AutoCAD 2013/2014 DWG Format

[#1]

I have been trying to use DesignCenter's Search tool to find an Attribute Value without any success. The Attribute Value is nested into our DWG's Titleblock.

The problem:

I'm searching for the client name, which is always in the titleblock.

In designcenter search I'm searching for drawings and leaving everything blank except the last tab, containing: [attribute value] and containing text: [Mr.bloggs]

Error.. every time. In my opinion I'm not searching for an 'empty string'; I'm searching 'mr.bloggs' in 'attribute value'.

What is the problem with what I'm doing?

[#2 · Accepted solution]

On the Drawings tab, change the "In the field(s)" option to "File Name", and enter "*.dwg" to indicate "all" DWG files.

[#3]

Much like if a goldfish was to sucessfully pilot a commercial airliner; this worked. Probably best not to ask questions about why it worked but it did. Thanks.

[#4]

Happy to help.

The key is in understanding the settings on the Drawings tab (which you illustrated in your attached file 1.jpg).  It was set to look for <nothing> (= "empty string") in a field named "Keywords" (a file properties field).  This is why you were getting the error you indicated.  I assume what you really were searching for, in terms of "which" drawings, is "all" drawings, regardless of filename.  The settings on the other tabs serve to filter that group further by other criteria, such as drawings containing attributes whose value equals your client's name.

Goldfish or otherwise, we all have to learn one way or another, and it usually (must) involve mistakes.

[#5]

The thing that threw me was the phrase "Search for the word(s)". I have put a long list of 'words' in there already, it just never occurred to me to put a 'wildcard plus file extention' in there. Round peg / square hole syndrome imo.