How Do I Edit Xdata in AutoCAD?

by

Editing Xdata in AutoCAD is a crucial aspect of creating and managing your drawings. Xdata, short for extended data, allows you to attach additional information to your objects in AutoCAD.

This extra information can include anything from project-specific details to material specifications. In this tutorial, we will explore various methods to edit Xdata in AutoCAD using the built-in tools and commands.

Accessing Xdata

To begin editing Xdata, you first need to access it. There are multiple ways to do this:

  • Using the Properties Palette: The Properties palette is a handy tool that provides access to various properties of selected objects. To view and edit Xdata using the Properties palette, simply select the object and navigate to the Xdata tab.
  • Using the Data Extraction Wizard: The Data Extraction Wizard is an excellent tool for extracting data from your drawings.

    It also allows you to modify Xdata associated with objects. To use this method, type Dataextraction in the command line or access it through the ribbon.

  • Via LISP or ObjectARX: If you’re comfortable working with LISP or ObjectARX programming languages, you can directly access and modify Xdata programmatically.

Edit Existing Xdata

If you need to modify existing Xdata associated with an object, follow these steps:

  1. Select the object whose Xdata you want to edit.
  2. Access the Properties palette or use another method mentioned above to view the object’s current Xdata.
  3. Bold text: Identify the specific Xdata field you wish to edit and make a note of its name.
  4. Use the appropriate command or tool to modify the desired Xdata value. For example, if you want to change the value of a text field, use the TEXTEDIT command.
  5. Underlined text: After making the necessary changes, ensure that the modified Xdata is saved by clicking “OK” or using a similar confirmation option.

Add New Xdata

If you want to add new Xdata to an object or create custom Xdata fields, follow these steps:

  1. Select the object where you want to add new Xdata.
  2. Access the Properties palette or use another method mentioned above to view and edit existing Xdata (if any).
  3. Bold text: Navigate to the Xdata tab in the Properties palette and click on “Add..” or a similar option.
  4. In the Add Extended Data dialog box, specify a unique name for your new Xdata field and choose an appropriate data type. Common data types include string, integer, real, and point.
  5. Underlined text: Enter the desired value for your new Xdata field in the corresponding input box.
  6. Bold text: Click “OK” or use a similar confirmation option to save your changes and add new Xdata to the selected object.

Delete Xdata

If you no longer need certain Xdata associated with an object, follow these steps:

  1. Select the object from which you want to remove Xdata.
  2. Bold text: Identify the specific Xdata field you wish to delete.
  3. Use the appropriate command or tool to delete the desired Xdata field. AutoCAD provides various commands, such as XDEL, to remove Xdata fields.
  4. Underlined text: Confirm the deletion by clicking “OK” or using a similar confirmation option.

Congratulations! You now have a solid understanding of how to edit Xdata in AutoCAD.

Remember that Xdata can greatly enhance your drawings by providing additional information and customization options. So make the most of this powerful feature and take your AutoCAD projects to new heights!