Non Architectural section arrow quest.

[KansasCAD]

I am really starting to see more and more possibilities for dynamic blocks even in the Civil world. Now I need a little help. I have downloaded a couple of good examples of section arrows but they follow the architectural format. (Sorry, No offense intended) but in most Civil drawings I just need a simple section arrow with a letter at the end because most of the time the section detail is on the same sheet. I have attached a sample that I started and it has a couple of examples that I want it to do. If anyone can help out I would greatly appreciate it. I want to be able to stretch it, rotate it, but have the text remain upright. It would also be great if when you change one attribute (or lookup table) for the section letters if the second would change automatically. Is this possible? Thanks in advance.

Daryl

[jaberwok]

If you get this right, I may, at last, have a reason to use a DB.

[Chris.N]

If you get this right, I may, at last, have a reason to use a DB.oooooo, hohohhohohooooo!!!!! stay tuned boys.... i'm covering this type of thing in my ATP course coming this September.... ;) (been there-done that.... till then, no hints...) :p

[KansasCAD]

Thanks for the reply but I really hope that I get some help before September. I signed up for that class. Thanks

Daryl

[KansasCAD]

If you get this right, I may, at last, have a reason to use a DB.
At first I was the same way because all of the examples that I kept seeing were for Architectural drawings. The first one I created was a reinforced concrete box culvert. (RCB) We have a company that supplies 6' long sections of a number of "standard" sizes. So now I have an end view, end view exaggerated 10 times vertically for our profile view, and a plan view, that has a lookup table for the "standard" sizes and then a grip to lengthen the box in intervals of 6' with the end sections already drawn. A real time saver. Since then I keep coming up with more ideas. A really simple one I made the other day is just a block that I insert for the title under a detail. It has an attribute to fill in the title and a grip on the right side that lengthens the underscore lines (we double underline) the same distance in both directions. If you have any questions on ideas let me know.

Daryl

[Chris.N]

ok.... i spent the last 30 min. trying to find the link/ or example for you, but essentially you want to use attributes linked to a lookup table, and use point/move for the attributes to keep them upright..... i think my 'callout' somewhere uses that concept... (my link skills are shot today, power out lastnight...)

[Rico]

I am really starting to see more and more possibilities for dynamic blocks even in the Civil world. Now I need a little help. I have downloaded a couple of good examples of section arrows but they follow the architectural format. (Sorry, No offense intended) but in most Civil drawings I just need a simple section arrow with a letter at the end because most of the time the section detail is on the same sheet. I have attached a sample that I started and it has a couple of examples that I want it to do. If anyone can help out I would greatly appreciate it. I want to be able to stretch it, rotate it, but have the text remain upright. It would also be great if when you change one attribute (or lookup table) for the section letters if the second would change automatically. Is this possible? Thanks in advance.

Daryl
okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tried since yesterday to get this thing to work (I'm not too good with fields) and I finally got it working properly!!!!

Remember that when you change the value of the arrow, you'll have to regen to get it to show properly!

Let me know what you think .

[Rico]

ok.... i spent the last 30 min. trying to find the link/ or example for you, but essentially you want to use attributes linked to a lookup table, and use point/move for the attributes to keep them upright..... i think my 'callout' somewhere uses that concept... (my link skills are shot today, power out lastnight...)
whoops! Sorry, Chris.

Want me to delete my post?

[Chris.N]

whoops! Sorry, Chris.

Want me to delete my post?nope, you did good!

[Chris.N]

okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tried since yesterday to get this thing to work (I'm not too good with fields) and I finally got it working properly!!!!

Remember that when you change the value of the arrow, you'll have to regen to get it to show properly!

Let me know what you think .i'd make the second attribute prompt to say "DO NOT EDIT!"
this is the only way it will work linked, and it's difficult to re-link if the field is lost.

[Rico]

i'd make the second attribute prompt to say "DO NOT EDIT!"
this is the only way it will work linked, and it's difficult to re-link if the field is lost.true dat, homie. true dat.

[KansasCAD]

:) WOW! Thanks Rico.:)

That is going to work GREAT! I think I learn just about as much from seeing how someone else has created dynamic blocks as I have from any tutorial or class. Thanks again.

And Chris, I am looking forward to your class coming up. I am not sure who the monitor of this forum is but if it is one of you what do you think of having a "sticky post" of either Civil blocks, or at least "non-architectural" blocks. I don't have anything against them, but it makes for alot of post to view for the few that are something other than doors and windows. Just a thought. And please don't take any offense to my architectural remarks, as my Associate degree is in Architecture. I think those block are great and alot of fun, I just happen to need others right now.

Thanks again,

Daryl

[Chris.N]

hey D, there are plans in the works to (maybe) clean that up in the future. don't know any more than that unfortunately. stick around, you'll have fun here.

[Rico]

:) WOW! Thanks Rico.:)

That is going to work GREAT! I think I learn just about as much from seeing how someone else has created dynamic blocks as I have from any tutorial or class. Thanks again.

DarylDaryl,

Glad to help out. :)

When I first started, I learned through the tutorials found in the HELP Menu. Then I came here and I increased my knowledge from those around me. Chris has been around as long as I have in this forum and he and I have traded many ideas and come up with many solutions. A lot of the times, we've traded blocks and solved each others' problems. Then, when we get our original blocks back we'd dissect each other's work.

That's how I learned the most. It takes a little time to grasp and requires a different train of thought from every other CAD tool, I've found. But probably not Chris, he's the King Blockhead around here. ;) He was BORN with the knowledge of DBs in his genetic material.

In any case, there are plans to group posts and blocks in a more orderly format .... but the specifics of that are still being worked out. Neither Chris or I are involved in that, so if you wanna find out more, you can talk to Mike.Perry (SuperMod). he's a great fountain of knowledge.