Parameter Based Solids

[Anonymous]

I am currently using AutoCAD 2013.  I am trying to attempt 2 things.

1) I want to be able to be able to create a solid that has attributes for Thickness, Width & Length.  I am using it for dimensional wood & would like to insert it as a template with attribute prompts to get the desired results.  

2)  I then want to be able to reference those same attributes in a Multileader callout.  

Can anyone give me any insight.  I have found a way to do it for the Thickness & Width using dynamic block & inserted fields, but for the life of me cant get a parameteric restraint to work on the Height.  😞

[dgorsman]

There are no parametric 3D solids in AutoCAD.  It can be faked in with a *lot* of customization (done a lot with the verticals and third-party add-ins), which redraw the objects with new values rather than modify the original.

You might want to consider using "proxy blocks" as a simplified solution.  These have the required attributes, and are inserted (possibly GROUP'd) with the related 3D solid or block reference.  You're responsible for keeping the data up-to-date either manually or though some automation.  Much more than that and you should be looking at dedicated software such as one of the MEP products or Inventor unless you want to get into full-fledged programming.

[Anonymous]

Will MEP produce parameteric 3D solids?

[dgorsman]

Revit MEP - absolutely.  AutoCAD MEP - kinda-sorta, along the lines I mentioned.   Both provide parametric features based on their field (conduit is a "conduit" not a cylinder with properties for diameter, material, etc., same with structural pieces, and so on) rather than a generic modeling program.  For the latter you'd probably be looking at Inventor.