Parameters Manager (Drawing)

Controls the associative parameters used in the drawing.

When accessed from the drawing area, the Parameters Manager palette displays all associative variables (dimensional constraint variables and user-defined variables) available in the drawing.

You can create, edit, rename, group (not available in AutoCAD LT), and delete associative variables.

The Parameters Manager palette includes a grid control with three columns, by default. You can also add two columns (Description, Type) using the shortcut menu.

List of Options

The following options are displayed.

Column	Description
Name	Displays the variable name
Expression	Displays the real number or the equation for the expression, for example, d1+d2
Value	Displays the value of the expression
Additional Columns
Type	Displays the dimensional constraint type or variable value
Description	Displays the comments or notes associated with the user variable

Create a Dimensional Variable

To create a dimensional variable, you apply a dimensional constraint to an object in the drawing. Dimensional variables are displayed under the Dimensional Constraint Parameters group header in the Parameters Manager palette. (Not available in AutoCAD LT)

User variables are custom variables that enable you to create and drive object relationships. These variables can contain constants, or equations.

Click the New User Parameter icon on the Parameters Manager palette to create a user variable. Alternatively, double-click an empty cell to create a user-defined variable.

User variables have the following characteristics:

• Default values are: Name = user1, Expression = 1, and value = 1.00.
• Name should be alphanumeric and cannot begin with a number, contain spaces, or exceed 256 characters.
• Expression values should be within the range of -1e100 and 1e100.

Edit a Dimensional Variable

You can edit the dimensional variable name and expression. To do so:

• Double-click the name or expression box.
• Select the row and press F2. Press the Tab key to edit the contiguous columns.

  You cannot edit the Value column.

When you rename a dimensional variable, all instances of the variable are updated in the drawing and in the Parameters Manager palette.

Tip: Use the shortcut menu for the Name and Expression cells when copying and pasting values. The Expressions shortcut menu contains commonly used mathematical functions.

Invalid expressions are displayed in red text.

Delete a Dimensional Variable

When you delete a dimension variable:

• The associated dimensional constraint in the drawing is removed.
• The variables retain the value calculated by the expression as a constant. This action is for variables referenced by other variables, and ensures that the geometry does not change.

Filtering the Display of Variables in AutoCAD LT

You can filter the display of variables in AutoCAD LT to do the following:

• Display All Parameters- Displays all associative variables. No filter is applied.
• Display Parameters Used in Expressions - Displays all variables that contain expressions to evaluate a value, and variables contained in expressions.

Sorting a Column

Click a column heading to sort the variables in the table in ascending or descending order of the column property. When you sort by variable type, the name column is second in order to be sorted. The sort order is persistent.

The sort order is not affected when you add a variable, or change a name or expression.

Defining a Parameter Group

The Parameters Manager allows you to define parameter groups in the drawing editor. A parameter group is a collection of named parameters. It contains a subset of all parameters defined for the current space, but the group can also be empty.

Click the Filter icon to create a group, which displays a filter tree on the left vertical panel of the palette where you can show, hide, or expand the group filters. Drag and drop the parameters from the grid control into a parameter group.

The Invert Filter check box displays all the parameters which do not belong in the group.

You can filter the display of variables to do the following:

• All - Displays all associative variables. No filter is applied.
• All Used in Expressions - Displays all variables that contain expressions to evaluate a value, and variables contained in expressions.
• Custom group filter - Displays all parameters added in the defined parameter group.

Searching a Parameter

An edit box allows you to search for parameters by name.

Highlighting Dimensional Constraints

When you select a dimensional constraint in the Parameters Manager palette, the associated object is highlighted in the drawing.

If the parameter is a dynamic constraint that is hidden, the dynamic constraint will be temporarily displayed and highlighted when you select the cell.

Note: The object is not selected when highlighted; the highlighting is to visually identify the dimensionally constrained object.

Shortcut Menu Options

The following options are displayed on the shortcut menus in the Parameters Manager palette. (Not in AutoCAD LT)

Column Header Shortcut Menu
Expression	Displays or hides the Expression column
Value	Displays or hides the Value column
Type	Displays or hides the Type column
Description	Displays or hides the Description column
Maximize All Columns	Displays all columns using the maximum value in each column as the base.
Row Shortcut Menu
Show Filter Tree	Expands and displays the Filter Tree.
Remove from Group Filter	Removes the selected parameters from the group filter.
Delete Parameter	Deletes the selected parameters from the drawing and the Parameters Manager.
Cell Shortcut Menu
Cut	Removes the value from the cell and pastes it to the clipboard.
Copy	Copies the value in the cell and pastes it to the clipboard.
Paste	Pastes the immediately transferred value from the clipboard.
Delete	Deletes the value from the cell based on the selection.
Expressions	Displays a list of functions for use in the expression column (available only within the Expression cell)
Group Filter Shortcut Menu
New Group Filter	Creates a new parameter group filter.
Rename	Edits the group filter name.
Delete	Deletes the group filter.
Isolate Dynamic Constraints in Group	Displays only the dynamic constraints for the group filter.