Part Attributes

3-D Standard > Tools >Attr.

This function is useful if you want to create Bills of Materials (BOMs) without using the HELiOS database. You can assign a 3-D part non-graphic attributes such as quantity, item, designation or additional texts, in addition to attributes such as colour, line type or layer and material properties. You can also use this function to make parts BOM-relevant.

Enter the desired additional information.
If you want the part to be automatically considered for BOM creation, activate the BOM-relevant checkbox.
Apply the data you have entered by clicking the OK button or ENTER (Return). Use the ESC key or the Cancel button to cancel the function without applying the changes.

The attribute mask for assemblies differs from that of other parts. It is also displayed when you create assemblies to allow you to assign non-graphic attributes, e.g. quantity, item, designation etc., directly to the assembly. The BOM-relevance is automatically set here. In addition, you can define the type of assembly in the Part type field:

Assembly (general),
Welded assembly (Workshop),
Bolted assembly (Site),
Mullion assembly,
Glass assembly, or
Structure assembly.

etc.

The assembly type can be changed with the Assembly type function. Multiple selections are also possible.

Please note that the content of the attribute masks also depends on the specified parameter configuration (HiCAD exe directory\ParKonfigComp.exe)!

Notes on Attributes

Part name / Article number	If you assign the Article number attribute to a part, it is displayed instead of the part name in the part structure of the ICN. The ISD has preset the function in such a way that only the Article number, but not the Part name can be changed here. Conversely, you can use the Rename function in the ICN to change only the Part name, but not the Article number. To enable changes to Part name and Article number via these functions, you need to modify the following files in the HiCAD SYS directory: ICN_MULTIATTRVIEW.HDB and ICN3D_MULTIATTRVIEW_DB.HDB , brw_2dteilattr.hdb and brw_2ddbattr.hdb. In these files, add the text ::EDIT="YES": to the entries: <H>::TEXT=""::ATTR="$BB"::TYP="WCHAR"::EDIT="YES" <H>::TEXT=""::ATTR="$TN"::TYP="WCHAR"::EDIT="YES" Then restart HiCAD. For assemblies please also note the information given in the Assembly Points and Assembly Article number topic in the HiCAD Basics Help.
BOM-relevant	If you are working with HELiOS, all parts to which an article master has been assigned will automatically be BOM-relevant. You can also use the search function of the ICN to assign or change the BOM relevance and part attributes. It also enables you to mark several parts as BOM-relevant in one step. For HiCAD2 parts with an article master ID the BOM-relevance will be set to "Yes" when the drawing or the part is loaded. This is irrespective of whether the part master ID can be found in the database. In this context, please also note the Change BOM-relevance function.
Item number	The item number is displayed in curly brackets behind the part name in the part structure of the ICN, e.g. {5}. If you enter a negative value here, or if you change already itemised parts or assemblies in your drawing, the item number will be marked with an asterisk * (e.g. 5*). In this context, please also read the notes on management of manually assigned item numbers.
Weight Fixed	If you want to assign a weight to a 3-D part by entering a particular value, you can activate the Fixed checkbox to lock this field and prevent an overwriting of the entered value by HiCAD. In this context, please also read the notes on the Information 3-D part, Surface area, Volume, Mass* function.
Execution class	This field is only available for assemblies, and only if your HiCAD product includes the Steel Engineering module. This function is of importance if you want to create weld seam test protocols. In this field you select the inspection class according to DIN EN 1090. The default setting is EXC2 (DIN EN 1090). You can change this setting in the Configuration Editor (ISDConfigEditor.exe) at ... > Modelling > Weld seams > Execution class. Please note that a list of the execution classes of all assemblies belonging to the drawing will be assigned to the drawing attribute _SZNATTRSEXC, e.g. EXC2, EXC3, EXC4. The drawing attribute _SZNATTRSEXC can both used for annotations, or can be output to title blocks.
Usage	HiCAD supports part classification according to freely definable Usages. attribute for the classification of parts. In this way you can, for example, define parts as columns, girders, transoms, etc. for civil engineering projects. Such classifications enable the creation of "Usage-dependent" workshop drawings or BOMs The usages are managed via the Catalogue Editor, namely in the catalogue Factory standards > Usage, and can be expanded and customized at any time. Extensive information on usages can be found in the Online Help for the Catalogue Editor (CATEDITOR.EXE). Example You can also assign a Usage to a 3-D part by selecting Properties > Usage. Multiple selections are also possible. During automatic itemisation you can automatically assign the usage Girder (beam) assembly or Column assembly to Steel Engineering assemblies. For this to happen, open the Configuration Editor and set the parameter at Steel Engineering > Usage accordingly. Assign usages COLUMN or BEAM (girder) automatically If this checkbox is active, the Girder (beam) assembly or Column assembly usage will be automatically assigned to Steel Engineering assemblies - depending on the position of the Steel Engineering main part in the assembly. The checkbox is deactivated by default. Alignment for columns Here you select the axis for the alignment of the columns (Default: Z-axis). Beams with this alignment will be recognized as columns, beams standing perpendicular to them as girders. Allowed angle deviation of beams from defined alignment (in degrees) This value determines up to how many degrees the axis of a beam is allowed to deviate from the axis specified at Alignment for columns parameter for the beam to be still recognized as a column (Default: 0).
Part type	When inserting catalogue parts such as beams, profiles, bolts, screws, nuts etc., the Part type will automatically be entered in the attribute mask.

