Batch Attribute Layer Change

[Anonymous]

Is there a way to update the library adjusting what layer certain attributes are on?  My guess is through LISP; maybe someone can share what they have done in the past?

For instance, I have modified the Attribute template to a Tag Layer.  I would like a tool that would import the Tag Layer and set the TAG attribute to the Tag Layer.

I have downloaded Lee Mac's Steal tool to import layers.  I now just need to change the layer each attribute is on.

Thanks

[jseefdrumr · Accepted solution]

I'm thinking that it doesn't matter what layer an attribute is on in its source block. If I understand things correctly, ACADE will always force certain attributes to certain layers.

For instance, when the software sees the TAG1 attribute in a schematic symbol, it places it on layer TAGS. It does this even though all the symbols have everything drawn on Layer 0. Most attributes have a specific layer they land on. ACADE assigns those layers in the background, while the command is doing its work. So, if you change the layer for the TAG1 attribute to, say, 'WIDGET', the software will still put it on TAGS, because that's how the command is coded.

In order to place a symbol and have the command put the tag on a different layer other than TAGS, you'd have to alter the command code itself (or create an all-new LISP command for placing symbols that does this for you).

However, ACADE lets you rename the layers it uses for the attributes, but that's it. You can't modify things such as plot style, color, etc. You can only change the name. So what many of us do is figure out what names we want to use, rename the default layers, and then place the layers in our template drawings with all the proper settings (color, linewight, plot style, whatever).

To change the names of the default layers, go to Schematic>Other Tools>Drawing Properties (pull-down)>Rename Layers.

For more information, see 'About Component and Wire Layers' in HELP.

Hope this helps,

[Anonymous]

Yes, also to further elaborate.  I found that the Attributes must be on Layer 0.  So I wasted a bunch of time.

But lesson learned, there is a easier way to do it!

Thanks

[jseefdrumr]

So, are you saying that attributes for ACADE don't work, if they aren't on Layer 0 in the source block?

I actually didn't know that, because it's my long-standing habit to never assign layers in blocks (everything goes on Layer 0). I'd just figured that my custom blocks worked because of how smart ACADE is. It would be nice to know where (IF) Autodesk has documented that...

Sorry you wasted your time chasing rabbits down the ACADE rabbit-hole. Been there done that, so many times lol. That's what these forums are for, though. Sometimes it's worth giving us a holler to see if anyone's gone over that ground before, when you have to try something new.

[Anonymous]

I couldn't find the exact dialog box that I saw this again.  One thing to note is that the symbol builder audit window will flag any layer not equal to 0.  

[rhesusminus · Accepted solution]

Just a little FYI:

If you, for some reason, need some attributes or other entities (lines, circles etc.) to stick to a specific layer, place them in that layer within the symbol.

Then, in the drawing properties, make sure you check the checkbox that makes AcadE only process entities on layer 0 within the symbol: