Setting and Modifying Current Attributes and Entity Attributes

In addition to the methods described in Properties (basic concepts), alternative methods are available both to change the current values of the line type, line width color and current layer attributes and to modify the same attributes of existing entities.

Setting/Modifying Current Attributes
Modifying the Attributes of Selected Entities

Setting/Modifying Current Attributes

Current attributes are the line type, the line width, the color and the current layer which will be applied to all new entities you create. When you change the current value of an attribute, existing entities are not affected by the change.

To change the current value of an attribute, you can use:

The Options/Properties command, either in the Tools menu or in the context menu displayed by right-clicking in an empty zone of the Graphics Area.
The Line Type, Line Width, and Color drop-down list buttons in the Statusbar.
For a detailed description of this method, see Setting and Modifying the Line Type, Setting and Modifying the Line Width, and Setting and Modifying the Color.
The Line Type, Line Width, Color and Current Layer commands (available in the Format menu).

Current attributes can be changed using the methods listed above also when a command is active, which can be very useful. Suppose, for example, you have started the Parallel Line command: once you have selected the reference line, you can change the current value of the attributes so that they will be applied to the resulting parallel line, which will look exactly as you want it to.

Modifying the Attributes of Selected Entities

Several methods are available to change the line type, line width and color attributes of selected entities:

Select the entities and then use the Line Type, Line Width or Color drop-down list buttons, as described in Setting and Modifying the Line Type, Setting and Modifying the Line Width, Setting and Modifying the Color.
Use the Edit Properties or Assign Properties command.