How To Create Attribute Block In Autocad

The standard folder for the layout elements (layout frame, title block, additional information, etc.) is:

Win XP:

C:Documents and SettingsUSERNAMEApplication DataGraitecAdvanceConcrete2010SupportSampleDocument

Win Vista / Windows 7:

C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataRoamingGraitecAdvanceConcrete2010SupportSampleDocument

This folder contains some examples of layout frames and title blocks.
You can save your own title blocks and frames in any folder. If you create a layout style in Advance, then Advance opens this folder for selecting the layout elements.

Layout frame

Start pure AutoCAD® (without Advance).
You can draw your layout frame with the AutoCAD® commands (Line, Circle, Text, etc.).
If you already have some layout frames and title blocks, then these could be used.

Consider the following criteria:

Create the layout frame in the Model mode (NOT in the Layout mode) of AutoCAD®.
The drawing unit is [mm], 1 drawing unit = 1 mm.
Match the size of the frame to the printable layout and recognize the print limits (e.g. Plot size DIN A0, create the frame a little bit smaller).

Draw the frame in the desired size and setup the line color, line type and line thickness. You can create the frame on any layer you want.

Save the frame and close the DWG file.

How can I create user defined title block and frames

Title block

It is nearly the same procedure to create a title block, as described for the frame. The same basic criteria (e.g. drawing units) apply.

There are 3 different types of title blocks:

Simple, just use lines and texts
As a block with AutoCAD® Attributes, these attributes can filled in the layout
As a block with AutoCAD® Attributes and Advance project data.

Advance places the title block in a specific (adjustable) position in the layout. The standard position is "bottom right". But the layout frame must be taken into account, which is between the point and the title block (e.g. with 5 mm border).

How can I create user defined title block and frames

Because of this you must create a "Point" on the bottom right corner of the title block with the distance of the border of the layout frame. In this example it is 5 mm in each direction.

How can I create user defined title block and frames

Title block - simple

The simple title block uses the same procedure as the creation of the layout frame. Just draw lines, circles, create texts and save the DWG file.

Title block with AutoCAD® Attributes

Create the title block like in the simple version. Next you can create additional elements (AutoCAD® attributes) in the title block. You can fill these attributes later in the Advance layout .

There is an AutoCAD® command to create attributes. Enter "attdef" on the command line or use the ribbons and icons:

How can I create user defined title block and frames

A dialog box appears with the attributes that can be defined:

How can I create user defined title block and frames

Name is the name of the attribute
Prompt is the name of the attribute in the dialog box
Default is the default value, which is automatically used if the block is used

Click "OK" and place the attribute in the title block:

How can I create user defined title block and frames

In this is example only a few attributes are created in the title block; you can create as many attributes as are needed.

Next you have to create a block from this title block to be able to use the attribute functions later in the Advance layouts.

How can I create user defined title block and frames

A dialog box appears where the elements (remember the point in the bottom right corner) of the block are defined and the block is given a name.

How can I create user defined title block and frames

Click "OK" and another dialog box appears. Click "Cancel" or "OK" since these fields will be filled in the Advance layout.
Save the title block and close the file.

How can I create user defined title block and frames

Note:
You can use system or file parameters as attributes (e.g., date or username). Create an attribute as described above and click the button next to the default field. In the next dialog box select the parameter you want to use as an attribute:

How can I create user defined title block and frames

Title block with AutoCAD® attributes and Advance project data

In addition to the attributes described above you can also use Advance project information in the title block. Add the Advance attribute as a text inside brackets.

Example: < ProjectName >
Do NOT include these Advance attributes in the block; just save them as normal text with the title block DWG file.

How can I create user defined title block and frames

The Advance attribute < ProjectName > is filled automatically from the Advance project data:

How can I create user defined title block and frames

Overview Advance attributes (project data):
Project name	< projectname >
Project number	< projectnumber >
Investor name	< investorname >
Building name	< buildingname >
Building location	< buildinglocation >
Contractor	< contractor >
Order date	< orderdate >
Designer	< designer >
Construction date	< constructiondate >
Detailer	< detailer >
Date (system attribute)	< date >
Username (system attribute)	< author >

You can use this layout frame and title block in Advance. You must create a layout style and then you can assign the layout elements in this style:

How can I create user defined title block and frames