topic Re: Title blocks in AutoCAD Forum

Title blocks

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:12:07 GMT

I am trying to make a file with several layouts for various dwgs. and I am unable to update a attribute on one layout and have it update all the rest of the layouts in the dwg. What am I doing wrong? Is there a video that explains this process?

Re: Title blocks

hencoop — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:22:37 GMT

Attributes within blocks are placed as unique instances within every INSERT (instance of the block) placed. They are not the same object.

If you attach the block as an Xref then every instance is a rendering of that single attached Xref. You can then edit the attributes in the Xref and they will be updated everywhere an instance (INSERT) of the attached/overlaid Xref occurs.

Re: Title blocks

Alfred.NESWADBA — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:38:06 GMT

Hi,

not sure about that question, but in case you modify a block-definition and you add an attribute then you should use command _ATTSYNC after you closed/saved the block-definition editing so the attributes get synced with all block-insertions.

- alfred -

Re: Title blocks

john.vellek — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 21:20:34 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

In addition to @hencoop's great suggestion of using an XREF, you can also link the attributes to a custom drawing property or to properties in a sheet set.

If you would like to share a sample drawing with your layouts, I am happy to mock up a linked attribute (with a Field) to the drawing properties.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Title blocks

StephenThomasGrace — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:43:05 GMT

Use the Global Attribute Editor, GATTE

select your block

select your attribute

enter your value

update all the attributes on all layouts as prompted.

Sheet Set Manager is also a great solution, as noted by John, but a lot larger learning curve if you haven't used it before.

-steve

Re: Title blocks

hencoop — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:05:36 GMT

@john.vellek Good point.

I should have mentioned that it is a good practice to put ONLY those things that are and will remain constant across all sheets within a project inside the Xref to be used for the Title Block. E.g. Title Block linework, static text labels, Project Title, company logo, Professional Seals, etc.

All of the other varying content such as Sheet Title, Scales, Initials of those responsible, etc. belong in a block that is inserted on each sheet (layout). These values are expected to be different at least on some of the sheets but often on every sheet (i.e., sheet title). This block should be constructed using fields, including Sheet Set Placeholders for all of the information that is to come from the SheetSet. These can be placed inside multiline atributes to provide some control over the stacking and width of the text values.

For our purposes, I make all of these sheet elements with an insertion point of 0,0 with geometry that is 1:1 with a separate set to fit each of the various sheet sizes we use. Whenever possible, I define Model Views and use them to create and place the viewports on my sheets. This allows using the Sheet Set to manage their names, numbers/letters, labeling, and even layers, which is a great time saver.

Re: Title blocks

john.vellek — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 19:46:31 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please mark a post or posts as accepted solutions if they resolved the issue or give me a bit more detail on this issue so we can continue to work towards getting this solved.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Title blocks

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 18:33:04 GMT

John

Thank you for all the great ideas. I will getting back to creation here shortly. If I should run into any more questions I will be sure to post them.

Thank you and have a great day

Will Lovell

5280Digital

Re: Title blocks

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 19:19:09 GMT

John,
Attached you will find a drawing that I am trying to create into a working set for me to use all the time.
I have provided two layouts to start with. What I am trying to accomplish is that if I change an attribute on one of the pages for the layouts, that it changes on all layout.
Let me know if you need anything else from me.
Thanks
Will Lovell
5280Digital

Re: Title blocks

john.vellek — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:02:16 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I don't see an attachment to your post. Please try again and don't use email as the attachments get removed.

Please note, that attributes will not update everywhere. When a block that has an attribute is inserted in your drawing it is just an instance. You can have multiple instances but the attributes are NOT the same at that point. Fields can be used instead and can either link to a sheetset or drawing property or even another piece of text or geometry in the file. I will wait for you to attach your file and then see how I might help.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Title blocks

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:11:14 GMT

John

Here are the attached files. Anything you can do to help me understand what I need is great.

I have only dealt with attributes in blocks and not with fields yet.

I know that the previous organization I worked for had it set up to that we opened a drawing and it had all the layout tabs we needed and all I ever had to do was click on the title block, make my changes and they it updated on all the layouts.

I have attached what I have so far.

Thank you for your help in understanding what I am trying to do.

Willard Lovell 5280Digital

Re: Title blocks

john.vellek — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 19:20:14 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I sent you a PM about a possible remote session with you. I really need more details on how you want this to work and how your project documentation is set up. Your titleblock curently has Attributes to capture project specific information. If you Xref this titleblock into your drawing layouts then if you change something on your titleblock then all the layouts will reflect the change(s).

If you merely insert it on each layout, then if you make a change in the attribute values, they are retained individually since they are separate instances of your block. If you redefine the block then those changes will show up on all the layouts.

A more contemporary method is to create a SheetSet with the values you want to populate in your titleblock. These values (or Properties) can be set at the individual sheet level or to cover the entire sheetset.

You can capture these properties with fields.

Please check for my private message and let me know how you would like to proceed.