Renumber all steel with a prefix

[advandes]

Advance Steel 2024

I have a completed project for a client (GA's, Assemblies and part drawings completed), but now they want me to change all the mark numbers on every piece of steel to have a unique mark number. All single parts and assemblies must have a revised prefix. For example B1 changed to 46-B1 and a part p1 changed to 46-p1. Is there a way to change all these mark numbers to what they are asking for, especially since all the drawings are completed? I'm not concerned about a beam changing from B1 to say 46-B12, I just need a prefix added to all the steel, and all the drawings updated with the new mark numbers. I would appreciate any detailed help on how this can be accomplished. I've been testing this on a dummy project, but not having much luck...  Thank you!!!

[Flies-Eyes]

There are too many moving parts without knowing your system indepth to provide a detailed answer.  The client request is a very specific method.  If your system is not set up to accommodate that numbering method.

Take a copy of the project to test the new numbering method.

I would suggest to the client the next project can follow their protocols but not this one, unless of course they are willing to pay for changes.

[advandes]

Hopefully there is an answer. Is the problem that the parts and assemblies have already been generated? Couldn’t I delete all the mark numbers and somehow recreate them with a prefix, and then update the existing drawings?

[Flies-Eyes]

Yes, that is possible.  The issue that I foresee is that if each object is given a unique number, you could end up with a drawing that has 200 object numbers connected with that 1 object.  

That is why I am suggesting to take a copy and test it first.  It could be an easy fix or a massive headache to get it to work.

[advandes]

I have been testing with a smaller version of a similar project with no luck, so that is why I am asking for help in how to add a specific prefix to parts and assemblies.

[advandes]

Maybe my description of my issue sounded too complicated. I should have just asked if and how can I add a specific prefix to the parts and assemblies? For example, I would like all beams to be marked 46-B1, 46-B2 etc and parts 46-p1, 46-p2 etc.. any help with this would be appreciated.

[K_Kubat · Accepted solution]

How about simply assigning a new prefix to the corresponding assemblies using the prefix function.

To do this, I would select all B objects either using filters or the model browser, for example, and give them a new prefix, 46-B.

See also: https://help.autodesk.com/view/ADSTPR/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-AC7923E3-A768-4091-A70C-34880F22E3EF

[Drawtech]

It seemed initially that yoiu wanted a unique number for each item, which would be a pain for you as you would then need a seperarte drawing for each item.

However, if you just want the same prefix for all of your current numbers, @K_Kubat suggestion will work, but means seaching for all your different current prefixes and changing them.

...so alternatively, perhaps you can just change the numbering format to use a token (that you are not currently using) for the prefix.

You could maybe use Project Name, Building, or Project Number if not already in use.

Otherwise, if you named your model filename "46.dwg" you could use the Model name token.

Format would be as shown above.

i.e.

%ModelName-%Prefix%MethodNumber

Cheers,

Dave