Copy Paste to Center of 9,000 Objects: Script or Dynamo solution available?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I recently received an AutoCAD MEP file for fire sprinklers. There are over 9,000 of them. They all need clearances modeled around them to the center of the sprinkler head. So far, the clearance object has been modeled. I am looking for an efficient solution to copy and populate these clearance objects to each sprinkler head without having to do each one manually. They are all at varying elevations and distances from each other. Any suggestions? 

[Kent1Cooper]

Are the sprinkler heads Blocks?  If so, can you just BEDIT or REFEDIT the Block definition, to add the clearance object to it?

[RobDraw · Accepted solution]

How about making the clearance a part of the sprinkler blocks?

Update the block definition and done.

[Anonymous]

I have done that but am not seeing any changes take effect in the model space.  Suggestions? I included some images to show visuals of where I am at.

john.vellek has embedded your image(s) for clarity

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

Since the sprinkler heads are proxy objects from AutoCAD MEP, you will need to install an Object Enabler and then run an -exporttoautocad to turn them into AutoCAD Geometry.  Once you have done this then you should be able to modify them as block insertions.

I think this can be done fairly easily.  If you need to retain the MEP objects (for round-trip) this might be a bit more complicated.  Can you share the file on a post so I can take a look?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

I have not had a chance to try the object enabler option, but I did follow the advice of another poster and sent the model back to the original modeler and asked for the changes we needed. In the meantime will take the object enabler route as soon as I can. Thanks everyone!