Can the units be specified for table values in a dynamic block?

Can the units be specified for table values in a dynamic block?

hencoop
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Message 1 of 24

Can the units be specified for table values in a dynamic block?

hencoop
Advisor
Advisor

I want decimal values to always be shown in some of my tables but if the DWG units are Architectural they display feet and inches which is most unhelpful.  Can the units be specified for table values in a dynamic block?

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
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Accepted solutions (1)
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Replies (23)
Message 2 of 24

Libbya
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Mentor

Post the block.

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Message 3 of 24

Libbya
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Mentor

I don't know of a way to change the units displayed by (I assume) a block properties table.  However, you can add a user parameter, change its type to string, and list whatever values you like.  If you set the units within block editor to decimal, you can copy the entire column of values that were previously displayed to the user parameter column and set that column before the other one so that those values are now displayed.  Because it is a string the values are not changed when the units in model space are changed.  

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Message 4 of 24

vinodkl
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Mentor

Hi,

I doubt that there is any way to assign units for Block properties table.

In your case I would suggest you to create a user parameter in the block properties table and keep that on the left and make the "type" as string which would not change with the change in the units, either architectural or decimal.

see attachment I have created a simple example block.

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ವಿನೋದ್ ಕೆ ಎಲ್( System Design Engineer)
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Message 5 of 24

hencoop
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The Columns in the table are created by and match the parameters of the dynamic block.  I don't think that creating a user parameter could be made to link its text values to a linear parameter.

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
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Message 6 of 24

Libbya
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If the user parameter column is a string and to the left, then it will show its values when the block properties table grip is selected.  

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Message 7 of 24

Libbya
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Mentor

It is interesting that you 'don't think' it will work.  You obviously haven't even tried it or you would know it does work.   That begs the question of why you are even asking for assistance if you are unwilling to accept the assistance offered and assume it will not work before even giving it a try.  So weird.

 

 

 

 

Message 8 of 24

vinodkl
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Mentor

Hi,

 

Putting the user parameter(type-string) to the left would show up user parameter when you click on the block properties table grip, which would remain constant with the change in units.

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ವಿನೋದ್ ಕೆ ಎಲ್( System Design Engineer)
Likes is much appreciated if the information I have shared is helpful to you and/or others.

Please mark "Accept as Solution" if my reply resolves the issue or answers your question, to help others in the community.
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Message 9 of 24

Libbya
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Accepted solution

The block properties table will switch ALL parameter values to the values listed in a specific ROW once that row is selected.  For selecting that row it lists the leftmost parameter first and then does a cascading menu until a unique row has been selected.  It does not care whether the parameter listed is a user parameter, linear parameter, attribute, etc, etc...  once that row is selected ALL parameters within the table are switched to their value listed in that unique row.  

 

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Message 10 of 24

hencoop
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Advisor

It is interesting that you changed my words to be "I don't think it will work" when what I actually said was "I don't think that creating a user parameter could be made to link its text values to a linear parameter."  Clearly you assumed that your understanding of "linked" matched my meaning of "linked".  I DID try and they cannot be "linked"; however, your video has made your meaning clear and what you are suggesting DOES work.  Don't be so quick to criticize people.

 

I saw the bit of trouble you had with the PARAMETERS MANAGER.  I am having a great deal of trouble with it.  When I open it in the Block Editor it is permanently and unchangeably docked at the leftmost position in the Ribbon and it does not include a column for Type (see image).  It opens normally outside of the block editor but changing options there are ignored in the Block Editor.

 

I should be able to include a new user parameter and give it the type "String" but unfortunately the names already used in this block seem to be forever prohibited from reuse even if the parameter that used it is deleted.  This block is the one I was thinking of and should have posted earlier.  It has a cascading table as W Shapes are rated by nominal size and pounds per foot.  The rest of the dimensions result from those two values.  It is disconcerting to see the pounds per foot listed as feet and inches, e.g. the weight 21.0 lbs is shown as 1'-9" per foot.

 

I'm sure I can make your suggested additions to this block and make the weight selection show the real number as a string.  I've attached the block just for your reference (and in case I've missed any other important detail).

