You can attach data in an external database to objects as you digitize. You can select one link template for nodes and another for links (linear objects).
To link database records as you digitize
- On the command line, enter MAPDIGISETUP. Press Enter.
- Under Object Type, select the object type to digitize.
- Select Attach Data. Click Data To Attach.
- In the Data To Attach dialog box, under Object Data Type, select Database Link.
- For Link Template, select the link template to use.
- Specify a Record Validation method. Click OK.
- Click OK.
- On the command line, enter MAPDIGITIZE to begin digitizing.
AutoCAD Map 3D prompts you for a key value for each object. The database validation option you select here determines what happens as you enter a value for each digitized object:
- Validate —AutoCAD Map 3D checks whether the value you enter exists in the database table. If the value exists, the link data is attached to the object; if the value does not exist, AutoCAD Map 3D requests a new value. Use this option to link each object to an existing record in the table.
- Validate and Create —AutoCAD Map 3D checks whether the value you enter exists in the database table. If the value exists, the link data is attached to the object; if the value does not exist, AutoCAD Map 3D creates a new record in the database table with this value in the key column, and attaches the link data to the object. Use the Link Template Data Entry dialog box to enter values for the other columns in the new record.
- No Validation —AutoCAD Map 3D attaches the link data to the object without checking that the value exists in the table. Use this option if you do not have a corresponding database record and do not want to create one at this time.