The Part attributes masks for Steel Engineering parts and Sheet Metal parts differ from those of other 3-D parts. Furthermore, particular part attributes are automatically assigned to Steel Engineering parts, e.g. Article number, Item number, Weight, Part type, BOM-relevance (yes), etc.

Specific attributes can be assigned automatically to other 3-D parts, too. For example, automatic weight and surface recalculation are supported. For Sheet Metal parts, the developed lengths and widths and the sheet thickness can be entered into the attributes. This can be specified in the Configuration Editor, at Modelling > Part Properties > Weight calculation. The default setting is Only when itemising.

After changing the settings at Modelling > Part properties you need to restart HiCAD!

The weight calculation is also possible for main assemblies (e.g. when performing an itemisation, a feature recalculation of parts etc.). The weight of the main assembly will be assigned to the part attribute §01. (SP2)

In addition, the new attribute "Coating, one-sided" is now available for folded sheets. If it is set , the edge of the sheet will be taken into account during calculation.

The unit of measurement for surface area calculation can also be set in the Configuration Editor, at System settings > Miscellaneous > Unit of measurement for surface areas. The default setting is m**2.

Please note:

Various attributes of the active part or the active assembly can also be changed in the Properties window of the ICN.
The part attribute mask can also be opened either by double-clicking the desired part in the drawing or in the ICN.

Please observe the instructions for automatic dimensions calculation for of assemblies.

Usable part attributes

The part attributes used in HiCAD are managed centrally in the catalogue table "System settings - System attributes". In particular, this means:

In the attribute configuration for the ICN and the part attribute dialogues (.\sys\*.hdb, *.hdx), the parameter "TEXT=…" will be emptied in the default configuration. Therefore, the short text of the attribute from the catalogue table will be used for the display of attribute descriptions (e.g. attribute text for ICN Properties).
If any text is assigned to the TEXT parameter, e.g. for customer installations, this text takes priority over the short text in the catalogue and will be shown instead of the short text.

Changeability of HiCAD part attributes for reference parts that have been write-protected via HELiOS

The changeability of HiCAD part attributes for reference parts that have been write-protected via HELiOS is influenced by the settings in the Configuration Editor (at System settings > Referencing) and in the file ref3d_attr_akt.dat (in the in the Configuration Editor at System settings > Referencing):

Synchronize item numbers / part attributes when updating file
Synchronization of attributes

The table below shows, by way of the Attribute %02 (Item number), the possible settings in the Configuration Editor, and their effects on changeability of the HiCAD part attributes of assemblies and parts.

Setting for "Synchronize item numbers / part attributes..."	Setting for "Synchronization of attributes"	Item number changeable Part	Item number changeable Assembly
For main parts and sub-parts	Configuration
For main parts and sub-parts	Sub-parts only
For main parts and sub-parts	Never

Only for sub-parts	Configuration
Only for sub-parts	Sub-parts only
Only for sub-parts	Never

Never	Configuration
Never	Sub-parts only
Never	Never

Insertion of catalogue standard parts and semi-finished products

When you insert catalogue standard parts and semi-finished products (SE beams/profiles, plates) in HiCAD, values from the catalogue entry are assigned to some part attributes of the HiCAD part (e.g. the "Article number" part attribute is assigned to the "BZ" column). This configuration can be set by the user as of Version 2008. In the catalogue tables you have the option to link a table column to a part attribute.

When fitting a part from this table in HiCAD, the value of the linked column will then be assigned to the part. A user can, for instance, enter the article number and/or the supplier in a column, and the value will be assigned to a part attribute when fitting a part and can subsequently be used for part annotations or bills of materials. In the catalogue table (see Catalogue Editor) linked columns are identified by a link symbol in the column header. From version 2008 onwards, the "BZ" columns of tables for standard parts and semi-finished product are linked to the part attribute "$BB"; "CUSTOM1" columns are linked to the part attribute "CUSTOM1", and "CUSTOM2" columns are linked to the part attribute "CUSTOM2".

Insertion of parts from the CADENAS PartSolutions calalogues

When inserting parts from the Cadenas PartSolutions catalogues into HiCAD, the Cadenas attributes "Part No". and the designation will be automatically assigned to the HiCAD part attributes $BB (Article No.) and $01 (Designation 1). This assignment can be changed in the STD.XML file in the HiCAD directory SYS\CADENAS.

Example: Attribute assignment ("Mapping")

<?xml version="1.0"?>

-<AttribMap>

</AttribMap>

In this example the Cadenas attribute NB is assigned to the HiCAD attribute $01 (Designation 1), and the Cadenas attribute ARTNR is assigned to the HiCAD attribute $BB (Article number).

Insert parts from electronic part catalogue CADClick

Parts from standard parts libraries of various producers, e.g. HILTI, can now be directly inserted in HiCAD via the electronic part catalogue CADClick.

During the insertion, the order number of the part will be transferred to the HiCAD system attribute Order No. (attribute name $ON).

If you want the order number to appear in the Part attributes mask for standard parts, you need to expand the system file BRW_3DTEIL_NORMTEIL.HDX accordingly.

Expanded BRW_3DTEIL_NORMTEIL.HDX file (detail)

Attribute mask with Order No. field

Process Parts via the ICN • Part Annotation • Itemize Part • Bill of Materials (BOM)