1Overview
Asset Attribute Prefills complement category-based global presets with values specific to one asset definition. ADACAssetAttributes opens the same selector and prefill forms in ACAD, BCAD and the current DCAD host, and the resulting store can be saved to or loaded from a preset JSON.
Repeatedly creating the same asset types, applying project conventions or moving prefill settings between projects.
2Before you begin
- Initialise the project and load the intended profile.
- Know which standard or supplementary asset definitions need specific defaults.
- Choose a writable JSON location if the preset must be reused outside the current project.
3Prefill storage and precedence
Profile definitions establish fields, while the drawing and optional preset JSON provide values.
| Feature or choice | Current behaviour |
|---|---|
| Asset selector | Lists available standard and supplementary definitions from the effective profile.Only valid current asset types can be configured. |
| Project store | Saved prefills are keyed by standard/supplementary state, AssetId, category and feature class.Similar names in different classes remain distinct. |
| Preset JSON | Can import missing values without overwriting current project values and can save the current store for reuse.Teams can carry conventions between projects. |
| Attribute merge | Config includes and asset Attributes are merged before saved defaults are applied.The prefill form reflects the effective asset definition. |
| DCAD routing | DCAD runs the dedicated asset-prefill workflow and presents both Standard and Supplementary definitions.The macro no longer aliases to selected-element editing. |
4Create reusable asset defaults
Configure only stable project defaults; review changing design values on each asset.
Open the selector
Review standard and supplementary choices.
- Run
ADACAssetAttributes. - If a saved preset file is configured, allow it to import values that are not already in the drawing.
- Select one or more assets to configure.
Set each asset's values
The command opens a prefill form for every selected asset.
- Complete the specific values you want prefilled.
- Save the form and continue to the next selected asset.
- Assets with no specific attributes are reported and skipped.
Save a reusable preset
Persist the drawing store to JSON when needed.
- Choose or enter a preset JSON save location in the selector.
- Use the Save Preset action.
- Keep the file with controlled project or organisation resources.
5Product differences
The task is shared where possible, but selection, interface integration and model operations follow the host shown below.
Prefills are selected in the desktop form and applied to AutoCAD asset forms.
The same selector and merge rules apply in BricsCAD.
ADACAssetAttributes opens the Standard and Supplementary asset selector, edits reusable specific-attribute defaults and can load or save a preset JSON. A saved preset is imported without overwriting values already stored for the project.
6Troubleshooting
The preset JSON cannot be loaded
Confirm the file exists, is valid JSON and is readable. Clear or replace the saved preset path if the file was moved.
An asset says there is nothing to configure
That standard asset has no specific attributes in the effective definition. Use Global Attribute Prefills for shared values.
Old prefills keep appearing
Open the asset in the selector and save the corrected values, or load the intended preset file. Confirm the active profile and asset class match the stored key.
A preset did not replace a current value
Preset import deliberately preserves values already stored for the project. Edit the asset prefill directly when an existing value must change.