Display Attribute Definitions for Editing

Display Attribute Definitions for Editing
If your drawing contains attributes (see Chapter 13 for more on attributes), this option is offered. If
you turn on this option, you can then edit attribute definitions by using the Refedit command. If you
select a block that contains an attribute definition while you’re using the Refedit command, the
attribute definition is exposed, enabling you to make changes. Changes to attribute definitions affect
only new attribute insertions. Except for the attribute of the edited block, existing attributes aren’t
affected. If you want to update existing attributes to a newly edited definition, use the Sync option of
the Block Attribute Manager (choose Modify  Object  Attribute  Block Attribute Manager).

Lock Objects Not in Working Set
In the Refedit exercises, you saw that objects that aren’t selected in the Reference Edit dialog box are
grayed out and aren’t selectable. The Lock Objects Not In Working Set option controls this feature
and is turned on by default.

The Bottom Line
Assembling the Parts Technical drawings are often made up of repetitive parts that are
drawn over and over. AutoCAD makes quick work of repetitive elements in a drawing, as
shown in the first part of this chapter.
Master It What is the object used as the basic building block for the unit plan drawing in
the beginning of this chapter?
Solution Blocks of a typical unit plan are used to build a floor plan of an apartment building.
Taking Control of the AutoCAD Display Understanding the way the AutoCAD display
works can save you time, especially in a complex drawing.
Master It Name the dialog box used to save views in AutoCAD. Describe how to recall a
saved view.
Solution The View Manager dialog box lets you save a view. To recall a view, select the
view name from the 2D Navigate control panel drop-down list.
Using Hatch Patterns in Your Drawings Patterns can convey a lot of information at a glance.
You can show the material of an object, or you can indicate a type of view, like a cross section,
by applying hatch patterns.
Master It How do you open the Hatch and Gradient dialog box?
Solution Choose Draw  Hatch from the menu bar, or select the Hatch tool from the
2D Draw control panel.
Understanding the Boundary Hatch Options The boundary hatch options give you control
over the way hatch patterns fill an enclosed area.
Master It Describe an island as it relates to boundary hatch patterns.
Solution An island is an enclosed object that is found in an area to be hatched.
Using External References External references are drawing files that you’ve attached to the
current drawing to include as part of the drawing. Because external references aren’t part of
the current file, they can be worked on at the same time as the referencing file.
Master It Describe how drawing files are attached as external references.
Solution Open the External Reference palette, click the Attach DWG button at upper left,
and then locate and select the file you want to attach.