Exercise 3: Add object classes to the definition file

You can add more object classes to the object class definition file, even if you add them from a different drawing. When you attach the resulting definition file to a map, all the class definitions are available.

Note: This exercise uses the MyDefinition.xml object class definition file you created in Exercise 1: Create the object class definition file.

To add an object class to an existing definition file

  1. Open Classify_Parcels.dwg. Click OpenDrawing.
  2. On the Map Explorer tab of the Task pane, right-click Object Classes and click Attach Definition File.
  3. Navigate to the object class definition file you created earlier (MyDefinition.xml) and open it.
  4. On the Map Explorer tab, right-click Object Classes and click Define Object Class.
  5. Select a parcel as the model object for this object class and press Enter.
  6. In the Define Object Classification dialog box, specify Parcels as the name for this object class and check the topmost box in the Object Types list.
  7. Click the Properties List tab and check the properties to include in this object class.
    • Select a set of General properties and assign default values as appropriate.
    • Select all OD:Schema_Parcels properties, but delete their default values.
  8. Click the Class Settings tab, click Create Method and click Polygon.

    When you create a parcel for this class, use the Polygon method to create it.

  9. Click Save Definition.
  10. Leave Classify_Parcels.dwg open.
  11. Open the Classify_Signals.dwg file. Attach the MyDefinition.xml definition file and create an object class using the following settings:
    • Name: Signals
    • Properties: Select a set of General properties and assign default values as appropriate. Select all Geometry and OD:Schema_signals properties, but delete their default values.
    • Create Method: Point
  12. Leave Classify_Signals.dwg open.

Where you are now

You created an object class definition file, defined object classes, and added the object classes to the definition file.

To continue this tutorial, go to Lesson 3: Classify Objects.