dynamic block with arrayed text...

[USMCBody]

Think of a ladder. I want to make a block of it where each step has text associated with it that will tell the height of the step and a number that will tell the step number.

So I begin by creating a square and make it stretchable with an infinate incriment distance peremeter. I add an array to make steps as the ladder stretches. Good so far. Then I try and make the text work......and I try again.....after a few times I go mad... After a few weeks of it bouncing around my head I end up here.. Any suggestions?

I figured out how to array the text with the step, but I can't figure how to make the text update with every new step. The kicker here is that as the step expands every step will have a number and text associated with it. I figured out how to show the very top step and distance, but not every step.

[jaberwok]

I don't do dynamic blocks but - could the text be a dimension? An ordinate dimension?

[USMCBody]

I don't think so, because as a new step is added text should be automatically added with it and updated it self.
EX:
step #100
distance from ground 175"

the next step would be
step #101
distance from ground 176.75"

[Opie]

I've got the distance problem figured out. I just can't get the numbering figured out.

To do the distance, create a block with one attribute. Make sure to set the Lock Position value to Yes. The value for the attribute (the text you want to display) should be the InsertionPoint option from a field. You determine which of the three values you want. I chose the y value. Now save the block.

Now create (or edit) your ladder block. Insert the attribute block from above where you want it to show. Add it to your array action. This should then array the attribute allowing a regen to update the attribute's value.

One problem I had was that it takes the position relative to the ladder's insertion point in the drawing. So if you insert the ladder at 18,24,0 with a array height of 16, the attribute will specify 16 instead of 30.

I could not get the numbering to work. I figured you could add a formula using the insertionpoint divided by the array increment, but the field would only return all three position values. It looks like a bug in at least 2007.

[USMCBody]

So I'm running into problems. The attribue is locked, but will not array. The only way I can get it to array is to put it in text, and then the BlockPlaceholder field is not accessable.

The other problem is that it is reading what point from 0,0,0 in model space. This block could be anywere in model space.

[USMCBody]

I have been able to attach an Object:Start field and it seems to give me a distance relative in the block, but it seems to always look at the origional object. Even when I array it.

[Opie]

Check this drawing. There are two blocks, one ladder and the other an elevation tag.

[USMCBody]

type as I go. hopefully it will help everone out more... Maybe more confusing, but my OCD kicks in from time to time coupled with my older age and it can cause problems... It does help me rember what path I took, the good, bad and ugly.

When I first look at it I see the steps in the numbers, but when I stretch it they all go to 9. I did notice that after I regen that they all work fine. Maybe a system setting or maybe because I'm using straight autocad 2007. Maybe I need to quit being lazy and just manually regen more. I'll have to look into this more.

I did notice that when I open your file in the field I can select the object position, but when I look in one of my files I can only select the field Object:Start. There are other differences also like no delta in yours and delta in mine. Elevation in yours and not in mine.

I think I see the difference. you made the attribute a block (elevation tag) and the field in the attribute in the block. The field references the attribute block (elevation tag). The linking makes my head spin

For the numbering, you can just change the scale factor in the additional format. what ever number 1\the incriment (which is 9) comes to 0.1111111111. That should do the trick for the numbering, theoretically. But, it would seem that in your block the conversion factor is grayed out for some reason. The way I got around it is to use a field formula and right click and add in the field OBJECT:POSITION and select the attribute block (tag elevation) that you made. Just like you did for the elevation tag. Then devide that by the incriment which is 9 in this case. To summerize the formula is FIELD/9 (the step incriment).

confused? I'll try and attach the dwg file and see if it works.... and I don't know how..... there we go....

I would like to thank the Academy and Opie. My OCD can rest untill next time at the same Bat time and same Bat channel.....

[Opie]

So, you inserted a second elevation tag, but changed the default value to a formula based on an object. Was the object the first elevation tag? I presume this answers your original question, yes?

The fields will always need to be regen'd to have them update. They are not an automatic update item. See the FIELDEVAL system variable for more information.

[USMCBody]

the object was itself again. It will not work otherwise. It seems that is the trick because it looks for the location of itself. If you use the location of somthing else it will find the origional and always give you the same number. Just a guess really. Either way there is a trick for the history books for ya.

For my block I actually had to use the formula on both attribute blocks to account for the difference of where the text was and where the step was.


Take Care,