Dynamic Revision Title block

[nlegge]

Hi,

I have created a simple dynamic block that automates the repetative tasks in making a revision to a drawing.
I have 2 questions though.......

1. The text within the block is in a field, it becomes invisable within the drawing when not selected but only the atribute ie Description or date prompt is invisable when you fill the form in, not the box itself. Does anybody know how to hide the fields and only add them as they are made visable?

2. After presenting the new block users have requested that there is a facility to add yet another line for description for every revision, the list is already 20 or so options long now!!
Has anybody any ideas on how to acomplish this without the list growing to 40 or so?

Thanks
Nathan

[nlegge]

I could post an example if it would help explain?

[Chris.N]

examples (pics) are worth a bundle in here!

also, what are the fields referencing?

[nlegge]

examples (pics) are worth a bundle in here!

also, what are the fields referencing?


I have done some reading and I may have got my termanology mixed up, sorry if that is the case,

Pic one shows the list of visability states that then corrispond with the Revision letter towards the bottom of the pic.

But when I try to change the (atributes?) by double clicking I get a huge list (pic 2)

The default values show up only when the visability state is on, but I would like to get rid of the boxes completely unless the visability state is turned on, and default values such as the Revision letter I would like to make non user editable.

Am I going about this the right way with visability states and the forms you see in pic 2, or is there another way I should be reading up on and learning?

Thanks for you input. :-)

[Chris.N]

since you've gone to the trouble of creating the vis states, just make your attributes visible for the same. also, DON'T just copy the attributes, they ALL have to be unique (tags). if they are sharing the same tag name, you may be getting troubles there.

[nlegge]

since you've gone to the trouble of creating the vis states, just make your attributes visible for the same. also, DON'T just copy the attributes, they ALL have to be unique (tags). if they are sharing the same tag name, you may be getting troubles there.


The problem is not that it doesn't work, It does, and yes those tags took an hour or so to do and test.........

The problem comes with users wanting extra lines so with the option Revision A would then need to be Revison A & Revision A + a line, this would take the list off the screen!!

It is already annoying that I have to scroll through an endless list as it is.
Does anybody know a way to "streemline" or make it more efficiant?

One idea I had was the visability states only popped up sequentially, for example to get to B you would have to enable A first, is this possible?

[nlegge]

just make your attributes visible for the same.

Sorry I am being slow.......what do you mean by this?

[Chris.N]

Sorry I am being slow.......what do you mean by this?
when in vis state A, do you still see all of your attributes for complete list?

[nlegge]

I have attached two pics to show what I am getting at.......

The first (new picture 2) shows what is displayed when all visability states are turned off.
The second (new pic 3) shows what is added when Visability state (revision A) is turned on.

You see that the date box and Revision box appear and that the other boxes do not change if turned on or off.........

It would be less confusing for the user if they only saw the active (visable) options rather than everything minus the Revision (which should not be edited, how do you lock an option?) and the Date.

I hope I have explained it more clearly this time :-)

Thanks for you input so far.....

[Chris.N]

is it possible for you to post this block? i think i know what the deal is, but we're struggling with terminology or something...

[Chris.N]

when in vis state A, do you still see all of your attributes for complete list?
and with this question, i was referring to what you see in the Block Editor

[nlegge]

Yes I will, but it will have to be friday now........

Do I post it here in this thread?

[Chris.N]

Yes I will, but it will have to be friday now........

Do I post it here in this thread?
yep! same as the images you posted earlier...

the sharing forum is for when it's ready to show off... ;)

[nlegge]

Right I had a play,
and have managed to get it hide every thing, the date and revision now work in the attributes list!! But the rest do not appear now when the revision is selected for "filling in" AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

I started the Block in ACAD 2006, now I am on 2007 and I am finding it allot harder to make it do what I want it to do.

Just in case, I saved it in 2004 format to make sure you can open it with ease.

What I am aiming to achieve is:

1. One option (grip?) that allows you to choose the revision required from a list.

2. when you add a revision the attributes of that revision become usable. (not before) and A comes first B second.......etc

3. The revision letter itself to be locked to default value (but still visable when filling in form).

4. The position of the attributes within the block locked to users.

I would really appreciate some pointers, as I think my ideas have outstripped my knowledge this time :-)

[nlegge]

Oh yes I forgot,
If I can get this working I think it will need showing off,
It could be usefull to allot of people out there......

[Chris.N]

i have to ask, how did you create the attributes? i have a feeling you're not going to like my answer... ;)

[Mr Cory]

I'd be locking the attributes for a start, this will make them work with the vis states. (in block editor, select att go to properties, "lock position")

[nlegge]

I actually can't remember how I created the attributes,
I may have edited the previous version (not created by myself in ACAD 2000i I think), or created them following the help file in 2006.

I don't mind re doing them if they are wrong or out of date, means to an end and all that.
What is the problem with them?


Thanks Mr Cory, I will lock them, but how do they "work" with the visability states if I do?

[Chris.N]

I actually can't remember how I created the attributes,
I may have edited the previous version (not created by myself in ACAD 2000i I think), or created them following the help file in 2006.

I don't mind re doing them if they are wrong or out of date, means to an end and all that.
What is the problem with them?


Thanks Mr Cory, I will lock them, but how do they "work" with the visability states if I do?
i think that's your trouble right there. i have ALWAYS created new attributes in DB's, and have had unreliable luck in simply switching the "Lock Position" toggle to on from an existing attribute. I have had the best luck with attributes created with the toggle set to on during it's creation.

[Rico]

i think that's your trouble right there. i have ALWAYS created new attributes in DB's, and have had unreliable luck in simply switching the "Lock Position" toggle to on from an existing attribute. I have had the best luck with attributes created with the toggle set to on during it's creation.

You can recycle attributes if the blocks are going to be relatively the same use (i.e.: wood / steel stud) but generally it's a good idea to wipe out all your attributes and restart them from scratch. Attributes are picky picky picky.