MicroStation CONNECT Edition Help

Fields - Derived Content in Text

As you place or edit text you can insert fields in the text whose content is derived from object properties. Properties of the following types of objects can be used as sources for field content:

  • elements
  • models
  • files

A field can appear anywhere within a piece of text and can span multiple words or lines within multiple-line text.

In addition to inserting fields in text, you can also insert placeholder fields in a cell or cell model. A placeholder field is a field that is waiting for a target. When the target is provided, it can re-evaluate and display its property value. In the absence of the target, the field simply displays its field name. The target may be provided by means of a link.

For example, you might create a monument cell that contains a Place Holder Cell Properties field (origin). In the cell model the field displays the field name origin. When the cell is placed in another model and the fields are updated, the field displays the origin of the cell.



Place holder field in the cell model (left). Place holder field in the target model (right).

Placeholder fields are primarily of three types.

  • Fields pointing to the properties of a parent cell
  • Fields pointing to the properties of a parent Digital Signature cell
  • Fields pointing to the properties of a link target attached to a parent cell

Fields Derived from Element Properties

You can insert a field in text you are placing or editing whose content is derived from a property of an identified element in the active model. Fields in text elements derived from element properties are updated to reflect changes whenever a change to the element causes the property to change. A field derived, for example, from the area of a closed element would be updated should the element's area change.

Fields Derived from Model Properties

You can insert a field in text you are placing or editing whose content is derived from a property of the active model. Fields in text elements based on model properties are updated when the file in which the model resides is opened. A field derived, for example, from the model's Description property would be updated should that property be modified.

There also exists the capability to manually update this type of field content.

Fields Derived from File Properties

You can insert a field in text you are placing or editing whose content is derived from a property of the open DGN file. Fields in text elements based on file properties are updated when the file is opened. A field derived, for example, from the name of the open DGN file would be updated should the file be renamed.

There also exists the capability to manually update this type of field content.

Note: AutoCAD system variable values are valid field content only in DWG files.

Fields Derived from Sheet Index and Sheet Index Folder Properties

You can insert a field in text you are placing or editing whose content is derived from a property of the sheet index or sheet index folder. A field derived, for example, from the total sheets count would be updated should the total sheet count in the sheet index change.

Note: Sheet index and sheet index folder properties can be placed as fields only when the active model is a sheet model listed in the sheet index.

Placeholder Fields Derived from Parent Cell Properties

You can insert a placeholder field in a cell or a cell model that displays the origin or other information about the cell. A placeholder field does not evaluate in the cell model, instead, it evaluates only after you place the cell in another model. A placeholder field derived, for example, from the origin of a cell will be updated when the cell is placed in another model.

Placeholder Fields Derived from Digital Signature Cell Properties

You can insert a placeholder field in a digital signature cell that displays the signing date or other information about the digital signature. A placeholder field does not evaluate in the cell model, instead, it evaluates only after you place the cell in another model. A placeholder field derived, for example, from the date of a digital signature cell will be updated when the cell is placed in another model.

Placeholder Fields Derived from a Link Target Attached to a Parent Cell

You can insert a placeholder field in a cell or a cell model whose content is derived from a property of a link target. A placeholder field does not evaluate in the cell model, instead, it evaluates after the cell is placed and the appropriate link is added. A placeholder field derived, for example, from the sheet number of a sheet model will be updated after the cell is placed and the appropriate link is added.

For example, the following image shows placeholder fields used in detailing symbols. After adding a link to a drawing view, the fields are re-evaluated to display the correct values.



Place Holder Link Properties Field

Enter Data Fields

An enter data field is a one-or-more-character placeholder for future text input that can be intermixed within constant text. You can insert empty enter data fields in a text element and fill in the actual text later. Enter data fields are particularly useful for variable text such as part numbers or detail numbers. The Text group on the Annotate tab has special tools for copying and filling in enter data fields, and you can also use the Edit Text tool to modify enter data fields.

Tip: For more information on placeholders, see Using Placeholder for Text.

Manually Updating Fields

Using key-ins, you can manually update field content derived from model or file properties to reflect changes in the properties from which the fields were derived. (Fields derived from element properties are automatically updated to reflect property changes.)