What is a ʼFieldʼ in a BricsCAD text or table?

Short Answer

A Field in BricsCAD text or a table is a dynamic value inserted with the FIELD command that automatically displays data such as date, sheet info, object properties, or drawing properties. The most common professional use is linking text to object or document properties so notes update automatically. Limitation: fields can break if the source object is deleted.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Fields often appear correct at first but can stop updating after copied files, broken references, or erased source objects. A very common failure is object-based fields in attributes, MText, or tables showing outdated values because the field was not regenerated.

How to Insert a Field in BricsCAD

• Command: FIELD

• Shortcut: No default shortcut

• Quick Steps:

  1. Start FIELD, or in the Ribbon go to the text editor or table cell content area and choose to insert a field.
  2. In the Field dialog, choose a category such as document, date, or object, then select the field type.
  3. If using an object field, click Select Object, pick the object, then set the required property and formatting option before confirming.

Variables & Settings

• Key Setting: Field format and evaluation option in the Field dialog

• Expert Setting: When creating a field, the formatting choice controls how values display, such as precision, date style, or text case. In tables, this matters because a field may be technically correct but still appear wrong due to unit precision or formatting settings.

Why it Fails

• Cause 1 (Geometry): The field references an object property, but the source object was deleted, replaced, or no longer has the same measurable property.
• Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The source object is on an unloaded, hidden, or externally managed reference layer, so the field cannot resolve as expected in the current context.
• Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The field was inserted as static text during copy-paste or was not regenerated, so it no longer updates dynamically.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

• Quick Fix: Run REGEN after editing source objects, then reopen the text, attribute, or table cell and reassign the field if the source reference is lost.
• Manager’s Verdict: Use fields for title blocks, callouts, areas, lengths, and table content that must stay coordinated. Avoid object-based fields when source geometry is temporary or likely to be deleted.

FAQ

Can a field show object area or length?
Yes, object fields commonly report properties like area, length, or coordinates.

Do fields update automatically in BricsCAD?
Usually yes, but some cases require a regeneration or reopening the drawing.

Can fields be used inside table cells?
Yes, BricsCAD supports fields in table cells for dynamic content.

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