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Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Globally modify block properties
Command line : GT_MOD_SHBL

Globally changes the block and shape properties like scale factors, rotation angles, relative scaling, relative rotation etc.

Rotation/Scaling Options
It is possible to rotate or scale the blocks about their own insertion point or about any other point relative to the insertion point. The relative point can be specified by means of an offset distance in X and Y directions from the insertion point.

If the Scale XY offsets by XY scale factors option is checked, the X and Y offsets are assumed to be defined for a unit scale and if the block has a scale other than 1.0, the offsets are also multiplied by the X and Y scale factors respectively.

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Globally extract block attributes and other properties
Command line : GT_ATTEXT



The GT_ATTEXT command extracts selected attributes from blocks along with a number of other basic properties like insertion point, X, Y scale factors, rotation angle and handle.

GT_ATTEXT Tutorial

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Globally extract block attribute tags into an ASCII file
Command line : GT_TAGEXT



The GT_TAGEXT command is used to extract block attribute tags and their properties into an ASCII text file.

GT_TAGEXT Tutorial

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Transfer attributes between blocks
Command line : GT_ATTXFER / GT_AX
The GT_ATTXFER command transfers attributes from one block to another. You can specify the source attribute tag name and the target attribute tag name to transfer or let GT_ATTXFER do an automatic transfer of all attributes of the same name between source block and target block.

The GT_ATTXFER command brings up the dialog box each time for setting the parameters. To go directly to the command, use the GT_AX command at the command prompt.






Toolbar : Blocks Tools  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Explode only nested blocks
Command line : GT_EXPLODENESTED
GT_XPLODENESTED explodes only nested blocks i.e blocks which contain atleast one block (INSERT) object in its block definition. Any non-nested blocks will be ignored.





Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Global attribute editor
Command line : GT_ATTEDIT
The GT_ATTEDIT performs global editing of block attributes as shown in the dialog box below.

GT_ATTEDIT Tutorial

Toolbar : Blocks
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Multiple-Choice attribute editor
Command line : GT_EASYATT

The GT_EASYATT command makes entry or editing of attribute data easier by offering a pre-defined, configurable set of values for each attribute, selectable from a drop-down list.

There is also a setup command called GT_EASYATT_SETUP provided which allows the block names / attribute names / attribute values to be specified and optionally saved into ASCII INI files, which can be restored in a later session of AutoCAD.

See Also: GT_EASYATT_SETUP

Toolbar : Blocks
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Multiple-Choice attribute editor setup
Command line : GT_EASYATT_SETUP

The GT_EASYATT_SETUP allows the block names / attribute names / attribute values to be specified and optionally saved into ASCII INI files, which can be restored in a later session of AutoCAD.

See Also: GT_EASYATT

Toolbar : Blocks
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Change block, layer/color based on attribute values
Command line : GT_EASYATTCLASS
The GT_EASYATTCLASS command changes the layer and/or color of the selected blocks based on the values of the attributes. The parameters required for this command, namely the values of attributes and the layer/color to be used, are set using the GT_EASYATT_SETUP command. The GT_EASYATT_SETUP command is now a common setup command for the GT_EASYATT command also.

For example, if you have an attribute called CONSTRUCTION_STAGE, and if the possible values are "InProgress", "Completed", "Demolished", you can change the blocks to go to their respective layers or have different colors depending on these values.

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Multiple blocks property redefinition
Command line : GT_MREDEFINE

The GT_MREDEFINE command is used to re-define objects in the block definition. All instances (insertions) of the block are automatically updated.

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Replace block 
Command line : GT_REPBLK 


 

The GT_REPBLK command is used to replace all insertions of one named block with another. The source block must be defined in the drawing while the destination block can be defined in the drawing or available as a DWG file externally. When Blocks with attributes are replaced, their attributes also will be transferred, where possible. The number of attributes in the two blocks need not be the same. As many attributes as possible will be transferred. If there are less number of attributes in the target block than in the source block, they will be lost. If there are more attributes in the target block, they will be left blank. All extended entity data will be transferred to the target block.

Block redefinition options:

Read block definition from external DWG: Checking this option allows one block to be replaced with another block of the same name. The updated block definition will be read from an external DWG which also has the same name as the block. The external DWG file should be available in the AutoCAD / Bricscad support path.

Read block definition from current DWG: Checking this option allows one block to be replaced with another block of the same name and the updated block definition will be read from within the current drawing.

GT_REPBLK Tutorial

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Explode blocks and retain attributes
Command line : GT_XP_ATT
GT_XP_ATT is used to explode blocks, which contain attributes, but this explode results in the attributes to be converted into text entities rather than the attribute definitions (ATTDEFs).

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Express block insert with pre-set defaults.
Command line : GT_BLOCKINS
GT_BLOCKINS cuts short the number of keystrokes required for a block insertion. Using the GeoTools defaults for scale factors and rotation angle, this command allows blocks to be selected from a dialog box and placed by just picking the insertion point. 

GT_BLOCKINS Tutorial

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Repeat last block insert
Command line : GT_REPLASTBLK
This is a further improvement over the previous command GT_BLOCKINS. It eliminates the need to even select the block. The last block used by GT_BLOCKINS is automatically used. 

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Zoom to (search) and replace selected text.
Command line : GT_ZOOMTXT or GT_ZT



GT_ZOOMTXT is a tool for text search and replace.

Search embedded text: Enables or disables checking of embedded parts of text or attribute strings.

Case sensitive: Enables or disables case sensitive text handling.

Search Block Attributes also: Enables or disables search block attribute text.

