Property Set Definition issues

[tevansERD]

I have been using property set definitions since they were introduced in ACA. I used to attach psd's through the style manager on the general tab. Now it seems the process is to select the block and attach the psd from the extended data tab of the properties palette. Here is my issue i have blocks/mv blocks in a "style" drawing, in this case i have my electrical blocks in an electrical styles dwg file. The psd is set to object base, block, mv block. I have it set to manufacturer, color, part number and a image property set up in it. I select the block, go to the extended data tab and attach the psd. I add this to the palette. When i go to a drawing in some cases the psd does not come in with the block and in others the psd data is not visible on the extended data tab. I want to see it so i can change the properties of each instance of the block in the drawing if needed. What am i missing here? Seems that when psd's were introduced you could only attach to mv blocks but seems that in recent releases you can attach the to regular blocks. I have created both mv and regular blocks of each block but have the same issues. I haven't been able to find any clear current instuctions on the correct process to do this. Thank you in advance

[David_W_Koch]

For Multi-View Blocks, you have two choices for the type of Property Set Defintion:  Object-based or Style-and-Definition-based.  On the Applies To tab, at the top, use the Applies To radio buttons to choose one or the other.  If you want your Property Set to attach to the Multi-View Block Style, then choose Styles and Definitions.  Any manual data in that Property Set will be the same for all instances of your Multi-View Block Style.  If you want your Property Set to attach to individual instances of the Multi-View Block Definition, then choose Objects.  Manual properties in object-based Property Sets can vary from instance to instance.

Object-based Property Sets cannot be assigned on the General tab of the Style or Definition.  They can be attached on the Extended Data tab of the Properties palette, by using a Tag tool from a Tool palette or, in more recent versions, in the Options dialog, on the AEC Object Settings tab, in the AEC Property Set Definitions area, you can check the Automatically Attach toggle.  If you have a Schedule Table in your drawing that schedules the Multi-View Blocks and has at least one column based on a property in your Property Set, you can select the Schedule Table and, on the Schedule Table contextual ribbon tab, on the Modify panel, use the Add All Property Sets tool (also available on the right click context menu for Schedule Tables).

You could always schedule AutoCAD Block References (since ADT2, anyway), but since they (and all other AutoCAD objects) do not have a "style", you cannot create a style-and-definition-based Property Set for them.  If you choose that radio button in your Property Set, you will notice that the list of things to which that Property Set can apply shrinks to just style/definition-based AEC objects.

[tevansERD]

When the block is inserted into a drawing should you be able to change the property set data from the properties palate? I am using list in my property sets

[David_W_Koch · Accepted solution]

Object-based manual properties can be edited from the Properties palette, on the Extended Data tab.  Style/Definition-based manual properties are displayed on the Extended Data tab, but cannot be directly edited there.  You can click on the worksheet icon at the right side of the title bar for the Style/Definition-based property set, and edit the values in the worksheet.

[leothebuilder]

If the property set definition has been attached to a style, you can't change it in the properties palette.

If the PSD has been attached to the object (MVB) you can change the values in the properties palette.

For example, if you had a toilet fixture in a multi-story building with a bunch of restrooms and they were all the same, you would

attach it to the toilet fixture style because you would have no need to change the values.

If on the other hand you had several different types of toilet fixtures, you should attach the PSD to the object so you can change

the values for each instance (insertion)