

Scale uniformity Turns on/off the mode that specifies the uniform block scale by X,

Y, Z axes.

Allow exploding Turns on/off the mode for breaking the block after it is inserted by

the Explode command.

Block units: Drop-down list for selecting measurement units of the block being

created.

Description: Field for entry of the text description (hidden attribute) to simplify

future identification and search of the block.

Note

Objects included in the block being created can be selected in advance, before opening the Create block command.

Block Insertion

Ribbon: Home, Insert – Block > Insert

Menu: Insert – Block…

Panel: Draw –

Command line: I, INSBL, INSERT A block insertion is also possible using the File Explorer functional bar.

The command inserts blocks or drawings (with *.dwg or *.dxf extension) in the current document.

If the rotation angle is specified, the point of its insertion is selected as the center of rotation. If the block’s rotation angle is specified on the screen (by defining the point), the oblique angle of an imaginary line drawn from the specified point to the block insertion point is taken as the rotation angle.

After insertion in the drawing, the block is processed as a single object. To ensure the possibility to work with individual objects that form the block, it can be exploded during insertion by selecting the Explode checkbox in the Insert block dialog box, or after insertion by using the Explode command from the Edit menu.

To specify the parameters of the block being inserted the command opens the dialog box:

Options:

Name: Drop-down list to select the name of the block being inserted.

An empty list means that this document does not contain any block.

Path: Displays information about the path along which the block is located.

Button to open a standard files selection dialog box, were it is possible

to select a block or a file to insert in the document.

Data of the file being inserted are copied into the table of blocks of the

current document as the block definition.

Insertion point

Specify On Screen Turns on/off the mode for selecting the block insertion point by cursor

on the screen after the dialog is closed.

X: Y: Z: Fields to specify coordinates of block insertion point.

Scale

Specify On Screen Turns on/off the mode for specifying the scale by cursor on the screen

after the dialog is closed.

X: Y: Z: Fields to enter scale factors by X, Y, Z axes.

Uniform scale Turns on/off the mode of automatic application of the scale specified

for X axis to Y and Z axes.

Note

If, when inserting a block, you specify a negative scale value along any axis, the block will be mirrored relative to this axis.

Note

For inserting blocks containing 3D the use of a non-unit scale is blocked. If you specify different values for X: Y: Z:, when inserting a block with 3D, the value 1 will be applied for all dimensions.

Rotation angle

Specify On Screen Turns on/off the mode for specifying the block’s rotation angle by cursor

on the screen after the dialog is closed.

Angle: Enters the rotation angle for the block being inserted.

Block units

Unit: Displays information on measurement units specified during the block

creation.

Factor: Displays the scale factor calculated as the ratio of the block’s

measurement units to the drawing measurement units.

Explode Turns on/off the mode for exploding the block into component objects

during insertion.

Editing Block Definition (Block Redefinition)

Block definitions stored in a document can be modified. Change of a block definition (block redefinition) can influence not only on block references newly created in the current drawing, but also on already created, as well as on any attributes associated with this block.

Since there are two ways to insert blocks in the current drawing (both stored in a document, and from the external file), there are also two ways to redefine blocks:

• Block redefinition in the current document.
• External file change and its redefinition in the current document.

Block redefinition in the current drawing

In most cases blocks are redefined in the Block Editor opened by the BEDIT command.

In addition, a block can be redefined manually by re-creating the block with the same name. To redefine the block manually, you should:

• 1. Insert the block in the drawing with its breaking into component objects by selecting the Explode checkbox in the Insert block dialog box or split the block reference available in the drawing by the Explode command from the Edit menu.
• 2. Edit the component objects.
• 3. Perform all actions to create a new block, but enter the name of the block being redefined.

You can also redefine a block using the File Explorer functional bar. To do this:

• 1. Open the File Explorer fantional bar (FILEEXPLORER).
• 2. In the tree of folders and files, select the drawing containing the block to insert.
• 3. In the right part of the file explorer window, open the context menu of the selected block. Select the Insert and Redefine or Redefine only option.

Immediately after the block redefinition all references of this block available in the drawing are updated automatically.

Block redefinition from the external file

Block redefinition from the external file is performed similarly, if there is no necessity to change the external file.

Change of the external file has no influence on the current drawing, in which it is inserted as a block. To redefine (update) this block in the current drawing, it is necessary to insert it again.

Redefinition of block attributes

When redefining blocks, it is possible to change the definitions of attributes included in them.

Change of attribute definitions while redefining blocks influences on block references already created in the current drawing as follows:

• New variable attributes do not appear in existing block references.
• Old variable attributes remain in the existing block references, even if the redefined block does not have attributes at all.
• New constant attributes in the existing block references are added to the old ones.
• Old constant attributes (having fixed values) will be lost, if the redefined block has no attributes at all, or replaced by new values specified for the redefined block.

Block Editor

Double-click on the block reference

Command line: BEDIT

This command allows you to edit block definitions of a drawing – to redefine blocks.

The command opens the Edit block definition dialog box.

Select in the list the block definition to be edited. If the Zoom to block box is checked, the selected block’s insertion will be displayed on the screen.

Options:

Zoom to block Turns on/off the mode for full screen display of the selected reference.

Click OK to move to the block editor.

The block editor is a separate mode intended for editing a block definition.

Objects included in the selected block definition are displayed on the screen and become available for editing, and the additional Block Editor tab appears in the ribbon.

Note

If objects are not visible, double-click the mouse wheel to perform the Show all command.

To indicate the mode of editing block definition, a word combination Edit block is added with a colon in the tab to the document name.

Background color changes to the color set in the Tools dialog, section Color > Block editor background.

The additional Block Editor context tab with additional tools to edit a block and the button to exit the edit mode appears in the ribbon.

In the classic interface – the Block Editor toolbar appears:

Note

A number of platform commands is unavailable in the block definition edit mode.

The Base Point of the Block (BBASEPT) command specifies the position of the block definition base point. Corresponds to the grip position of the block reference insertion point.

Completion of work

The Save block command (BSAVE) saves changes made in the block editor. Do not click if you plan to exit the block editing mode without saving changes.

The Save Block as command (BSAVEAS) saves a copy of the block definition being edited with a new name.

Upon the completion of editing a block, leave the editing mode using the Close Block Editor command (BCLOSE). You will be prompted to save changes.

3D Block Editor

The command allows you to edit definitions of 3D blocks of the drawing - blocks containing solid objects (3D solids) or parametric bodies.

The command opens the Edit 3D Reference dialog box.

Select the block definition you want to edit from the list. If the Autopan box is checked, the insertion of the selected block will be displayed not only in the Preview dialog window, but also in the workspace on the screen:

Options:

Autopan Turns on/off the mode to display the selected reference in full screen.

Click OK to go to the 3D blocks editor.

The background color changes to that specified in the Options dialog in the Color settings > Block Editor background section.

The 3D Block Editor is a separate mode for editing the 3D block definition. Objects included in the definition of the selected block are displayed on the screen and become available for editing.

An additional 3D Block Editor tab with additional tools for 3D editing, buttons for saving changes and exiting the edit mode appears on the ribbon.

