Dynamic Block Table using Visibility States

[walterKGDCT]

Hi Guys,

I'm running into problems trying to create a dynamic block using visibility states as well as adding a stretch action to a table for a hardware schedule for a client. I have a picture here on what i am trying to achieve. For the visibility state i want it to be able to add or remove rows, I also want to be able to stretch the block to the make just the "DESCRIPTION" cells a bit bigger if the text calls for it. As an example of the problem that i am running into, the visibility states and making "row 5" invisible and still having all the lower rows show up. Certain cells randomly become invisible even when i have a lower visibility state selected. With the stretch command the issue that i am having is that when i drag the arrow to stretch it, it is stretching the "QTY" & "UOM" drastically even when i had them all selected when i was creating the action and only want them to move with the stretch not all over the place. Maybe i could be doing this a completely different way i don't know, if you guys have any other ways for me to complete this task or if there is a you-tube video of how i could complete all of this that would be awesome. I'm open to anything. Thanks for your time.

[MMcCall402]

Its really hard to say what might be going on without having access to the block in question.

I do wonder why a dynamic block vs an autocad table.

[walterKGDCT]

I attached the block for you to inspect. try adding or removing rows as well as stretching and you should see what I was talking about

[MMcCall402]

File is too new for me to open. (newer than 2016)   Sorry I can't help.

[walterKGDCT]

I saved the file down to 2010. Maybe that will work for you, just let me know if your having trouble

[Libbya]

Why do you want it to be a dynamic block as opposed to just using a table?

[MMcCall402]

I was able to open the file after a couple of dialog boxes complaining about file version and objects, although I'm not sure its as it was created. Are there really 1000+ attributes in this block or was it something that happened in the conversion?

[walterKGDCT]

I believe there is because with visibility states don't you have to copy one object off to the side, then turn off previous version and make invisible and then move back your copy onto the original spot to create a new visibility state?

[walterKGDCT]

am I able to create the table to look exactly like the block in question? with having the bold outline and able to stretch? Engineers are pretty picky haha

[MMcCall402]

Visibility states can share objects. Each state doesn't need its own copy of an object. You can chose in which state an object is visible. This goes for lines, text, hatching, attributes and dynamic features. Dynamic actions can work on objects in multiple states

For your block:

1) I would start by deleting everything except what is visible in state 15. That should leave you with one complete set of linework, text and one attribute for each cell in the table.

2) Setup the linear parameter and stretch action to work for this state.

3) Select all the objects and set their visibility to show for all states.

4) Now work you way backwards thru the visibility states turning off the visibility for that state.

5) In each of the visibility states 14 thru 1 I'm sure you noticed that you need the vertical lines and border to change. We'll handle that with a linear parameter in the vertical direction with a stretch action.

6) Go back to state 15. Add the parameter, action and select the appropriate objects. Make the parameter visible for all states.

7) Test this new action and note the distance needed for each state. They should follow an incremental step as the rows are evenly spaced.

8) In the block editor select the vertical parameter and you should see in its properties an area for "Dist type" and None is the setting. Set it to Incremental and new cells will appear for entering the increment along with a min and max. Enter values from the testing.

That should get the basic operations of the block going.

As a bonus a block table could be added to correlate the vertical parameter and stretch action to the visibility states

[MMcCall402 · Accepted solution]

See attached drawing.  All the things I listed above and one thing I forgot.  I forgot to mention the relocation of the table title and column title with a move action on the horizontal linear parameter with a distance multiplier of 0.5.

[walterKGDCT]

Thanks so much for all of your help. Greatly appreciated!

[trandk]

Dear sir!

I also need to use this board, can you guide me to create it?

Thank you so much!

---

[MMcCall402]

In the screencast below I ran through the process on a simplified version of the table uploaded earlier in the post.

Hope it helps.

[trandk]

very heplful for me, thanks! 

[trandk]

Hi MMcCall402,

Help me, please! I try create a dynamic block visibility as file attach, but I can't do it.

Guide me to create?

[trandk]

Hi MMcCall402,

Help me, please! I try create a dynamic block visibility as file attach, but I can't do it.

Guide me to create?

[MMcCall402]

Thank you for posting the block.

You want the thickness/height (beam type) of the beam to be used to select the correct visibility state for the number of lugs at the ends?

I see the Beam Type parameter is set to be incremental at 1mm between 50 and 180. That will produce 130 possible values, each of which will need to be accounted for in the block property table. It is possible, I just wonder if it is realistic.  A more practical option may be to change the distance from 'incremental' to 'list' which will then allow you to put only the relevant dimension values in the list.

The Block Properties Table still needs to added to this block. Add the Beam Type and visibility States parameters to the table. Fill in the table column with all the Beam Type parameter values and then choose the corresponding state in the visibility states column for each of those values. The grip for the table can be set to 0.

[trandk]

Hi MMcCALL402!

Thanks for your prompts. could you send to me your email? I have some question for you, hepl me,please!.

[MMcCall402]

You can reach me by adding @Anonymous.com to my user name here.