Update a text box with a Multi-text user parameter

[cullen_wilcox]

Hi there,

I want to update a text box with text contained in a user parameter. From what I can see, all I can do is add text from properties. And the only user parameters I can access are numeric.

I am hoping I am just missing some easy.

I have been trying to use iLogic to do this as well but I cant seem to find a way to do it.

Anyone else try this before?

[WCrihfield]

Hi @cullen_wilcox.  Are you talking about adding UserParameters to an iLogic Form here?  In order to be able to add a Parameter into an iLogic Form, you should mark each of those Parameters as 'Key' within the Parameters dialog.  There is a column in that dialog labeled Key, with a CheckBox for each Parameter row.  Also, once you have added a Parameter into an iLogic Form, if you then change something about that Parameter within the Parameters dialog box, such as changing its name, changing if it is Multi-Value or not, or something else major like that, then you will need to remove that Parameter from the iLogic Form, then add it back in again, before you will see those changes available in the iLogic Form.

Also, in the Parameter dialog box, there is a column labeled 'Export Parameter', with a CheckBox for each Parameter.  If you add a Check in that CheckBox for a Parameter, that does multiple things.  It will then be included when you derive or link the parameters of this model into another model.  But it will also automatically create a 'custom' iProperty, with the same exact name, and same exact value as that Parameter, and that custom iProperty will automatically stay up to date when that Parameter changes.  But that Parameter will not change due to changing the custom iProperty.  However, no iProperty can have a multi-value list.  So, the custom iProperty will only have the current value of that Parameter, and its other possible values will not be available to that iProperty.  So, if you added the custom iProperty into your iLogic Form, instead of the UserParameter, you will not have the multi-value list available in the iLogic Form.

[cullen_wilcox]

No sorry, I am looking to create a text annotation on a drawing, like a label for a part. (Yes this is in addition to balloon/parts list) I want to update the text in the text annotation with the text in a user parameter.

For example I want to change the text of an encoder from Hollow to Wheel type. I do have a form that I use to select what the active text I want to be, just cant figure out how to update a text box with the same info.

[WCrihfield · Accepted solution]

OK.  Here is a manual process you may be able to use, to set that up.  When you place a GeneralNote (using command button simply labeled "Text", on the Annotate tab), you will see a dialog labeled "Format Text", similar to the one in the image below.  Use the drop-down lists along the top of the text window, starting from the one on the left end, then working across to the right.  In this process, first use the Type drop-down list to select "Parameters - User".  Then in the 'Source' drop-down list, select the document that this multi-value UserParameter is in (the drawing, or the referenced model).  Then in the 'Parameter' drop-down list, select that multi-value UserParameter.  Then position the cursor within the text box where you want to insert that data.  Then click on the button on the far right, which looks like a cursive letter 'X', with a down arrow.  That inserts a special 'derived / linked' entity into the text box below, where your cursor was.  Then, when you click OK on that main dialog, you should see the current value of that parameter showing in the resulting note.

[cullen_wilcox]

Ah, I think i see my issue. Thank you. It appears that I can not access the parameters I created in the drawing file? 

When I make a sample text parameter in the Assembly I can see it ok and use it.

The source I am using is the name of my drawing/assembly. Is there any way to reference Drawing user parameters? Or can I only reference the assembly parameters?

If not I can just export the parameters I am using and import them into the assembly, a little more tedious for future updates but is what it is.

Thank you for your help!

[WCrihfield]

Apparently not.  We can add standard or custom iProperties from the drawing into the notes, but not UserParameters from the drawing.  And also, we apparently do not have the 'Export Parameter' column in the Parameters dialog, so we can not check that box to have it generate a custom iProperty for it.  If we were able to do that, we could then put that custom iProperty of the drawing into the note.  I have things set up to copy all custom iProperties from 'the model' into the drawing when I place the first view into it.  That way I can have certain notes contain 'links' to those in the drawing, instead of the model.  I usually only use that system within things like SketchedSymbols, because a SketchedSymbol does not know about any 'model', just the drawing.  But those copied properties can get out of date, if their values change in the model later.  There is a tool button (Manage tab - Update panel) for updating all copied iProperties, but it will only work on the ones you have marked to copy within the drawing's document settings.