Note

The ribbon’s context tab of the 3D Block Editor lacks a number of commands that are present in the standard block editor (BEDIT), for example, for work with attributes. However, these commands can still be called from other ribbon tabs, menu, or command line.

Note

If there is no license for 3D module, editing 3D blocks by standard methods will still be available, but without the possibility to use 3D editing commands.

To edit references, use the 3DREFEDIT command.

Block Attributes

A block attribute is used to associate text information or any other data called attribute value with a block.

When inserting a block with variable attributes, it is supposed to enter the attribute value, which is then saved together with the block. Different values can be assigned to the attribute when inserting one and the same block.

Constant attributes, the values of which do not change at blocks insertion, can also be used in blocks.

Attributes can be invisible, they are not displayed on the screen and are not printed out.

Attributes can be single-line and multiple-line. Single-line attributes have a limitation – 255 characters. Different editors are used to edit single-line and multiple-line attributes.

Information stored in attributes can be exported to electronic tables or databases for further processing and generating a variety of documents, for example, schedules or bills of materials. It is acceptable to associate several attributes having different names with one block.

Attributes for inclusion in a block should be created before the block definition.

Type of Text formatting toolbar when creating and editing multiple-line attributes depends on ATTIPE system variable.

ATTIPE = 0 - Displays the abbreviated Text Formatting toolbar:

ATTIPE = 1 – Displays the full Text Formatting toolbar:

The information stored in attributes can be exported to spreadsheets or databases for further processing and generating a wide variety of documents, such as specifications or lists of materials. It is allowed to associate several attributes with different names with one block.

The attributes to be included in the block should be created before the block is defined.

Creating Block Attributes

To define attribute parameters, open the Attribute definition dialog box.

Options:

Mode

Invisible Turns on the mode at which the attribute value is not displayed on the

screen and is not printed out.

Constant Turns on the mode that assigns a fixed value for the attribute for all

block references.

When inserting a block with the attribute having a constant value, this

value is not requested.

If the attribute has a variable value, this value is not requested during

the block insertion.

Verify Turns on the mode of verifying the attribute value during the block

insertion.

Preset Turns on the mode that assigns the default value to the attribute during

the block insertion.

Lock position Turns on the mode that locks the location of the attribute within the

block reference. When the mode is unlocked, the attribute can be

moved relative to the rest of the block using grip editing.

Multiple lines Turns on the mode that creates the value of attribute containing

multiple lines of text.

When the mode is unlocked, the filed for text entry is active for the By

default parameter.

When the mode is turned on, text entry field is blocked, the button

and the Boundary width parameter are enabled

Attribute

Tag: Defines the attribute name.

The name can consist of any characters except spaces.

Prompt: Field to enter the prompt text displayed at request of the attribute

value while inserting the block containing this attribute. If the field is

empty, the attribute tag is used as a prompt.

When the Constant mode is enabled, the field is blocked.

Default: Field to enter the default attribute value. The field can be empty.

Insert field Opens the Field dialog box to insert the field with a default value. The field is automatically updated with changes of value associated with it.

Insertion point

Specify On Screen After the dialog box is closed, it will be proposed to specify on the

screen the attribute insertion point in the block.

X: Y: Z: Accurate coordinates of the attribute insertion point by three axes.

Text settings

Justification: Drop-down list to select the type of justification of the attribute text.

Text style: Drop-down list to select the text style.

Text height: Field to enter the text height.

Rotation: Field to enter the rotation angle of the text.

For Fit in and By width align options for single-line attribute the

Rotation option is not available.

Buttons that temporary close the dialog box to specify on the screen by mouse cursor the text height, text rotation angle or boundary width for

multiple-line attribute.

Boundary width Specifies the maximum value of lines length in a multiple-line attribute, at exceeding which the text is automatically wrapped to another line.

When the value is 0, there is no restriction on the length of a line.

The option is not available for creating single-line attributes.

Align below previous attribute definition

Ensures placement of this attribute tag directly below the previous attribute tag. When the flag is checked, the text options of the current attribute will be fully copied from the previous attribute. This option is not available at the first attribute definition.

To create a multiple-line attribute:

• 1. In the Attribute definition dialog box, to check the Multiple lines flag.
• 2. Define the attribute name, prompt, insertion point, modes and text options.
• 3. If necessary, enter the value in the Boundary width field.
• 4. Click the button to open the context editor to specify the format of multiple-line attribute in the drawing.
• 5. Specify the left upper position of the multiple-line attribute in the drawing.
• 6. After the text entry is completed, click OK button in the Text format dialog box to return to the Attribute definition dialog box.
• 7. Click OK to close the Attribute definition dialog box.
• 8. Specify the attribute insertion point in the drawing (if the Specify On Screen is checked for the insertion point).

After the attribute is created, it can be included in the set of objects in creating a block, i.e. in response to the query on objects selection in creating a block, it is necessary to select not only geometric objects, but also attributes. The attributes selection procedure determines the order of queries on entering attribute values when inserting the block.

It is also possible to associate the attribute with the block during the block redefinition.

Example of the “Table_title” attribute meaning “WARNING” (plate view and information displayed in Properties box):

Before the attribute insertion in the block After the attribute insertion in the block

Editing Values of Attributes in a Block Reference

Command line: ATTEDIT

The command opens the Edit of attributes dialog box, where it is possible to change attribute values of the block reference specified in the drawing:

For a multiline text block attribute included in a multileader, the dialog can be opened by doubleclicking on the attribute.

The dialog box displays the block name, prompts and enables to edit values of all attributes contained in the block reference.

Attribute values of the selected block reference can also be changed on the Properties functional panel in the Attributes section:

Editing Attributes of a Block Reference

Ribbon: Home, Insert – Block > Single…

Menu: Edit – Object > Attributes > Enhanced attribute editor …

Panel:Edit 2 –

Command line: EATTEDIT

Enhanced attribute editor allows you to edit the values, text options and properties of attributes in the selected block reference.

The Enhanced attribute editor dialog box displays the information**:**

Block: - name of the block whose attributes are being edited;

Tag: - name of the attribute being edited.

The Select block button allows you to select the block on the screen to edit attributes. The dialog box temporary closes.

The Apply button is used to review all changes made without closing the Enhanced attribute editor dialog box.

Attribute tab

The tab contains the list of all attributes of the selected block and displays the following parameters for each attribute: Tag, Prompt and Value.

An attribute value can be changed in the Value field.

Text options tab

The tab sets the options for display of the attribute text in the drawing.

Options:

Text style Drop-down list to select the text style.

Justification Drop-down list to select the type how the attribute text is

justified.

Height Field to enter the text height.

Rotation Field to enter the rotation angle of the text.

Backwards Turns on/off the mode of displaying the attribute text from right

to left. The option is not available for multiple-line attributes.

Upside down Turns on/off the mode of displaying the attribute text upside

down. The option is not available for multiple-line attributes.

Width factor Specifies the degree of condensing/expanding the attribute text.

Setting the value less than 1 condenses the text. Setting the value

greater than 1 expands it.

Oblique angle Angle of the text slant. Is measured relative to the vertical axis.

The option is not available for multiple-line attributes.

Boundary width Specifies the maximum value of lines length for a multiple-line

attribute; when it is exceeded, the text is automatically wrapped

to the next line.

A value of 0 means there is no restriction on the length of a line.

