Propagation of Attributes to Containing Shapes

After attributes to propagate are specified and Area Shape is placed on drawing, any item dragged inside its limits will automatically receive default values defined in the Area. Any attributes not applicable for a particular type will be skipped. After the item is dragged out from the Area, its attributes controlled by the Area are cleared (set to default values). In both cases applicable messages are added to the message log. In addition, when the Area is defined in database, SCAREF of element represented by the shape dragged in/out is updated appropriately.

In Diagrams Options, there is a setting to control how the application should behave when a user tries to change an attribute controlled by the Area Shape - 'Allow to modify attributes of contained shapes':

The setting can have the following values:

• Ask user - the user is warned that the attribute being changed is governed by the Area and is asked to proceed or not:

  

• Always allow - the change is always allowed without a warning

• Never allow - the change is not allowed

Please note that changes done directly to the database are not controlled by this setting, for example, if the database is updated from functions such as the Command Line, Attributes Utility form, Customer defined PML forms .

All differences between attributes controlled by the Area and the corresponding values of the contained shapes and also inconsistencies between value of SCAREF and the situation on drawing are reported by the Consistency Check function.

The attribute values of contained shapes being different that corresponding ones in Area Shape can be updated using Update Containing Shapes command available from Area right mouse button menu.