Autodesk 00128-051462-9310 User Guide - Page 2110

Creating Property Set Definitions for Objects or Styles When you create a property set definition, you specify whether the property set can be attached to objects or to styles, depending on which of the following kinds of properties you want to track: ■ Automatic properties generally belong in style-based definitions. Automatic properties, even when attached to a style, can vary for each instance of the object. It is more efficient to include automatic properties in a style-based definition because the properties are immediately associated with any object that uses the style. ■ Manual properties can belong to either style-based or object-based definitions. The value of a manual property associated with a style is the same for every object. For example, a Manufacturer property will probably be the same for every instance of a particular door style, so it should be in a style-based property. However, a Door Number property is different for each instance of a door, so it should be in an object-based property. ■ Fields enhance the documentation capabilities within a drawing file. A field is updatable text that is set up to display data that may change during the life cycle of the drawing. When the field is updated, the latest value of the field is displayed. You can insert fields in a manual property in the property set definition or in a property attached to an object or style. NOTE Fields can be associated with hyperlinks. For example, if you insert a field pointing to a drawing in a manual property, and create a schedule table that contains that property, you can jump from the table cell with the field property in it to the drawing it is linked to. For detailed information about fields, see "Use Fields in Text" in AutoCAD Help. TIP The quickest way to locate and view an AutoCAD topic referenced in AutoCAD Architecture 2008 Help is to click the Search tab in the Help window, select the Search titles only option, and then copy and paste or type in the AutoCAD topic name, and click List Topics. Automatic and Manual Properties Property sets, whether attached to objects or to styles, can include both manual and automatic properties. ■ Automatic properties cannot be edited directly because they are obtained from the object or other source. For example, the physical characteristics of an object, such as its dimensions or material, are automatic properties. To change the value of an automatic property, you must modify its source. The change then appears in the property set data for the object. ■ Manual properties must be edited in the property set data for the object or style. For example, object numbers (for tagging) and notes or remarks are manual properties. The value entered for a manual property in an object-based property set is saved with the object. The value entered for a manual property in a style-based property set is saved with the style and is available to all objects using that style. ■ Fields are used with manual properties and are selected from a list of available fields in the software. Fields contain values that update when the value changes and can also contain hyperlinks to other drawings or other files. For detailed information about fields, see "Use Fields in Text" in AutoCAD Help. Using Property Data Formats in Property Set Definitions Property data formats control how values for numbers and text display. Both property set definitions and schedule table styles use property data formats. For more information about creating property data formats, see "Property Data Formats" on page 2057. Managing Property Set Definitions To create, edit, copy, or purge property set definitions, you access the Style Manager. The Style Manager provides a central location where you can work with definitions and styles from multiple drawings and templates. For more information about using the Style Manager, see "Style Manager" on page 490. 2070 | Chapter 46 Schedules and Display Themes