The option is not available for single-line attributes.

Properties tab

The tab defines the Layer that the attribute is on, specifies the Lineweight and Linetype, as well as Color for the attribute text.

When named plot styles are used in the drawing, the style of the attribute is selected from the list of the Plot style option. If the current drawing uses color-dependent plot styles, the Plot style list is not available.

Block Attribute Manager

If a block contains a large number of attributes, it is convenient to use Block Attribute Manager for quick editing of attributes directly in the drawing.

The Manager changes the attributes to define a block (not a reference). To update existing references, use block reference attribute synchronization.

You can edit attribute descriptions in blocks, remove attributes from blocks, and change the order in which attribute values are prompted when inserting a block.

Menu: Edit – Object > Attributes > Block Attribute Manager

Command line: BATTMAN

The Manager will be launched only in case if at least one block with attributes is available in the drawing.

The Manager displays the following information**:**

Block: - name of the block whose attributes are being edited;

The Select block button allows you to select on the screen the block for editing attributes. The dialog box temporary closes.

The Apply button is used to review the changes made without closing the Enhanced Attribute Editor dialog box

Attribute tab

The tab contains the list of all attributes of the selected block and displays the following parameters for each attribute: Tag, Prompt and Value.

Text options tab

The tab sets the options for display of the attribute text in the drawing.

Options:

Text style Drop-down list to select the text style.

Justification Drop-down list to select the type how the attribute text is

justified.

Height Field to enter the text height.

Rotation Field to enter the rotation angle of the text.

Backwards Turns on/off the mode of displaying the attribute text from right

to left. The option is not available for multiple-line attributes.

Upside down Turns on/off the mode of displaying the attribute text upside

down. The option is not available for multiple-line attributes.

Width factor Specifies the degree of condensing/expanding the attribute text.

Setting the value less than 1 condenses the text. Setting the value

greater than 1 expands it.

Oblique angle Angle of the text slant. Is measured relative to the vertical axis.

The option is not available for multiple-line attributes.

Boundary width Specifies the maximum value of lines length for a multiple-line

attribute; when it is exceeded, the text is automatically wrapped

to the next line.

A value of 0 means there is no restriction on the length of a line.

The option is not available for single-line attributes.

Properties tab

The tab defines the Layer that the attribute is on, specifies the Lineweight and Linetype, as well as Color for the attribute text.

When named plot styles are use in the drawing, the style of the attribute is selected from the list of the Plot style option. If the current drawing uses color-dependent plot styles, the Plot style list is not available.

In-Place Attribute Editing

Allows you to edit block attribute values directly in the drawing.

Ribbon: Home – Block > Edit in place

Menu: Modify – Object > Attributes > Edit in place

Command line: ATTIPEDIT

Hot keys: CTRL + left double click on the attribute.

1. Start the command;

2. Select the attribute;

3. Enter a new attribute value.

Editing Block Attribute Definitions

Modes and options of attribute definitions can be modified of the mode of editing a block definition:

• 1. Open the Block Editor (menu Tools Block editor), select the block, click OK.
• 2. In the mode of editing a block definition, select the attribute.
• 3. Set the required attribute modes and options on the Properties panel.

Left double-click on the attribute opens the Attribute Redefinition dialog box, were it is possible to modify Tag, Prompt and By default attribute value.

Synchronizing Attributes of Block References

Ribbon: Home – Block > Synchronize Attributes

Panel: Edit 2 –

Command line: ATTSYNC

Updates block references taking into account new and modified attributes from the specified block definition.

The command updates all instances of blocks containing attributes that were redefined with help of BEDIT command. The command does not change values assigned to attributes of the existing blocks.

Command query

Define option [?/Name/Select]

Command options:

? Opens the list of all block definitions in the drawing.

Name Enters names of blocks that should be updated with the specified current

attributes.

Select Selects on the screen the blocks whose attributes should be updated.

Attention

The ATTSYNC command deletes any change of format or property made in the block attribute management commands ATTEDIT or EATTEDIT. It also deletes any additional data associated with the block and can influence on dynamic blocks or blocks created in third party applications.

Controlling Display of All Block Attributes in a Document

Commands that control the settings for visibility redefinition of all block attributes in the drawing are located in the menu View – Display > Attributes. Changing visibility state of attributes requires regeneration of the drawing.

The current visibility state of all attributes in a drawing is stored in the ATTMODE system variable. The 0 value of system variable corresponds to turned off state of attributes visibility, 1 – normal state, 2 – turned on.

Ribbon: Home, Insert – Block > Attributes: Normal

Menu: View – Display > Attributes > Normal

Turns on the visibility state of all attributes defined during their creation: visible attributes are displayed on the drawing, invisible are not.

Ribbon: Home, Insert – Block > Attributes: On

Menu: View – Display > Attributes > On

Turns on the visibility state of all attributes, including those that were defined as invisible during creation.

Ribbon: Home, Insert – Block > Attributes: Off

Menu: View – Display > Attributes > Off

Turns off the visibility of all attributes, including those that were defined as visible during creation.

Extracting Data from Attributes

Ribbon: Insert – Block > Attribute Extraction

Command line: ATTEXT

The command allows you to extract data from attributes and save them in a text file, which then can be transferred into any database management system. This allows you to create easily different reports and specifications by using directly the data from a drawing. For example, if in the facilities layout plan each unit of equipment represents a block with attributive information, which specifies name, manufacturer, price, etc., it is easy to create reports with the number of equipment, total price of equipment and others.

After started, the command opens the Attribute extraction dialog box

Options:

File format

Comma-delimited format (CDF)

Turns on the mode for saving the data extracted from attributes into a *.cdf file (Comma Delimited Format), containing one record for each block reference in a drawing. Record fields are separated by commas. Character fields are taken in single quotation marks (apostrophes).

When extracting data from attributes in *.cdf format, it is necessary to specify the template file. The template file should contain at least one attribute name.

Space-delimited format (SDF)

Turns on the mode for saving the data extracted from attributes into a *.sdf file, containing one record for each block reference. Fields of each record have a fixed length, therefore, they require neither record separators, nor character-string delimiters.

When extracting data from attributes in *.sdf format, it is necessary to specify the template file. The template file should contain at least one attribute name.

Drawing interchnage format DXF (DXX)

Turns on the mode for saving the data extracted from attributes into a *.dxx file (subset of a standard drawing interchange file format *.dxf), containing only descriptions of block references and attribute values. The file extension .dxx distinguishes an extraction file from normal *.dxf files.

When extracting data from attributes in *.dxx format, it is not required to specify the template file.

Buttons

The button for temporary closure of the dialog box to select blocks with attributes in the drawing.

After clicking ENTER to finish the selection of objects, the Attribute extraction dialog box is displayed again.

Number: Displays the number of selected objects.

The button opens a standard dialog box for selecting files to specify the name and location of a template file in the format of which the data extracted from attributes will be recorded.

By default template files have .txt extension.

The path and name of the selected file are entered or displayed in the field right to the button.

When the Drawing interchange format DXF (DXX) option is specified, the Template file button and text field to the right are enabled.

The button opens a standard dialog box for selecting files to specify the name and location of the file into which the data extracted from attributes will be recorded.

