Introduction

Straight out of the box there are two methods of providing attribute data in a Cadvance drawing. The first method allows the attachment of attributes to all objects in a drawing utilizes external databases and is only available in the full version of Cadvance. The second method limited to symbols is available in both the full and LiTe versions of Cadvance.

EZAttributes are a new way to provide attribute information in a Cadvance drawing without the use of an external database or symbols. Utilizing smart object technology, EZAttributes can react to constant changing conditions of entities in a drawing. EZAttribute text updates itself when attributes or conditions change as compared to static attribute text provided by database attribute links.

EZAttributes is a plug-in module that uses widget technology. EZAttributes can be used in all 32 bit versions of Cadvance except Cadvance version 8. This includes all versions of Cadvance 99 and Cadvance 2000 .

EZAttribute Text

Attributes can be displayed as text in a drawing using an EZAttribute Text Widget. Basic edit function like delete will remove the text without deleting the attribute data. The text can be moved and rotated independently from the object whose attributes are being displayed. Attribute text can paint over objects underneath. Attribute text widgets can also have attributes of their own attached.

Attribute text cannot be edited using the text editing functions in Cadvance. When an attribute is edited the text will automatically be updated. Text can be reassigned to other objects. Multiple instances of the text referencing the same attribute can be placed in the drawing.

Installing the EZAttribute Application

The installation of EZAttributes is accomplished in the following manner. Run setup.exe from the EZAttributes install directory. Cadvance must be installed before you can install.

If all of the parameters are set correctly, typically the application will be saved in the Windows System directory. Another option is to locate the files in the Cadvance directory. The help files will be placed in a subdirectory of Cadvance called Help. The Cadvance.ini file will be updated to include the following text:

[3rd Party (cadvance.ini)]

&EZAttributes=BasicToolbar EZATAttr.dll 2D

Adding this text manually to the Cadvance.ini file and acopying the DLL files to the Cadvance directory is another way of installing the files.

Now all that is needed is to start Cadvance and activate the application from the Applications sub menu.

Getting Started

Begin by activating the EZAttribute Utilities Toolbar by selecting Utilities/Applications/EZAttributes on the Cadvance menu.

The EZAttribute Wizards Toolbar

The EZAttribute toolbar provides access to the basic tools needed to manipulate attributes in a drawing.

Functions on the toolbar will display hints when the cursor is left over the button in question. The toolbar is moveable and resizable also.

Attaching EZAttributes

Selecting the objects to be edited is the first step in attaching attributes to objects in a drawing. Data can be attached to any kind of entity in a Cadvance drawing. Data is identified by field names describing the type of information stored. Most functions require an object in the drawing to be selected so that attributes can be attached or edited.

Once selected the Attribute Insertion function can be activated.

A series of predefined attributes and values can be attached to all selected objects. A template file can be selected by double clicking an entry in the file list. Templates are located in the Cadvance database directory. They have a EZA extension and are editable using a text editor.

When checked Insert listed values only updates only values in Default Attributes list. Values can be edited by editing them in the list.

Adding EZAttribute Text

After selecting an object, attribute text insertion is done using the following dialog window. An attribute is added by entering its name in the Field Name text box. The data for the field is then placed in the Field Data text box. A value is added by entering it in the Data text box.

Clicking on an entry in the Field List will insert available data in the text boxes.

Show Units will display units to area and length calculations.

Text Properties

Attribute text display properties can be edited using the following dialog box.

Fill Text Extents will use the background color to fill a bounding rectangle. This will paint over all objects under the text.

Clicking on the Add Text button will insert a text widget into the drawing. The selected attribute definition will be used for placement parameters. Cancelling will abort the entire process. If the text insertion process is aborted after Add Text is selected then the attribute will be updated but no text widget will be inserted.

Replacing attributes is accomplished by selecting the objects first. Then click the replace attribute button on the toolbar. Click on the field to change. Enter the new value. Clicking replace will change all values to the new one.

Editing the selected text widget field assignment or the value being displayed is accomplished in the following dialog box.

Calculated attribute fields are a powerful feature that allow changes in data when entities are edited in a drawing. The calculation of area is accomplished by assigning the @area function to an attribute field. Any changes in the area will immediately be reflected in the data. Calculated fields can appear as attribute text in the drawing.

The following are function types allowed in an attribute field.

@area - Calculates the area of a closed polyline using current units.

@acres - Calculates the area of a closed polyline in acres.

@length - Calculates the total length of a polyline.

@seg1 - Calculates the total length of segment 1 of a polyline.

@seg2 - Calculates the total length of segment 2 of a polyline.

@seg3 - Calculates the total length of segment 3 of a polyline.

@seg4 - Calculates the total length of segment 4 of a polyline.

@color - Object color number.

@layer - Object layer number.

@name - Name of entity. Returns symbol name for symbols.

@type - Object type number.

On the toolbar the following buttons will provide quick access to some of the functions.

Inserts an area attribute.

Inserts a line length attribute for polylines.

Copying Attribute Text

Attribute text can be copied using the standard edit functions provided by Cadvance found in the edit menu. Two methods can be used. Both have the effect of copying the text but the results are different. Using the Duplicate edit function to copy a text attribute object will result in a set of text objects that share the same properties such as text height and font. Change one and all will be changed similarly. This is because they share the same master definition.

Using the Copy and Paste functions will result in text objects that have independent properties. Changing these objects will not result in the global updating of related objects.

Viewing an Object's Attributes

Attributes can be viewed by selecting the entities in a drawing and adding them to the Cadvance selection set. A number of methods are provided to display the attribute data attached.

The Spreadsheet Viewer

After selecting entities in a drawing, clicking on the attribute viewer button on the toolbar will invoke this function. The attribute viewer provides a spreadsheet view of attributes attached to the objects selected. The viewer will display the status of all objects selected in the view.

Locating an Entity using the Spreadsheet

To locate a single object in the drawing listed, click on its row in the spreadsheet. The selected item will appear in red in the drawing.

Editing EZAttributes in Their Raw Form

The selected set of objects can have their attributes edited individually in the raw format using a text editor. Attribute names are followed with an equal sign and the value assigned. Clicking on update will make the changes permanent.

Other EZAttribute Edit Functions

A number of additional edit functions are available which do not have nay dialog boxes displayed.

Re-assigning EZAttribute Text

Attribute text can be re-assigned to another entity in the drawing. Select the attribute text widgets to be re-assigned and then invoke the function on the toolbar. The text will display the data assuming the same field or attribute is used and defined for the object selected.

Attribute text can also be assigned a new field from the same attribute definition.

Clearing attributes

A drawing can be purged of attributes by selecting the Clear function. Individually selected objects can have their attributes cleared also. Select objects first before clicking on the function button.

Finding text and attributes

Basic functions for locating objects containing attributes and widget text are provided.

Finds all text widgets attached to an object in a drawing.

Finds all objects having attribute text.

Finds all text widgets in a drawing.

Exporting Attributes to External Files

All attached attributes can be exported to a variety if file types. Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel and text files are the currently supported formats.

Export Attributes to a Single Text File.

Attributes can be exported to a comma delimited text file with field names as headers in the first line of the file.

Select the objects to have their attributes exported. Click on the function button on the toolbar and a dialog box will appear requesting the name of the file to write to. The fields to be exported can be selected from a list of available fields in the data.

Additional Notes

Cadvance version 8 doesn't support EZAttributes.

EZAttribute text widgets are not DXF or DWG compatible and will not be exported as data to those file formats.

Attribute data is not copied and pasted between drawings.

Attributes cannot be attached to reference file entities or displayed from a reference file.