Dynamic block with a prefilled in leader attached

[DamoBart]

Is it possible to create a block that when you insert it has a leader attached with some text filled in as per a property (of that block)?

[Libbya]

Yes.

[DamoBart]

really helpful answer Libbya, the mere fact im asking suggests that i would be greatful for an explantion on how to achieve this (or a video if there is such a thing)

[Libbya]

You didn't give enough details on what you wanted.  Any additional explanation or videos on my part would be a waste of time.  Check your attitude if you want any further help.  The sarcasm and entitlement are unwarranted.  Now that you know it IS possible, do a basic search on this forum, watch a few free youtube videos on the basics of dynamic blocks and make it. 

[DamoBart]

No Sarcasm intended, i asked a question that i do not know then answer to and asking it on here, a help and advice forum, says if i dont know if something can be done, then its logical to offer advice and not "yes".

I would like to create a block with some sort of property/attribute such that when i insert it into my model space, it has a leader line attached to it. The text on that leader point could be blank or filled in via a property/attribute within that block.  Im new to autocad and know  i can acheive some things but others i could do with constructive advice.

[DamoBart]

i have looked on youtube and not found anything suitable...

[Libbya]

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@DamoBart wrote:

really helpful answer Libbya, the mere fact im asking suggests that i would be greatful for an explantion on how to achieve this (or a video if there is such a thing)

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"really helpful answer" is the definition of sarcasm when you go on to say it was not helpful in the way you wanted.  The fact that when I answered accurately your question, and your response was that you expected additional explanation without asking for it, or giving details on what you wanted, or posting a file with the visuals you want, etc... demonstrates the entitlement I was referring to.  Don't backtrack now and say sarcasm wasn't intended.  It clearly was intended and was not warranted.  An apology would be appropriate. 

As many people who frequent this forum can attest I am a very helpful person, but you still haven't given enough to go and you haven't done any legwork yourself in order to make further explanation anything other than a waste of time.  It would also help make your posts more readable if you used appropriate capitalization and punctuation.

[DamoBart]

ok, first of all, as you feel i was acting inapproriate, then accept my appologies.

I cannot try anything yet as im am waiting to recive my licence from my employer. This should be with me tomorrow.

I am a well seasoned mechanical designer with Solidworks and other software of similar type, but have never used Autocad in anger, hence "New to it".

I have watched a few videos and feel comfortable in the creation of a block, when i get my hands on the software that is. I have also looked on this forum for something akin to what i would like to achieve, but as with most forums, the search facility is not great, and at best merely picking out keywords.

Whilst watching the videos, they did prompt me to spot an improvement that i could make to a process that colleagues are currently working with. So with that, i thought i would try to make use of my waiting time, and ask on here for advice. 

If you cannot grasp what i am asking for advice on, then ill hopefully have the licence tomorrow and i will try to put something more explanatory together, hopefully with a file, although it probably doesnt warrent that much additional information. 

In short i just want to populate a leader line with some text from the same block, how ?  Im not sure how to get there ie from a property or an attribute, i just dont know at this stage as i have no access to the software to clarify...

[Libbya]

If you want text within a block to be editable while outside of block editor, you need to use attributes for that text.  There are a couple ways to populate and update the attribute value automatically.  One way is to use fields that reference an item or parameter within a block (including lookup or user parameters which can house text directly).  Another way is to write the value directly from a block properties table.  

[DamoBart]

Ok thanks libbya, that gives me something to chew on, hopefully tomorrow. When i know more ill come back, wether ive figured it out or not...

Thanks again

[Anonymous]

Okay, so from my understanding, what you want, is a simple dynamic block with a multileader and an editable text attribute, so you get an editable text from either the Properties menu, or from double-clicking the block - e.g. for the purpose of creating a larger block with an integrated dynamic multileader in it.

I suppose, what you CAN do, if I understand correctly of course, is create a new empty block and open it in the Block Editor. Then, insert a Multileader from the Annotate tab, select 0,0 as your base point, and drag the multileader to anywhere. Then, add a new attribute by typing "ATT" or "ATTDEF". In the "Tag:", type something like "Text" and in "Default:" write something like "123". Make sure that "Preset" and "Lock position" are checked in the Mode settings.

Hit "OK" and place the Attribute to the Multileader landing. From here, add a Point-parameter to the landing of the multileader. Then add a strech action to that point, and draw a box around the multileader landing and the text box, and select both the multileader, textbox and parameter to be a part of the strectch action.

That should be it - check the attached sample.

If you need a more detailed explanation, feel free to ask and I'll see what I can do.

[DamoBart]

@Anonymous @Libbya 

Hi Both, so i have had a go now i got my license sorted out and the attached is very close to what i want to achieve. On insert, this prompts the user to fill out the name of the block (I have just used a random block shape for now) and then the block and leader appear with the name as text inserted. The key thing for me is it has the handles to allow the movment of the leader AND text together, to a suitable place.

As you can see from the screeny below, the 2 circled handles seem to want to stay there instead of tracking the arrow head. I have tried a few things to get them to track it, but without luck. Any feedback on how to achieve that would be greatly appreciated...

[Anonymous]

Like this?

[DamoBart]

yes only i now notice the text is not longer attached when you move the top part of the leader

[tim_crouse]

Yes.

1.  Add an attribute to the block

2.  Include the leader in the block too

3.  Add an attribute to the end of the leader

4.  Edit the leader attribute >> right click insert a field

5.  Select OBJECT type

6.  Select the block attribute

7. specify the value property

>>>>>

Insert the block

Edit the block attribute

The value will propagate to the leader attribute  >> may have to REA to see it update

That's the general flow

Hope that help

-Tim C.

[tim_crouse]

Take a look at the example block.

There is an invisible attribute that get linked to the visible attribute

Data can be pushed into the invisible attribute which gets forwarded to the visible attribute WHICH may or may not have additional formatting added to it at design time.

-Tim C.

[Prototron3000]

It took you 9 replies to provide an explanation ...

@Prototron3000 -this post has been edited due to Community Rules & Etiquette violation

[Libbya]

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@Prototron3000 wrote:

It took you 9 replies to provide an explanation ...

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What was the purpose of your comment?

@Libbya - moderation team edited post to removed quoted verbiage