By default .txt. extension of the file name is added to CDF and SDF files, and .dxx extension is added to DXF files.

The path and name of the selected file are entered or displayed in the field right to the button.

Converting block attributes to text

Ribbon: Home – Block > Explode Attributes to Text

Menu: Modify – Advanced tools > Explode attributes to text

Command line: BURST

The command allows you to extract text information from block attributes while breaking them.

Pay attention that in contrast to Explode command at using which the attribute values are deleted, and only names remain, the BURST command converts block attribute values to single-line and multiple-line texts.

Value of the field inserted during creation of a block attribute is also converted to text.

Hidden block attributes are not converted to text.

• 1. Select the block with attributes.
• 2. Start the Convert block attributes to text command

Replacing a Block with Another Block

Ribbon: Home – Block > Replace Block with Another Block

Menu: Modify – Advanced tools > Replace Block with Another Block

Command line: BLOCKREPLACE

The command is designed to replace all selected blocks with one specified block. The objects to be replaced can be pre-selected or can be specified in response to a command line prompt.

Command prompts:

After replacement, unused block definitions can be removed from the document using the PURGE command.

Exploding a Block Reference

While breaking a reference, a block is split into component objects.

To break the block reference, it is necessary to enter the Explode command or click button on the Edit panel. If exploding was prohibited during creation of a block definition, the references of such block will not be exploded.

Reset Block

Block insert context menu: Reset block

Command line: RESETBLOCK

Returns the parameters of the selected dynamic block inserts to their original state, resetting the entire history of their modifications.

The command is designed to restore dynamic block inserts to their original state in order to eliminate distortions that appeared during the block modification.

After inserting a dynamic block definition, any user intervention “detaches” it from the parent block, and generates a temporary block with the changed geometry, to which the definition is attached. At the same time, all interventions are written into the history, which is stored in the block definition.

When working in the Block Editor, it changes the parent block, after which the following actions are performed for each insert: a temporary block is deleted, a copy of the new parent block is generated, to which the entire change history of this particular insert is applied, step by step. The main problems can

occur just at the last stage, since there are many types of intervantions on the block insert available to the user - from changing properties to setting values through dynamic input. The Reset Block command resets everything and returns the selected dynamic blocks to their original state of the initial insert.

Managing Blocks in the Current Drawing

Ribbon: Insert – Block > Blocks

Menu: Format – Blocks…

Command line: BLOCKS, BLOCKSCMD

The Blocks dialog box includes information on all block definitions contained in the document and on the number of their references:

Columns:

Name List of block definitions contained in the document.

Refs Displays information on the number of block references in the

current document.

Description Displays information entered during the block creation in the

Description section of the Block definition dialog box.

Left double-click on the column names separator automatically modifies the columns width.

To rename a block:

1. Left double-click on the block name.

2. Enter a new block name from the keyboard.

To delete the block definition:

1. Select in the list the block to delete.

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• 2. Click button or select the Delete command in the context menu opened by the right click
• 3. Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes button.
• 4. Click the Close button to exit the dialog.
• Note

The block definition is deleted in the Blocks dialog box, while block reference is deleted by selecting it in the drawing area, with further opening of the Delete command (or DEL key).

Note

Some block definitions are systemic. They cannot be deleted.

Saving a Block in a Separate File

Command line: WBLOK, ACADWBLOCKDIALOG, W

The command allows you to save in a separate file:

• a whole drawing with all changes made;
• a block contained in a drawing;
• separate fragments of a drawing.

Starting the WBLOCK command opens the Write block dialog box:

Options:

Source

Block: Turns on the mode for selecting from the drop-down list the block

to be saved contained in the drawing.

Pay attention: If there is not a single block in the drawing, the

option is disabled.

Entire drawing Turns on the mode for saving the entire drawing in a separate file.

Objects Turns on the mode for saving objects selected in the current

drawing in a separate file.

Base point

Pick point Button that temporary closes the dialog box so that you can

specify the base point on the screen by the mouse cursor.

X: Y: Z: Enters base point coordinates.

Objects

Select objects Button that temporary closes the dialog box so that you can select

objects on the screen by the mouse cursor.

Retain Turns on the mode for retaining the selected objects in the

drawing after they are saved in a separate file.

Convert to block Turns on the mode for creating a block reference in place of the

selected objects after they are saved in a separate file.

Delete from drawing Turns on the mode for deleting the selected objects from the

drawing after they are saved in a separate file.

Objects selected: Displays the information on the number of objects selected for

saving.

Destination

File name and path: Button opens the Save Document dialog box to specify the

path, name and format of file to be saved.

Insert units Drop-down list for selecting measurement units for the file being

saved.

Proxy Objects

DWG-files can contain foreign objects created in other applications. Definitions of such objects are understandable for nanoCAD system only in case of downloading the files of parent applications adapters (usually files with .nrx extension). All unidentified objects are called proxy objects (they can both have a graphic representation or not have it). Such objects cannot be edited, sometimes they cannot be broken by EXPLODE command, they have no grips. Graphics of a proxy object can differ from the real object’s graphics displayed when the adapter is downloaded. Values of system variables PROXYGRAPHICS and PROXYSHOW make an additional impact on the procedure for displaying proxy objects.

The Samples folder includes the file nCAD and proxy-objects.dwg, which contains objects created by other applications (AutoCAD Architecture and nanoCAD SPDS). If no adapters are downloaded, all these objects are classified by nanoCAD system as proxy objects.

If you download adapters with necessary definition in nanoCAD, then proxy objects are converted into primitives and non-graphic objects you can perform actions with.

There are possible cases, when proxy objects (all or some) interfere with a normal work with a drawing. In such case they can be either deleted or broken into known primitives (segments, texts, etc.).

Removing Proxy Objects

Ribbon: Draw – Explode/erase > Erase proxy

Menu: Modify – Advanced tools > Removing proxy

Command line: RMPROXY

The command is used to remove proxy objects. Pre-selection of objects is acceptable. If there are no selected objects, the command makes a query:

Select objects or [?/Drawing/Nongraphicalproxies]:

In response to the query it is possible to select objects or specify an option.

Option ? makes a query to change the method for selecting objects (similar to SELECT command):

Select an option or

[Window/Last/Crossing/BOX/ALL/Fence/WPolygon/CPolygon/Group/Add/Remove/Curren t/AUto]:

The Drawing option is used to select all proxy objects in a drawing, including objects on other drawing tabs

The Nongraphicalproxies option is intended to delete only proxy-objects without graphics, objects without graphics, which cannot be selected in another way.

After the user specifies the required option, the system will perform removal and report on the number of detected and deleted proxy objects, for example, when selecting Nongraphicalproxies option:

1526 proxy objects found, including 348 graphical proxy objects.
1526 proxy objects removed, including 348 graphical proxy objects.

Objects that are not proxy objects may get in the set of objects selected for RMPROXY command. No actions will be performed with such objects.