 

Parameters Docked in ribbon.jpg

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
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Message 11 of 24

hencoop
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Advisor

I just figured out how to show the type column.  This should be much easier now!

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
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Message 12 of 24

hencoop
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Advisor

😁Change the types of my two user parameters and I'm done.  (tyvm... I have not used the Parameter Manager before).

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
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Message 13 of 24

hencoop
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Advisor

I changed it back to double check whether I was really seeing feet and inches with the type set to "Real".  Indeed I was; however, while the selection grip shows feet and inches, the Block Properties Table shows these same values as reals.  The table entries that are linked to parameter sets all display in the table as feet and inches.  When viewing the table, the types are honored.  When selecting from the drop-down they are not.  Your solution, changing the type to "String" cures this problem.  It also alters the display of the table values making them Integers... but the table values remain unchanged.

feet and inches.jpg

block properties table.jpg

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
                        27.0.37.14 Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024.0.1
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Message 14 of 24

Libbya
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Mentor

In the video I posted that you marked as a solution I demonstrate how to show and hide the 'type' column at 1:18+.

 

Instead of being a hypocrite and telling me not to criticize people, you should instead do your due diligence to investigate and learn from the comments that are posted.  At this point your attitude is disturbing enough that it is up in the air whether or not I will ever attempt to help you again with your issues.  I guess the way you respond to this post will probably clarify that for me.  

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Message 15 of 24

hencoop
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Advisor

Please don't.  We as a community don't need your attitude clouding up an otherwise good solution.  Unlike you I don't see and understand everything perfectly the first time I see it... and sometimes it takes some study.  ... Don't be such a Richard Edward!  I've reconsidered and you don't deserve even my "tyvm"!

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
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Message 16 of 24

Libbya
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Mentor

Sounds good.  Onto the $hitlist you go. 

 

FWIW, I have posted approximately the same number of marked solutions on this forum as all other users combined for all time.  Many members actually appreciate that input.  Some overly entitled individuals like yourself demonstrate a disturbing lack of appreciation and abuse the folks who are kindly offering their knowledge and time for free.  I think this community would be hurt a lot more if I left than if you did.  Why don't you make post up a poll and find out?  

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Message 17 of 24

hencoop
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Advisor

The ONLY thing I've posted that could even possibly be considered "abuse" (and they are NOT) are my responses to your rude, inconsiderate, self-important bloviations about what I should have done, understood, or seen when and where... without ever acknowledging that we may have simply misderstood each other (Yes, you misunderstood me and went off on me and then got butt-hurt because I said you misunderstood me). I don't care WHAT you THINK YOU KNOW or how well you THINK you know it.  It greatly diminishes your proclaimed virtue of "kindly offering their knowledge" when you resort to such a totally unkind, rude and inconsiderate berating of another person simply  because YOU made wrong assumptions, which was politely explained to you, and then to so very unkindly double down on such berating AFTER receiving what was a grateful "thank you very much (tyvm)" and being told "you were right" and that you have provided a solution!

 

What kind of person has the unmitigated gall to do such things?  Apparently, YOU DO!

 

On top of all of that you are either woefully ignorant of your LACK of superior accomplishments or you are a liar!  You have NOT "posted approximately the same number of marked solutions on this forum as all other users combined for all time"!

Pendean has 5,242 solutions, ToanDN has 3,645 solutions, Alfred.NESWADBA has 3.875 solutions, DarenP has 1,379 solutions and dgorsman has 665 solutions (maybe you just are not any good at math).  These top 5 contributors have a total of 14,806 solutions and you have only 820 solutions.  Your all time total is just 5.5% of the solutions provided by just the top 5 contributors and your total is much less than the top 4 contributors individually.  Have a good look at yourself... you may finally see what others see.

 

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
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Message 18 of 24

Libbya
Mentor
Mentor

I think you are quite confused about the way this thread unfolded. 

 

You asked for a solution to your issue.  I offered a solution.  Vinodkl offered the same solution.  You came back replying that you did not think that the solution offered by both of us could possibly be made to work.  I pointed out the absurdity of that response and you got butt-hurt about it and responded as such.  I think that if you review the actual posts by each of us and attempt an objective observation, you will see that your comments have been considerably more aggressive and abusive than mine, especially this last one.

