AutoCAD VB :: Extracting Attributes Into Text File With A Script
Sep 12, 2013
I have a requirement to extract metadata from AutoCAD files with a script. This metadata is the attributes that appear in the files Title Block in the corner. I have come up with some code that I believe can do this, but I cannot run it, since I've been developing in Visual Studio using .NET, and it appears that that .NET API can only be used to build plugins for AutoCAD.
Do I have to use VBA to access the COM? How do I even get started with VBA/COM API? It took me forever to actually find a listing for the .NET Object Model - I don't want to search for that long again to find the COM API, especially if I'm going about this in the wrong way again.
Here is the code I've written to extract the Attributes, but it's probably very wrong as well, since I have not had the opportunity to test it:
class Program {
static void Main(string[] args) {
try { using (Database db = new Database()) {
On an HND assignment there is a drawing of a Villa in plan view with outer walls, inner walls and then some attributed blocks created for furniture. Once drawn the second task is as follows.
Task 2
Write a report describing the methods you used, with a layout plan inserted into the document and to include a bill of materials extracted from the attribute files.
How you would go about extracting the BOM from the attributes?
I'm trying to loop through all the blocks on a drawing and if the block contains a group of tagstrings (B,C,D and H) I want to then extract the textstring from all 4 attributes and place them in a ListView. I got it to work but it is not consistant. Sometimes it doesnt get all of the attributes. Basically just want to grab all of the blocks that the 4 attribute tagstrings (B,C,D and H) and extract their textstrings to a ListView. Here is the code I have so far.
For Each objEntity In objModelSpace With objEntity If StrComp(.EntityName, "AcDbBlockReference", 1) = 0 Then If .HasAttributes Then TableData = .GetAttributes
I'm in the process of creating an external iLogic rule and would like to extract part of the contents of .notepad text file to use in my rule as a string. Is this possible?
I have a drawing with a bunch of blocks. the blocks repeat themselves, but I need to define different attributes to each one of them and then being able to extraxt a list that I can read in excel.
I made what seems to be a very simple dynamic block with text attributes and a few grips attached to stretch and polar stretch actions, but the file size is about 2mb! This is huge... roughly the size of one of our firm's full floor plans. There seems to be nothing purgeable in the file, so I am wondering if this is just the size necessary for the functionality or if I am bloating this somehow.
I have been asked to write utility that will open a DWG file, retrieve layer data from the file and put it into a spreadsheet.
I know nothing about AutoCAD but I have been reading on this forum and gathering information. I have found that I have to write a dll that will be used inside of AutoCAD. Here is what I have so far:
1. I have AutoCAD 2008 (will convert to 2011 or 2012 later)
2. I have .NET Framework 4.0
3. I have Visual Studio 2010 Express
4. Needs to be done using VB.NET.
I need to do this using .NET.
Do I need the 2008 API?
Could this be done easier using VBA?
Once I create the dll how do I use it inside AutoCAD?
How do I grab the layer data for studs and braces?
I am trying to import a Shape file and extract the attribute data associated with the 'lines' (sewer pipes) into text format.
for example a pipe has an attribute showing the pipe diameter and intead of having to manually type it out I would like a way to extract that information.
Is there a way to do it? Whether using a specific method during the importing of the Shape file or another process?
i have lidar contour file that is a shape file, when i import this file using map with data connect i is imported with the correct elevation but is not useable for presentation only, when i import it with the map import command it does not retain the elevation on the polyline that it imports.
We have a custom LISP program (Written, upadated in 2003) that takes a keyed in item number, opens and searches a .txt file with four coulmns, for the keyed in item number (column 1) and returns a part number (column 2), description (column 3) and any information in column 4.
A quetsion was asked if the data in the .txt file could be put in an Excel file. I tried looking at other post, but I can't seem to find a clear cut way to open and extract the data. Or this old dog overlooked a boand. Is there a easy way to do this, similar to the above?
I would like to know how, if possible to make the attributes of a block show up as text. Example:
I am working on a power utility design where each power pole has a sequential name and may or may not have units that need to be added into a contract. I have my attributes set up where I can go in and assign a required number to a unit so I can export my data into excel. The problem I am having is that I have to enter the text and change the attribute quantities separately. Also, there are 40 or so different units and only a few certain ones required at each pole. Is there a way to set the attribute only to display text if the quantity is greater than zero so my list is not 40 units long at each pole?
how to extract the attribute value of a particular block in multiple drawings to an excel file.
