topic Re: Field in the attribute counting array in Dynamic Blocks Forum

Field in the attribute counting array

kamil_pajakH724R — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:33:21 GMT

I have a block that serves as a shelf. The shelf has modules, and I'd like it to count and display the number of modules automatically. I've tried the and field attribute, but it seems to be disabled. That is, after I confirm it, it becomes plain text. Please help, I'd like to understand exactly how this is done. Perhaps I have some settings or properties in AutoCAD that cause the field to be converted to text. I'm attaching a video.

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

kamil_pajakH724R — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:23:32 GMT

Hi, I'm revisiting an old thread because I can't seem to figure it out. Could someone explain this to me step by step?

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

CGBenner — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:32:04 GMT

@kamil_pajakH724R

Hello and welcome! Can you share some more detail on exactly what you are trying to accomplish, since this is such an old thread and the software has probably changed a lot. Can you also share what version you are using of AutoCAD?

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

kamil_pajakH724R — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:39:03 GMT

I've created a block that acts as a shelf. I'm adding subsequent shelf modules using an array. I'd like to automatically display text with the number of subsequent modules. AutoCAD version 2024.

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

MMcCall402 — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 18:10:46 GMT

Set the value of the attribute to be a Field that uses a formula to calculate the number of shelf units by dividing the value of linear parameter used for the array, Distance1, by the length of one shelf unit.

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

kamil_pajakH724R — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 21:35:52 GMT

I don't understand, I'm doing something wrong. When I add a field, after confirming it, it disappears when I reopen it. It's different for you. I've attached a video.

(view in My Videos)

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

kamil_pajakH724R — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 21:54:31 GMT

Perhaps some properties? I noticed that your unit factor is 0.001, while mine is 1. The same goes for Scale X, Y, and Z – mine are all 1, while yours are 1000. The most puzzling thing is the disappearing inserted field, which can't be edited later.

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

MMcCall402 — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 21:59:02 GMT

Use the BlockPlaceholder for the value of Distance1 in the formula.

Also, be sure to run ATTSYNC when you edit the attributes within the block editor to resync the inserted block with the revised block definition. (I sometimes even insert a brand new one just to make sure there isn't some mismatched flaw)

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

kamil_pajakH724R — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 22:15:33 GMT

Am I doing it right now? I'm using attsync and inserting a new block. It only shows hashtags.

(view in My Videos)

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

kamil_pajakH724R — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 23:17:25 GMT

Could you record your screen while you do this?

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

Brock_Olly — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:40:04 GMT

Instead of blockplaceholder, try Object > green button, select the distance parameter.
use that in the formula field, you should immediately see the actual value instead of ####.

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

kamil_pajakH724R — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:03:22 GMT

The main problem is that my field "disappears." The field always has a background. After validation, my field becomes plain text and cannot be edited.

Re: Field in the attribute counting array

kamil_pajakH724R — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:28:53 GMT

I have some interesting information. What I'm doing was in AutoCAD 2024. I tried to do the same in AutoCAD LT 2024 and it worked. The difference between these versions is that I have the educational version of AutoCAD 2024, but AutoCAD LT 2024 is commercial. Could there be a difference here?

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

CGBenner — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:50:47 GMT

@pendean any thoughts on this, is it true that what the OP is doing would not work in an educational version of Acad?

Re: Field for number of objects in the array

pendean — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:16:18 GMT

@kamil_pajakH724R @CGBenner Not possible, EDU variants are fully functional just like commercial licenses.

Re: Field in the attribute counting array

MMcCall402 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:09:33 GMT

I followed along with the video exactly and it worked on my end. (using Civil 3D 2024, not that it should matter)

There was one thing I noticed in the video. After entering the formula and pressing the "Evaluate" button the formula changed to a bunch of syntax. I didn't get that on my end. The formula stayed the same. The only change was some additional formatting was added to the Field Expression area.

Re: Field in the attribute counting array

kamil_pajakH724R — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:53:51 GMT

I couldn't figure it out until today. Until I finally found this thread.⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-lt-forum/fields-turning-to-text-automatically/td-p/11390825 - A little while ago, I had to enable "Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support" in Windows to try something, but I didn't disabled it afterwhile. That seems to be what caused the problem.

incredible! 😆