 

You also seem confused about what forum you are posting on.  You are posting on the Dynamic Blocks forum, not the general AutoCAD forum.  On this forum I have 809 solutions which is very close to half of the total number of marked solutions on this forum.  Go ahead and do that math.  ToanDN has 4 solution on this forum.  Pendean has 3 solutions on this forum.  You can call me a liar if you wish but that is just another way that you are both incorrect and making an unwarranted and unprovoked personal attack.  You should take your own advice and look closely at yourself.   

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Message 19 of 24

hencoop
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Advisor

I see that you do have more solutions in this forum than all of the others listed.  I see that you have 24 solutions to their 20.  I do commend your accomplishment here in this forum.  I apologize for misunderstanding you.  I thought you were referring to the 820 solutions you have provided when you said "for all time".  That is my mistake.  Given your tone with me at that point in this conversation and phrasing it the way you did I was thinking you meant your much larger number of 820 solutions overall.

 

I have never asked you to leave this forum.  I asked you not to be so quick to criticize people and later I said you should not help me in the future (which I regret and apologize for).  I have indeed tried to link a user parameter to a linear parameter and that does not work.  At your knowledge level I'm sure you know that... but I didn't until I tried it and I did that before coming here.  You assumed I said that what you suggested would not, could not possibly be made to work.  I never said that nor did I think it nor did I try to convey that thought.  To say "I don't think that will work" was completely useless, unhelpful and added nothing to the discussion but a source for misunderstanding.  What I think while I am attempting it does nothing for the solution.  It is clear from my subsequent posts that I did finally understand what you meant after studying your post and the others and it was crystal clear after you posted the video.  I responded four separate times very favorably after you posted your video (at least my intention was for it to all be seen as favorable).  I was certainly not expecting what you posted after them.

 

I might add here that I intended no slight against you by mentioning the trouble you had with the Parameter Manager.  I was trying to tell you I also had trouble with it in the hope that you could solve that problem as well.  I apparently offended you greatly by taking exception to your assessment of my level of effort.  I sincerely believe that you have misunderstood what I posted: i.e., you reword my post saying "could not possibly be made to work".  I never said that or even tried to convey the thought.  I never tried to belittle or dismiss you or your suggestions here and I am sorry if if I gave you that impression, it was entirely unintentional; however, AFTER I got "butt-hurt"?, well that's when the vitriol started to flow and I sincerely apologize for that.

 

To be very clear, I first got "butt-hurt" with this post Re: Can the units be specified for table values in a dynamic block? in which you accuse me of being a hypocrite, not doing my due diligence to investigate and learn, and having a bad attitude.  Up to this post I was busy doing my due diligence and learning (which of course you could only assume I was not).  I got the impression that instead of being the "Mentor" Autodesk has concluded you are, you chose not to be in this instance with regard to my misunderstanding and being patient with me.

 

I did and I do appreciate your help on this problem and the help others provided (and if you know how to get the Parameter Manager out of my Ribbon, I would greatly appreciate learning that as well).  I confess that I took exception to and did not appreciate what I still believe was your subjective and inaccurate assessment of me on this interaction.  Obviously, I disagree strenuously with your assessment.

 

I do sincerely apologize for all of the bitter words I have posted in response to that assessment.  I do not wish to continue in this pissing match (regardless of whether you accept my assessment that is was a pissing match or not)... and I regret all of the piss I have contributed to whatever it has been thus far.

 

Thank you very much for your help.

 

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
                        27.0.37.14 Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024.0.1
                        8.6.52.0 AutoCAD Architecture 2024
Message 20 of 24

hencoop
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Advisor

Before I make another mistake, I looked at the following to find what your number of solutions on this forum is.  If I missed the spot and got it wrong, I did not intend to.  I am not trying to contradict your count and I acknowledge your skill at math (that was a very rude thing to say and I apologize for that as well).

solutions.jpg

 

AutoCAD User since 1989. Civil Engineering Professional since 1983
Product Version: 13.6.1963.0 Civil 3D 2024.4.1 Update Built on: U.202.0.0 AutoCAD 2024.1.6
                        27.0.37.14 Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024.0.1
                        8.6.52.0 AutoCAD Architecture 2024
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