Auto Coordinates for a block

[dave]

I have been searching with no success for a solution. What I am trying to accomplish is in my construction drawings I triangulate all my components from an A Point and a B point.

I was wondering if there is a way to place a block somewhere in my drawing (Point 1, Point 2 - in sample image) and have the distance between that point and A & B automatically calculate for me?

Best case scenario is I would have a Point block and once I inserted the A & B fields would automatically fill out with the correct distances.

Or just having them pop up in the command line so I could manual enter them into the A & B fields

[john.vellek]

HI @dave,

I see that you are visiting as a new member to the AutoCAD forum. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

If you can share your block I am happy to show you how you can use FIELDS to do this.  You will basically link a FIELD value to the objects coordinates.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[dave]

Hello John,

Thank you for your quick response. I have uploaded my test autocad file which contains the A & B blocks as well as my point that I would like coordinated. Please let me know if you need anything else.

[john.vellek]

Hi @dave,

This is what I am thinking.  I create two lines that connect point 1 and point a and b. I then link fields to capture the lengths of the lines.  I am assuming the lines would be placed on a non-plot layer. You could then copy the lines and fields to as many other point #'s as necessary. You would still have to adjust the endpoints of the lines but the lengths (distances) would be updated automatically with a REGEN.

Not terribly elegant but it might work. I have attached my drawing as a sample.

[dave]

This is amazing! Thank you so much. Is there a way to incorporate the two fields into the Point block?

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @dave,

Yes, you could create the fields in the block but then you would need to update the line endpoints and then edit the fields in the block to point to the new lines. It might be easier to Group the items.

Please play with it a bit and let me know your thoughts.  I am happy to explore further development of this workflow for you.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[dave]

Thank you very much!.

My end goal would be able to have it without the lines. First I would be able to set up my measure points A & B, and as I put down my Points blocks throughout my drawing they would auto populate with the correct distances.

I don't think that is possible but maybe one day 🙂

Thank you for all your help!

[john.vellek]

Hi @dave,

I think that could be done but you would need to do some programming to get it to work. Would you like me to move this thread to the customization forum in case someone is willing to help?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[dave]

Yes please!! That would be amazing! Would I get email notifications when someone posts about it?

[Ranjit_Singh · Accepted solution]

One approach. There may be others.

[dave]

Ranjit!!

This is amazing!!! Thank you so much this is definitely going to work! I have to slow down the gif to see all the commands haha.

Also are the two fields able to have a desired text style assigned and gif possible the metric and imperial? I have a dim style set up to show for example: 6096mm [20'-0"] 

Thank you so much!

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi Dave,

I have not found a way for the field to grab both the architectural and metric units.

However, you could certainly create another Field and point it to the same line or dimension and the select Additional Format. Put in the conversion factor of 25.4 and then you will have the metric value displayed too.

The text formatting of the fields is also possible. I like to select the field(s) and then adjust the settings in properties.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[dave]

Amazing gentlemen!

Thank you so much for all your help! I think this will work!

[dave]

Hello Ranjit,

I have been using your system for a while now and it is working great, thank you so much!! I have run into a few issues when I need to pull off a third point (CCoordinate)

Is there a way I can recreate your process but have my points show A = XXX B=XXX   and another point show B=XXX C=XXX. In future I would need to be able to create multiple styles of points for example AB AC AD, BC BD, CD 

Is this possible? If it is one step further for a perfect scenario would be to have all the coordinates in a visibility field, that might be a pipe dream haha.

Thanks