Alternative to visibility states

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I just wanted to share a dynamic block that I have been working on to get some some input. It was suggested to me that I bring my block here, suggesting that I might get some help with a different way to accomplish what I'm trying to do instead of having a "ton" of visibility states, which is actually bogging down the performance of my block.

I've attached the block, I apologize for any errors. I have not quite finished checking the whole thing. I know there seemed to be some objects in the block that were not added to some parameters that they should, but you should still be able to get the general idea of my block. And see the ridiculous amount of visibility states.

It's just a weld symbol callout. I just want to be able to have separate weld symbols on the top and bottom (13 different, including "none"), a tail or no, and a field weld, all around supplemental symbol, both, or neither.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Michael

[Libbya · Accepted solution]

I admire your tenacity, but that is more visibility states than I would use with that method.  I think you could use the 'scaling method' to good effect in that block.  Basically the items you want not visible are scaled to 1/10,000 their size.  You need a linear parameter and scale action for each item or set of items that need independent visibility.  You then use a single lookup to coordinate the visible vs. non-visible items for a given selection.  If you do a search for scaling method you will probably be able to find a couple step-by-step screencasts I have made on the method.  

[Anonymous]

Oh interesting. I will check it out. Yeah I was pretty close to finishing all the visibility states and lookup parameters by the time someone suggested another method.

Thanks!

Michael

[Anonymous]

Hello Libbya,

I think I figured out your method for the most part. I've attached the block for reference, but I am also having a couple issues, one I think related to the scaling method and one minor one that I have had from the start.

The one related is that I've done something to cause the bevel symbol to show up when other symbols are shown. I'm still investigating, but thought maybe I'd toss it in here.

The other one is a little trivial, but also a little irritating to someone slight OCD tendencies. I have a flip parameter for the supplemental weld symbols at the "elbow" and one for the whole block at the top. When I flip the whole block, the flip parameter at the elbow is flipped at the y axis correctly, but flips at the x axis as well.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Michael

[Libbya]

I'll post a screencast that shows how to fix the flip grip position in a followup post.  I didn't take the time to diagnose the scaling/visibility issue.

[Anonymous]

Perfect!

That worked! And as for the scaling/visibility problem with the bevel symbol, I just deleted the object and parameter and reinserted it and added it to the lookup table and assigned the other applicable actions to it and now it seems to be working fine.

Thanks for all your help!

Michael