topic Re: How to create a lookup parameter in Dynamic Blocks Forum

How to create a lookup parameter

mbickelVMG55 — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:27:48 GMT

Can anyone explain to me how to build a lookup parameter and lookup table from scratch in a dynamic block? The parameter type does not appear on the menu of dynamic block parameters. However, when I attempt to create a lookup action, I must select a "lookup parameter".

Autocad help only tells me all the great things I can do with a lookup table, or how to edit it by selecting it, or how to modify the lookup action. But I can't do any of that until I create the table and the parameter, and even google can't help me find out how to do this. Please help.

Please don't ask for an example of my drawing, because it is just a dynamic block WITHOUT a lookup parameter.

Michael

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

h_s_walker — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:18:23 GMT

Scroll all the way down to the bottom of PARAMETER SETS and you'll find it there under VISIBILITY SET. See the image below

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

Libbya — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:51:52 GMT

Here are a variety of ways to make a lookup parameter. If a lookup does not have any table associated with it, if you double-click it, then a table will be added. With a table added, double-click the table to enter the editing mode. Add whatever input or lookup properties you want and fill out with the appropriate values. See screencast:

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

mbickelVMG55 — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 12:39:37 GMT

hwalker and Libbya,

Thank you both for your help. You have both answered my question, but... unfortunately the answer does not solve my problem.

I am trying to create a simple transform that would add a leading zero in front of integers from 1-9. (as in, 01, 02, etc.). The attached help screen led me to believe I could do this, if I could pass a computed integer through a lookup table. But apparently attributes can't be referenced; only parameters can. And it seems parameters can't have computations. If anyone has any insight into this, or if there are better answers under another topic, please let me know.

It seems that the screenshot references another type of table that must be updated manually. My transform must be automatic; however a manual overwrite option would be good also.

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

h_s_walker — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 12:47:40 GMT

Post your drawing so we can have a look. Then we can suggest a workaround

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

mbickelVMG55 — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 13:20:37 GMT

I will accept your solutions and start a new thread when I can.

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

Libbya — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 13:23:33 GMT

You might potentially be able to add a second attribute, add a field that references the first attribute value and format the value to have your leading zero. Hard to tell if that would work without seeing the block.

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

mbickelVMG55 — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 13:40:47 GMT

This is a very simple block that puts a matchline refererence to other sheets. My company references sheet numbers through the sheet title (system variable ctab). The desired text simply adds or subracts a number from ctab. That part is easy.

I have tried many workarounds. The most frustrating part is that autocad has options for formatting the output. There are hundreds of possibilities simply with the formatting. But the closest I have found is to divide by 10 and make the decimal delimeter a space. That leaves a space in the numbers (0 1, 0 2, etc.).

I have had success with property sets. However, they can only be referenced in labels that appear in model space. I have solved this problem where plan production matchlines can be used. But for our biggest client, I need a dumber matchline in paper space.

Referencing another attribute could possibly work, but I believe that may need a nested block, which could lock the variable to a constant...? If there is syntax to reference another attribute int he same block, I would like to know. It is possible to reference it in an instance of the block, but might be too complicated for some of my users.

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

Libbya — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 14:31:19 GMT

Did you intend to attach a block?

Re: How to create a lookup parameter

mbickelVMG55 — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:58:08 GMT

I have posted a block in a new topic. Thanks,