topic Re: Variables and Simple Formulas in Dynamic Blocks Forum

Variables and Simple Formulas

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 11:39:04 GMT

Hello! I'm new to dynamic blocks and wanted to get some advice.

I'd like to set two variables within dynamic block (WIC and Frame Thickness) that a drafter can enter and have automatically calculated in the formulas displayed without having to open the block editor.

It doesn't seem like it should be too difficult, and the formulas are elementary. Also, note that some formulas are within dimension text strings.

Example:

Input: WIC = 36

Formula: "20 x (WIC + 1/8) ramp notch in floor panel"

Output: "20 x 36 1/8 ramp notch in floor panel"

Thanks in advance!

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 11:39:39 GMT

Here is the block...

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Libbya — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 18:52:46 GMT

For formulas, easiest is probably to use user parameters and define whatever formula you like.

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 20:05:48 GMT

I know how to add a formula. I just don't understand how to reference a variable in a formula.

If I define an attribute named "WIC", how do I reference that within the formula?

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 22:01:46 GMT

Within your formula text box, you would need to just enter another field linking to the object's value (WIC's value).

Please see picture

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Libbya — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 23:13:58 GMT

Did you actually try that? I have not found that formula fields referencing values housed by attributes will actually update even if the 'display value for block reference' is checked. I have found that formula fields referencing values housed by user parameters will update, though, which is why I recommended them. Use the blockplaceholder fields for the user parameter values within the formula and it works a treat. Edit the user parameter value in properties.

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:24:21 GMT

Yeah, it seems that solution requires you to manually update it - which is silly.

I'll look into what you said and get back to you!

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 21:24:49 GMT

I've created user parameters, but can't figure out how to reference them in the formula field. I've messed with this for the past few hours and I've gotten no where. Can anyone give me a step-by-step? I feel like this should be extremely easy, but I can't figure it out.

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 22:03:07 GMT

Also note that I don't actually want the dimensions of the drawing to change - just the text within the block.

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

Libbya — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 22:51:53 GMT

Here's a simple test block screencast that shows how to add a user parameter and place it in a formula field along with a linear parameter value.

Re: Variables and Simple Formulas

MMcCall402 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 14:13:25 GMT

I introduce the user input into a dynamic block thru User Parameters and display the output thru Attributes. The Attributes have text and fields with formulas for the numeric values as their default attributes. The formulas in the fields use fields to gather values from things like user parameters, dynamic parameters and drawing objects.