3D Dynamic Blocks for Data Extraction

[stephenbollard]

I'm attempting to create cutting lists for the manufacturing of SIPs and associated components in a trial version of Autocad Architecture 2025 but finding difficult to progress any further drafting in 3D and creating 3D Dynamic Blocks.

I created a 2D drawing in LT (see TectCutList.dwg attached) with Dynamic Blocks in that I opened in Architecture and managed to extract the required info from however I really need to be able to extract length, width and height from components from within a drawing.

I've drawn a rectangle, extruded it, made it a block but in BE I can't seem to add a Linear Parameter to the height of the block. What am I missing? (see new block.dwg attached)

[pendean]

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@stephenbollard wrote:

I'm attempting to create cutting lists for the manufacturing of SIPs and associated components in a trial version of Autocad Architecture 2025 but finding difficult to progress any further drafting in 3D and creating 3D Dynamic Blocks.

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Are you just looking for a detailed tutorial on how to use DATAEXTRACTION? it's a meticulous process with needed steps

https://www.scan2cad.com/blog/cad/autocad-data-extraction/#:~:text=Complete%20Guide%20to%20AutoCAD%2...

and

https://www.engineering.com/autocad-tutorial-tables-and-data-extraction/ 

[R_Tweed · Accepted solution]

Dynamic block functions work in one plane.  However, there are few alternatives below that will work.

1. The scale z parameter from the geometry section can be extracted. Use a thickness of 1 and then change the z scale to desired thickness.

2. An attribute definition used for thickness would also work. This attribute definition could be copied into all of your blocks that need a depth parameter.

A few things to consider while developing your dynamic block.  You could add Multiple visibilty states, such as end panel, middle panel to integrate post and spline conditions into your base blcok rather place multiple pieces. Plates could be one block with a look up parameter for material or use.

[stephenbollard]

Thanks for the reply and love the idea of nested items in the block.

So followed your suggestion but I can't seem to assign z value as there is no option in properties. Set thickness to 1 as advised but there is no z value box...........*edit was trying to assign z value within the block to the objects rather than assigning z value to the block itself. Done and managed to get 3rd dimension extracted.

Thank you.

[stephenbollard]

I don't seem to be able to get the nested block to work, when I add a post into a panel block the items just move and objects do not stretch (dwg attached)

[stephenbollard]

ignore*

[R_Tweed]

Curious what you came up with in the end.  I briefly looked at the dynamic block to add the functions of posts but have been swamped and did not finish. There is also another way to work this type of problem using ACA elements.  Are you working in an environment where you can only use dataextraction?