topic Re: Changes with Layer Combinations in Libraries & objects

Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 21:43:56 GMT

I'm reading about the global variables and I'm wonderingif I can make an object perform differently dependant on which layer combination is currently in use? I realize that layer combinations are different from company to company, but I only need it to work for our company. Is there anyway to access this information - or make these changes?

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 08:01:10 GMT

Hello

It is not possible to make an object sensitive to a layer combination and it is really a standing wish.

But a way to do what you want is zone. An object is sensitive to the zone.
Then you can have a zone on a particular layer.
This layer select to appear only on your particular layer combination. The presence —or not— of this zone may affect the appearance of your object.
the code is the next

request ("Zone_relations","",nom_zone,code_zone)

For scripting take a look to this topics in FC-Cadlink —sorry in french but really better than my english…— Changement d'apparence suivant plans ;

HTH

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 15:48:04 GMT

While it would be nicer to have it interact with the layer combinations, your answer just might be what I can do to make it work for now. Thanks.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 16:46:57 GMT

This isn't working for me. I get the following 'Warning!"

Unused function return value at line 14 of file filename.gsm

Any guesses at to why?

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 17:15:12 GMT

Hello Sirduncan

I have try it and it works for me.
Can you copy your code for helping me to guess why ?

If you want I can send you the example that works, just PM me your email adress for.

HTH

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 17:29:57 GMT

Thanks Fmr,

I actually found another thread talking about this same error. Apparently, it is requiring that I set the request to an actual variable:

var = REQUEST ("Zone_relations", "", category_name, code, name, number)

Which is actually better. I don't need all the var names, I just need to know if a zone is present or not. Thanks for your help. It is working properly now.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 16:47:01 GMT

On a continuing thought here - --

I have it pulling the information now, but my if statement is failing. ie.

zoneexists = REQUEST ("Zone_relations", "", category_name, code, name, number)

TEXT2 3,1,name ! this prints the 'name' of the zone it is in

IF name="FOUNDATION" THEN ! this gives me an error (see below)
TEXT2 3,1,name
ENDIF

The error I am getting on that if statement is this:

"Incompatible types in expression at line xxx of the file xxx.gsm (System error -1)"

Anyone care to venture a guess on this? I have seen this near same code on these boards and everyone says it should work, but it is not. Help.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:15:25 GMT

Good night

I have the same error but it works properly.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:21:13 GMT

You get the same error when you use the 'Check Script'? When I try and save it it yells at me saying there is an error in the 2D script.

When I open the object property box it gives me the same error and displays an error report in the 2D window screen of the properties box. This doesn't make sense to me.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:36:19 GMT

Yes

I have the same error in the "check script".
But the objects change in function of the zone were it is as I want.
If you want my file I cant send you.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:54:23 GMT

FMR if you could send me that file I would sure appreciate it. I just can't get why its not working for me. My logic seems very simple and right. Please do send that if you could. Thanks.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 21:12:34 GMT

ok - I find that I can not do any IF comparisons on any of the values that come out of the request call. I can get the number of characters using the STRLEN function, I can get the number of values returned in my temp var - I can output the values using TEXT2, but if I try to do an 'IF name="something" THEN or even an 'IF number = 101 THEN', it doesn't give me an error, but the 2D symbol is broke in floor plan. Just a green, non-selectable dot.

UGH. I'm getting frustrated. I have it all working properly except that I can't do that IF comparison. Does ANYONE have any light and knowledge you could share with me on this one? I just don't get it.

As far as I can tell, the 'name' values that comes out is considered a string, but I can't compare it against a string. The number value is an integer (the number of the zone), but I can't compare it against another integer or it crashes without error - just doesn't show.

Please, please please - someone step up with a brilliant answer. I'm getting desperate. I need to get this object done and I am finding this is my only way of doing it - except that it isn't working. ugh.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 05:15:05 GMT

What line is the check scripts function identifying?

If it is the line with the REQUEST function, then you probably need to initialize the variables first. Following is an example from a script I recently wrote for a client (so I know it works).

room_name = "CLASSROOM"
room_no = "101"
cat_name = ""
cat_code = ""
r = REQUEST("Zone_relations", "", cat_name, cat_code, room_name, room_no)

Variables are numeric by default and it appears that the REQUEST function does not initialize them on its own. Note that the room number value is also a string.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Laszlo Nagy — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 14:07:16 GMT

sirduncan wrote:
On a continuing thought here - --

I have it pulling the information now, but my if statement is failing. ie.

zoneexists = REQUEST ("Zone_relations", "", category_name, code, name, number)

TEXT2 3,1,name ! this prints the 'name' of the zone it is in

IF name="FOUNDATION" THEN ! this gives me an error (see below)
TEXT2 3,1,name
ENDIF

The error I am getting on that if statement is this:

"Incompatible types in expression at line xxx of the file xxx.gsm (System error -1)"

Anyone care to venture a guess on this? I have seen this near same code on these boards and everyone says it should work, but it is not. Help.

I might be wrong, but I think this error message comes when the program gets a variable that is different from what it expects. For example, it expects a number, but the variable is a string.
You should check with the Debugger if this is the case.
In the Debugger, you can list variables and you will always see their type and value at each step of the code.

Re: Changes with Layer Combinations

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 16:39:58 GMT

"If it is the line with the REQUEST function, then you probably need to initialize the variables first. "

Thanks Mathew, it looks like that did the trick. I'm guessing that the 'name' that was coming out of the request function had an undefined variable type. By intitallizing the variable as a string before making the request call, it comes back as a variable and I am now able to do string comparisons on them. Thank you.

I'm finally close to haveing it done.

Thanks for your answers everyone. This is why I love ArchiTalk so much - Answers!