Cell Type
When you create a cell, you define the cell origin (the location around which the cell is placed) and the cell type. There are four types of cells: graphic, point,parametric , and menu .
The symbology (color, line style, and line weight) of a graphic cell is determined when it is created, whereas a point cell assumes the active symbology when placed. The active template and level of a parametric cell is applied at the time of placement. Graphic and parametric cells rotate when a view is rotated, while a point cell is view-independent. A point cell can be especially useful for text.
The differences between graphic, point, and parametric cells are summarized in this table:
| Graphic Cell | Point Cell | Parametric Cell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | level independent | placed on active level | placed on active level |
| Rotation | with view | view independent | with view |
| Symbology | active settings when created | active settings when placed | N/A |
ByCell
When a cell is created, the symbology (that is color, line style, and line weight) of each element is established. When that cell is placed in a DWG file, this symbology is used. However, it is possible to leave the symbology open-ended by using ByCell. If ByCell is selected as the color, line style, and/or line weight, when the cell is placed the active attributes are used. For example, if a cell is created containing a square with color set to red and a circle with color set to ByCell, when the cell is placed into a DWG file with active color set to yellow, the square appears in red and the circle appears in the active color of yellow.