Original User: JayCarp
I have a problem with Attribute Assistant. In short, there are instances where the change rules in my Generate ID method are not being followed. I created a point and polygon feature class to test this behavior. Hopefully someone can let me know if I am doing something incorrectly or it is a bug.
My Action:
1. Create point and poly FC and setup each with a FID text field and a 'name' attribute field.
2. Setup each feature class so the FID fields auto-generate ID using GenerateID table and dynamic value table. Dynamic Value table 'On Create' is set to 'True' while the remainder (On Change Geometry and Attribute, Manual Only) are set to 'False'.
3. With these point and polygon FC in Arcmap (10.1 sp1) start editing and create a point. The point FID field is properly generated with the first # in the sequence.
4. Then if I edit the 'name' attribute the FID doesn't change as expected.
5. Next I created a polygon and again noted that the FID was properly generated.
6. This step is the trigger to the undesired behavior, I select the polygon or Point either one and click the "Triggers a create event on each selected feature' button in the Attribute Assistant toolbar at which point the FID is regenerated with a new ID.
7. Now since I have clicked that 'Triggers a create event on each selected feature' button, anytime I change the 'name' attribute field it regenerates a new FID. This happens even if you turn editing off and back on again and it happens on either of the feature classes regardless if it was the feature class you triggered the create on event through the toolbar. It also happens if you turn the Attribute Assistant off and then back on. The only way I have found to clear this out is to shut down Arcmap and reopen the mxd.
Summary, Attribute assistant is ignoring the change rules I have setup once I manually trigger a create event from the toolbar. Modifying an attribute field triggers an On_Create from that point forward. When you manually click the 'trigger a create event on each selected feature' button a dialog pops and lets you know that it did something. There was no indication that the FID was being changed when I was editing the 'name' attribute.
I am on Arcmap 10.1 and Attribute Assistant 10.1.1.1
I have not tested this any further and with different methods. I think the attribute assistant is a great tool in concept and will use it regularly so long as I can count on it to work properly. FID's changing without warning is not a good thing in my mind and makes me wonder what else changes that I might not notice.
Jay
