Object Inspection
Table of contents
Object Inspection
Template Inspector provides object inspection capabilities to examine object properties, usage, and dependencies in detail. The inspection feature performs scans to find object usage and dependencies throughout your settings and objects, providing detailed information about where inspected objects are used.
Overview
Object inspection allows you to:
- Find all instances where objects are used. Find dependencies and references
- Reassign or Swap object property
- Identify unused objects for cleanup
GIF Placeholder: Show overview of object inspection interface
Object Types Supported
- Layers - Inspect layer assigment and usage
- Line Types - Find line type assignments and usage
- Dimension Styles - Check dimension style assignments and usage
- Hatch Styles - Locate hatch pattern assignments and usage
- Text Styles - Find text style assignments and usage
Object Scan Types
The following scan case types are used to get the object usage throughout drawings:
- Created Objects - Check all created objects in the drawing
- Settings with Object Assignment - Find all settings with objects assigned to them
- Dependent Objects List - List all dependent objects and their relationships
- Usage Detection - Find all places where objects are used
- Reference Discovery - Discover object references and dependencies
GIF Placeholder: Demonstrate object usage scanning
Inspection Workflow
The inspector finds objects that reference the objects being inspected.
- Choose Object Type - Select the type of object to inspect
- Search for Objects - Search for specific objects
- Select Target Object - Select the object to inspect
- Examine Dependencies - Examine object dependencies
- Review Results - Review inspection results
GIF Placeholder: Show complete inspection process
Usage Display
Template Inspector shows usage information to show how objects are used throughout your drawings, locations, template component and usage counts. The usage count specifically tracks only the objects that are placed or created in the drawing.
Usage Status
The object table on the left shows if the Objects is being used in the column ‘Usage Status’:
Usage Display References
The tools displays the references usage information in the following columns:
- Template Component - Shows the settings path where the settings use the object
- Associated Object - Shows objects that are created in the drawing that have the inspected object referenced inside their properties
- Assigned Object - Shows the assigned object that can be modified
- Count - Displays usage count information for placed/created objects only
GIF Placeholder: Show four-column layout interface
Component Column Reference
The Template Component column identifies the Settings location from the Civil 3D object in the tree structure, making it easy to locate.
Component Path Structure
Example Component Path for Layer:
Alignment Styles/Roadway Centerline Alignment Proposed - ATG/Display/Plan/Line
GIF Placeholder: Show the path in the tool and find the same setting in the C3D structure.
Missing Object Limitations
Due to current Civil 3D API limitations, Template Inspector cannot collect if data is associated to the following:
- Section View Styles - Drafting buffer outline
- Rail Turnout - All rail turnout objects
- Can’t View Styles - Equilibrium can’t line annotation, Applied cant line annotation
- Bridge Styles - All bridge related styles
The previous mentioned limitations are imposed by the Civil 3D API and are not within the control of Template Inspector. We continue to monitor API updates and will add support for these styles when they become available through the Civil 3D API.