Attributes associated with blocks not retaining individual colors in tool palett

[Anonymous]

I download a dwg drawing of a lighting unit and create a block.  I use create an attribute with that units name and use the white color.  I then add attributes, coloring each one of them differently and save that as a block.  I then try to take that block and either copy/paste or use design center to put each block I have created with attributes into tool palette.  Most of these blocks I have in my tool palette retain the individual colored attributes but some just turn some or all the attributes white.  I have tried the "Manage Attributes", "Block Editor" and "Enhanced Attribute Editor" to return the attributes to their created colors but have no luck. I do have a drawing of all my blocks with colored attributes and when I copy/paste those to a new drawing they work, but not if I try to create a tool palette.   I am very new to AutoCad and am teaching myself.  Am I doing anything wrong or does this have to do with the Windows 10 update problem?  I saved each block as I created it and then saved it again after I added the attributes with colors.  Any help would be appreciated.

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member to the AutoCAD forum. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

I am sorry that you are having problems getting the colors of your attributes to stick.  Can you share one or two of your blocks so I can take a look? 

[Anonymous]

Hello,

    I have attached a drawing of 2 of the blocks I am having trouble with

when put into the tool palette.  These are from my master block file.  I have also attached one of the two directly from my tool palette which is not working. I would have sent them both to you from the tool palette but suddenly one of them is now working.  This is why I am asking whether this could be a Windows 10 update problem.  I have had other strange intermittent problems like this.  It has been driving me crazy.  Thanks for your help.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

In looking at your blocks, I think the problem you are facing is that you have the attributes nested in a block inside a block. If I modify the color of the attributes in the nested block and insert that it works fine.

Does this make sense? Is there a reason you are nesting the block inside another block?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,

   I downloaded a drawing file, made it a block, saved it and then made it an attribute, colored white, called lekos.  I then added attributes, in different colors and created it as a different block with a different name.  I am totally new and training myself with the help of on line videos and thought this was the way to do it. I did it this way so when I selected a block to move or rotate the attributes would follow the unit.  And I figured this way I always had a block without any attributes and one with the attributes I needed.  I have done it this way almost 30 times and have had problems with the attributes.  But now all but it seems the 2 I sent you didn't work and I couldn't figure how to make these 2 work.  The strange thing is that the one labeled 50 degree has all of a sudden started working and keeping its colors.  Have I gone about creating these blocks incorrectly?  I am not sure how you got the colors to change.  I used the Manage Attributes, Block Editor and Enhanced Attribute Editor and none of them worked.  The Enhanced Attribute Editor shows the colors to be there but it doesn't transfer to the block. 

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I suggest that when you download a file and then want to add attributes to it that you use the BLOCK Editor to add the attributes in the original file.

I made a quick video that shows how you can edit the block that is nested inside the other block. You can simply copy the geometry and the attributes and create a new block.  This new block should respect the colors of your attributes.

I hope this makes sense. If not, tell me what I poorly explained and I will try another approach.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post helped you with your problem or question. Please mark a post or posts as accepted solutions if they resolved the issue or give me a bit more detail on this issue so we can continue to work towards getting this solved.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,

    Sorry, I posted a reply but I guess it didn't go through.  The explanation about how to create the block was good, thank you.  Is the way I created the block with attributes on top of the other block wrong?  Is that what is possibly causing my problems?  The reason I created an empty block first and then gave it its own attribute is so if I wanted to shut off, lets say, all the 19 degree lekos for some reason I just would shut off that attribute.  Now that I think about it, why would I want to shut off just the unit without shutting the attributes as well.  Should I remake all my blocks the way you suggested?  The visual you sent on how to repair the colors of the attributes that weren't working moved a little to fast for me to follow.  I did somehow get it to work and for now have everything working.  Thanks again for your help.  I look forward to seeing your reply.

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

Yes, I suggest modifying the blocks so that they do not contain nested blocks. In my example, I merely opened the nested block with the Block Editor and copied all of the contents to the clipboard. Then I pasted into modelspace and created a new block form that content.