Exploding Proxy Objects

Ribbon: Draw – Explode/erase > Explode proxy

Menu: Modify – Advanced tools > Exploding proxies

Command line: XPROXY

The command is intended for breaking proxy objects having graphical representation into ordinary objects. Pre-selection of objects is acceptable. If there are no selected objects, the command makes a query:

Select objects or [?/Drawing]:

In response to the query it is possible to select objects or specify an option. The Drawing option is intended to select all proxy objects with graphics in a drawing, including objects on other drawing tabs, which cannot be selected in another way. Upon specifying this option, the system will perform the explode and report on the results, for example:

Proxies exploded: 348 New objects created: 5629

Option ? makes a query to change the method for selecting objects, similar to SELECT command query.

If objects that are not proxy objects get in the set of objects selected for XPROXY command, they will be ignored.

Insert External Reference

Ribbon: Insert – Reference > DWG Reference

Menu: Insert – DWG Reference

Toolbar: Draw –

Command line: ATTACH, XA, XATTACH

External references allow you to add information from other drawings to the current document. It is possible to insert several external references into one document. Conversely, the same document can be used as an external reference in several other documents. External references can contain inserted external references. When you add an external reference, all external references inserted in it will also be displayed in the current drawing.

External references can only link external documents to the current document. The objects placed in the drawing file with external references are displayed in the current drawing with other objects in this drawing, but they are not added into the drawing. The external reference is a kind of label that indicates the path to an external drawing. When you add the external reference, its objects are not copied into the current drawing or loaded from the external reference file every time you open basic drawing or restart the external reference. Any changes made to the external reference will be also displayed when you open the basic document or restart an external reference.

When you insert an external reference into the drawing, the file size of the current drawing is increased slightly.

Since the external references are always kept in separate files, then the exchange of drawings should convey not only the basic drawings, but all drawings which are referred to.

You can specify different types of external reference: attachment into the drawing and overlay on the drawing. When you insert an external reference using an attachment type, then all external references inserted into the drawing are added to it. If you choose an overlay type when you insert an external reference, then external references inserted into it are ignored. Overlay external references are used when the information provided by an external reference in the current drawing is not needed for later use of this drawing as an external reference.

There are three ways to save path information with an attached reference:

• Full (absolute) path is a fully specified folders hierarchy that locates the file reference. This is the most precise but the least flexible option. The full path includes a letter of a mapped local hard drive, a website URL, or a mapped disk letter on a network server.
• Relative path is a partially specified folders hierarchy that is defined relative to the current drawing (the folder in which it is stored). If you choose this type, it is necessary to save the current drawing. For the enclosed reference the relative path specifies a reference location, which can be the current open document. This is the most flexible option, and enables you to move your current drive to a different drive that uses the same folder structure. If the file that is being referenced is located on a different local hard drive or on a network server, the relative path option is not available.

Rules of making relative paths:

When a drawing containing external references is saved or replaced to other hard drive, computer or network server it is required to change all relative paths according to a new location of drawing or change location of external references files.

• No path (system variable REFPATHTYPE = 0) – not specify a path to an external reference. Specifying the No path option is useful when moving a set of drawings to a different folder hierarchy or to an unknown folder hierarchy. If a path for an external reference is not specified, the program searches for the external references in a current folder of a main drawing.

To insert an external reference into the drawing, specify the path and file name in the opened External Reference dialog box: To insert an external reference, the External Reference dialog box opens, which is a standard Windows file open dialog in which you should specify the path and file name to insert as an external reference. To specify several files at once for simultaneous insertion, select them with the CTRL or SHIFT.

Select the necessary external reference and click Open. The External Reference dialog box will open.

In case you insert multiple files at once, many insertion parameters will not be available.

Parameters:

Name: The list of the names of the external references inserted into the drawing.

Opens the Open dialog box to choose files for the insertion of new

references.

Found in: Displays the file path where the external reference is to be found.

Saved path: Displays the saved path of access to the external reference.

Reference Type

Attachment When you attach a drawing file as an external reference, you link that

referenced drawing to the current drawing.

Overlay An overlaid external reference is not included when the drawing is itself

attached or overlaid as an external reference to another drawing.

Path Type Selects the saved path type to the external reference:

Full path

Relative path

No path

Insertion Point

Specify On-screen Selects the box to set the X,Y,Z coordinates values in the command line or specify the position on the screen. The «X» «Y» «Z» fields of this section

are inaccessible.

X: Y: Z: Sets the X, Y, Z coordinate values in the corresponding fields of the current

document.

Scale

Specify On-screen Selects the box to set the scale values in the command line or specify the

position on the screen. The «X» «Y» «Z» fields of this section are

inaccessible.

X: Y: Z: Sets the scale values in the corresponding fields of the current document.

Uniform Scale

Sets the scale factors on the Y and Z axes to the same scale factor as the X

axis.

Rotation

Specify On-screen Selects the box to set the rotation angle value in the command line or specify its position on the screen. The Angle field of this section is

inaccessible.

Angle: Sets the angle value on which it is necessary to turn the reference entry in

the current document.

Block unit

Unit: Displays the specified parameter value of the insertion units for the

inserted block.

Factor: Displays the scale factor, which is calculated based on the block insertion

units parameter value and document units.

Auto Zoom Switches on/off the full screen mode of the inserted reference.

Monitoring Changes in External References

While working with a document, changes in external reference files by external programs are monitored. Changes in insertions of dwg files, underlays and raster images are monitors.

The status bar displays a button-indicator of the presence and status of external references in the active document.

If in the course of work the xref file was changed in a third-party program, a warning will appear, and the indicator will change its appearance:

The indicator’s context menu allows you to open the External References toolbar or Refresh External References of the drawing:

If the xref file was not found, a corresponding message appears and the status bar indicator button changes color to red:

XREFNOTIFY variable allows you to disable notification about changes in xref files or change notifications appearance:

• 0 disable notification about changes in external references.
• 1 display notifications in the form of dialog boxes.
• 2 display notifications as pop-up messages near the status bar.

The time after which external references are checked is set by the XNOTIFYTIME variable (in minutes).

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Edit References

Ribbon: Insert – Reference > Edit reference

Menu: Tools – External reference or context edit block > Edit reference

Command line: REFEDIT

Double-clicking on an external reference insertion

The use of external references significantly eases the work and allows you to quickly combine multiple drawings in a single document. To make work with external references more convenient, you can edit the references directly in the current drawing to which they are added.

To edit a referenced drawing from within the current drawing, you should use the working set to identify objects that belong to the external reference or block insertion rather than the current drawing. The working set includes only the objects belonging to the reference selected for editing.

You can add or remove objects from the working set. If you create a new object while editing a reference, it is almost always added to the working set automatically. Editing changes in the working set can be stored in the source file of the external reference or block insertion.

Start the Edit reference command. In the command line you can see:

Select reference or block insertion or [All insertions]:

Select the external reference on the drawing and in the Select insertion dialog box that opens, choose the objects to edit:

If you select the All insertions option in the command line, the Select insertion dialog box opens immediately and in the Element Name section all references and blocks inserted into the drawing will be displayed:

Parameters:

Zoom to block Switches on/off the mode to display the selected reference on the screen.

Use uncial names for layers, styles and block

Controls whether layers and other named objects extracted from the reference are uniquely altered. If selected, named objects in external references are altered (names are prefixed with $#$), similar to the way they are altered when you bind external references. If cleared, the names of layers and other named objects remain the same as in the reference drawing. Named objects that are not altered to make them unique assume the properties of those in the current host drawing that share the same name.

