Furix

Entity Definition

This is a technical command for advanced AutoCAD users. You may ignore this command if you are not familiar with the technical side of AutoCAD.

In Detailed Mode, CompareDWG compares the database definition of all entities, not just their graphical appearance. Sometimes you may want to know what this database definition is, for example to find out exactly what changes have been applied to an entity. The Entity Definition command will list that information.

Most often you will use this command in a drawing that shows results of a comparison. However, you can also use this command in other AutoCAD drawings.
After starting the command you must select one entity. The database definition will then be printed in the text window. If you need help with interpreting the output, you can have a look at AutoCAD's DXF documentation (AutoCAD Help, DXF Reference).

Some remarks:

• For complex entities, the outermost entity will be listed. For example, if you select an attribute then the database definition of the block insert with all its attributes will be listed. Similarly, selecting a vertex of an (old style) polyline will list the polyline with all its vertices.
• Ignore the entity names; AutoCAD will change these whenever a drawing is (re-)loaded.
• Some symbol table references may have a prefix to their name, for example you may see a layer name FRXC_UNN|Border where you expected Border. This is normal because CompareDWG uses xrefs.
• The 62 group contains the colour number. If you have selected an entity in a drawing that is the result of a comparison, then this will show the appropriate markup colour, not the colour of the original entity.
• Xdata will be listed if this is currently selected in your preferences.
• If you want to know EXACTLY what has been compared, you should open the original drawings and use the Entity Definition command in these drawings. This way the handles and colours will also be correct.
• If you use this command on a complex entity, for example a large 3dSolid, then the text screen sometimes cannot keep up with the printing speed and may look somewhat garbled. Pressing F2 twice usually redraws the text screen correctly.