topic Re: Update section plane blocks automatically in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

Update section plane blocks automatically

bsanada — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 21:57:50 GMT

I have a 3D model of a building and have several section planes setup to create specific elevation views in different areas of the building. Each week I receive an updated version of the model and have to update those elevation views. The process I'm using is to select the section plane, select generate section block, and then choose the block to replace. I have around 30 different sections and this process is very time consuming. Is there a way to link a section plane to a specific block and have the sections update automatically?

Thanks,
Brad

Re: Update section plane blocks automatically

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:57:18 GMT

Hi Brad,

I've been doing something similar with bridges, seem to have a reasonable method going. The drawing I'm currently working on has 80 section planes, didn't take me long to realise updating manually wasn't an option!

I use the export to file option, and each section plane exports to it's own file. Just enter the file path + name in the section settings and it generates the drawing in that location, and then each subsequent time you click "generate section block","create" it will override that drawing. You can then xref that drawing into your main drawing, so each time you do update the section, simply reload the xref. Works pretty well for me!

Only thing to look out for - if you have the "apply settings to all section objects" box ticked in the section settings, then any time you change the settings it will reset the filepaths of ALL the section planes to the same place... so untick this. If you want to change section settings, you'll have to do them one by one.

Re: Update section plane blocks automatically

bsanada — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 22:20:27 GMT

This looks like a very reasonable work-around. Thanks!

Re: Update section plane blocks automatically

Anonymous — Sun, 17 Oct 2021 08:56:03 GMT

Dear brad

I have a 3D module for building and I need to generate 25 section view for the building in each update.

I working using Excel VBA to Draw/Modified the building but i can't generate the section view by excel VBA

Could you help my, how i can do it ( only in need to know how i can write the command in excel )

thanks in advance for your help

Re: Update section plane blocks automatically

Sea-Haven — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 03:08:45 GMT

You just need to google VBA Excel Autocad and you will find a lot of examples about Excel controlling Autocad, this is an example of draw a line, pline and circle.

Sub Opendwg() Dim acadApp As Object Dim acadDoc As Object 'Check if AutoCAD application is open. If is not opened create a new instance and make it visible. On Error Resume Next Set acadApp = GetObject(, "AutoCAD.Application") If acadApp Is Nothing Then Set acadApp = CreateObject("AutoCAD.Application") acadApp.Visible = True End If 'Check (again) if there is an AutoCAD object. If acadApp Is Nothing Then MsgBox "Sorry, it was impossible to start AutoCAD!", vbCritical, "AutoCAD Error" Exit Sub End If On Error GoTo 0 'If there is no active drawing create a new one. On Error Resume Next Set acadDoc = acadApp.ActiveDocument If acadDoc Is Nothing Then Set acadDoc = acadApp.Documents.Add End If On Error GoTo 0 'Check if the active space is paper space and change it to model space. If acadDoc.ActiveSpace = 0 Then '0 = acPaperSpace in early binding acadDoc.ActiveSpace = 1 '1 = acModelSpace in early binding End If End Sub Public Sub addline(x1, y1, z1, x2, y2, z2) ' Create the line in model space Dim acadApp As Object Dim acadDoc As Object Set acadApp = GetObject(, "AutoCAD.Application") Set acadDoc = acadApp.ActiveDocument Dim startpoint(0 To 2) As Double Dim endpoint(0 To 2) As Double Dim lineobj As Object startpoint(0) = x1: startpoint(1) = y1: startpoint(2) = z1 endpoint(0) = x2: endpoint(1) = y2: endpoint(2) = z2 Set lineobj = acadDoc.ModelSpace.addline(startpoint, endpoint) acadApp.ZoomExtents End Sub Public Sub addcirc(x1, y1, z1, rad) ' Create the circle in model space Dim acadApp As Object Dim acadDoc As Object Set acadApp = GetObject(, "AutoCAD.Application") Set acadDoc = acadApp.ActiveDocument Dim cenpoint(0 To 2) As Double Dim circobj As Object cenpoint(0) = x1: cenpoint(1) = y1: cenpoint(2) = z1 Set circobj = acadDoc.ModelSpace.addcircle(cenpoint, rad) acadApp.ZoomExtents End Sub Sub addpoly(cords, col) Dim acadApp As Object Dim acadDoc As Object Set acadApp = GetObject(, "AutoCAD.Application") Set acadDoc = acadApp.ActiveDocument Dim oPline As Object ' add pline to Modelspace Set oPline = acadDoc.ModelSpace.AddLightWeightPolyline(cords) oPline.Color = col End Sub Sub alan1() ' This example adds a line in model space ' Define the start and end points for the line px1 = 1 px2 = 5 py1 = 1 py2 = 5 pz1 = 0 pz2 = 0 Call addline(px1, py1, pz1, px2, py2, pz2) End Sub Sub alan2() px1 = 1 py1 = 1 pz1 = 0 Radius = 8.5 Call addcirc(px1, py1, pz1, Radius) End Sub Sub alan3() 'Dim coords(0 To n) As Double Dim coords(0 To 5) As Double coords(0) = -6: coords(1) = 1: coords(2) = 3: coords(3) = 5: coords(4) = 7.55: coords(5) = 6.25: col = 1 Call addpoly(coords, col) End Sub

Re: Update section plane blocks automatically

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 11:18:45 GMT

Dear Sea-Haven
Thanks for your reply, Actually I already know some and download a lot of Excel macro and check it very well
and Now , I can Draw the room and insert the equipment using the Excel VBA.
what I need to know is how to generate section plan view using Excel VBA , traying to search a lot but it is loos less.
thanks for you all the time