How to: Label Coordinate in AutoCAD

November 9th, 2009 | 453 views | 17 Comments

I had this question several times: can we automatically label our coordinate in AutoCAD? If you are Civil3D user, then you most likely will
suggest them to use C3D. But can AutoCAD actually do it? YES!

I saw many people use AutoLISP to do that task. It works great. But sometimes you may want to have your own labeling symbol and format.
So, why not using field?

Creating a reference object

First, we need to create an object as a reference point. It can be a point, a circle, or any symbol you want it to appear. I use this symbol.

I prefer to use point or circle. We can easily use the point position or circle center.

Creating an Attribute Definition

After we have the reference object, we need to define an attribute definition. You can activate it by clicking it on your ribbon, home tab,
block panel.
Or simply type ATTDEF then [enter].

Lets define our attribute. Give the attribute tag, prompt like below. In default field, type X Y = then click insert field.

Change the field category to objects, and in field names, select object. Click select object button to define the object type. Select the circle,
dont select anything else!

AutoCAD will list all available properties. Select center (or if you use point, select position). Because I only use it in 2D drawings, I dont need
it to display Z value. I turn it off. Change the format if necessary.Click OK.
Click OK again to close the define attribute dialog box. Place your attribute definition in desired location.

Optional: Define Adjustable Leader

If you dont want to have leader in your coordinate label, you can skip this step.

I add a line that will be used as leader.

Create the Block

Now we can define the block. Click create from ribbon, block panel.

Select all the objects, and define the center as insertion point. Activate Open in Block Editor on lower left of this dialog. We are going to
add some dynamic functionality. Click OK.
AutoCAD will show the edit attribute dialog. We dont want to modify it as it is updated automatically. Just click OK.

Add the Control Grip

What we want to do is adding a grip control, so we can modify the text (and optionally leader) placement. In block authoring palette, activate
the point parameter.

Now place it where you want the grip appear.

Now activate the stretch action.

Select the point parameter, create the stretch frame like below, and select the line and attribute definition. [Enter] to end it.

Now we are done! Save this block and close block editor.

Using the Label

Using the Label

How we can use the label? Just insert the block, and click on the point you want to show the coordinate. After you have one of the block in
your drawing, you can copy it and place it on several points you wanted.

Because we add a control grip, we can move the text and leader position!

Because we use field, if you move your points, the value will be automatically updated! Very cool, isnt it?

Why Attribute Definition? Why not Just Use Text?

You might ask this: why not just use text with field? I know we can insert field within text, single or multiline. But it doesnt work. You may
want to try it by yourself.

Apparently the field will consider the reference point always at 0,0,0 when you create a block. It works if you dont create a block from them,
but I believe you want to use it as reusable content, arent you?