Lock objects Locking objects that are not in the working set.

Locked objects are not editable, which prevents objects in the source drawing from being accidentally changed in reference edit mode.

Select the objects for editing and click OK. The External Reference toolbar will appear automatically.

Use the External Reference toolbar to add or remove objects from a working set and also save and discard external reference editing.

REFEDIT, separated by a colon, is added to the document name in the tab and “Refedit mode” is shown in the top left corner of the working area. It means that work with the document occurs in the external reference editing mode.

To indicate the mode of reference edit, a Reference Editor labelis added to the document name in the tab, separated by a colon

Attention

In edit references mode you MUST NOT (!) close neither a document with edited reference nor nanoCAD till all changes are saved or discarded (Save and Close or Discard and Close buttons on the Refedit toolbar).

After saving or discarding all changes the External Reference toolbar closes and a document tab returns to its original view.

Add Objects to the Working Set

Menu: Tools – External reference > Add objects to working set

Toolbar: External Reference –

Command line: REFSET Use this command to transfer the objects from the current drawing to the working set.

Remove Objects from the Working Set

Menu: Tools – External reference > Remove objects from working set

Toolbar: External Reference –

Command line: REFSET

Use this command to remove selected objects from the working set.

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Save External Reference Changes

Menu: Tools – External reference > Save and close

Toolbar: External Reference –

Command line: REFCLOSES

The command saves the changes made to the insertion, closes the Edit Reference tab (the External Reference toolbar), and exits the insertion editing mode (as evidenced by the disappearance of the REFEDIT label (*) in the document tab).

Discard External Reference Changes

Menu: Tools – External reference or context edit block > Discard changes

Toolbar: External Reference –

Command line: REFCLOSED

The command undoes the changes made to the insertion, closes the Edit Reference tab (the External Reference toolbar), and exits the insertion editing mode (as evidenced by the disappearance of the REFEDIT Editor label (*) in the document tab).

External References Toolbar

Ribbon: Insert – Reference > XREFs (External References)

Ribbon: Manage – Palettes > External References

Menu: Insert – External References…

Command line: EXTERNALREFERENCES, IMAGES, XR, XREF

The command opens the External References dialog box. It displays all external references contained in the document and manages these references.

The External references palette allows you to perform the following operations with the referenced drawing files:

• Loading/unloading an external reference in the current drawing.
• Binding an external reference to the current drawing.
• Updating an external reference in order to display in the current drawing the latest changes made to the external reference file (without reloading the current drawing).
• Complete removing an external reference insert from the current drawing with all associated data. It is not sufficient to simply remove a reference from the drawing, since such removal would not lead, for example, to removal of layers associated with the external reference. To remove the external reference completely, use the Remove parameter on the External references palette.
• Changing the name of the reference file and its location (path).
• Changing the file type and the format settings of the file of reference to the raster image.

Xrefs selected in the dialog box are automatically selected and highlighted in the drawing. And vice versa: when xref objects are selected in the drawing, their names will be automatically selected in the External references dialog. The ERHIGHLIGHT system variable is responsible for synchronizing

highlighting with objects in the drawing. Single and multiple selection is supported (using CTRL and SHIFT):

Tools to control external references

Reloads all external references to display changes in the associated files.

Change Path Type A path type can be changed to absolute or relative one.

Remove Path – it is expedient to remove a path, if the referenced file is located in the same folder as the current drawing.

Select New Path – allows you to set a new path for the missing reference.

Find and Replace – allows you to find those among the selected xrefs, which use the specified path and replace all references of these path to a new path. Opens the Find and Replace Selected Paths dialog box.

Help Opens help information.

List View Displays the palette information as a list.

Tree View Displays the palette information as a tree.

Details

The section contains detailed information about the selected xref file.

Details Displays information about the selected file.

Preview Shows a thumbnail view of the selected file.

Controls visibility of the Details section.

The options of the External References pane in the Show list:

Name Displays the name of the external reference file

Status Displays the status of the external reference file:

• Loaded the referenced file is attached to the current drawing.
• Unloaded the referenced file is marked to be unloaded from the drawing.
• Not found the referenced file no longer exists in the valid search path.
• Unresolved the referenced file cannot be read.
• Orphaned the referenced file is attached to another file that has an Unresolved status.

Size Displays the size of the attached referenced file.

Type *.dwg files display the file type of the referenced file:

• Attachments

• Overlays

Raster images display their file format:

•

Date The date when the referenced file was created or last saved.

Saved Path Displays the path that is saved with the drawing when the

referenced file is attached.

Context menu

The edit commands for a xref selected in the palette list are contained in the context menu and differ for different file types:

Reload Updates the selected reference to the file.

Detach Deletes the selected reference to the file.

Bind The reference content is embedded in the drawing, reference to the file

is deleted.

Xref type Change xref type:

• Attach

• Overlay

Save as… Changes the selected reference to a raster image. You can change xref

file name, file type and file format parameters.

A World file with geocoordinates for each raster image is also created if

the Georeferencing – Use World or TAF file box is checked in the

Options dialog.

Change Path Type Changes the type of path to a reference: Make Absolute, Make

Relative, Remove path

Select New Path… Specifies a new path for an unreferenced file. Opens the Open file

dialog to specify a new path.

Find and Replace… Searches though the selected references for those that use the

specified path, and replaces all insertions of the path with the new one.

Opens the Find and Replace Selected Paths dialog.

In the Drawing Explorer functional bar, the context menu that opens when you right-click on the external reference name also provides commands for editing external references:

Open – opens the referenced drawing in a new window.

Insert – opens the Insert external reference dialog box with the name of existing external reference to re-insert or to select a file of a different xref file.

Bind External References

When you bind external reference into a current drawing, the reference becomes the part of drawing and converts into a standard block description. There are two ways to bind external reference: binding and insertion.

When external reference binds, descriptions of its named objects (blocks, layers, text and dimension styles, line types) are changing. For example, before binding the layer named HATCH from the Ex_ref.dwg displayed in dialog Layers like Ex_ref|HATCH. After binding it displayed as follows: Ex_ref$n$HATCH (n=0,1,2,3… - the number increases automatically, if the layer with the same name already exists in the current drawing). Unique names are thus generated in symbol table of current drawing for all descriptions of named objects binding into external reference.

Bind external reference mode is equivalent to the removal xref and subsequent insertion of xref drawing as block to current layer using button Open in Insert block dialog (menu Insert – Block). Names of dependent xref descriptions of named objects in this case are not converted. Redefinition of named object not made if the name of description of binding named object coincides with name of an object that already exists in the drawing. Binded named object inherits properties of exist in current drawing named object. For example, before binding the layer named HATCH from the Ex_ref.dwg displayed in dialog Layers like Ex_ref|HATCH. After binding of external reference it will have name: HATCH.

To bind external reference:

• 1. Select external reference in the External references toolbar.
• 2. Show popup menu.
• 3. Select the command Bind…
• 4. In the box Bind xrefs select the bind type: Bind or Insert.

Bind Named Objects of External References

Menu: Modify – Object > Bind external reference

Command line: XBIND, XB

The command binds into a current drawing descriptions of named objects (blocks, layers, text and dimension styles, line types), which external reference contains.

