Dynamic Blocks.dwg contains authoring elements. Open in Block Editor

[johnd]

I have a drawing which I am using to build a dynamic blocks library. As far as I can tell I have made all the parameters connect with appropriate actions. However, every time I open the drawing I get an alert with the following message: "Dynamic Blocks.dwg contains authoring elements. Open in Block Editor?"

If I pick yes it takes me into the dynamic block editor with the entire drawing showing. Then if I close the editor it closes the drawing.

If I pick no I can go into the drawing without opening the editor. But then when I do my work, save, exit, and re-open the drawing I get the same "authoring elements" message. I have examined each block in the drawing looking for missing links (parameters without actions, etc.) and can find none. This is bugging me. Can anyone help?

[Mlabell]

In DB's this is normal behavior, that is if you make the block the drawing, and not have a block nested in the drawing. IMHO the way you described is the best way to make DB's. Since if you nest DB's there can be some looney behavior at times. Basically this message is letting you know that there is dynamicness within the drawing, and will not let you edit it as just a plain ole drawing. Kind of takes away someone accidentally editing the block without changing associated parameters and actions.

[.chad]

In DB's this is normal behavior, that is if you make the block the drawing, and not have a block nested in the drawing. IMHO the way you described is the best way to make DB's.

this has been and i believe still is up for debate i used to know where the threads about it were, but couldnt find them. i personally nest them in a drawing - only drawback is creating a TP from the design center doesnt work this way.

[Mr Cory]

The way i do it which i havnt had any trouble with... Create a new drawing from acad.dwt to use as the library drawing. copy all the existing blocks into it and create all new ones in that drawing or copy them into it. To create TPs i just drag the block on the tool pallette from within the library drawing. then copy from TP into the company content browser. Havnt had any problems yet

[Chris.N]

this has been and i believe still is up for debate i used to know where the threads about it were, but couldnt find them. i personally nest them in a drawing - only drawback is creating a TP from the design center doesnt work this way.

you can make a TP from both a folder of drawing files and a 'library' selection of DB's in a single drawing file from the Design Center. it makes no difference to the TP in either case. (last checked from ver. 2007)

[Chris.N]

The way i do it which i havnt had any trouble with... Create a new drawing from acad.dwt to use as the library drawing. copy all the existing blocks into it and create all new ones in that drawing or copy them into it. To create TPs i just drag the block on the tool pallette from within the library drawing. then copy from TP into the company content browser. Havnt had any problems yet

can you explain how you do this? i'm still trying to find the 'holy grail' of networked TP's w/out having to first import them anyway in the first place.

[Mr Cory]

Well basically we have one 'master' drawing with everything in it, styles & blocks. then all our TP reference to this drawing. (its a .dwg so its easier to open and edit with windows shortcuts)

Then we have a Tool catalog that our comps share.

Steps to create a Tool.

Create a temp TP
Open source drawing
Select block
Drag block onto temp TP
Copy tool
Paste tool into the appropriate TP in the content browser
Refresh networked TP's

Hope this help Chris

[Chris.N]

Well basically we have one 'master' drawing with everything in it, styles & blocks. then all our TP reference to this drawing. (its a .dwg so its easier to open and edit with windows shortcuts)

Then we have a Tool catalog that our comps share.

Steps to create a Tool.

Create a temp TP
Open source drawing
Select block
Drag block onto temp TP
Copy tool
Paste tool into the appropriate TP in the content browser
Refresh networked TP's

Hope this help Chris

i'll get it, slowly but surely... so, what do you mean, or what is your process, of "refreshing" networked TP's? do you have to set the pathing up somehow in the 'files' tab of the options dialog also for TP's?

[Mr Cory]

Um, yea i think it helps. If you do, i think they get added to the content browers automatically.

Just create your Tool catalog on one comp once this is done just go to your content browser on the other comps, RClick and go 'add catalog' find the networked catalog, open it up and then drag the TPs into CAD as per normal. Then once the main catalog TPs are updated, the other ones on the individual comps just refresh by the refresh symbol in the bottom corner

[Mr Cory]

Refresh the network TP's with this