2004

Glossary | 847
attribute extraction template file An ASCII text file that determines which
attributes are extracted and how they are formatted when written to an attribute
extraction file. See also attribute extraction file.
attribute prompt The text string displayed when you insert a block with an attribute
whose value is undefined. See also attribute definition, attribute tag, and attribute
value.
attribute tag A text string associated with an attribute that identifies a particular
attribute during extraction from the drawing database. See also attribute definition,
attribute prompt, and attribute value.
attribute value The alphanumeric information associated with an attribute tag. See
also attribute definition, attribute prompt, and attribute tag.
AutoCAD library search path The order in which AutoCAD looks for a support file:
current directory, drawing directory, directory specified in the support path, and
directory containing the AutoCAD executable file, acad.exe.
AutoCAD window The drawing area, its surrounding menus, and the command
line.
axis tripod Icon with X, Y, and Z coordinates that is used to visualize the viewpoint
(view direction) of a drawing without displaying the drawing. (VPOINT)
back face The opposite side of a front face. Back faces are not visible in a rendered
image. See also front faces.
baseline An imaginary line on which text characters appear to rest. Individual
characters can have descenders that drop below the baseline. See also baseline dimen-
sion.
baseline dimension Multiple dimensions measured from the same baseline. Also
called parallel dimensions. See also baseline.
base point 1. In the context of editing grips, the grip that changes to a solid color
when selected to specify the focus of the subsequent editing operation. 2. A point for
relative distance and angle when copying, moving, and rotating objects. 3. The
insertion base point of the current drawing. (BASE) 4. The insertion base point for a
block definition. (BLOCK)
Bezier curve A polynomial curve defined by a set of control points, representing an
equation of an order one less than the number of points being considered. A Bezier
curve is a special case of a B-spline curve. See also B-spline curve.
bitmap The digital representation of an image having bits referenced to pixels. In
color graphics, a different value represents each red, green, and blue component of a
pixel.
blips Temporary screen markers displayed in the drawing area when you specify a
point or select objects. (BLIPMODE)
block A generic term for one or more objects that are combined to create a single
object. Commonly used for either block definition or block reference. See also block
definition and block reference. (BLOCK)
block definition The name, base point, and set of objects that are combined and
stored in the symbol table of a drawing. See also block and block reference.