Equations, exports data

[m-d]

Is there a workaround so AC can be used like solidworks, inventor,...?

1. Export data for each item/solid/part,...:

We are working in steel construction and after making a beam (as 3D solid), we would like to set name/code/... (properties) for each item, so later could export whole list to Excel and similar software for price and other calculations.
Or put a button into a properties window and when item selected then button clicked, a table opens (datagridview) where you can set/add columns for:

name | description | length | price | .........

under this table another button to save whole list.

Any idea how to achieve this?

2. equations:

Is there a way to use equations like in other similar software, where you (for example) make an object and you connect extrude with an equation. So if you make different size of it, data changes automatically.

3. 3D solid as dynamic block: can be done or not?

Thank you.

[john.vellek]

Hi @m-d,

While much of this could be created manually, it might be better to use an application such as Advanced Steel. This can be downloaded as a trial if you want to explore its capabilities (3D modeling, detailing, BOM, etc).

If that is not an option then you might consider attaching fields to your objects to capture the data.  Creating formulas is rather limited although you could create some custom programming that would allow some of this.

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

[m-d]

HI, thank you.

By steel construction, I just gave an example. Looking for a way for any 3D object.

Can you give me instructions/link what you have in mind about adding fields?
The idea is to use what AC has as default.

It must be connected to object. And change it's value according to reshaping the model.

I have added a field (selected object and material), but this is just mtext. And text does not change if I change material in properties. It must be connected by a formula or something similar.

[john.vellek]

Hi @m-d,

I would love to point you to some resources. First, is it possible to share a sample drawing that illustrates some of your work?

There are a variety of ways to handle the data capture. For instance, fields can be added to blocks or be made part of attributes in a block. These fields can be tied to specific objects as it sounds like you have discovered. The blocks can then be collected using data extraction.  You can also explore putting fields directly into a table.  This in combination with data extraction to capture your object data might be sufficient for your work flow but I really need to see something a bit more in detail before I can give you better advice.

Here is an example of two fields used as attributes inside a block. They capture the object name and layer.

here is an example of a table with fields inserted directly into cells.

And lastly, here is an article that might get you started working with Data Extraction.

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

[m-d]

Hi, thank you.

We are familiar with labels, attributes, data extractions,... This is how we do it for now.

Example: http://imgur.com/a/Z9t8R

picture1: steel beam (cross section + text with size) then extruded to 3000mm. we need to connect extrude function with text, so when extrude is changed, then also text is changed.

Also it would help if after putting items into a group, stays in group after copying.

Now we add text to each object, change it accordingly and with data extraction getting the text for each item, in Excel we use equations to divide each text to new table:

item name |  size | length |....

Is there a way to lock text to an object? So after it's being copied, text will go with it?

And with mass prop function, we would like to automatically get the volume, mass,... for each object with data extraction (into Excel)?

[john.vellek]

Hi @m-d,

Since there really isn't an out-of-the-box way to do this in AutoCAD, I suggest that you consider some custom programming. I am thinking you could get some of this to work using extended entity data. I believe you can attach up to 16k of data to an object.

Here is an AUGI post that describes one way of doing this. If this sounds like a possibility, I suggest that we move this thread to the AutoCAD Customization forum so you can get more solutions there.

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

[m-d]

Hi, thank you.

We will check what is the best option for us (software in C# that runs parallel to AC or LISP, adding commands,...).

Can you point where/what to look for for lisp? Is the process still like this: notepad with code, save as .lsp, in AC select APPLOAD and run saved .lsp file?
We are thinking of adding lisps commands then make commands (icons,...) and connect commands with lisp. Or something like this.

It's been years.

Thank you. Have a nice day.