How do you use leaders and callouts to create dynamic blocks, attributes, or fields in CAD?

1 What are dynamic blocks, attributes, and fields?

Dynamic blocks are blocks that have parameters and actions that allow you to modify their appearance and behavior. Attributes are text values that can be associated with blocks and can be edited individually or globally. Fields are text placeholders that can display data from various sources, such as system variables, object properties, or formulas. You can use dynamic blocks, attributes, and fields to create leaders and callouts that can adapt to different situations and scenarios.

2 How to create a dynamic block with attributes?

To create a dynamic block with attributes, you need to open the Block Editor and draw the geometry of your leader and callout. You can use lines, polylines, arcs, circles, or any other shape you want. Additionally, add parameters and actions to define how your block can be stretched, rotated, moved, or scaled. For example, you can add a stretch parameter and action to adjust the length of your leader line. Then you can use the ATTDEF command to add attributes to your block such as a tag, prompt, default value, text style, alignment and position. For example, you can add an attribute to display the callout text. Finally, save and close the block editor so that you can insert your dynamic block in your drawing and edit its attributes using the ATTEDIT command or the Properties palette.

3 How to create a field in a callout?

To create a field in a callout, you need to double-click on the callout text attribute to open the Edit Attribute dialog box. Then, click on the Insert Field button and select the field category and field name that you want to display. For example, you can choose Document > Filename to display the name of your drawing file. You can also format the field using the Field Format button before clicking OK to close the dialog box and insert the field in your attribute. Now, you can view the field value in your callout.

4 How to update fields in your drawing?

Fields are dynamic text values that can change due to various factors, such as the current date, the object properties, or the drawing settings. To update fields in your drawing, you should first select the objects that contain fields or use CTRL+A to select all objects in your drawing. Then, right-click and choose Update Field from the shortcut menu. Alternatively, you can use the REGEN or REGENALL commands to update fields in your drawing.

5 How to create a leader with a field?

To create a leader with a field, you must use the LEADER command to draw a leader line and specify the arrowhead, landing, and annotation. In the Leader Annotation dialog box, select MText as the annotation type and click OK. Then, in the Multiline Text Editor, click on the Insert Field button to select the category and field name to display (e.g., Object > Area to display an object's area). You can also format the field using the Field Format button. Finally, close the Multiline Text Editor to see the field value in your leader.

6 How to edit a leader with a field?

To edit a leader with a field, double-click the annotation to open the Multiline Text Editor, then click on the field you want to edit and use the Field Options button to change its properties. You can also right-click on the field and choose Edit Field from the shortcut menu. When you’re finished, click OK to close the Multiline Text Editor and use the Properties palette to edit other aspects of your leader, such as color, layer, or linetype.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?