Is there a way to automatically number a list of items in BricsCAD?

Short Answer

Yes — in BricsCAD, you can automatically number a list of text items by selecting them and using TCOUNT, which is the standard professional method for sequential numbering. It works well for MText and Text objects in common documentation workflows. Limitation: it does not intelligently renumber unrelated block attributes by itself.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: TCOUNT numbers objects in the order you select them, so a careless crossing selection can produce the wrong sequence. Also, if your text objects are on locked layers or mixed with unsupported object types, the numbering result may fail or appear incomplete.

How to Automatically Number a List in BricsCAD

• Command: TCOUNT

• Shortcut: No default shortcut commonly assigned

• Quick Steps:

  1. Start TCOUNT from the command line, then select the Text or MText objects you want to number in the drawing area.
  2. Press Enter and choose the sort method, typically by selection order for the fastest manual control.
  3. Set the numbering options such as starting number, increment, and prefix/suffix, then confirm to apply the sequence.

Variables & Settings

• Key Setting: Sort method / numbering format

• Expert Setting: The most important option is the object ordering method. If you choose selection order, BricsCAD numbers exactly in the order you click items. Prefix and suffix settings are useful for formats like 1., A-1, or Item 01.

Why it Fails

• Cause 1 (Geometry): The text objects were selected in the wrong order, so the numbered sequence does not match the visual top-to-bottom or left-to-right list.

• Cause 2 (Layers/Locks): Some text is on a locked layer, preventing edits and leaving gaps in the numbering.

• Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The list contains block attributes instead of plain Text or MText, and TCOUNT does not process them the same way in a simple numbering workflow.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

• Quick Fix: Unlock the text layers, then rerun TCOUNT and select items one by one in the exact numbering order you want.

• Manager’s Verdict: Use TCOUNT for notes, callout lists, and schedules made from Text or MText. Avoid it for data-driven tags or attribute-based numbering where a block/attribute workflow is more reliable.

FAQ

Can TCOUNT add prefixes like Item 1, Item 2, Item 3?

Yes, you can set a prefix and suffix during the numbering process.

Does TCOUNT work on single-line Text and MText?

Yes, it commonly works with both Text and MText objects.

Can BricsCAD renumber block attributes automatically with TCOUNT?

No, not as a straightforward standard workflow; attributes usually need a different method.

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