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Best way to update existing Mvparts within drawings?

15 REPLIES 15
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Message 1 of 16
jmcfaddn
553 Views, 15 Replies

Best way to update existing Mvparts within drawings?

I created several VAV box Mvparts. These boxes were then placed throughout my drawing. I now need the boxes and replace the existing Mvparts within my drawing. I've tweaked the original blocks and then recreated the new VAV box Mvparts. Since I've modified the original blocks/parts the new Mvparts have the same name as the existing. It appears that it is not as simple to update mvparts within a drawing as it was with blocks in previous releases of Autocad. Any suggestions?
15 REPLIES 15
Message 2 of 16
bil-with-one-L
in reply to: jmcfaddn

if I'm reading your question right... you're not having trouble redesigning the MvPart or even replacing it within the catalog, but in the new insertions into the drawing in which you are now using said MvParts, Right? -- When ever i change an MvPart... I find that I have to remove the exising from my drawing and insert a new one in it's place (I think I may have even read that somewhere). If i need the new blocks to be inserted exactly where the old ones were... and I don't have the convenience of connectors as insertion points... I make sure to drop a point on all of the insertion points of the MvParts that I'm about to remove... that way I have a quick visual snapable reference to quickly place my new MvParts. Does this help you out...
Message 3 of 16
jmcfaddn
in reply to: jmcfaddn

If you have to delete every occurance of the Mvpart before you can insert the updated part is crazy. If you have large numbers of the part scattered over a very congested floor plan, the likelihood of overlooking the replacement of some is extremely high.
Message 4 of 16
bil-with-one-L
in reply to: jmcfaddn

This is from the post Rooftop A/C units currently dated as july 18th --

From: jason martin [Autodesk]
Date: Jul/18/03 - 14:32 (GMT)
If you have an MvPart in a drawing and you modify the part with content
builder, it won't update it in the existing drawing. There is already a part
definition in the drawing, adding it again would be like having two blocks
in the same drawing, with the same name, but consisting of different
primitive objects.


If you want the new part to replace the existing part you can either remove
all instances of the part then run a bldsyspurge and insert the part, or (if
all you are doing is changing the view blocks) simply replace the block
definitions.


jason


hope that helps
Message 5 of 16
Anonymous
in reply to: jmcfaddn

One other way to do it. Depending on how your drawings are set up this may
be easier or harder...

Create a new drawing. Insert the "modified" part into the drawing using
MvPartAdd. Now using the AutoCAD insert command insert the old drawing into
the new drawing. The new MvPartDef will already be in the drawing and will
replace the old MvPartDef.

hth

jason

"bil-with-one-L" wrote in message
news:f179bd8.2@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> This is from the post Rooftop A/C units currently dated as july 18th --
> From: jason martin [Autodesk]
> Date: Jul/18/03 - 14:32 (GMT)
> If you have an MvPart in a drawing and you modify the part with content
> builder, it won't update it in the existing drawing. There is already a
part
> definition in the drawing, adding it again would be like having two blocks
> in the same drawing, with the same name, but consisting of different
> primitive objects.
>
>
> If you want the new part to replace the existing part you can either
remove
> all instances of the part then run a bldsyspurge and insert the part, or
(if
> all you are doing is changing the view blocks) simply replace the block
> definitions.
>
>
> jason
>
>
> hope that helps
>
Message 6 of 16
jmcfaddn
in reply to: jmcfaddn

There is a redefine block, why not a redefine Mvpart? There is always going to be a need to replace/update blocks & Mvparts. Hence your routine to redefine blocks. It just took me 45 minutes to change out a bunch of 10" VAV Box Mvparts throughout my drawing. This would have taken me less than 1 minute in Autocad. Now I have the 8" & 12" to go. Woohoo looking forward to that. Are they going to fix this bug?
Message 7 of 16
Anonymous
in reply to: jmcfaddn

Because redefining an MvPart is significantly more problematic that
redefining a block. What happens to everything that is connected to the
part? What if some of the connectors that have stuff connected are removed?
What happens if a connector is relocated? What if the shape of the connector
changes? What happens to the additional properties that are applied to the
part if the part is now a different type?

If all you are doing is redefining a view block (the connectors aren't being
moved or changed) all you have to do is redefine the view blocks as was
posted earlier.

