Expert: Bob - 12/11/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have just started working on AutoCAD 2008, having worked on 2006 for a couple of years.  I am mainly self taught.  I took a class several years ago on AutoCAD 12 release.  I do free lance work for a out of state company.  I have two questions..one that relates to a change in 2008 from 2006, and one a setting that I must have accidentally changed, because the problem just started.  The change from 2006 is that in the tools drop down the "attribute extraction" option is not there.  I use this to count some blocks in my drawings...where can I find this feature in 2008?  The setting issue is that when I click on the "layer properties manager" nothing happens.  '_layer comes up at the command line and unless I hit escape the computer just makes a bong sound and neither shows me the layer properties dialogue box nor allows me to do anything else. I have tried typing in layer properties on the command line, but nothing I do will let me look at the dialogue box.  This was working fine..and then just stopped. Help!  Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi --
Sorry, I dont have time to look up the attribute thing this week, but perhaps using HELP, you can find how to do that.
There is also a little story in the Help menu on new features -- the atttributes have improved a lot. I am not using 2008 right now, but I have it, and will try to help you in  a few days, if you write back.

If you constantly need to count certain blocks, you might also create a unique layer for each, and use QUICKSELECT to select only blocks on that layer -- the properties palette will give you the total of items selected.

As for the Layer Properties Manager, best guess is that something you did, some customization, or a 3rd party application messed up your installation -- that noise is your clue. Try going to change/remove programs and do a repair installation of 2008.

Good luck

BOB

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Bob, thanks for the relpy...I have never done a repair installation before...can you explain to me what that involves?
Marsha.

Answer
HI
CONTROL PANEL >> ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAMS >> ACAD 2008
Click on it, choose change/REMOVE, when the AutoCAD dialog comes up, choose  reinstall/repair. You will need the disc.

Read up on the changes for 2008 and benefit from them, the moment you can.

BOB