If you need to freeze certain parts of the block such as attributes, you can consider putting them onto unique layers inside of the block. That way if you freeze that layer, only that parts that are on that layer will disappear form the screen.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,    I had one more related question about creating these blocks.  I download the drawing , add my attributes (layers) and then create a block.  I can now control the different layers(attributes) and they keep their distinctive colors.  But let's say I have 10 of these 19 deg lekos on a drawing of many other instrument blocks, can I somehow create a layer of just these 19 deg instrument blocks I can turn off if I want to see a less crowded drawing?  I tried making the block an attribute (layer) but when I turn it off the blocks colored attributes stay on.  Is it that when I add the 19 deg blocks to the new drawing I make that drawing a layer?  As I add other instrument blocks do I then make each new addition of instruments a new layer?  So I would have a layer drawing of 19 deg and a layer drawing of 10 deg etc?  This is starting to make sense but please let me know if I am on the right track.  Thank you again for your help.

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

If I am understanding correctly, you could place the attribute definitions on specific layers. These layers could be the same for many block definitions. I recommend defining all the block geometry on layer 0.

Then, when you insert your blocks they might go onto different layers so that you can freeze some and not others on your display.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,    Thank you for your patience.  I have the feeling I might not be using the right terminology and not explaining myself and what I am trying to do with autocad.  I am doing a lighting design for a theatre production.  The set designer will send me a dwg of the set he has designed.  I download dwg files of different instruments (lekos, pars, fresnels etc.) that come without attributes.  I add the attributes that I want associated with each unit.  These attributes will give the person hanging the show the information they need. Some of these attributes are visible with the unit block and some are hidden.  The attributes will also be converted to a excel spread sheet.  I then create a block of the lighting unit and the attributes I have assigned to it.  I then create a Tool Palette so as I do my design I can just select the units I want one at a time and place them on the set drawing.  First, should I make the set drawing a block?  It has many layers of different set elements and text.  I would like the option, if possible, to put the lekos on one layer, the pars on another and fresnels on another.  This way, when looking at the finished drawing, I can turn off the instruments I don't want to see to be able to deal with just the ones I want to see.  I understand they have to be on separate layers but how do I go about doing that?  Would I draw all my lekos on the drawing, turn off the set attributes, make the lekos their own attribute?  Then do the same with the pars except also turn off the lekos with the set and create another attribute of just the pars? If I make each type of instrument its own attribute and color does that mess up the attribute colors associated with the block?   I guess I am confused about the difference of layers and attributes.  Your help is most appreciated.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Let's try this as I think I understand but want to get a better picture of your drawing.  Can you give me a drawing that reflects the "final" desired visual outcome?

I am curious why you would have PARs on one layer, your fresnel on another, your lekos on another.  In plan, would you not show them all at once?

I am guessing for a Fresnel, you might have two or three attributes some of which could be visible or invisible. That property can be set in the attribute definition.  The attributes could be place on a LIGHT_ATT layer. You could use this layer for the attributes all fixture types.  Then, you can draw all the geometry for each fixture type and all the geometry would reside on layer 0. Then, create the block for each fixture selecting its geometry and the attributes.

Now, you can drag each block to a palette for your use. If you right click the block in the palette, you can select the layer it will be placed upon when you drag it to the drawing.

So you might have a LT-Fresnel layer, a LT-Pars layer, a LT-Lekos, etc.

If the fixtures are inserted on their own layers you can turn off the layers and all fixtures of that type will disappear.

When you are viewing a fixture that has been inserted onto one of these layers, if the block geometry is created on layer 0 and the color and linetype is set to bylayer, it will assume the properties of the layer upon which it is inserted. The attributes will retain the colors of the layer they are created upon.

I hope this makes sense.  I attached a sample of what I am describing.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,   I downloaded new drawings and created new blocks.  I put all the instruments, no attributes,on the "0" layer and then added the attributes and made them all into a block.  I put some of these instruments on a set design a friend sent me to practice on.  I ran into quite a few problems.  One of the blocks (19 deg leko) when selected showed up way off the drawing.  I had to reduce the drawing to find it. Some of the instruments, when selected, have the "edit attributes" box appear with the block but others don't.  Some blocks when placed on the drawing move way to the right, no where near where I placed them.  If I select them I can move them to where I want them but sometimes fine movement go get them to where they should be is erratic.  On this drawing I have lights on the ground and in the air.  I want to be able to control these lights to be able to shut off,lets say the ground lights, and just see the ones in the air or visa versa.  Same goes for lights that are overhung and under hung on a pipe in the same location. I need them on different layers but am not sure how to achieve this.  I also have lekos that have Iris capability.  If there is no Iris used I would like to be able to turn the attribute iris on the unit off.  If possible I need to achieve individual control of individual attributes in individual blocks.  I do have control it seems over some barn doors. I built each block the same way but some attributes work others don't.  I hope this makes sense and the drawing helps to explain what I am trying to do.  Please let me know if you need any more info.  Thanks again.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Can you attach a drawing with all your blocks inserted into it? I would like to take a look at them. 

