Complex Dynamic Block With Simulating Multiple Visibility Parameters

[Anonymous]

I am working on a dynamic block that has (4) components to it. The first one has (2) visibility states, the next has (3), the next has (3) and the last has (4), leaving me 72 combinations... not to mention there are (2) possible heights and a left and right side to the block. Is there a way to accomplish this without having to create 72 visibility states?  I would also like a stretch action on the middle portion.

Please see attached.

Thank you!

[Libbya]

I don't know what all of those 'states' would look like, so it is hard to say.  Any adjustments to existing geometry (stretch/move/rotate/scale) can be done with parameters/actions and a lookup - no visibility states needed.  As an alternative to the double-lookup vis states way of doing multi-vis, you can also use the 'scaling' method.  You add a linear parameter and scale action for each different sent of geometry you wish to make disappear and then scale them to a dot.  With the scale method, no visibility states are needed.  

If you draw the appearance of the various states, I can give better advice.   

[Anonymous]

It is tough to draw them out because there would be 144 combinations.  Essentially what I would like to have is a drop down for each part, but I can't do that without creating a visibility state for each of the 144 combinations. =(

[Libbya]

You don't need to draw all the combinations to show how the geometry changes.  Show an example of each segment, not all combinations.  That's 16, not 144.

[Anonymous]

Attached is my working file.  You may be able to see how what I was trying to accomplish without having to create visibility states for all 144 combinations.

There is a left side and a right side to this block, I've only been working on the left side.

[Libbya]

It looks to me like you could do most of the options except the chair rail edges without any other visibility states, just moving linework.   Screencast shows an example for the base.

[Anonymous]

So I started from scratch, looking at it from a different perspective and decided I could you a variety of parameters and actions to accomplish my goal.  I ended up using stretch actions with a value set list.  But what I didn't realize is that I need this overall block to stretch to find the length of the wall(s).  When I stretch the overall block everything move beautifully except for the value sets.  They don't move, for obvious reasons.  Any suggestions. I've attached the updated CAD file.

Thank you.

[Libbya]

Use separate linear parameters for the left and right.  Move the linear parameters when doing the overall stretch so that the values of the moved linear parameters remain constant during the stretch.

[Anonymous]

My apologies, I am fairly new to dynamic blocks.  Could you explain your suggestion in more detail?

[Anonymous]

OOH! I figured it out.

[Libbya]

When you move a linear parameter, its value does not change.  It also won't change when a stretch action is used as long as the stretch window surrounds both ends of the linear parameter.  As mentioned, use two parameters; one for left, one for right, and then move them while you stretch the overall wall.  That way, the set values will be maintained.  In the screencast I use lookups for changing the values of the base, but you could also use a parameter value list for each side just as easily.  See screencast:  

[Libbya]

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@Anonymous wrote:

OOH! I figured it out.

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Exactly.  You posted while my screencast was uploading.