Replace searched TEXT: If enabled, the search text string is replaced with the replace text string

Interactive Replace (confirm each replace): If enabled, each replace operation will seek confirmation before proceeding.

Search for: Enter text string to search for.

Replace with: Enter text string to replace searched string.

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Edit block graphics and attribute properties independently.
Command line : GT_BLKEDIT
The GT_BLKEDIT command is a block editing tool which allows both block graphics and attributes to be edited independently. Depending on whether the graphics or attributes option is chosen, the block is edited accordingly.




See Also: GT_MOD_SHBL command

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Search blocks for text strings.
Command line : GT_SRCHBLK4TXT 



The SRCHBLK4TXT command searches block definitions for embedded text strings and lists all blocks matching the given text string specifications.

Text String to search: Enter the text string to search here. Wildcards are accepted.

Case sensitive: Checking this option causes the search to be case-sensitive.

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Transfer text strings as block attributes.
Command line : GT_TXT2ATT

The GT_TXT2ATT command is used to transfer text strings as block attributes. Using this command, you can select a block name and specify the attributes you wish to transfer. Each attribute will then be populated with selected text strings.

Toolbar : Blocks
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Place blocks / attributes position interactively
Command line : GT_DYNATTPLACE
The GT_DYNATTPLACE command is used for placing blocks with attributes and move the attribute positions interactively.

Toolbar : Blocks
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Transfer AutoCAD properties to Blocks Attributes
Command line : GT_PROP2ATT

The GT_PROP2ATT command allows object properties from blocks to be transferred as attribute data.

The following properties can be transferred:

Insertion point (DXF Code 10)
Block Name (DXF Code 2)
Handle (DXF Code 5)
Layer (DXF Code 8)
Rotation Angle (DXF Code 50)
Color (DXF Code 62)
Flag (DXF Code 70)
Elevation[Z] from DXF Code 10
X Scale Factor
Y Scale Factor

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Trim Lines, Polylines along intersecting blocks.
Command line : GT_MBLKTRIM
The GT_MBLKTRIM command is used to trim lines / polylines along intersecting blocks.  

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Rename block attribute tags, defaults and prompts.
Command line : GT_TAGREN

The GT_TAGREN command is used to rename block attribute tags, defaults and prompts. While renaming tag names, the command ensures that any repositioned attributes (moved manually from their default locations) will be retained at their existing locations.

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Delete block attribute tags from block definition
Command line : GT_TAGDEL
The GT_TAGDEL command is an block definition management tool used to delete attribute tags from a block definition and update all inserted blocks with the new block definition.

Toolbar : Blocks  
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Compare block attribute and create report
Command line : GT_COMPAREBLKATTS

The GT_COMPAREBLKATTS command compares blocks in the current drawing (with attributes) and creates a report of all blocks which have the identical attribute structure. This is a good QA and analysis tool to identify multiple blocks in drawings which may have identical, slightly different or completely different attribute structures.

Toolbar : Blocks
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Connect blocks based on attribute values
Command line : GT_CONNECTBLOCKS

The GT_CONNECTBLOCKS command connects blocks based on attribute values. You can specify one of more block names, an attribute tag and a connect criteria. All blocks meeting the specified criteria will be joined by a single polyline.

The 'Connect criteria' is specified as an individual or a range of values separated by commas.

Example: 1-50,60,90-End

The above syntax would connect points from 1 to 50, then 60, followed by 90 to the end (maximum) point number in the drawing.

Two special values permitted in the syntax are 'Start' and 'End' which would use the minimum and maximum point number respectively in the drawing.

Toolbar : Blocks
     Menu : GeoTools Blocks Place a block along each segment of polyline
Command line : GT_DRAWSEGBLOCKS

The GT_DRAWSEGBLOCKS command can be used to place a stretched block along the segments of a line or polyline. The specified block is stretched such that its X scale factor is equal to the length of each segment. This can be a useful tool to create patterns along lines, polylines (often used after GT_EMBHATCH command to create custom embankment hatch patterns).

Note : It is recommended that the insertion point of the block to be stretched be at the left edge of the geometry and the block be defined along the CAD 0 (East) direction.

See Also: GT_EMBHATCH 

Toolbar : Blocks
     Menu : GeoTools Blocks Move Attribute
Command line : GT_ATTMOVE
The GT_ATTMOVE command moves a single picked attribute to a new location.

Toolbar : Blocks
     Menu : GeoTools Blocks Rotate Attribute
Command line : GT_ATTROTATE
The GT_ATTROTATE command rotates a single picked attribute about its insertion point.

Toolbar : Blocks 
     Menu : GeoTools Blocks Update 'Coordinates Block' attributes
Command line : GT_UPDATEPOINTBLK
Surveyors often use a point block containing Easting, Northing, Elevation as attributes. You can populate such attributes using the GT_UPDATEPOINTBLK command.

Toolbar : Blocks
     Menu : GeoTools Blocks Make attribute readable
Command line : GT_ATTUPRIGHT
The GT_ATTUPRIGHT command rotates a single picked attribute about its insertion point, making it readable by rotating it by 180 degrees if its rotation angle is between 90 and 270 degrees.

Toolbar : Blocks
      Menu : GeoTools Blocks Explode blocks to a specified layer
Command line : GT_EXPLODE2LAYER

The GT_EXPLODE2LAYER command explodes selected blocks to a specified layer. This command has two modes of operation. The 'Automatic' option will explode all blocks in the drawing to the specified layer. The 'Manual' option operates only on the selected block(s).

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