My goal is two-fold:
- The data extraction table should show the block color as text rather than a number.
- The User should be able to change the color of the block using a lookup table or a parameter. This is to ensure that only predefined colors are used.
Example: If the block is set color 90 I want the data extraction to show a value of "Green" I also want a means of controlling the color selection to colors 8,10,30,40,44,90,170,190,210. The names for each color are defined in the attached drawing file.
The attached drawing shows a block I use to draw individual pieces of rebar. The block creates an array of the base bar. The bar may be straight or bent on one or both ends, which is controlled by a visibility lookup.
Design Conditions:
- Everything works fine as it is, but I would like a more elegant solution.
- I know I could use conditional formatting in Excel to convert the Autocad color number to a name and cell background color, but that is a cumbersome equation, but may be the ultimate solution.
- I would prefer not to use 9 visibility states to select the color.
How I use this block: After all of the rebar is drawn, I perform a data extraction to Excel and I have a complete cut list for fabrication. The rebar fabricator uses colored tags to indentify each bundle of bars. The tag color corresponds to the Autocad drawing and the rebar installers can drop the bundles in the appropriate location on the job based by tag color.
