Discover how to add attributes to drawing symbols in CAD, specifically door and window symbols, in this article. Learn how to utilize the "File, Open" method, define attributes using the "Block Definition", and correctly input and align data in the "Attribute Definition" dialog box.
Key Insights
- The process of adding attributes to symbols in CAD involves using the "File, Open" method to access previously created or received files. In this example, the "Detail Symbol" file was opened to add attributes to a symbol worked on earlier in the course.
- Attributes can be added via the "Block Definition, Define Attributes" option found under the "Insert" tab. The "Attribute Definition" dialog box will appear, allowing users to add elements to their attributes. This involves three distinct elements: the tag (one-word shorthand), the prompt (additional language or question), and the default value (common value).
- Justification and text height are crucial elements when defining attributes in CAD. For instance, in the content, the "Detail Symbol" attributes were set with "Bottom Center" and "Top Center" justifications, and a text height of 1 over 8 inches. Also, attributes can be nudged and aligned as desired within the symbol using the Control and arrow keys.
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You might remember that we did not add our attributes earlier in the course to our drawing symbol, our door symbol, or our window symbol, and now I'd like to add those before we insert the door and window symbols into this project. For the first time in this course, let's go to File, Open.
Open allows us to reference files we've created previously or files that we've received from somewhere else. Here you can see I'm in CAD101 File Downloads, and I want to find Detail Symbol and hit Open. You'll remember that this was the first symbol we worked on in this course, and now we want to finish it by adding our attributes.
The Attributes tools can be found on the Insert tab, and Block Definition, Define Attributes. Here we will see an Attribute Definition dialog box. These attributes are going to have three distinct elements.
This is the tag, the prompt, and the default value. The tag is a one-word shorthand that helps us understand what that attribute means, where the prompt allows us to add some additional language that asks a question or defines what we're looking for. The default value allows us to add a default value if that is a common value, like the scale was for our title block.
So let's start with the tag. I'll click into the tag dialog box, and if we check the handout, the top value tag will be DETL-NR. The prompt is going to be Enter Detail Value, Number, and the default will be set to Blank.
The text is important. In this case, we're going to justify with Bottom Center. Text style will be Text01, and the text height will be 1 over 8 inches.
Let's hit OK, and I will choose the midpoint here. Because we did Bottom Center, we can see the text appears above the line. Let's add another attribute by defining attributes, and if we check the handout, this one will be DETL-SHT for Detail Sheet, and the prompt will be Enter Detail Sheet, Number, and again, the default value is Blank.
In this case, the justification will be Top Center, and the text height will stay, again, as 1 over 8 inches. I'll hit OK, and again, I'll choose this midpoint. Now, you'll see that the difference between the top justification and the bottom justification is slightly strange.
In this case, I'm going to hit Escape, Escape, Escape, choose DETL-NR, and using Control and the up arrow, nudge it into place somewhere in the middle of that semicircle. I'll hit Escape, Escape, Escape, choose the Detail Sheet attribute, and again, with Control and the bottom arrow, nudge it down so that it aligns similarly in the semicircle. These don't have to be perfect, but it's good practice to try and align them as best you can.
Now we are done with the Detail Symbol, so we can Control-S to save, and let's move on to our Door and Window Symbols. These ones are slightly easier. Let's go File, Open, and I'll choose my Door Symbol and hit Open.
You'll notice that my ribbon is already on Insert Block Definition, so I can define attributes. Remember, this circle was drawn at 0, 0, so when we place this attribute, we'll be placing it at 0, 0. The tag value will be Door-Sym for Symbol. The prompt will be Enter Door Symbol, and the default will be blank.
In this case, the justification is Middle Center, and the text height, again, will be 1 over 8 inches. Let's hit OK and specify this at 0, 0, 0. Enter to lock it in, Zoom Extents, and Control-S to save. That's all it takes to add this attribute.
The Window Symbol is identical, so let's go File, Open, go to our Window Symbol, all the way at the bottom of our folder. I'll hit Open. Let's define attributes.
Again, this will be WDW-SYM. Check your handout. The prompt is Enter Window Symbol, and the text height is 1 over 8 inches, and let's not forget justification.
That should be Middle Center. Now, notice we typed in 0, 0, 0 because we had Specify on Screen on in our last example, but over here on the left, we could uncheck the Specify on Screen button and place it at our absolute coordinates of 0, 0, 0. Let's hit OK, Zoom Extents, and Control-S to save. Now that we are done with these three symbols, we can close them one at a time, 1, 2, and 3, and now in the next video, we will be ready to insert our Door and Window Symbols.
See you there!