An inserted external reference contains not only graphical objects (lines, circles, arcs and etc.) but also block descriptions, dimension styles, text styles and line types. Descriptions of named objects of an external reference do not become a part of a current drawing: during every update of an external reference the objects are loaded again from the drawing of the external reference, because descriptions of named objects can change or even delete when a file of external reference is edited. The names of blocks, dimension styles and etc. of an external reference are different from the names of similar objects in a current drawing. A vertical line (|) and a file name of an external reference are placed before named object name belonging to an external reference. For example, a layer having HATCH

name of Ext_reference.dwg external reference file name is displayed as Ext_reference|HATCH in the Layers toolbar. If the HATCH layer is deleted from an external reference file, its name disappears in a current drawing. That is why it is forbidden to use named objects of an external reference in a current drawing. For example, it is impossible to insert a block in a current drawing, belonging to an external reference or make a layer, belonging to an external reference, current and create object on it.

To allow using named objects of an external reference in a current drawing it is needed to bind them into a current drawing using the XBIND command. Named objects depending on an external reference becomes object of a current drawing after binding, and can be edited and used as named objects of a drawing.

Names of objects of an external reference are modified during binding – a vertical line (|) is changed to two dollar signs, and a value (0 – the first binding, 1 – the second binding etc.) is placed between them. For example, a layer’s name of an external reference Ext_reference|HATCH becomes Ext_reference$0$HATCH after binding. Binded named objects of an external reference can be renamed in contrast with objects depending on an external reference.

Run Bind external reference command

Parameters:

Xrefs The window contains a structure tree of a current file and shows definitions of named objects, external references and depending definitions of named objects in a file.

Details The window shows information about external references and definitions of named object in a current drawing and external references.

To view information about external reference, select the reference in the External References section:

To view information about definitions of named objects in a current drawing:

• In the XBIND dialog select a required definition of a named object. Names of windows are changed dynamically:

To select definition of a named object in an external reference:

• In the XBIND dialog select the required definition of a named object of an external reference:

Copies selected definition of the named object of external reference to Bind list.

Removes selected definition of the named object of external reference from Bind list.

To bind definitions of named objects into a current drawing from an external reference:

• 1. In the XBIND dialog Xrefs field click on «+» sign to the left of the selected link.
  • Unfolded branch of a tree contains a list of objects definitions (blocks, line types and text styles).
• 2. Click the ”+” sign to the left of definition name of a named object.
  • A new branch of a tree contains a list of definitions of a named object.
• 3. Select a definition of a named object.
• 4. Click the Add button.
  • Definition of the named object is moving to Bind list.
• 5. Repeat 2, 3 and 4 steps to select other definitions of named objects.
• 6. You can remove incorrectly added definition from Bind list using Remove button.
• 7. To bind selected definitions of named object in a current drawing click the OK button.

Saving an External Reference as a Raster

To save a reference as a raster:

• 1. Select an external reference to a raster image in the External References toolbar.
• 2. Open the context menu, select the Save As… command.
• 3. In the Save Image File dialog box that opens, specify a file name, if necessary, select the file type:

• 4. Click the Options… button.
• 5. Depending on the selected file type, a dialog will open: TIFF Options, JPEG Options, or ECW Options. In the format settings window, set the required save options. Click OK button.
• 6. Click the Save button.

TIFF Saving Options

The settings of this dialog box also apply to other types of TIFF-formats, including multiple-page TIFF and TIFF with geodata.

If part of a multiple TIFF-file includes images of different types, such as color and bitonal, then you can adjust separately for each of these types.

There is a separate tab for each of the color modes. For example, to adjust the saving options for a 256 color image in TIFF, it is necessary to use the 256 Indexed tab.

Options:

Compression: Drop-down list to select the raster degree of compression.

Depending on the selected color mode, the following parameters in the list are available:

• No compression Raster is saved without compression. In this case, the file will be of a large size. At the same time the file can be read by any program that supports working with TIFF.
• CCITT modified Huffman RLE The compression type, which combines Huffman and RLE algorithms. It is used to compress the bitonal raster images.
• CCITT Group 3 fax encoding The compression type, which uses the Huffman algorithm with a fixed table for compressing bitonal raster images. The following options are available for this compression type:
  • 2-D Encoding The most effective data compression.
  • Fill To Byte Boundary Controls the method of defining the line start. When this option is on, a new line always starts with the bits number of a multiple byte.
• CCITT Group 4 fax encoding The compression type that is optimal for the bitonal raster images. It is supported by most raster editors and ensures the best compression of bitonal data.
• Macintosh RLE (Packbits) The compression type that is optimal for color images. It is supported by most raster editors. At the Striped or Tiled internal organization, the use of this compression type in some cases can give an increase of file size compared to the saved file without compression
• ZIP (Deflate compression) The compression type that uses an algorithm similar to that used in the ZIP archiver. It can be used with any raster types. Versions of the AutoCAD 2005 and earlier don’t support reading TIFF-files with ZIP-compression. Versions of the Spotlight 6.0, RasterID 3.0 and earlier also cannot read files of this compression type. In some cases, attempting to open files of this compression type can lead to fatal errors. Use the slider to control the degree of compression:

Set the maximum degree of compression to reduce the file size. But this leads to an increase in the time taken for reading/saving the raster image.

• Lempel-Ziv & Welch The compression type that uses a universal compression algorithm without data loss. This algorithm has a high work speed when compressing and when decompressing. The inconvenience is the low degree of compression in comparison with a scheme of two stage encoding. This compression type is used also in GIF and PDF formats.
• JPEG DCT compression The compression type that uses a JPEG algorithm. The same algorithm is used in the similarly-named JPEG

format. It is designed to compress color raster images. It allows the highest degree of compression to be achieved. Also, as described above for the ZIP-compression, JPEG-compression is not supported by all raster editors. JPEG-compression, unlike any other compressions which are used in TIFF-format, is performed with some data loss. This compression type is very useful to create a reduced size file, for example, for Internet transmission. But it is not recommended to use it to store important information. Indeed, whenever you save a TIFF-file to JPEG-compression, recompression is performed, in which the quality of raster deteriorates. Use the slider to control the degree of compression:

Increasing the degree of compression reduces the file size, but this leads to a reduction of its quality. At the maximum degree of compression you can get raster that may be deformed beyond recognition.

Organization: A drop-down list to select the type of internal organization of the TIFF-file. The following options are available:

• Row All data within the file are written in one block. This organization type is also called blocked. TIFF-files of this organization have the highest compatibility with other programs designed for viewing and editing of raster images.
• Striped All data within the file are written in the form of individual portions of lines. In this way, in some cases, the downloading and viewing of images are accelerated. But in some cases, a combination of the row and striped organization and one of the compression types, for example, Macintosh RLE (Packbits) leads to an increase of the file size instead of the expected reduction.
• Tiled All data within the file are written in the form of fragment, socalled tiles. This organization type is not supported by all raster editors. The use of the tile organization can speed up viewing of raster images.

Byte Order: A drop-down list to select the byte order in the word, which is different for PC and Macintosh.

Two options are available:

• Intel (little-endian) Byte order in which the junior (least significant) byte is written first.
• Motorola (big-endian) Byte order in which the senior (most significant) byte is written first.

