Creating record formats
Create record formats to add data to drawing objects, which can then be used in reports to provide information about the project. For example, for a hotel project, you might create a format that includes the model number, price, and location of different items of furniture. After you attach the appropriate data to the furniture objects, you could create a report that shows the number of sofas you need on each floor of the hotel.
To create a new record format:
From the Resource Manager, click New Resource, select Record Format, and then click Create. Alternatively, from the Resource Manager, select Record Formats from the list of resource types on the tool bar, and click New Record Format.
The Create Record Format dialog box opens.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
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Parameter |
Description |
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Name |
Displays the name of the current record format |
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Field list |
Lists the fields of the current record format |
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New |
Creates a new field |
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Edit |
Edits the selected field |
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Remove |
Deletes the selected field |
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Database Connection information (Design Suite and database connection required) |
If you created a database connection for this file, database information displays at the bottom of the dialog box. These controls enable database connectivity and specify the database and table to which the record format is linked; see Record format database connection for details. |
Enter the Name of the record format.
Click New.
The Edit Field dialog box opens.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
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Parameter |
Description |
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Name |
Enter a name for the field, up to 63 characters |
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Type |
Select the type of field to display for the record in the Data tab of the Object Info palette. Integer: Field for entry of whole numbers (uses less memory than a Number field) Boolean: A check box Number: Field for entry of general numbers, or numbers of a specific format, such as fractions, dimensions, or dates; click Define to specify a format Text: Field for entry of a string of characters, such as a word or sentence Pop-up: List of options to select from; click Define to enter the options |
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If the data Type is Pop-up, opens the Edit Choices dialog box. Enter the options to display, pressing Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac) to separate each item. If the data Type is Number, opens the Number Format dialog box; select a format. General: The default general number format Decimal: Enter a value for the number of decimal places, and specify whether to use commas as separators Scientific: Enter a value for the number of decimal places Fractional: Enter the rounding value for fractions Percentage: Enter a value for the number of decimal places. Entries are multiplied by 100 and display with a percent symbol. Dimension: Displays the current unit mark after the number (as in " for inches) Dimension Area: Displays the current area units after the number (as in “sq ft” for square feet) Dimension Volume: Displays the current volume units after the number (as in “cu ft” for cubic feet) Angle: Select an accuracy setting (degrees, minutes, or seconds, or decimal numbers up to eight decimal places) Date: Select a date format |
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Default |
Specify a default value. You must enter a default value for Integer and Number type fields. |
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Database Connection information (Design Suite and database connection required) |
If you created a database connection for this file, database information displays at the bottom of the dialog box. These controls specify the database column to which the field is linked, as well as the link type; see Record format database connection for details. |
Set the parameters and click OK to return to the Create Record Format dialog box.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 to enter as many additional fields as needed.
