Linking templates to a database with Protoedit

Procedure

Prototype drawings are normal DWG format drawings with attribute items and text items that have been added or replaced by Protogen text formulae.

Within Protoedit you can link an attribute or text entity to a database column or field.

1. Highlight the desired block and attribute (or text entity) on the left and centre lists of the Protoedit Dialog. This will cause the old contents of the attribute to be displayed in the editing area at the top of the Protoedit Dialog.

   

2. Ensure that the column/field exists in the database definition on the right side of the Protoedit Dialog.

3. Select the field name, which you wish to link, from the right side of the Protoedit Dialog. This will cause a formula containing the chosen field name to be displayed in the editing area at the top of the Protoedit Dialog. At this time the attribute's (or text entity's) contents will be changed.

4. Once any item is clicked upon, following the field selection, the new formula will be displayed in the attribute list (centre).

   

5. Use the Protoedit "Apply" or "OK" button to modify the drawing with the new formulae.

To link a template to a database manually, you can use CAD editing commands.

Examples

The example below shows several Protogen formulae that contain combinations of fixed and variable text.