Custom entity with annotation scaling feature

[maisoui]

Hi,

I like to implement annotation scaling feature (like AcDbText, AcDbHatch, ...) in my custom entities. Does anyone have a solution?

Best regards

[StephenPreston]

To achieve that we recommend you derive your cystom entity from an AutoCAD entity that already supports annotation scaling. Then you get it for free.

[fenton.webb]

...There is a sample in the ObjectARX SDK called AnnotationScaling which has a custom entity defined. I wrote it, so please write to me if you have any questions.

Fenton Webb

Autodesk Developer Network

[maisoui]

Hi,

I use your sample to implement annotation scale protocol without deriving from a primitive annotative entity (like AcDbText). Here is what I did:

• create a custom entity
• create needed annotation objects deriving from AcDbAnnotativeObjectPE, AcDbObjectContextInterface
• create a custom ScaleContextData deriving from AcDbObject (to store paper and drawing units)
• add class protocol extension to my custom entity:

MyCustomEntityAnnotative::desc()->addX(AcDbAnnotativeObjectPE::desc(), new MyAnnotativePE);

MyCustomEntityAnnotative::desc()->addX(AcDbObjectContextInterface::desc(), new MyAnnotativeContextInterface);

• create a custom context menu (deriving from AcEdUIContext) to reproduce AutoCAD 'Annotation Scale Object' context menu

So I only need to derive from my custom entity to have annotation scale protocol. It works but I encountered issues with AutoCAD commands:

• AIOBJECTSCALE ADD/REMOVE don't seem to recognize my entity and don't edit it
• OBJECTSCALE seems to deal with my entity but crash without displaying anything

I hope it can help someone. I always try to find a solution to this crash.

Regards.

[fenton.webb]

You mention it works, yet you say it also has problems with AutoCAD commands - currently you cannot derive your own Annotative custom entity because not all of the API is public at this time, that's why it doesn't work. The solution is to derive from Annotative objects, as mentioned before.

Sorry for the bad news. If you are ADN member, ask to log a Change Request through the DevHelp online system.

Fenton Webb

Autodek Developer Network

[subpartner]

Hi,

I am doing some tests by deriving from AcDbText (following your example), but it seems that methods 'subGetGripPoints' and 'subMoveGripPointsAt' don't work. I want to overload them... Is there a trick?

Best regards,

Jonathan

[fenton.webb]

When you say it doesn't work, what do you mean?

Thanks
Fenton Webb

Autodesk Developer Network

[subpartner]

I found the solution. I need to implement the second version of 'subGetGripPoints' with following args: AcDbGripDataPtrArray & grips, const double curViewUnitSize, const int gripSize, const AcGeVector3d & curViewDir, const int bitflags. Then I return 'Acad::eNotImplementedYet' and it call the first version of subGetGripPoints.

My next question is about the specifi context menu for annotative entities (like AcDbText, AcDbHatch, ...), called 'Annotative Object Scale'. Do you know which is the condition used by AutoCAD to determine if this menu will be displayed? My workaround is to create my own AcEdUIContext (exact copy of Annotative Object Scale' one) and to add it to all my custom annotative entities (using acedAddObjectContextMenu).

Regards,

Jonathan

[renencon]

Hi,

Is there a way to create scale dependent object properties for a custom annotative object (derived from AcDbText for example)

Thanks

Tasos

[subpartner]

Hi,

I'm sorry I didn't understand what your really want. Can you give an example?

Otherwise, I noticed another little thing. When a custom entity (inheriting AcDbText) is selected and the properties palette opened, I see that it is written Text in the selection combo box instead of the name of the custom entity. Anyone knows a way to fix that?

Best regards,

Jonathan

[owenwengerd]

You can handle IOPMPropertyExtension::GetDisplayName() and return a custom name for DISPID 0x0401 (ObjectName property). This is the name AutoCAD displays in the properties window.

--

Owen Wengerd

ManuSoft

[subpartner]

Thanks for your quick reply. I saw this article "Changing the Entity Type name that appears in the OPM window" on the ADN website talking about your solution. But it's necessary to implement COM wrapper and register and... It's a big process only to change the display name of an entity! Moreover, 2013 API OPM methods will change.

Is there an easier way?

[maisoui]

Hi there,

Again a litlle thing about annotative custom object deriving AcDbText : Hatching. I cannot find which method I need to implement to make my custom entity dealing with hatching process. Unlike standard entities, method "subExplode" isn't called and hatch ignore my entity to determine its boudaries.

Anyboday have a solution?

Regards,

Jonathan

[ChaosInACT]

---

@fenton.webb wrote:

...There is a sample in the ObjectARX SDK called AnnotationScaling which has a custom entity defined. I wrote it, so please write to me if you have any questions.

Fenton Webb

Autodesk Developer Network

---

Really? I'm very interested in this - but I can see no sample like that in the kit? at least by name.... Can you help me with finding it?

Thanks!

[Alexander.Rivilis]

This sample was in ObjectARX SDK 2008 and 2009. You can find and download ObjectARX SDK 2009 from this URL: http://download.autodesk.com/esd/objectarx/2009/ObjectARX_2009_Win_64_and_32Bit.exe

[ChaosInACT]

lol Thanks! I only checked back 3 years... 😉 

[ChaosInACT]

geez thanks again! some great stuff in there....