Fields not updating in Dynamic Block

[wjmdesigns]

Hello all.  I was wondering if I could get a little help from one of you dynamic block Gurus.

I have created the attached dynamic block and am having problems with the fields updating.  The block seems to work fine in the block editor and when testing in the block editor.  However when I insert the block into another drawing, the block seems to take on a whole different manner.  I've tried REGEN and nothing happens.  I also tried clicking on the attribute and updating it but it will not let me drill down into the core of the block to get to the objects I am looking for.  For example, the attribute labeled "Module Width" is simply looking at the measurement of a dimension in the dynamic block.  But once the dynamic bloc is inserted into a drawing and I try to edit that field I get a note that says, "The object referenced by the field is not a valid object".

I actually wanted to have the dimension in "yellow" to be a formula that would be (length/240)+0.25, but I understand that formulas are not allowed in dimensions in LT, so I'll just have to live with that.

Any help would be appreciated.

BTW.  I'm using 2021 LT.

[Libbya]

In the object field dialog you need to check the little box that says "Display value for block reference".  See screencast.

[Libbya]

You could also accomplish your desired formula through the use of dynamic parameters/actions.  

[wjmdesigns]

Okay.  So I did what you showed and it will update if I bring the block back into the drawing as you did from the insert pallet.  The block already exists in that drawing so I'm basically reinserting into the drawing.  When I try inserting the block into another drawing the fields react just as they did before.  I was inserting into a new drawing using classic insert so I tried it from the insert pallet but it reacted the same way.

Any ideas?

[Libbya]

Does the new file already have a block definition of that name?  

[wjmdesigns]

No.  I actually inserted the block into a blank drawing and it still will not work.

As far as using constraints, I've never worked with them.  I thought that I had read that while LT will let you read a drawing with constraints, you could not create them in LT.

[wjmdesigns]

I see how that works now.  I'll have to give that a try.  I'm afraid if I do go that route though, I'll still end up with the field update problem that I'm experiencing now with the two attribute blocks.

[Libbya]

Post the 'new" file prior to inserting any blocks.  Post the updated version of your block.

I'm not sure why constraints came into the conversation.  No need for any constraints.  

[Libbya]

I am asking for the updated files because I cannot replicate your issue.  The block inserts fine into a new file for me and the fields work as they should.  It is either an issue with your files or an issue with your insertion process.  

[wjmdesigns]

Sorry, I misunderstood your reply about dynamic parameters.  If I want to return the value of the calculated dimension, I assume I would create an attribute as the "WIDTH" and "AREA" attributes to display this info.  Correct?

I've attached the updated block along with an drawing that I am looking at inserting the dynamic block.

[Libbya]

The drawing A.1.dwg already has a prior block definition of the same name within it.  Any insertion with that block name will use the existing definition.  You will need to 'redefine' when doing an insertion if you want the updated version.  That said, it all works fine for me.  In the following screencast I insert your updated block into your A.1.dwg and the fields update as they should.  See screencast.

[Libbya]

There are a variety of ways you could show the value derived from the formula method I showed, e.g. you could use an object field referencing the dimension.  I would probably change that yellow line of text to an attribute that houses the field at the location you would like it displayed.  

[wjmdesigns]

You are correct.  I inserted the block to show how it would be inserted in the elevation.  What you saw when you first opened A.1 what what I am seeing any time I insert the drawing into a file.

[Libbya]

I would recommend the following courses of action.  One would be to closely watch the videos I posted and identify how my successful insertion process differs from your unsuccessful one.  The other would be to download AutoDesk Screencast and make your own screencast of your process and post it here so that I and anyone else who cares to can inspect it to see if an error in your process can be identified.  

[wjmdesigns]

Yea, I'm having no luck with this at all.  I following the same method as you and I get the same #### results.  Could this me an issue related to LT?  I noticed you are using Architecture.

[Libbya]

No, I don't think it has anything to do with LT.

[wjmdesigns]

I'm not sure if I'm uploading this correctly.  First time.

I've attempted to show how the block works in test mode.  Then I open the drawing I want to insert the dynamic block into. Erase and purge the existing dynamic block and insert it using two different methods.  Can you identify what I am doing wrong?

[wjmdesigns · Accepted solution]

Oaky. So, I worked on this thing and worked on it and could not get it to work.  I even checked to make sure I had all of the updates loaded.  Finally, I decided to just rebuild the thing and guess what.  It worked perfectly.

Thank you for the time you put into this.  I did incorporate your suggestion about calculated dimension that needed the 0.25" added.  That will be a timesaver in itself.

Again, thanks for bearing with me on this.