Display block properties in a callout


If properties are defined in a block, you can extract their values into a callout, balloon, or other annotation on the drawing. Adding properties to a source block ensures they can be referenced in all block occurrences.

  1. In the Block Library, in the Block Selection Pane, define the block information in the source block using one of the following methods:

    • During block creation and placement, select the Block Options button on the Block command bar. In the Block Options dialog box, type the attribute information in the Name and Value boxes.

    • For an existing block, select the Properties command from the source block shortcut menu. In the Block Properties dialog box, in the Properties section, type the attribute information in the Name and Value boxes.

    • When creating or modifying a block label, assign block label properties using the Block Label Properties dialog box.

      For more information, see Define and place a block label.

    Example:

    • You can define properties that identify the physical aspect of the block, such as the type of component, part, or element the block represents.

    • You can define variable properties, such as cost and count.

  2. Place an occurrence of the source block on the drawing.

  3. Choose Home tab→Annotation group→Callout .

  4. In the Callout Properties dialog box, on the General tab, click the Property Text button .

  5. In the Select Property Text dialog box, do the following:

    1. From the list at top-right in the dialog box, select From graphic connection to block as the source of the property text.

    2. From the Properties list, select the block properties that you want to extract. The following types of property text may be listed:

      • Block name

      • Block view name

      • Block property names, listed alphabetically.

      • Block label names, listed alphabetically.

      Note:

      All block property names and label names that are listed in the Block Selection Pane in the current document are listed once in the dialog box. Select the property name that pertains to the block.

    3. Click the Select button.

      This displays property text code in the Property Text field in the Select Property Text dialog box.

  6. In the Callout Properties dialog box, verify that the Preview pane displays the unresolved callout text, for example, <Cost>, and that the Callout text box contains the property text code, for example, %{Cost|GBLK}.

  7. (Optional) Add formatting and additional content to the callout text.

    • Type explanatory text or symbols before or after the property text code in the Callout text box. This plain text appears each time the callout is placed.

      Example:

      Type Cost=$ in front of the property text string: Cost=$%{Cost|GBLK}.

      Type Units= in front of the property text string: Units=%{Units|GBLK}.

    • Insert new lines by pressing the Enter key, or use the Callout text 2 box to define additional property text.

    • Use the options on the Text and Leader tab and the Border tab to add font formatting and to show a border around the callout.

  8. Locate a keypoint on the block occurrence, and then click to place the callout.

    The callout displays all of the plain text content you typed, as well as the values for the resolved property text.

    Example:

    Cost=$.05

    Units=10

Note:

If the property text does not resolve to display values in the callout, angle brackets are displayed around the unresolved property text in the Callout Properties dialog box, and the callout is empty when you place it on the sheet. It is possible that the requested block property data is not defined in the block for which you are placing a callout.

Tip:

  • If the drawing callout displays Error: Not Connected instead of a value, then you did not locate a keypoint when you clicked to place the annotation. Select the annotation, and then use Alt+drag to reconnect the leader to a point on the block.

  • When referencing property text in callouts, you can use the Saved Settings option on the General tab to save your property text definitions for reuse.

  • When referencing block properties in a balloon, you can:

    • Select the Oblong or Rectangle balloon shape so that the balloon expands with the content.

    • Use the Upper, Lower, Prefix, and Suffix text boxes in the Balloon Properties dialog box to define the Block Property strings.

Define and place a block Label Edit a block label

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