Automatically update text and other objects with information from your drawing or external sources.

The FIELD Command in AutoCAD

The FIELD command in AutoCAD allows you to insert dynamic fields into text objects. These fields can automatically update as the underlying data changes, making your drawings more dynamic and informative.  

How to Use the FIELD Command:

1. Start the Command: Type FIELD on the command line and press Enter.
2. Select Text Object: Select the text object where you want to insert the field.  
    
3. Choose Field Category and Name:
   • Object: Select an object from the drawing and choose a property of that object to display in the field (e.g., area, perimeter, length).  
      
   • Document Properties: Select properties of the current drawing, such as the file name, path, or creation date.
   • Sheet Set Properties: Select properties of the current sheet set, such as sheet number, sheet name, or plot style table.
   • User-Defined Properties: Create custom fields that can be updated manually or through scripts.
4. Format the Field: Customize the appearance of the field using options like number format, precision, and units.
5. Insert the Field: The field will be inserted into the selected text object.

Example Use Cases:

1. Dynamically Updating Dimensions:
   • Insert fields into dimension text to display updated values as the geometry changes.
2. Creating Title Blocks with Dynamic Information:
   • Use fields to display information like the drawing name, date, and author, which will automatically update as the drawing changes.
3. Generating Reports:
   • Create text objects with fields that display information about the drawing, such as the number of entities, layer names, or block names.
4. Customizing Text Labels:
   • Use fields to create dynamic labels that update based on the values of other objects or properties.  
      

Benefits of Using Fields:

• Accuracy: Ensures that the displayed information is always up-to-date.
• Efficiency: Reduces the need for manual updates and corrections.
• Flexibility: Allows you to create dynamic and customizable drawings.
• Professionalism: Improves the overall quality and presentation of your drawings.

By effectively using the FIELD command, you can create more informative and dynamic AutoCAD drawings that adapt to changes in the underlying data.

Practical Examples of Using the FIELD Command in AutoCAD

1. Dynamically Updating Dimensions

• Insert a Field: Place a field into the dimension text that references the dimension’s measured value.
• Automatic Update: As the geometry changes, the dimension value will automatically update, ensuring accuracy.

2. Creating Dynamic Title Blocks

• Insert Fields: Include fields for the drawing name, date, author, and other relevant information.
• Automatic Update: As the drawing properties change, the title block will update accordingly.

3. Generating Reports

• Create a Text Object: Use the TEXT command to create a text object.
• Insert Fields: Insert fields to display information like the number of entities, layer names, or block names.
• Generate Reports: Use the FIELD command to create dynamic reports based on the current drawing data.

4. Customizing Text Labels

• Create Text Objects: Use the TEXT command to create text objects for labels.
• Insert Fields: Insert fields to display information about the associated objects, such as their dimensions, properties, or other relevant data.

Specific Field Examples

• Object Properties:
  • ObjProp to display the area, perimeter, or other properties of a selected object.
• Document Properties:
  • DocProp to display the drawing name, path, or creation date.
  • SheetSetProp to display sheet set properties like sheet number or sheet name.
• User-Defined Properties:
  • Create custom properties using the PDATA command and reference them in fields.

Additional Tips:

• Format Codes: Use format codes to control the appearance of field values (e.g., number format, precision, units).
• Field Codes: Refer to the AutoCAD documentation for a complete list of field codes and their usage.
• Field Calculator: Use the Field Calculator to create and edit fields.
• Dynamic Blocks: Combine fields with dynamic blocks to create highly customizable and flexible drawings.

By effectively using the FIELD command, you can create dynamic and informative drawings that automatically update as the underlying data changes. This can save time, reduce errors, and improve the overall quality of your designs.