Part Builder: WTh parameter won't change from constant to list

[tntdraftsol]

Greetings all,

I am attempting to add some additional wall thickness to a Structure (not pipe) part family and I am having troubles. after searching the interwebs I found that I needed to change the WTh parameter from constant to list then edit the list. Part builder lets me change the parameter to list by creating another parameter called Wall_Thickness instead of WTh. I add my values to the list for Wall_Thickness and validate the part and save. It does validate the part, but when i try adding the additional sizes in a drawing it still says wall thickness is a constant not a list? where am i going wrong? Is it because the Model parameters are referencing WTh in other parameters, so it is just making a copy of that parameter for me to have as a list, but it isn't being used anywhere? Any help would be appriciated.

Thanks

[Opie]

Can you upload your part? Are you able to work with XML files?

You will probably need to edit the corresponding XML file to change the WTh variable from a ColumnConst type to a ColumnConstList type. Once it is changed, you will need to add items for each size you wish to have in the list.

[tntdraftsol]

Can you upload your part?

Please forgive my ignorance, but would i be uploading the .dwg file for the part or the .XML file? I tried to attach a .txt file of the xml code, but the AUGI forums are not working with me today. Here are the two pieces of code that I think need to be changed:

<ColumnConstList desc="Wall Thickness" dataType="float" unit="inch" name="WALL_THICKNESS" id="CCL4" visible="1" context="WALL_THICKNESS" index="0">
		<Item id="i0">2.0000</Item>
		<Item id="i1">4.0000</Item>
		<Item id="i2">6.0000</Item>
		<Item id="i3">8.0000</Item>
		<Item id="i4">10.0000</Item>
		<Item id="i5">12.0000</Item>
	</ColumnConstList>

AND

<ColumnConst desc="Wall Thickness" dataType="float" unit="inch" name="WTh" id="CC12" visible="1" context="WallThickness" index="0">6.0000</ColumnConst>

Are you able to work with XML files?

I can give it a try. I took a look before replying and i see both variables, one is the list and the other is the constant. Would it be a matter of deleting the constant line of code and then editing the list one to be "WTh" instead of "wall thickness"?

[Opie]

Make a backup copy of your data before making changes.

You should be able to change the ColumnConstList type to match the ColumnConst name and context values. Then delete the ColumnConst type. Save the XML and then reopen in Part Builder to validate the part. It should work.

To upload this part, you would need to zip the dwg and XML and the BMP if it is available.

[tntdraftsol]

Make a backup copy of your data before making changes.

You should be able to change the ColumnConstList type to match the ColumnConst name and context values. Then delete the ColumnConst type. Save the XML and then reopen in Part Builder to validate the part. It should work.

To upload this part, you would need to zip the dwg and XML and the BMP if it is available.

THANK YOU SIR! That did it. I had to change the desc, name, id, & context variables to match the values for the constant and that did it. Thank you for your help.

[Opie]

No problem. We need many more users of this cryptic tool to shed some light on it. Let us know if you have any other questions.

[GAUGe Director]

This post has been aa great help Thanks

I was able to convert the WTh Parameter in XML and relocate it to the correct location in the XML File (This Code goes right after the "<ColumnConstantList>" for the Inner Structure Length Items)

XML WTh Code.jpg

However, when I open a Parts List in Civil 3D and add a Part Size the Wall Thickness Parameter is now First on the list. (See Image) Is there a way to control this order?

Part Size Table.jpg

[Opie]

You might be able to reorder these elements, but I have not attempted that. If I understand the XML correctly, editing the index value for each property to the correct numerical order you desire may work. If your index is currently "0", changing it to "2" should place it in the order you want. However, you will also need to change the index values of the other Part Size Creator editable properties to be in the correct numerical order. The numerical order should start at "0". Yes, I know that is technically a string. Work with me here.