I suspect the on block that is way away from where you put it is because the insertion point is located incorrectly. This should be easy to fix.

As far as ground lights vs lights on pipe, simply create a layer for the lights on the ground and one for the under pipe and lastly one for overpipe. Then when you insert a light, you insert it either on the ground layer or the pipe ones.

Lastly, as far as the IRIS attribute showing up or not, this too can be done in a Dynamic block with two Visibility states. This might be a bit beyond your current skill set but we can get it created.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,    When I made each block I put the center of the light as the base point.  There are a few of these blocks that when I try to insert them from my Tool Palette they swing way over to the right of the screen.  However, when I use copy and paste they go where I place them.  I also noticed that when I try to do minimal moves of some blocks they will not go where I want them.  It is like they will go to either side of where I try to place them.  I tried making a ground layer, top hanging layer and under hung layer and some of the blocks respond when I shut them off, some only the unit block disappears but not the attributes and some do not change at all.  I have attached a drawing of all my blocks.  The top row is Pars and I put them on the Hanging Layer.  Only the first 4 shut off but their attributes don't.  The last 4 are unaffected.  None of these showed the Edit Attribute box when I moved them from my Tool Palette.  The next row of blocks is the Under hung Layer of lekos.  The 7th block from the left disappears when I drag it to the drawing and I have to search for it but its Edit Attribute box opens.  When I shut the Hanging Layer off, they all turn off but the attributes of the  5th and 7th from the left do not turn off. The 3rd and the 6th from the left Edit Attribute Box do not appear when I drag them from my Tool Palette.  The 3rd row of Fresnels and cyc lights on the Floor Layer all turn off except for the attributes.  The first 5 from the left do not have the Edit Attribute Box open when I drag them from my Tool Palette, the last 3 it does.  I hope this helps you understand what I am going through here and can make some sense of it.  I have tried to be very conscientious in creating these blocks but am totally lost at where I have gone wrong.  Thanks again for all your help.

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

Can you share your sample drawing with the blocks and layers?  I hate to guess what might be occurring.

[john.vellek]

@Anonymous

Please take a look at the PAR fixtures that I modified.  I cleaned up the geometry in each first and placed all the linework on a FIXT_LTS layer.

I then adjusted the attributes so they lined up more uniformly and place them on a FIXT_ATTS layer.

Next, I inserted them on the hanging layer.  You can now freeze the light geometry and the attributes independently or you can freeze the entire hanging layer.

I noticed that you had SNAP set to ½”. I suggest not using that at all and instead using OSNAP.

Please let me know if this gets you started or if I didn’t create this the way you desire to work.

I also created one PAR light that is a dynamic block. When you select it you will see a down arrow that lets you select different visibility states. This might keep the number of blocks lower.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

We had a conversation last evening and a remote session as well.

To summarize, we covered the following topics in order to help you build your block library:

• Use of Osnaps - can be typed, set from the icon on the task bar at the bottom, or shift rt-click in commands to access them
• Discussed Snap and how it probably will be best to turn it off for your use.
• Discussed how the insertion point of some of the blocks was located incorrectly resulting the block insertions in far away locations from the point being selected.
• Nodes - Pdmode sets the shape and have been used to identify the insertion point of the block
• Attributes were cleaned up for justification and position
• Block Editor - Can open existing block to copy contents, closed without saved and the contents pasted into another block for "re-use"
• Layering - The way I previously described the layers utilized gives you flexibility of freezing/thawing by position (floor, hanging, under hung, etc), freezing/thawing just the fixtures or attributes, or freezing both fixtures and attributes.
• Dataextraction - showed how to extract a block schedule with attributes data into a table that can be inserted into the drawing and updated easily
• Showed how to Export your table data to a CSV file for opening in OpenOffice or Excel
• Schedule - discussed how the data table/schedule can be used on one layout(page) to identify characteristics of each fixture with cluttering the plan.
• A360 - discussed how you might use A360 and AutoCAD Mobile when on site to view and markup your drawings.
• Tool Palettes - how to add your blocks to the palette and set properties by rt-clicking on them. (Master "library" file has to remain in the original location or the palettes will fail.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

It was a great session and I hope I am able to retain all the info we discussed. I got a chance late today to get back to it and had some problems editing the blocks. I do think I got it finally and much appreciate the time and help.