I've logged a wishlist item for redefining MvParts.

jason
"jmcfaddn" wrote in message
news:f179bd8.4@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> There is a redefine block, why not a redefine Mvpart? There is always
going to be a need to replace/update blocks & Mvparts. Hence your routine to
redefine blocks. It just took me 45 minutes to change out a bunch of 10" VAV
Box Mvparts throughout my drawing. This would have taken me less than 1
minute in Autocad. Now I have the 8" & 12" to go. Woohoo looking forward to
that. Are they going to fix this bug?
Message 8 of 16
jmcfaddn
in reply to: jmcfaddn

The part would be inserted based on the insertion point. Any nonconforming connections etc. would have to be corrected by the user once the parts have been updated.
Message 9 of 16
Anonymous
in reply to: jmcfaddn

Then why use MvParts at all. If you don't care about the connections and
maintaining a connected system the don't use MvParts. Just use blocks.

jason

"jmcfaddn" wrote in message
news:f179bd8.6@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> The part would be inserted based on the insertion point. Any nonconforming
connections etc. would have to be corrected by the user once the parts have
been updated.
Message 10 of 16
jmcfaddn
in reply to: jmcfaddn

I have to deal with the same issue everytime I have to shift a duct. Since the connected ducts do not reconnect themselves back to the shifted piece what's the difference. It's the same as have to modify the existing duct to connect to a modified Mvpart.
Message 11 of 16
bil-with-one-L
in reply to: jmcfaddn

complicated topic! -- so many variables to consider.. in the end... even if autodesk created an update MvPart command... it couldn't possibly allow for every possible scenario and therefore would lead to some amount of manual CAD work to correct the results of what has changed... thus the CAD Operator was born.
Message 12 of 16
jmcfaddn
in reply to: jmcfaddn

No kidding, all I'm looking to do is redefine mine existing Mvparts within the drawing. If I have reconnect some ducts, fine. But at least that would be better than deleting everyone prior to replacing them and then trying to hunt down each spot that was deleted.
Message 13 of 16
Anonymous
in reply to: jmcfaddn

Depending on what you are doing there are 3 possible ways to update your
parts...

1. Delete all of the ones that you want to redefine. Run BldSysPurge. Insert
the updated versions.
2. Just edit the view blocks of the parts that you want to update.
3. Start a new drawing. Insert the original drawing into it. This is a
manual method to accomplish a redefine MvPart command.

"jmcfaddn" wrote in message
news:f179bd8.10@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> No kidding, all I'm looking to do is redefine mine existing Mvparts within
the drawing. If I have reconnect some ducts, fine. But at least that would
be better than deleting everyone prior to replacing them and then trying to
hunt down each spot that was deleted.
Message 14 of 16
bil-with-one-L
in reply to: jmcfaddn

I know it sounds difficult, but by freezing all unneccesary layers, then setting your osnap to insertion point and your point style to something other than the invisible little dot, you can quickly insert points on the insertion point of all of the parts that you intend to replace. Next erase the parts. Then simply insert your new Mvpart with your osnap set to node (points). now all of your blocks will be inserted where they were as if replaced automatically and will only take a few seconds per insert... or at least that is what I've found. Just did that yesterday with a bunch of trench drains that were over detailed... had to redesign them as more simplified. Then used that exact process to update multiple insertions of multiple size variations and while it had to be done manually.. it went pretty quickly and rather smoothly. -- I like jason's suggestion of starting a new file and can't wait to try that out to see if there are any hurdles to that method. -- You are right though.... it still would be easiest if the option was there replace the Mvpart via an update command... you could always choose to use it if it were the lesser of 4 evils. Great Topic!
Message 15 of 16
Anonymous
in reply to: jmcfaddn

Hi Jody -

 

I you want to modify the appearance of an MvPart in
a current drawing without replacing it, here are some simple steps that should
help you out (example is based on changing the appearance of part in 2 line
plan):

 

1.  Add your new block definitions(s) to your
drawing.

2.  Select the MvPart.

3.  Right click - choose Edit MvPart
Style

4.  Go to the views tab.

5.  On the top screen, scroll down to and
select the appropriate view (Two Line - Top, usually view 9)

6.  Make sure the lower left screens say the
following: Display Representation = 2 Line, View Direction = Top

7.  In the view block drop down, change the
anonymous block designation *??? to the block definition you added to the
drawing.

8.  Note that it will be up to you and
your drawing skills to make sure the new block has all the correct geometry and
insertion point.

9.  Select Okay - all the MvParts of that
style will be updated with your new view block.

 

Note that you can change connector locations and
other intelligent data on the part on the other screens.  You must
redefine the MvPart through MvPartBuilder if you want to change its
insertion point.

 

I hope this helps!

 


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
No
kidding, all I'm looking to do is redefine mine existing Mvparts within the
drawing. If I have reconnect some ducts, fine. But at least that would be
better than deleting everyone prior to replacing them and then trying to hunt
down each spot that was deleted.
Message 16 of 16
drudder
in reply to: jmcfaddn

you may have gotten an answer already - but here' what I do in this situation...

Open a fresh drawing... insert the updated parts in the sizes you need... to get the correct definitions you need...

then cut and paste all of your geometry into your new drawing from your old drawing... the parts will update with the correct definitions... you'll be a hero

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