KozMos AttributeSuite
AutoCAD powerful tool to modify attributes nested in block
To make modification of the contents, AttributeSuite provides users six ways in modification: Add Prefix; Suffix; Substitute character; To a unique content string; Clear content string; Clear content or even delete the attributes.
To modify the properties, you can set the TextStyle, Layer, Color, Rotation, Width factor, Oblique and distance between attributes and the parent block.
AttributeSuite can process all blocks or selected blocks, so the active block is very important. There are two ways in AttributeSuite to do this: using popup_list or pick block button.
Features of AttributeSuite:
- Support operations on content such as All Upper-Lower letters;
- Support attributes NOT nested in BLOCK definition;
- Support modify justification and TAG of attributes;
- Support processing all attributes at one time;
- Support ACI and AutoCAD true color.
- Support MatchTag
To start AttributeSuite, just type ATSUITE at AutoCAD "Command:" prompt.
Dialog
Interface
The dialog of AttributeSuite is divided into three parts: Modify content Area, Modify Properties Area and Block Area. In the Content modification area, there are totally nine different operation types:
- Delete
Remove the attribute object from certain blocks; - No change
Take no change to contents; - Clear
Change the content strings to NULL string ""; - Add prefix
Add a PREFIX string to contents; - Add suffix
Add a SUFFIX string to contents; - Substitution
Run a character substitution to contents; - Multiple Subst
Run a multiple character substitution to contents; - All upper
Change all letters in contents into capital letters; - All lower
Change all letters in contents into lower letters; - Unique string
Change all contents to a user specified string;
In the properties area, AttributeSuite provide the abilities to change the following properties to all attributes: Attribute TextStyle; Attribute Layer (You can set it different with the parent block); Color; Justification; Attribute Height; Attribute TAG (may NOT be saved in block definition); Attribute WidthFactor; Location (the distance of Attribute definition control point with insert point of parent block); Attribute Rotation (You can set it different with the parent block).
To modify the Attribute Rotation, AttributeSuite provide four options:
- Align block
Attribute run a same rotation as parent block; - Mirror
Attribute run a mirror "operation" with the line parallel to parent block rotation angle and cross the insert point; - Unique angle
Set a unique rotation angle (entered in degree, not radius) to all attribute; - Add angle
Add a rotation angle (entered in degree, not radius) to all attributes;
There are also four advanced settings to Attribute properties:
- Fix rotation
Change the rotation angle value to a real between 0 and 6.28 (2pi); - Convert to text
Convert modified attribute into common DTEXT; - Auto locate
Automatically set the location value to according to parent and attribute height. The formula is: half of block width (DXF42) + Attribute Height; - ICVP prop...
Change the ICVP (Invisible, Constant, Verify, Preset) properties.
The LINKOBJ Method:
AttributeSuite can proceed on multiple attribute tags and blocks only in one session. In the BlockList, there is a block name of "*ALL*" and in the Tags list, the symbol of "*LINKOBJ*" means AttributeSuite will process all attributes in block. The LINKOBJ is very useful in use. For example, if we have a block nested with 2 attributes with different tag of "TAGA" and TAGB". Now we have insert the block for many time, this will add some attributes nested block in current drawing. Then we change the definition of the block. The attributes are all removed from the block definition. But this upgrade is only valid for later inserted block (you will NOT be prompted to enter attribute values). The former attributes is still there with the former inserted block. The LINKOBJ method will enable AttributeSuite processing these attributes in blocks as well.
The MATCHTAG Method:
Generally, AttributeSuite will process attributes based on blocks, but
in some circumstance, there might be attributes in different blocks but
have same or similar TAG. In this situation, MatchTag can help us to
process these attributes without indicating many blocks, which means
calling AttributeSuite many times.
MatchTag uses VisualLISP WCMATCH
function to do the match, so wild-char are valid. Details on advanced
using this feature, please reference WCMATCH function from AutoCAD help
documents.
This feature is designed under the
request from a registered user and as it is really useful,
AttributeSuite will be distributed with it as a new feature.
Program record
- 2009-10-20: AttributeSuite
The attribute tag string can be modified as well as the content string. The former blank used for unique tag string is disabled;
Both content and tag strings will use the same way to change. But we can only modify one of them each time;
Support pick annotation to get the setting string of Old/Prefix and New/Suffix;
Add new multiple substitution support - 2006-11-20: AttributeSuite
Add MatchTag - 2006-04-10: AttributeSuite
Support true color in AutoCAD2007 - 2006-03-31: AttributeSuite
Fix bugs on "Location Distance" settings;
Upgrade and name change to AttributeSuite. - 2005-03-30
Support attributes in dynamic blocks for AutoCAD2006.
Also processed attributes nested in unnamed blocks. - 2005-01-24
Change rotation for annotations have align or fit alignment - 2004-08-31: AttributeSuit2005
New codes based on VLDCL and VLAE;
Packaged into VLAE-Toolkit. - 2003-11-01
Stop supporting AutoCAD R14.0 - 2003-05-31
Support delete attribute from block - 2003-04-30: AttributeSuit2004
Support TrueColor for AutoCAD2004;
Upgrade RTK functions. - 2003-03-06
Registration limitation. Without registration, the following functions are NOT active: Substitute; Unique; User; Justification, Tags; Location; Rotation; Convert to text; ICVP properties. - 2003-03-03
Open pickbox while select block objects;
Add Auto-adjust Location options by auto-definition location distance as [half of block DXF42] + [Annotation height]. - 2003-01-26:
Convert modified attributes into common texts.
Support ICVP properties for Attributes;
Fix on block pi rotation (for self-mirrored block). - 2002-12-20
Fix bugs on block insert point from ECS to WCS;
Fix bugs on ignoring integer Height-WidthFactor. - 2002-12-10
Programming done!
Original codes created by MVLT2003;
New features of AttributeSuit2003:- Support operations on content such as All Upper-Lower letters.
- Support attributes NOT nested in BLOCK definition.
- Support modify justification and TAG of attributes.
- Support processing all attributes at one time.
- 2002-10-06: AttributeSuit2003
Combine two main dialog together and support Justification of attributes;
Build sub-routine by MVLT2002. - 2002-08-26: AttributeSuit2002
Upgrade to AttributeSuit2002. - 2001-05-31: SuperAttributeEditor2001
Upgrade to SuperAttributeEditor2001;
New registration interface - 2000-07-31: MAttr2000.c6x
Common registration routine separated;
Compile application from Visual LISP Project file;
Sort and reassign help messages. - 2000-05-31: MAttr2000.c5x
Common registration routine upgrade;
Windows registry registration. - 1999-09-30: MAttr2000.c1x
Language combination for English and simplified Chinese;
Toggle program code support of Height / Width Factor / Block Distance. - 1999-06-30: MAttr2000
Update the register interface;
Update to support AutoCAD2000;
Add toggle edit properties of the Height / Width Factor / Block Distance;
Support program NOT finished!!! - 1998-12-31: MAttr V1.8 Final
Bug fix of re-enter of properties sub-dialog;
Update register routine. - 1998-12-01: MAttr V1.2 Beta
Bug fix on picking block;
Support string processing;
Support multiple attributes;
Update register Interface - 1998-10-31: MAttr V0.5
First Dialog Interface;
Support change of Color; Style; Layer;
Support change of rotation;
Support single attribute by pick.
//Koz Jono Yeoh//
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