Eg... there are nearly 800 drawings where I need to list down the description and Drawing number which is mentioned in the title block name "Title". The Drawing Number and the description is done in same attribute block. extract the data into an excel file or txt file. All the drawings are saved in one location.
I want to ultimately place some metadata such as lens focal length, time of day, exposure etc. onto an image. This could be an action that perform on each image. But it would be nice if it was automatic.
The result being to have a jpg file with this information in the corner of the image for myself and my client's reference. I can't seem to find either a plugin, action or script that will do this for me. These are simply proof / scouting shots. I would be just as happy doing this in Lightroom as well.
The company logo is two words. It's in Irish and has a fada on top of one letter.(hence it is harder to find a nice font)
I'm trying to take the logo from the pdf it's in, and apply it to a poster i have designed. I'd like to be able to change the size of the lettering and color etc once it's in the new image. I've tried the "path tool", and also cropping it and copy/paste to the new image, but the background color that comes with it looks awful!
I've downloaded a brush, that I'd like to use in Photoshop 10, and I read that you're supposed to extract the file into
Program Files > Adobe > Photoshop (whatever version you are using) > Presets > Brushes
Now, this is how far I can get:
Program Files > Adobe CS3 > Photoshop > Adobe CS3
I don't have anything called "Presets", but I have payloads, redist and resources. I can't find anything similar to "brushes" either, am I in the right place?
I have seen mention of a utility called xcf2png which can extract layers from a XCF file and write them to a PNG, but it seems there is no Windows version.
Any way of doing this under Windows/DOS? I just want to extract a layer by name and write it to a PNG file with the same name as the layer.
Or even better - searches a XCF file for layers that (say) start with an underscore and exports only those layers to separate named PNG files.
After working several hours on a drawing with many attribute blocks, all the text in all the attributes disappeared. Block outline remains as defined but text is gone. Have been using this version (Autocad 2012) about five months and this is the first episode. how can I get the blocks to appear as originally drawn?
I want to modify text attributes associated with a block based on the input into an access database. I've read I could link the two using DB Connect, but so far all I've gotten is the Data View - Summary.
How to make a block with attribute text (like showing on sectioning?) a circle with arrow then line and there is editable text on the top of line or editable text inside the circle..
How I rotate a block but set the text to stay readable.
At the moment I have a 600x600 light fitting with a Tag inside for typing the letter of the fitting. E.G. Type A, B, C
I have a rotate function also so I can rotate the fitting to the orientation of the room.
But when I rotate the fitting the text rotates also, therefore if I turn the fitting round 90 degrees the text is on its side. How do I rotate the block but leave the text orientation the correct way?
I'll try to import a text file with a string: pointnumber, easting, northing, elevation, discription, but I get very big blocks and attributes in my drawing. I use Autocad 2011 Map 3D, on a windows XP OS. I'll importing the text string with the import command. Easting and Northing are for the position. The Elevation, pointnumber and discription are attributes from a block. I can only choose a block: "Map_Survey_point" This is the only block I can choose. When I import the text, the scale from the importing blocks are too big. How can I change the size of the block and attributes?
okay, so i have a dynamic block. I am able to stretch it how i want BUT, the moment i add a text attribute to it, my block dissapears. this does not always happen, although i do the exact smae thing every time. what can i do to avoid the lock being deleted/hidden when i add a text attribute to it?
by the way, i am trying to stretch the text attributes with the block (or move, which ever choice of words you use)
Is it possible to increment text or attributes in a dynamic block? I'm want to create elevation text for grids that can start at a certain value and increment up or down from there.
In my title block I have a attribute with the name project_Number. Now what I want to do is the following. When I edit my block with the project number. The project number should automatically be added to a text box without me typing in the project number twice.
E.g.. This Drawing is part of the consulting services provided for Project[Project_Number] and may not be used or applied for any other purpose without prior consultation.
in other word the project number should be reference in the text box from the attribute.
I am using managed classes to insert multiple block references into model space. I wish to insert a block and then move it (change its Position) which I can do. The problem is that my attributes associated with this block reference do not move.
