Xdata management tools for key/value data on objects. Often data needs to be linked to the object, allowing the user to add their own 'user' properties. This routine was implemented on a simple name key and value approach. You assign these individually for unique fields (such as part or room number) or to a selection set that shares the property (like material or floor number). These user properties are attached to the objects as Extended Entity Data (commonly referred to as XDATA), and stay with the object until removed.
Keyboard Command: ObjXdaMan
This provides a mechanism for storing additional information about an object that will stay with the object, even through wblocks and inserts. Example uses of this additional information can be found when using ToolPac's Label Object Properties and Polyline Report.
- Add: Adds or updates a user property on an entire selection set of objects. If the property key already exists, it will be updated to the new value.
- Block: Quick way to transfer from a block with attributes to the object to be exported. The attribute tag becomes the key and the attribute value becomes the user property value. For example a polyline representing a room may need to acquire a room number from a block. This repeating process goes very quickly with a single pick on the object followed by another pick on the block with data to acquire.
- Copy: Copies the user properties from one object to a selection set of objects.
- Delete: Removes all the user properties from the selection set of objects.
- Edit: This tool brings up the Dialog editor shown below. It allows for total control editing of all the user properties of a single object. It allows you to change, update, add, or delete user properties.
- Number: Used to add sequential numbers for part numbering etc. Specify starting value and single pick on each object as prompted.
- Replace: Find & Replace xdata across a selection set of objects. Find/Replace both key names and/or values.
- Text: Acquire key values from text objects. Specify the key name, then as in the block mode, simply repetitively pick the object then the annotation.