An info point is a block that contains 27 (hidden) attributes where object-specific information can be stored. These attributes provide detailed information on a part in the drawing. When the info point is read, the values of these attributes are transformed into the item numbers, and when the BOM is generated, into the BOM attributes.

When you insert standard parts, the values required (designation, standard, etc.) are written automatically to the info point.

When you insert standard parts, the values required (designation, standard, etc.) are written automatically to the info point.

If you have drawn parts without the support of the AutoCAD standard parts (and you want the BOM to contain these parts), you must create and valuate the info point or item number yourself.

You can insert item numbers directly in the drawing. You might well ask why, then, info points are used at all. The reasons for this are as follows:

1. Information on a standard part is stored in the infotype. Unlike with the item number, you are not yet restricted to a specific number sequence.
2. Info points mean that you are not yet restricted to a specific arrangement of the item numbers in the drawing. If you could insert only item numbers, these might be overridden by parts that are inserted or moved later.

All info point are stored in the special INFO layer – this means that they can be shown/hidden as required (using an on/off switch). You can switch off the info points if you want to plot your drawing provisionally.

If you have inserted a standard part, you only need to position the info point at the correct location. Sometimes, when you insert standard parts, several info points are inserted. In this case, the other info points take their lead from the first info point (they are inserted in accordance with the direction in which the standard parts is inserted).

If you insert info points manually, the following command line appears (you can either insert an info point in the drawing yourself, or you can select an existing info point or item number):

Empty info point/<select info point or item number>

No matter which option you choose, a dialog box appears automatically. In this dialog box, you can specify values for the inserted info point, or you can change existing values.

If you choose the Empty info point option, you can insert an info point in the drawing yourself, and enter values for the attributes. If you select an existing info point, the info point you select is copied. You can then change the attribute values, and insert the new info point. If you select an item number, you can also change the values, and insert a "copy" of the item number in the drawing. You can also use this option to put item numbers back into an info point. In this case, though, please note that AutoCAD does not delete the item numbers automatically.

You can customize attribute names such as "User5". You can also change the number of attributes.

The info point appears as a cyan-colored information icon in the drawing. By editing the original block, you can change the appearance of the info point to meet your own individual requirements. To do this, edit the appropriate drawing (e.g. \GEN\DWG\GENINF14.DWG).