topic Re: System variable or Diesel Expression in AutoCAD Forum

System variable or Diesel Expression

michael.karalus — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 18:42:44 GMT

I need to know how to reference part of my layout tab name into my title block so that it only shows the page number and not the entire tab name.

Example tab name: COVER SHEET 1

-I want AutoCAD to only reference the number "1" part of the tab name.

I currently have been using the Insert field > SystemVariable > ctab- but this requires me to only use page numbers on the layout tab name. I want to make my templates easier to navigate and including the sheet name as part of the layout tab name would do just that.

I have read about the Diesel Expression and it sounds like this may be the way to go but I have no idea how to do this. Any help is appreciated.

Re: System variable or Diesel Expression

rkmcswain — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 18:43:45 GMT

Before going in any deeper, I presume you are not using Sheet Set Manager?

Re: System variable or Diesel Expression

michael.karalus — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 18:54:49 GMT

No I am not using the sheet set manager

Re: System variable or Diesel Expression

rkmcswain — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:10:35 GMT

It can probably be done (see link below), but it would be much easier if you used SSM.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-lt-forum/diesel-expressions-for-layout-tab-names/td-p/7505093

Re: System variable or Diesel Expression

pendean — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:18:33 GMT

You are missing out on a lot of built-in automation by avoiding SSM, like the one you are asking for to start plus so much more: make 2021 the year you dive in more fully.

Re: System variable or Diesel Expression

michael.karalus — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:27:12 GMT

Thanks for the help, I will check out the link you gave me.

Please correct me if I am wrong but what I have read about using SSM is that you can not plot anything that is created in model space. This is primarily how my drawings are done using GEO maps for accurate placement of homes, streets, utility structures, etc. and then I can use these drawings to reference others in the area so everything has to be in model space. I was interested in trying the SSM because of the organization but I decided against it once I heard that it will not plot drawings from Model space.

I could be completely wrong about this, just let me know

Re: System variable or Diesel Expression

michael.karalus — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:38:39 GMT

I forgot to include that the drawings are done in model space but my title block and all the various information is located in paper space. I use viewports to show the location of each part. If SSM will allow me to plot everything that i need including viewports then I am going to look into it further.

Re: System variable or Diesel Expression

rkmcswain — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:45:44 GMT

@michael.karalus - everything you said makes sense. We all draw in MS and most everyone prints layouts using viewports. Even if you don't use fields, just setting up the sheets in SSM would save you printing time. Making use of fields for document annotation automation will save a lot of time, and the 3rd "phase" of SSM - which is sometime called "bubble chasing" can be implemented if you have detail sheets with references to those details on your main plan sheets.

It's not only time you'll be saving, but you'll increase your documentation accuracy, since most variables (sheet numbers, names, and other sheet/set info) is stored in the SS database, one time, centrally, and then referenced into your 2, 20, 200, or 2000 sheets....

Re: System variable or Diesel Expression

vladimir_michl — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:54:52 GMT

You can use the PageOf utility (freeware) to use the layout order to generate an automatic "Page N of M" field in your drawing layouts (e.g. title blocks). See:

https://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/total-number-of-layouts-as-a-field-tip11171

Vladimir Michl, www.cadstudio.cz