Editing Record Formats

Record formats can be edited in a variety of ways, depending on the desired outcome.

 

Method	Result
Edit the record format resource, changing the field list and/or default field values (see Editing Default Record Formats)	Future objects or symbols with the record attached reflect the changes; existing attached records are unaffected
Edit the field values of a record attached to a selected object (see Viewing and Editing Object Records)	Changes to field values affect the selected object only; the field list cannot be changed. Existing and future objects with the record attached use the default values.
Edit the record field values of a symbol definition (see Editing Symbol Default Record Values)	Changes to field values affect future instances of the symbol; the field list cannot be changed. Existing symbols and other symbols with the record attached are unaffected.

Alternatively, make global changes with the symbol utilities (see Changing One Record Format Field and Changing All Record Format Fields).

Editing Default Record Formats

A record format’s fields and default values can be edited from the Resource Browser.

To edit record format values:

1.	Select Window > Palettes > Resource Browser.

The Resource Browser opens.

2.	Select the record format.

3.	Select Edit from the Resources menu.

The Edit Record Format dialog box opens.

 

Parameter	Description
Name	Displays the name of the current record format
Field list	Lists the fields of the current record format
New	Creates a new field (as described in Creating Record Formats)
Edit	Edits the selected field
Remove	Deletes the selected field
Down/Up	Changes the order of the fields by moving the selected field up or down

4.	Select the record format field to edit and click Edit to change the default value, or click New or Remove to add or delete fields.

5.

Click OK.

The edits do not affect existing values for attached records. Changes are applied to the default field values when attached to symbols or objects, or for future symbols with the record attached.

Viewing and Editing Object Records

The Object Info palette Data tab is used to attach, view, and edit the record values for specific instances.

If selecting multiple objects with different records attached, the Data tab displays records that are attached to objects with a grayed box, but does not indicate which records are attached to which objects.

The three list boxes on the Data tab can be resized by moving the bars between them.

To edit record field values for a selected object:

1.	Select Window > Palettes > Object Info.

The Object Info palette opens.

2.	Select the object.

Click the Data tab on the Object Info palette. The Object Info palette displays information about the record format(s) attached to the selected object(s).

 

Parameter	Description
Record List	Displays all records contained in the drawing; records attached to the selected object are indicated with an X in the checkbox to the left of the record name
Field List	Displays all the fields in the selected record; if a default value was assigned to the field, it displays after the field name
Edit Field	Edits the field values for the selected record; all entered values override any default values for the object

3.	Select the desired record in the Record list, and then the desired field in the Field list. In the Edit Field box, make the change to the default value.

This information applies to the selected object only; other new and existing objects with that record attached will still use the original (default) record format values. If a selected chair has a different part number from the default value that was entered in the record format, enter the new part number for that chair only. If the part number for all chairs has changed, edit the default record format instead.

Editing Symbol Default Record Values

The default values of a record attached to a symbol can be changed while editing a symbol definition (see Editing Symbol Definitions). This does not change the record format resource; if other symbols or objects have the record attached, they are unaffected. It does change the future default record values for that symbol.

To change the default field values of a symbol’s record format:

1.	Select a symbol definition.

2.	Select Edit from the Resources menu.

3.	Select the symbol component to edit, and click Edit.

4.	In the Edit Symbol window, deselect all by clicking in an empty area of the window.

5.	In the Object Info palette, click on the Data tab.

When no items are selected, the Data tab displays *SYMBOL DEFAULTS* at the top.

6.	Select the desired record in the Record list, and then the desired field in the Field list. In the Edit Field box, make the change to the default value.

7.	Click Exit Symbol at the top right of the drawing window to return to the drawing.

The default field values of the record format for that symbol definition have been changed.