Header Block

Header Blocks are AutoCAD block-based title frames that automatically display project data — process name, step, user, date, version, algorithm conditions, and custom annotations. Unlike text-based trackers, header blocks use standard AutoCAD block references with named attributes, making them fully compatible with existing CAD title block workflows. All attribute values update automatically as you navigate between steps and conditions — no manual refresh needed.

🖱️ How to Access

There are two ways to open the Header Block Designer:

⚠️ An active module must be loaded before the Header Block Designer can be opened.

⚙️ The Header Block Designer

The Header Block Designer is a visual configuration window where you define exactly which data fields appear in your title block, how they look, and how they are arranged. The window is organized into several sections described below.

📋 Preset Toolbar

At the top of the designer you will find the preset toolbar:

📊 Data Fields

The main area of the designer shows a draggable, reorderable list of data fields. Each field appears as a card displaying:

• Display name — the human-readable label

• Source badge — color-coded badge indicating where the data comes from (Static, Module, Process, Phase, User, Condition, Aggregation, Expression, or Custom)

• "Per Phase" badge — shown on custom per-phase fields

• "Algorithm" badge — shown on algorithm-zone fields

• Tag name — the AutoCAD attribute tag in monospace text

• Visibility toggle — show or hide the attribute in the block

• Separator toggle — draw a horizontal line below this field

• Remove button — delete the field from the preset

Click + Add Field to open a categorized menu for adding new fields:

⚡ Quick Add: Algorithm Fields

Below the main data fields area, a dedicated section provides fast access to algorithm-related fields:

Condition Field Chips — click any chip to add a single-condition attribute:

Aggregation Chips — click to add aggregated data across multiple conditions:

Custom Per-Phase Fields — click + Add Custom Field to create a user-editable field that stores a different value for each step. These use CF_* tags by default.

🎨 Block Appearance

The Appearance section controls the visual layout of the generated AutoCAD block:

💡 Date format tip: Use standard format codes — yyyy for four-digit year, MM for month, dd for day, HH for 24-hour time, mm for minutes. Example: dd.MM.yyyy produces 09.04.2026.

🔍 Live Preview

A real-time preview panel on a dark background updates instantly as you adjust settings. The preview shows both the main zone and the algorithm zone (if algorithm fields are configured), so you can see the exact layout before placing it in your drawing.

📁 Presets

Presets store complete header block configurations and are saved at the environment level, meaning they are shared across all modules in the same environment.

Two default presets are included:

📐 Two-Zone Layout

Header blocks use a two-zone architecture to separate project information from algorithm data:

┌──────────────────────────┐
│       AseptSoft          │  ← optional title banner
├──────────────────────────┤
│ Process:  │ CIP Caustic  │
│ Step:     │ Pre-Rinse    │  ← Main Zone
│ User:     │ J. Smith     │
│ Date:     │ 2026-04-09   │
└──────────────────────────┘
┌──────────────────────────┐
│      ⚙ Algorithm         │  ← algorithm header bar
├──────────────────────────┤
│ → Safety check | IF ...  │
│ ↻ Flow control | IF ...  │  ← Algorithm Zone
│ ▶ Valve open | DO ...    │    (multiline, expanding)
└──────────────────────────┘

• Main Zone — Displays project information fields (process, step, user, date, custom fields) arranged as rows. If labels are enabled, a label column appears on the left with an optional vertical divider.

• Algorithm Zone — A separate bordered area below the main zone with its own "Algorithm" header bar. Algorithm fields use multiline (MText) attributes that expand vertically as condition content grows.

Algorithm fields always stay positioned below main fields. During drag-and-drop reordering in the designer, this separation is enforced — you cannot drag an algorithm field above a main field, or vice versa.

✏️ Custom Per-Phase Fields

Custom per-phase fields are user-editable text values that store a different value for each step. They are ideal for annotations that change as you move through your process.

Key behaviors:

• Tag names use a configurable prefix (default CF_), e.g., CF_COMMENT, CF_BATCHNR

• When you navigate to a different step, custom field values switch automatically to show that step's stored text

• You can edit the value directly in the AutoCAD block attribute — changes are saved to the database automatically (bi-directional sync)

• Custom fields are included in Excel exports alongside other header data

• Values persist independently per phase, so each step retains its own data

Use cases in pharma environments:

⚡ Algorithm Tracking

Algorithm fields display GRAFCET-type automation conditions using compact symbols for fast visual scanning:

Compact condition format:

Symbol + Description | IF condition | DO success action | ELSE fail action | → success transition | ✗ fail transition

Example: → Safety check | IF sensor>10 | DO open valve | ELSE alarm | → Phase B | ✗ Emergency Stop

Aggregation Modes

Aggregation fields collect data across multiple conditions. The available modes are:

Each aggregation operates within a configurable scope:

🔄 Automatic Updates

Header block attributes refresh automatically in response to these events — no manual action is required:

The system listens for AutoCAD database events (ObjectAppended, ObjectModified) to detect new block insertions and user edits to custom field attributes in real time.

📋 Workflow — Setting Up a Title Block

Follow these steps to create and place a header block in your drawing:

1. Open the designer — Use the Headers & Notes window or AseptSoft Settings to launch the Header Block Designer

2. Select or create a preset — Choose an existing preset from the dropdown, or click New to start fresh

3. Configure data fields — Add the fields you need using + Add Field and the Quick Add chips. Drag to reorder. Toggle visibility and separators as desired.

4. Add custom per-phase fields (optional) — Click + Add Custom Field to create editable annotations that vary per step

5. Adjust appearance — Set text height, border style, justification, date format, and label display preferences. Watch the live preview to fine-tune the layout.

6. Save & Apply — Click the Save & Apply button. The system will:

   • Save the preset configuration

   • Generate or update the AutoCAD block definition

   • Synchronize all existing block references in the drawing

   • Prompt you to place a new instance if this is the first time

7. Place the block — Click a location in your drawing to insert the header block

8. Navigate your project — Switch between steps and processes to see all attribute values update automatically

💡 Tip: You can place multiple instances of the same header block in different locations. All instances share the same block definition and update simultaneously.

🏭 Pharma Example — CIP Module Title Block

A Clean-in-Place (CIP) module header block configured for a caustic wash cycle:

Main Zone:

Algorithm Zone:

→ Safety interlock | IF door_closed AND pressure<2bar | DO enable_flow | → Rinse Start
↻ Flow monitoring | IF flow_rate>5L/min | DO maintain | ELSE reduce_pressure
▶ Temperature check | IF temp>65°C | DO proceed | ELSE wait | → Heat Phase | ✗ Alarm
■ Drain complete | IF level<0.5% | DO close_drain_valve

When the operator navigates to the Caustic Wash step, all values update automatically — the Step field changes, the Comment shows the Caustic Wash annotation, and the Algorithm Zone displays that step's conditions.

🔗 Related Pages

• Trackers — Text-based targeted header trackers that follow entities in the drawing

• Notes — Sticky-note annotations for process documentation

• Algorithm Design — Defining and managing GRAFCET algorithm conditions

• Export — Exporting header data to PDF and Excel