Attdef returning ??

I have a block with an "attdef". The tag is "ref #" and when I use the "ddatte" command the value for the tag is "C1". But when I run my LiSP routine it returns the vale of "??" instead of "C1".
Here is part of the code, can someone tell me why it's returning "??" instead of "C1"?

(setq block_ent (entget block_entity)) ;gets the DXF codes for the block entity
(setq insert_point (cdr (assoc 10 block_ent))) ;returns the insertion point of the block
(setq block_rotation (cdr (assoc 50 block_ent)))
(setq block_name (cdr (assoc 2 block_ent))) ;returns the name of the block of the selected entity
(setq subent (cdr (assoc -2 (tblsearch "BLOCK" block_name)))) ;returns entity name for subent
(setq subent_data (entget (cdr (assoc -2 (tblsearch "BLOCK" block_name))))) ;returns DXF info for subentity
(setq entity_type (cdr (assoc 0 (entget subent))))
(while (/= subent nil)
(if (or (= entity_type "ATTRIB")(= entity_type "ATTDEF"))
(progn
(setq text_loc_X (cadr (assoc 11 subent_data)))
(setq text_loc_Y (caddr (assoc 11 subent_data)))
(setq relative_text_loc (list (+ (car insert_point) text_loc_X)(+ (cadr insert_point) text_loc_Y)))
(setq text_loc_angle (+ (angle insert_point relative_text_loc) block_rotation))
(setq text_loc_distance (distance insert_point relative_text_loc))
(setq new_text_loc (polar insert_point text_loc_angle text_loc_distance))
(setq text_height (cdr (assoc 40 subent_data)))
(setq text_value (cdr (assoc 1 subent_data)))
:
:
:
Thanks.
Mark

 

I think you are confusing the 'block' definition - with the 'insert' of that block - using ddatte examines a 'insert' (block), and with attributes, gives you a dialog with the 'value' of that attribute. Whereas, examining the 'block' table definition, gives you the 'default' value of the attrib / attdef..which is probably "??" as a 'default' value. ??

Bob

 

Is there a way to extract the "C1" value from the blocks' attdef?

 

No. You have to 'get' the 'insert'ed one, and grab the (cdr (assoc 1subent_data). If you have 'many' - you can grab them all in a selection set, foreach x ss, obtain the values.
Or, just (setq ent (entsel "\nPick the Block:"))
Then, drill down to the 'tag' or attribute level.

Bob

 

Thank you very much. I'll give it a try.

Mark

 

I just can't seem to get it to retrieve the text value of the tag. What do you mean by the insert'ed one? I've tried a number of ways and I'm getting nowhere fast.

 

;; Get Attribute value.
(defun C:GA ()
(setq ent (car (entsel "\nSelect a Block:")))
(setq elist (entget ent))
(setq attr (entget (entnext (cdr (assoc -1 elist))))); get attribute
(setq val (cdr (assoc 1 attr)))
(prompt "\n ")
(princ val)
(princ)
); end defun

 

What version of AutoCAD are you using?
You should look into Visual LiSP if you are at or above Acad 2000.

 

That did the trick! Thank you very much!

 

You are welcome. Any time.

Bob

 

I've been using Visual LiSP for a while now, it is so much easier than using an ASCII text editor!!

 

Then it is easy to get any information from you attributes using the
following example:

<code:
(defun objsel ($prompt / ent)
(vl-load-com)
(setq ent (car (entsel $prompt)))
(if (/= ent nil)
(setq obj (vlax-ename->vla-object ent))
(princ "No Object Selected")
)
)

(defun C:blockinfo ()
(objsel "\nSelect Block: ") ;objsel defined above, used to get an object
(setq atts (vlax-safearray->list
(vlax-variant-value (vla-getattributes obj))
)
) ;stores all blocks attributes in a list

(setq att1 (nth 0 atts)) ;this is the first attribute in the list. If you
right click
;on att1 and hit "inspect" it will show you all the properties that
;you can access with vla-get- for example if you want the text of it
see next line.
(setq $text (vla-get-TextString att1))
)
:code>

You can change the text using.. (vla-put-TextString att1 "new string")

 

Thanks Dann,
I'm not too familiar with the "vl" type commands, but this will certainly get me going in that direction. Thanks for the help!
Mark