topic Re: update dwg revision/date without opening file in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

update dwg revision/date without opening file

cchauffe — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 23:19:31 GMT

I am currently trying to find a way to update a dwgs title block date/revision without opening the cad file but honestly not sure where to begin.

My first we will call it an "attempt" was to make a block with the things i want to change

aka Revdate Revnum Wblock it and use that

then have a field read the revdate/revnum in their respective spots

then just update said block and overwrite the old one in multiple dwgs so it would go from lets say rev B to 0 or whatever i want it to say.

No idea if this would work and I also am not sure you can insert blocks into a dwg without opening those dwgs

Anyone know of a way to do that or even better a solution that isnt a brick when im trying to open a door?

Secondly i want to build a dwg list from a bunch of cad files lets say they are called

PPL-DWG-110011

PPL-DWG-110012

is there a way to pull the DWG numbers their revs and dates and such without opening the drawing

for example lets say 110011 was rev 1 dated 02/20/23 but 110012 was rev 0 dated 02/18/23

The info i need is in the title block i know which attdefs they are just not sure how to retrieve it without opening every single dwg

Re: update dwg revision/date without opening file

john.uhden — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 01:01:34 GMT

@cchauffe ,

No, you cannot change any of the date/time dwgvars without opening the drawing, and then only by taking some action in the drawing and saving. Although ZTREE can change the file date/time, it can't change AutoCAD's data within the drawing.

But yes, you can assume that the OS date/time are correct (unless one of you has ZTREE). 😁

Re: update dwg revision/date without opening file

3wood — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 04:54:30 GMT

To manage individual drawing revision and date efficiently without opening them, the best tool is Sheet Set Manager.

1. Create or open an existing sheet set.

2. Right click any sheet and select "Properties..." from the shortcut menu.

3. Fill in "Sheet revision number" and "Sheet revision date" for individual drawing.

4. Open related drawing and insert field in either title block attribute or MText. (Can swap Step 3 & 4)

5. Close drawings.

6. Edit Sheet revision number and Sheet revision date in the Sheet Set Manage only without opening drawings.

7. Open previous drawings to observe the automatic changes.

To create a drawing list with Sheet revision number and sheet revision date, you can

1. Open any sheet in your Sheet Set (Best in a cover sheet drawing), then right click the Sheet Set name and select "Insert Sheet List Table..." from the shortcut menu.

2. Edit the list field and include Sheet Revision Number and Sheet Revision Date, then insert the Table in the drawing.

Re: update dwg revision/date without opening file

Sea-Haven — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 05:22:04 GMT

OBDBX allows you to look inside a dwg and change things its like a do not visually open, Accoreconsole does a similar thing. Like wise using a script whilst opening files can be very fast. So 3 options for you to look into.

Using say excel as a master project control is a good idea so updating both dwgs and project control.