AutoCAD Architecture Content

[#1]

I am trying to figure out how to create an area tag that is tagged to a polyline. Two (2) of the tags attributes will be entered manually (space number and name) and the third needs to be tied to the area of the polyline.

I think this is the multi-view block creation/definition arena, but I have been trying to understand how to make this work for 4+ hours with no luck.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[#2]

What version of ADT are you using?

No matter the version, you will need a Property Set Definition that applies to polyline objects. As you note, the name and number properties will need to be Manual properties. A third, Automatic property, which references the Area Automatic Property Source, will also be required. Assign a Property Data Format to control the way this number is displayed in the tag. The out-of-the-box "Area" Property Data Format would be a good place to start; you can copy that under a new name and tweak the settings if needed.

The process of creating the tag will vary by version. It would also be helpful if you can indicate whether you want the tag to have a "fixed size" that does not change when different Display Configurations are selected, or "scale dependent" tags that will change the displayed size for selected scales [the out-of-the-box tags, for imperial units, support 1/16", 1/8" and 1/4" = 1'-0" scales].

--

David Koch
Autodesk Discussion Group Facilitator
Using ADT 2004 at work; access to 2005, 2006 & 2007 at home

[#3]

ADT 2005 and Fixed Size. I need to scale according to the specific use as our plans vary in scale from Architectural to Engineering scales.

I will take your comments and keep trying. Thanks.

[#4]

I have to run now, and will be out at a job site tomorrow. If you are a member of AUGI, you can go to the ATP Archives [under the Education link on the Home page] and download the materials from a course I taught on Schedule Basics - ATP071, April 2005. Somewhere in there are instructions for creating a tag. If you are not a member, become one here [its free]:
http://www.augi.com/login/welcome.asp

You will need an attributed AutoCAD block to serve as the view block for the Multi-View Block that will become your tag. The Attribute Tag names must be in the format

PSDnameropertyName

where PSDname is the name of your Property Set Definition and PropertyName is the name of the property in that set that you wish to display in that attribute. Once you have the view block defined and a Multi-View Block created and the view block assigned to it, you need to run the Create AEC Content Wizard to create an AEC Content file that can be used to tag your polylines.

Obviously I skipped a few intermediate details there.

--

David Koch
Autodesk Discussion Group Facilitator
Using ADT 2004 at work; access to 2005, 2006 & 2007 at home

[#5]

The attached ZIP file contains a sample file with some polyline "rooms" that have a Property Set attached with three properties: Manual properties for the room name and number and an Automatic property for the area. The polylines have been tagged by a Schedule Tag that displays all three properties. The ZIP file also contains a custom command type AEC Content file that, when placed in a folder under your AEC Content root folder, will allow you to add more tags in ADT 2004 or ADT 2005. Both files were created in ADT 2005. If the target file for the tag does not contain the PolylineObjects Property Set Definition [which the sample file does contain], you would need to copy it to a file called PropertySetDefs.dwg located in the same folder as the tag AEC Content file or the folder immediately above it for the tag to work. If you would like to use a differently named file as the source file for the Property Set Definition [that is the name of the out-of-the-box source file, which you may wish to leave as is and not customize], you can do so by editing the AEC Content file and substituting your desired file name for "PropertySetDefs.dwg" in the Command String.

Chances are this is not exactly what you want, but taking a look at these files and poking at them may help you understand how Property Data works in ADT and aid you in creating your own.

--

David Koch
Autodesk Discussion Group Facilitator
Using ADT 2004 at work; access to 2005, 2006 & 2007 at home

[#6]

I am having a problem with a related topic. I am working with Architecture 08, and we are trying to create a custom Room Tag with dynamic properties which feeds information off the spaces already in place in the drawing. I was on the AUGI web site by your suggestion. I downloaded and followed the ATP071 curriculum and realized that while I have a much better knowledge of Aec content, I can not use any of this information with the dynamic properties available on newer versions of ADT. I was wondering if they was a way to draw the information in a schedule created through the style manager into a field inside a dynamic block. Please let me know if you have insights.
Lauren

[#7]

So far as I know, dynamic blocks and ACD-A Schedule Tags do not mix. You can assign a dynamic block as a view block in a Multi-View Block, but doing so kills its dynamic properties.

I am no expert on dynamic blocks, and do not understand exactly what you are trying to do, so I can not say whether or not "non-dynamic" Schedule Tags could meet your needs.

Perhaps if you could explain what you want the content to do, I or someone else more knowledgeable about dynamic blocks could offer suggestions.

--

David Koch
Autodesk Discussion Group Facilitator
Using ADT 2004 at work; access to 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 at home

[#8]

I am brand new to multi-view blocks but I have a pretty good grasp of dynamic blocks. We are trying to make a tag that uses the information of the space objects but also has a visibility state to give a selection of choices for things such as a floor finish and has an adjustable background mask (we use "solid") to fit the text.

thanks again

[#9]

I am trying to solve basically the same issue; did you figure it out? I want to draw a polyline around a room and "tag" a label to it. When the polyline is stretched, I want the room area label to update automatically. Is this basically what you ended up with?

[#10]

That is what the sample file I posted previously does. See also this blog article, for an image of what is possible (and a link back to this thread):
http://architects-desktop.blogspot.com/2006/06/tag-for-polyline-based-rooms.html

--

David Koch
Using ADT 2004 at work; access to 2005-2009 at home