Block Properties Table & dbConnect

[stusic]

Hey All,

Not really sure where to post this question, but I thought it may need to utilize VB, so I'm posting here.

Here at work, we've got a huge database of various parts (complete with model numbers,part numbers, descritpions, etc.). I'd like to tie this in to my dynamic attributed blocks.

Please don't go running yet, I'm not done!

I've created a bunch of blocks for various parts with a Block Properties Table for each. In each table, there's the list of specific model numbers, but I simply copy/pasted the info from the Access database into the cells of the Block Properties Table.

What I'd like to do is create a category column in my database, with each category corresponding to a block (filters, separators, valves, etc). In the Block Properties Table, there'd be a reference to the database and, more importantly, a specific category. So when a block is inserted into a drawing, any parts in that category of the database will automatically populate the Block Properties Table for that block by referencing the records that have the specified category.

As of now, I've got to manually update the block whenever someone adds or removes a part - even though there's no way of telling what records have been added/removed/modified.

Is that even possible? The Block Properties Table appears rather limited, but the possibilities seem to be there. I'm not sure how to interact with the database that's stored in the Block Properties Table. Does anyone know anything about it? I was thinking dbConnect would be a way to go, but I don't know how to do anything but make a label - much less how to tie it into an attribute, much much less how to tie it to the Block Properties Table...

Any help/advice/sarcasm would be great. If I'm barking up the wrong tree, please feel free to direct me to another tree.

[cadconversions]

I would love to hear about this as well. We are constantly updating our tables and would LOVE to know if this is possible.

[Ed Jobe]

I haven't done any work with the BlockPropertiesTable, but I did find one reference to it here. See the last post.

[stusic]

Ouch. That immediately went over my head. Thanks for looking though.

[Ed Jobe]

Well, it does sound feasible. If you can determine the ROI, perhaps you can convince the uppers to fund the outsourcing of custom programming.

[stusic]

Yeah, when pigs fly overhead, dropping money on the office...