The Attributes palette applies attributes to objects, and displays the attributes currently applied to a selected object.
Select Window > Palettes > Attributes to open the Attributes palette.
Attributes can be applied to most 2D planar and screen objects, with a few exceptions. Line end markers can only be applied to open objects, such as lines, arcs, and polylines. Only pen color and opacity can be applied to text; however, a fill can be applied to the text box (the background behind the text).
If you are using the same attribute settings for several objects, create a class for those objects and apply the class attributes at creation. Class attributes can also be set for selected objects; see Setting Class Attributes.
Most of the attribute types (fill, pen, opacity, line thickness, and marker) are specified directly from the Attributes palette. Some of the settings available on the palette can be customized; fill and line patterns, line thickness, and line end marker styles can all be adjusted as needed.
Line types, and hatch, tile, gradient, and image fills are resources; you can select them from the default content in the Attributes palette (see Resource Libraries), or you can create or import custom resources and apply them from the Resource Browser.
In Vectorworks Design Series products, the Attributes palette has a utility menu that sets default and global attributes.
The default attributes for a document are the attributes that are automatically applied to each new object when it is created, unless a class attribute is assigned. These are the settings that display on the Attributes palette when no objects are selected.
When you first open a new document, set the default attributes to those you use most often. For example, you might adjust the fill and line colors, and line thickness.
The default attributes apply to the current document only. In addition, custom patterns that you create cannot be used in other documents. To save a set of default attributes or custom patterns for future use, set the attributes as desired and save the document as a template.
To set the default attributes for a document:
1. Ensure that no objects are selected.
2. Select Window > Palettes > Attributes.
The Attributes palette opens.
3. Select the desired attributes. Objects created after that point use those attributes by default.
The defaults can also be set with the Eyedropper tool (see Transferring Attributes).
Setting Global and Default AttributesThe Attributes palette includes a utility menu for making changes to all the attributes at one time. A set of default attributes can be saved and then restored, and attributes can quickly be set to be “By Class,” or have all “By Class” settings removed.
To access the Attributes palette utility menu:
1. From the Attributes palette, click the Utility Menu button to open the Utility menu.
Command |
Description |
|
Use Default Attributes |
Restores the default Attributes palette settings |
|
Set Default Attributes |
Saves all current parameter settings in the Attributes palette as the default set |
|
Make All Attributes By Class |
Sets all Attributes palette parameters to be determined by the object’s class (see Setting Class Attributes) |
|
Remove By Class Settings |
Removes any “by class” settings for all Attributes palette parameters |
2. Select a utility command to set the default attributes or change the Attribute palette parameter settings.
To apply attributes to existing objects:
1. Select the object or objects.
2. Select Window > Palettes > Attributes.
The Attributes palette opens.
3. Set the desired attributes for the object(s) from the Attributes palette.
The object’s attributes are updated.
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