topic Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing in Libraries & objects

Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

derekjackson — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:44:11 GMT

Hi,
we'd like to make a 2D object that displays on screen, but won't print - similar to Hotspots or Section lines.

Can this be achieved using GLOB_CONTEXT? I can't see a code for 'print' at all.

Or is there another option?

Any help appreicated!

Cheers,

Derek

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Erika Epstein — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:22:49 GMT

I don't know the GDL solution, but you can have a "working layer combination" which has a layer that shows this object and a similar "print layer combination" that doesn't include it.

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

derekjackson — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 09:21:39 GMT

Hmm, it's an idea, but not ideal. We'd like to use the potential object to help with designing layouts, so it's something that'd need to sit on a layout master template. And we don't really want to have to get into turning layers on and off within the masters.

A code solution would be preferable - any thoughts? Anyone known what the GLOB_CONTEXT = 8 (Layout) refers to?

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Barry Kelly — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 09:47:30 GMT

GLOB_CONTEXT = 8 could be used to stop an object's script from running - hence making it invisible.

i.e.
if GLOB_CONTEXT = 8 then
END
endif

But this would stop you even seeing the object let alone not letting it print.
This will only activate if the object is place in a layout directly - so you could place it in the plan and you would see it there.
But if placed in the plan you would still see it in the layout because it is only a view of the plan in the layout. Because the object was not placed in the layout it wouldn't disappear.
I'm not sure if I explained that so well.

I was thinking you could try making the object with white pens (these won't print) but the layout pages are white and this won't help.
There is nothing that you can do about this and the pen visibility option in the work environment has no effect in the layout book.

You could add an on/off switch to your object so that you could turn it off when not needed but then if it is in the Master layout you would have to open that to turn it off.

The best option I think is a new layer combination so you can turn it on when needed as Erika suggested.
Barry.

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:08:00 GMT

isn't this situation something that Trace was meant for? i was also trying to think of a way to do this with gdl but couldn't figure out anything until Trace came to my mind as you can trace anything, as well another master.

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Pertti Paasky — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:51:51 GMT

Can You just give the object a scale when it is visible? For exaple 2d script:
if a_<50 then end
It means that when 2d scale>1/50 then the object is invisible. 3d behaves the same way if needed. No Layers. You can also put the object in some other drawing or floor and trace it in Your drawing.

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Erika Epstein — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 16:30:18 GMT

sinatropus wrote:
isn't this situation something that Trace was meant for? i was also trying to think of a way to do this with gdl but couldn't figure out anything until Trace came to my mind as you can trace anything, as well another master.

Agree, another solution is to have the object in a worksheet or detail window that can be shown as trace reference.

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 04:37:12 GMT

Barry wrote:
...I was thinking you could try making the object with white pens (these won't print) but the layout pages are white and this won't help.....
Barry.

ooppss re-read post, ignore the following
Actually if you only want to see this object in the saved views, this might work if you keep your screen an off white.

I keep mine off white so I can see my white-out fills and it's a bit easier on my eyes.
And just did a test with a white pen and it was quite readable.
lec

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

derekjackson — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 08:36:39 GMT

Cheers chaps,
all helpful ideas.

Thing is, I need to be quite realistic about how people would actually use these, and in a lot of cases the other staff just wouldn't bother, and would line stuff up by eye instead. Changing screen colours etc would cause more fuss than solutions!

We were after a solution that takes zero effort on the final user's part, hence hoping to create a 'hot line' object.

Guess we'll just have to set up a hotspot grid for layouts instead.

Thanks for the ideas.

Derek

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

rocorona — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:11:19 GMT

Not quite sure the trace system is the best solution, as it will prevent the trace to be used for it's real use (have another view superimposed). ut not better ideas from me.

I think there is some space for a wish: "static" guide-lines (that only go away with an explicit command) *and* a GUIDELINE2 command in GDL.

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Erika Epstein — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 14:13:00 GMT

Derek,
Enforcing office standards can be tough. A clarification of what I was suggesting is a layer COMBINATION, not turning on/off a single layer. With Quicklayers open as part of one's WE, changing layer combinations is very quick and easy to fit in the work flow.

Now that we know more about what you are trying to achieve 🙂...include in your office template sample layouts that can be used to as trace reference to line up drawings.

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:01:40 GMT

Hello,

A few more thoughts;

If you trace the guidelines with white pens to the master layout and not choose the master elements to be shown with their original colors, then
the guidelines are visible on layouts but do not print.

If you want to tweak gdl - request the RGB of the guideline object pen in
the beginning of the 2D code. If red, green and blue are not 1 then end.

In addition using a MVO libraryglobal could be useful, then guideline object
visibility was adjustable per view.

Hope this helps.

Re: Using GLOB_CONTEXT to stop object from printing

Pertti Paasky — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:03:53 GMT

Derek wrote:
"We were after a solution that takes zero effort on the final user's part, hence hoping to create a 'hot line' object.
Guess we'll just have to set up a hotspot grid for layouts instead. "

Actually there are commands Hotline2 or Hotarc2 which are invisible but snappable like lines and arcs. They are useful when custom snaplines are needeed.