Drawing Utilities > Drawing Properties

[sbrusco]

Hi All,

If we're in a drawing and pick the AutoCAD application button > Drawing Utilities > Drawing Properties we can, and do, use this to enter custom propterties. Is there any way to print out a report of a drawing's custom properties? Ideally, i would like to be able to select multiple drawings and print a report of each drawing's properties.

I think i'm looking at some custom programming but before i go down that rabbit hole, i want to know if that wheel has already been invented.

TIA,

Sal

[dbroad]

Have you tried creating a block with field attributes pointing to these properties?

[sbrusco]

Thanks for your response dbroad,

I have not,because there are no "standard" formats used. It is really an odd way that we're using this, certainly NOT how anyone would have guessed, we're using it to track updates. For example, for the custom prop "Name" we're putting the updaters initials and the date (seb 13073) and the "Value" is a brief description of the change (Added shim attributes to the fastener tags for all support fasteners)

Any other ideas?

Sal

[Volker_C]

You may want to consider using a Table with Fields linked to the DWGPROPS.

-Volker

[sbrusco]

Thanks Volker,

That is a good idea for going forward, and I'm sure there are MANY better ways for the future.  But the problem today is collecting the history of our library and this is how someone, years ago, decided to track updates.

Sal

[TerryDotson]

If you were to consider third party software, take a look at ToolPac's Drawing Catalog tool.  It allows you to simply navigate to a folder and it will display the DWG files in that folder (along with the drawing thumbnail).  You can control the columns of the report and include any DWGPROP fields (including custom properties).

[sbrusco]

Hi Terry,

Good option but we will soon be implementing Autodesk's Vault so it will track and catalog our future work. But I'm still looking for something to report our past.

Sal

[hmsilva]

---

@sbrusco wrote:
...

 Is there any way to print out a report of a drawing's custom properties? Ideally, i would like to be able to select multiple drawings and print a report of each drawing's properties.

I think i'm looking at some custom programming but before i go down that rabbit hole, i want to know if that wheel has already been invented.

 ...

---

Sal,

just the custom properties?

Henrique

[oohaah]

Try the express tool Propulate.

You can list the properties of drawings in a folder and sub folder in the text window by selecting the scroll method. Copy the history and paste into a word doc.

[sbrusco]

Hi Henrique,

Yes, just the custom properties. But i like oohaah's suggestion except that when i use the "List" option on a directory, i can't find the list. I suspect it is saved somewhere but i don't know where.

Sal

[sbrusco]

Hi oohaah,

I like your suggestion except that when i use the "List" option on a directory, i can't find the list. I suspect it is saved somewhere but i don't know where. Can you give me more help with this? I checked the help file but it was no help.

Sal

[oohaah]

Hit f2 to bring up the text window. It will be in the history of the command line. There is an option to copy history.

Regards,
Craig

[sbrusco]

Thanks for the very fast response, oohaah.

I can find the results in the history (F2) if i do a single, current drawing but not when i choose a directoy.

Sal

[hmsilva · Accepted solution]

Sal,

a quick one, creates a file. txt with the name of dwg and custom properties, try it is minimally tested...

Hope that helps, good luck

Henrique

[oohaah]

That's how I did it. I'm sorry I am not at my computer as it is 10 pm where I am!

Regards,
Craig

[sbrusco]

WOW!

Henrique, you are wonderful.

Thank you sooooo much.

Sal

[hmsilva]

You're welcome, Sal
Glad I could help

Henrique

[sbrusco]

Hi Henrique,

Can you be bothered once more please.

What do i change this line to if i want to save the TXT file to my desktop? The drawings i'm reporting on are in a directory that is read-only to me. I'm pretty certain this is the line that should change.

(setq DwgList (vl-directory-files DirPath "*.dwg" 1))

TIA,

Sal

[hmsilva]

Sal,

Change

(setq TxtFile (strcat DirPath "DWG-Properties.txt"))

to

(setq TxtFile "C:\\Users\\yourusername\\Desktop\\Properties.txt"));; you have to see if the path is correct, and change "yourusername"

Henrique

[sbrusco]

Hi again,

This works fine but i thought there was some code that would find out the path to the desktop of whatever user was logged in at the time. But this works for now and THANKS AGAIN.

Your help has saved me lots of time.

Sal