Updating Hatch Pattern Layer from .csv

[Anonymous]

I would like to use hatch patterns to indicate the status of areas in my DWG file. I would like to use a .csv file to update the layer of the Hatch Patterns. I expect to have about 50 individual Hatch Patterns.

What is the best way to make this possible, or is it not possible?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I would like to use a .csv file to update the layer

What does the CSV file contain and how does that content interrelate with specific hatches in the current dwg-file?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

I don't have a .csv file yet. I can have the .csv file contain anything that I would need. Do I need to have the Entity Name?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

can you please describe what you want to have in the CSV and what you want to do with hatches? I have no idea what your goal is.

>> Do I need to have the Entity Name?

Well, if you have 20 hatches in the dwg-file, and your CSV tells us that you need to make 2 of those to be red, then yes, the app you like needs to know which of the 20 hatches now should stay and which of them should get red.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

I want to use Hatches to reflect the condition of a work area: work started, worked complete, work stopped. The csv file is only a means to control my hatches without manually changing them in AutoCAD; this way I can quickly track the progress in the different areas. I need a way to identify the work area (Hatch), and I need an area to change the Layer or Color, preferably Layer. I don't know what else I would need to have in the csv so AutoCAD can use that information. Attaches is an excel that I think I would need my csv to look like function as desired.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I want to use Hatches to reflect the condition of a work area:

>> work started, worked complete, work stopped

That sounds like ready to use functions for GIS or FM(facility management).

There does not exist a function out of the box in AutoCAD that let change the colors of hatches in a drawing file. So you need to do a bit development (as long as you don't want to use GIS or FM systems). Which development tool are you aware with?

And are you really sure to start that development, because I guess changing the color of a room is just a first step from such systems. 😉

To identify objects and change then their properties you might

• use the objects handle (handle is something like an ID in AutoCAD, valid only within the dwg-file)
• use a block that contains attributes and hatches, the attribute can then contain an ID to do the search and then change the block's layer to get the other layer's display properties.
• (and I guess others have good ideas too)

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

I can utilize PHP Java, C#, VB.

I will look into the existing solutions. I may be able to take advantage of what is already existing.

Thanks for the tip on the blocks attributes to help identifying!