topic Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block in AutoCAD Forum

Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 07:20:47 GMT

I'm trying to create a blocks for the equipment which I'm working with. Above each block I have created new attribute "TYPE" which is hyperlinked to the datasheet on the website. I'm using attribute instead of text just in case that I need a block without the name above, it can be easier deleted.

This is how I'm creating my block:

- prepare a drawing for my block

- add a new attribute and hyperlinking it

- creating a block

Block1 is ok and it's hyperlinked but if I do the insert block, I don't get the hyperlink (as show on "Block Type").

Hyperlinking text would work, but I would prefer to have it as an attribute.

It's strange also that when I open the block, the hyperlink is there, but is not working when block is inserted.

Anyone has some idea what I'm doing wrong and how to do this properly?

I initially posted this on AutoCAD LT forum, but then I noticed that I also get different results with 2x AutoCAD 2021 R24.0 versions:

R.47.0.0 AutoCAD 2021 - not working

R.47.0.0 AutoCAD 2021 - working

P.46.0.0 AutoCAD LT 2019 - not working

What could be a reason for this? I have tried to extract the settings and compare them in notepad++ but can't find anything obvious.

In the version which is not working I can see this piece of code, but I can't find this option in AutoCAD:

<DWordValue>
<Name>IncludeBlockInfo</Name>
<Value>0</Value>
</DWordValue>

I'm attaching the CAD file in hope that someone else can help.

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 07:43:49 GMT

Hi,

not tried anything, but as you mentioned "R.47" and "P.46" ... this shows that you have not installed any update, please start with this first!

2019 should be (currently): P.162.0.0 AutoCAD 2019.1.2

2021 should be (currently): R.118.0.0 AutoCAD 2021.1

- alfred -

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

imadHabash — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 07:54:16 GMT

Hi,

Type HYPERLINK command and select all of your existing blocks and the origin , any changes as i get ( see below image) ? also you can get more info Here . 🙂

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 08:44:41 GMT

Thanks, but this sets up a hyperlink to a block object. I want it to have only on the text because my blocks are not so simple. Adding hyperlink to all block object is increasing the PDF size heavily..

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

jggerth — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:52:54 GMT

It sounds as though you are confusing/conflating two different things -- a block definition, and a block instance. Whenever you INSERT a block, you are creating a new object in the drawing file.

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 05:34:08 GMT

But isn't it strange that all these block I insert appear without hyperlink but when you open the block in block editor, the hyperlink is there?

Could it be a bug in the AutoCAD?

I have now tried that in one AutoCAD LT 2021 R.47.0.0 and it's also not working

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Alfred.NESWADBA — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 06:00:35 GMT

Hi,

>>Could it be a bug in the AutoCAD?

>> I have now tried that in one AutoCAD LT 2021 R.47.0.0

If you think that it is a bug, then first update your product, don't run it without updates if there exist one.

- alfred -

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 09:00:15 GMT

Not a bug.. Obviously it's me doing something wrong or some setting in AutoCAD.
I just tested with:
S.51.0.0 AutoCAD LT 2022
R.119.0.0. AutoCAD LT 2021.1

Not working on both of them.

It's interesting that if I add few more blocks with the only AutoCAD I found that it's working (R.47.0.0 AutoCAD 2021), the hyperlink shows in all other AutoCADs.
Maybe some setting related with block inserting, because in two versions of R.47.0.0 AutoCAD 2021 one is working and the other one is not.

I have tried inserting block on following ways:
CLASSICINSERT
INSERT
-INSERT
Insert via designer center
Insert via Insert button on toolbar

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

jggerth — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:48:15 GMT

No, it's not at all strange. Block Definition are separate entity types from Block instances. Just as attribute definitions are separate entities from attributes. List the definition in the block editor, and then list the inserted block. You will see that they are different things -- the ATTDEF is used to create the ATTRIB, but is not the ATTRIB.

If i add a hyperlink to the Attribute definition, then CTRL-RIGHT CLICK does open the web page I'm linking to. it does _not_ display the hyperlink cursor symbol, unless I add a hyperlink to the block instance, in which case the hyperlink goes to the block instance hyperlink page and ignores the one buried inside the ATTRIB instance.

So, it works, but you have to know it's there as nothing will clue the user in to doing the CTRL RIGHT CLICK

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 18:50:02 GMT

Thanks for you explanation. It took me some time to understand what you mean (if I have fully understood)..

So actually I want to hyperlink attribute definition and it's not working.

I NEED to insert those block (because thy will not be inserted manually), not just copy and paste them.

I have attached DWG and PDF with some more details what I need.

I don't understand how is this working for you? I guess you are just copy-paste block, not inserting them?

Thanks for your help and patience with this case.

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

jggerth — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 19:30:37 GMT

No, you're right. The hyperlink assigned to the ATTDEF does not carry through to INSERTed instances of the block. My error -- was not digging deep enough.

You CAN use a field as the attribute value when inserting, or editing the attribute value to use a field after inserting, but the idea of passing a hyperlinked ATTDEF down to an inserted ATTRIB does not work.

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 06:41:58 GMT

Thanks, but obviously it is possible somehow because I have found one AutoCAD that works.

It is R.47.0.0 AutoCAD 2021 but when I tested with another R.47.0.0 AutoCAD 2021, there it does not work.

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

jggerth — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 13:44:43 GMT

Well, if something does not work reliably and repeatedly, then saying it 'works' is kind of a dubious statement, and not something I could use. Then again, portability of drawings and data is both a virtue and a necessity here; your set up may be different.. Passing a hyperlink that was linked to an ATTDEF through to an Inserted Block instance and ATTRIB entity does not work on my Civil3d 2021, (Product version 13.2.2105.0 Civil 3d 2021.2 update). What dose work is using a hyperlink field as the attribute value. The text to display added in the hyperlink dialog is shown to the user as the attribute text & Ctrl-Click uses the hyperlink to get to the linked document/web page.

If you can identify why it functions as you want it to on that one machine, I would like to know. I think I understand why it seems to work when you initially create the block, and why Inserted instantiaions of the block don't don't carry it through, but that understanding doesn't extend to knowing why it works on one single setup and not others.

good luck

Re: Block attribute hyperlink lost after inserting a block

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 11:48:52 GMT

I just realized what is the reason that somewhere it works and somewhere not:

It is the ATTREQ setting:
ATTREQ=0 - Hyperlink is working
ATTREQ=1 - Hyperlink is not working

So this is one way of fixing it. I don't know to explain why this is happening.

Another solution is, as you mentioned, hyperlink field but the problem with it is that if you change the attribute value, the hyperlink disappears.