There are two categories of attributes available for each object: object attributes and class attributes. Object attributes are assigned directly to an object from the Attributes palette, Object Info palette, or Resource Browser (depending on the type of attribute). Class attributes are determined by the object’s class settings.
The attributes that an object uses when it is created are controlled by options in the Edit Class(es) dialog box:
● Use at Creation (for 2D graphic attributes)
● Use Text Style at Creation (for text in text objects, dimensions, callouts, and other annotation objects)
● Use Textures/Surface Hatches at Creation (for textures in walls, roofs, and other 3D shapes)
When one of these “use at creation” options is selected for a class, objects created in that class or subsequently assigned to that class use the class attributes. The Attributes palette displays an arrow to indicate that the attributes have been set by class. If objects in that class already existed before the “use at creation” option is selected, you are prompted to decide how to apply the attributes to the existing objects.
Class attributes can also be assigned after objects are created:
● From the Attributes palette, select Class Style or Class Thickness from the appropriate attribute list.
● In the Shape tab of the Object Info palette, select <Class Text Style> from the Text Style list.
● In the Render tab of the Object Info palette, select Class Texture from the Texture list.
To override class attributes, select the object(s) and apply different attributes directly from the Attributes palette, Object Info palette, or Resource Browser.
Several plug-in objects (such as Vectorworks Design Series doors and windows) offer the option to control the appearance and visibility of the smaller object parts either individually, or by the same class as the overall object. For example, select the <Door Class> option for the door jamb, lintel, and threshold to assign those door parts to the same class as the door object. If you change the door’s class later, the appearance and visibility of the smaller door parts automatically change according to the new class.
For more information, see The Attributes Palette.