Save Thumbnail Switching on/off the mode to save a file with a reduced copy of the image (thumbnail).

Thumbnail is used to quickly view the file content in the file open dialog box.

It should be remembered that when you switch on the Save Thumbnail mode, the TIFF-file will be saved as multipage and it cannot be read by all raster editors.

JPG and JPEG Saving Options

You can change the degree of compression for JPG and JPEG file formats.

Use the slider to control the degree of compression:

Increasing the degree of compression reduces the file size, but this leads to a reduction in its quality. At the maximum degree of compression you can get a raster that may be deformed beyond recognition.

ECW Saving Options

For the ECW format, you can select the Compression Rate and Block Size:

The compression rate can be from 1:1 to 300:1.

Finding and replacing Paths

TheFind and Replace Selected Paths dialog box allows you to find among the selected references those that use the specified path, and replace all insertions of the path with the new path:

Options:

Find and Replace

Find saved path: Path entry field for searching and replacing the references whose path

names match the entered saved path. The search is performed only among the selected references. This entry filters the saved paths of the currently selected references. The button opens a standard dialog

box for specifying the path.

Replace with: The field for entering a new path to replace the found reference paths

with. The button opens a standard dialog box for specifying the

path.

replace All The button for confirming the search and replacement of paths.

The type of path specification (absolute or relative) is determined by the REFPATHTYPE system variable. By default, REFPATHTYPE = 1, a relative path is specified.

After the path replacement is performed, an informational message about the results is displayed on the screen:

External References Control (Classic Version)

Command line: CLASSICXREF CLASSICIMAGE

The command opens the classic version of the External References dialog, which is used for compatibility with previous versions of the program:

Attention

In Edit References mode (REFEDIT) opening of External references dialog is blocked.

The dialog box displays information about the references to the inserted drawings as well as for the raster images.

The dialog box contains the tool buttons and two sections: External References and Details. Both panes are working in the double data display mode.

The External References pane can display information about references in a list structure (the Show List button) or in a tree structure (the Show tree button). The list view is set by default in the window.

The Details pane displays the properties of the references selected in the upper section in the list view (the Show properties button) or displays the content of the selected reference in a preview window (the Show preview button).

Parameters of the References window in a Table mode:

Columns

Name Displays the name of the external reference file

Status Displays the status of the external reference file:

• Loaded the referenced file is attached to the current drawing.
• Unloaded the referenced file is marked to be unloaded from the drawing.
• Not found the referenced file no longer exists in the valid search path.
• Unresolved the referenced file cannot be read.
• Orphaned the referenced file is attached to another file that has an Unresolved status.

Size Displays the size of the attached referenced file.

• Type *.dwg files display the file type of the referenced file:
  • Attachments
  • Overlays

Raster images display their file format:

• TIFF
• BMP
• JPG
• JPEG
• PNG
• PCX

Date The date when the referenced file was created or last saved.

Saved Path Displays the path that is saved with the drawing when the referenced file is attached.

Left double click on separator of column names changes the width of columns automatically.

Buttons

Unload XRef Unloads the selected file references from the drawing.

Reload XRef Reloads the selected file references to the drawing.

Detach XRef Detaches the selected file references.

Save XRef Changes the selected raster image references. It is possible to change the reference file name, file type and file format.

Open from Changes the full path to the selected reference. When you click this button the dialog window opens and you can select another path or external reference name.

Embed image Embeds raster images to the document. Such image saved in the document, not in separate file.

Show list Displays the references information in the list view.

Show tree Displays the references information in the tree view.

When the External References pane is set to the list view, it is possible to select several references:

• when the SHIFT key is pressed, then all references located between the first and last click will be selected;
• when the CTRL key is pressed, you can select any references from the list by clicking.

When the External References pane is set to the tree view, a tree structure of all external references along with their levels of nesting within the drawing will be displayed.

It is possible to select only one file reference in the tree view of the External References pane.

The options of the Details pane in the list view:

Columns

Name Displays the name of the external reference file.

Status Displays the status of the external reference file:

• Loaded the referenced file is attached to the current drawing.
• Unloaded the referenced file is marked to be unloaded from the drawing.
• Not Found the referenced file no longer exists in the valid search path.

Size Displays the size of the attached referenced file.

The size of the attached referenced file doesn’t display when the reference has the status:

• Unloaded
• Not Found

Type *.dwg files display the file type of the referenced file:

• Attachment
• Overlay

Raster images display their file format:

• TIFF
• BMP
• JPG
• JPEG
• PNG
• PCX

Colordep

th

Color information of raster.

Resoluti on

Resolution of raster (points per inch).

Pixel

Width of raster, pxl.

Width

Pixel Height Height of raster, pxl.

Date The date when the referenced file was created or last saved.

The date doesn’t display when referenced file has the status:

• Unloaded
• Not Found

Saved Path

Displays the path of the referenced file.

Note

The saved path does not necessarily indicate the present file location.

Found at Displays the path where the external reference file is located.

This place is the actual file location.

Note

The full path and saved path may be different.

Colordep

Resoluti

Color information of raster.

th

Resolution of raster (points per inch).

on

Pixel Width of raster, pxl.

Width

Pixel Height of raster, pxl.

Height

Buttons

Show Displays the properties of the selected referenced file in the list view.

properties

Show Displays contents of the selected referenced file in the preview

preview window.

Context menu

The following context menu commands are available for the xref selected in the dialog box:

Xref Type Change xref type:

• Attach

• Overlay

Change Path Type Changes the type of path to the xref:

• Make Absolute

• Make Relative

• Remove Pathe

Select New Path Searches for a new path for not found xref file. Opens the External

reference selection box to specify a new path.

Find and replace Allows you to fund among the selected xrefs the ones that use the specified path and replace all references of this path to a new path.

Opens the Find and Replace Selected Paths dialog.

Renaming Named Objects

Changing names assigned to named objects. It is convenient to use the command to bring such named objects as layers, dimension styles, linetypes, text styles, etc. in conformity with certain naming standards.

Command line: RENAME

The command opens Rename dialog box, which displays the list of drawing elements containing named objects.

Renaming procedure

1. Open the element category by pressing icon.

• 2. Select a named object in the list. The object name will be displayed in the Name field.
• 3. Enter a new name in the field, next to the Replace to button.
• 4. Click the Replace to button.
• 5. Click OK.

Renaming a group of named objects

It is possible to rename only a part of the name that is common for selected objects.

• 1. Open the element category by pressing icon.
• 2. Select named objects in the list using SHIFT or CTRL keys.
• 3. In the Common part name field to leave the part of name common for all objects, which should be replaced.
• 4. Enter a new value in the field, next to the Replace to button.
• 5. Click the Replace to button.
• 6. Click OK.

Non-dialog version of the command

Command line: -RENAME

Command options:

Selecting the types of named objects to be renamed:

Block Blocks. Dimstyle Dimension styles.

Layer Layers.

LType Linetypes.

Material Coverings.

Style Text styles.

Tablestyle Table styles.

Ucs User coordinate systems.

VIew named views.

VPort Viewports.

Command prompts:

Enter object type to rename

[Block/Dimstyle/LAyer/LType/Material/ Style/Tablestyle/Ucs/VIew/VPort]:

Enter old element name