topic Re: Reading Autotext in Libraries & objects

Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 12:52:14 GMT

Hi,
I was wondering if it's still the case that GDL objects can't read Autotext values?

We're wanting to make a scale bar object that automatically displays the correct scale when placed on a sheet (based on the Autotext Drawing Scale value).

I read something here about outputting to an XML file but that seems a step too far. Can they not even be read in a text string in some form?

Thanks,

Derek

Re: Reading Autotext

DGSketcher — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 15:43:12 GMT

In the AC20 GDL guide you can hard code an Autotext. See here...

http://gdl.graphisoft.com/gdl-docs/gdl-guide/chapter-12-miscellaneous/autotext-guide/

I see you are on 19 so I don't know if that version has been upgraded to use it.

Re: Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 15:48:08 GMT

Thanks for the help.

That's halfway there, but we want to then analyse the content of the autotext output, so I guess it can't be done (yet)

Oh well - I'll just have to trust my colleagues to manually enter the scale on the scale bar object

Re: Reading Autotext

DGSketcher — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 16:01:25 GMT

Depending on how you use your object have you looked at referencing the GLOB_SCALE value and possibly ac_drawingScale? Although I haven't yet had reason to use the latter.

Re: Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 16:51:27 GMT

GLOB_SCALE doesn't work - it just returns the 1:1 value of the layout.

I'm struggling to find a reference for how to call ac_drawingScale - I don't suppose you know of one? I suspect it's somewhere in the REQUEST syntax but not getting very far...

Re: Reading Autotext

DGSketcher — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 17:23:14 GMT

This might help...

http://gdl.graphisoft.com/tips-and-tricks/creating-custom-label-frame/

You could also interrogate a drawing view title to see how that is put together.

There is a scale bar object in the UK library but I couldn't get it to work logically. Could be worth checking the code to see if it offers any pointers.

Going back to basics I don't see how a scale bar in paper space could shown anything other than 1:1 units, this makes sense as it allows some less digitally savvy operators to print to the right size (recent issue for me). If you have a view at 1:50 and another detail at 1:20 how should the scale bar react?

For me the only logical solution for an adaptive scale bar is to place it in the view where it can adjust to the GLOB_SCALE variable.

One final observation while you are trying to resolve the scale bar you may find you drawings carry a big disclaimer "DO NOT SCALE"...

Re: Reading Autotext

David Maudlin — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:56:27 GMT

Derek:

This is what I did to add a graphic scale to my Drawing Title. It is not elegant but gets the job done:

ds = AC_DrawingScale
ds1 = `1' = 1'-0"`
ds2 = `6" = 1'-0"`
ds4 = `3" = 1'-0"`
ds8 = `1 1/2"= 1'-0"`
ds12 = `1" = 1'-0"`
ds18 = `3/4" = 1'-0"`
ds24 = `1/2" = 1'-0"`
ds36 = `3/8" = 1'-0"`
ds48 = `1/4" = 1'-0"`
ds72 = `3/16" = 1'-0"`
ds96 = `1/8" = 1'-0"`
ds144 = `3/32" = 1'-0"`
ds192 = `1/16" = 1'-0"`
ds120 = `1" = 10'`
ds240 = `1" = 20'`
ds360 = `1" = 30'`
ds480 = `1" = 40'`
ds600 = `1" = 50'`
ds1200 = `1" =100'`
If AC_DrawingScale = ds1 Then
noma = `1/4"`
nomz = `1/2"`
noend = `1"`
EndIf
If AC_DrawingScale = ds2 Then
noma = `1/2"`
nomz = `1"`
noend = `2"`
EndIf
If AC_DrawingScale = ds4 Then
...

The graphic scale is always an inch long, with the correct units displayed for the scale. Note the number of spaces in each text string, they vary from scale to scale. More complicated scales should be possible. I think I poached this approach from one of the Graphisoft graphic scales, but I don't see a Graphisoft Drawing Title with the graphic scale option anymore.

HTH,

David

Re: Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 12:20:28 GMT

Thanks David,
that looks encouraging, but I'm still getting errors as I try to use AC_DrawingScale. Do I need to declare it as a parameter first? I'm assuming not.

I'm getting an 'Uninitialized variable' issue with it.

Any ideas what I'm missing?

Re: Reading Autotext

David Maudlin — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 13:42:44 GMT

Derek:

I am not sure what is the cause of your issue. My title library part is of the Sub-Type Drawing Title, and has the parameter AC_DrawingScale as a Text Type parameter (see screen shot below). All the references to AC_DrawingScale are shown in my previous post, there is nothing else done to this parameter. You could also look at a Graphisoft title to see if there is something there (or not there) compared to your code.

David

Re: Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 13:54:26 GMT

How odd - loading up the Drawing Title subtype doesn't offer me that parameter, and I can't seem to find it in other Graphisoft objects or other nearby subtypes.

This page suggests it should be there:
gdl.graphisoft.com/gdl-docs/gdl-guide/chapter-12-miscellaneous/fix-named-optional-parameters/parameters-set-by-archicad/drawing-title-attributes/

but the attached is what I see when I start a new object with that subtype - not sure what is going on here!!

Re: Reading Autotext

Barry Kelly — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 01:06:19 GMT

That parameter is not part of the 'Drawing Title' subtype (or any other that I know of) - but you should be able to just add it in.

Barry.

Re: Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 10:21:17 GMT

Hmm - thanks Barry, but surely just adding it in manually will make the object think it's a user-defined parameter, rather than looking at anything within the current project?

Re: Reading Autotext

David Maudlin — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 13:02:23 GMT

Derek:

Just add the parameter as shown in my screen shot. The blue ones that are part of the Sub-Type are not editable, the black ones are. From Parameters set by ARCHICAD:
The new method of ARCHICAD for providing information is the method of fixed named optional parameters. If a given library part has a parameter matching a fix named optional parameter in name and in type, sets its value according to its function.

David

Re: Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:45:22 GMT

Thanks guys, but it simply isn't working.

I've taken it back to basics, and started a new 'Drawing Title' object.

I've manually added in the AC_DrawingScale parameter, and given it an initial value.

The only script I then have is a simple

text2 0, 0, AC_DrawingScale

line in the 2D script.

All it does it output my initial value, rather than picking up the actual scale.

What am I missing?

Re: Reading Autotext

David Maudlin — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 13:06:28 GMT

Derek:

In my code where I want the drawing scale text shown I have the line:
Text2 0, 0, "<DRAWINGSCALE>"

If that does not work, zip and attach the library part to your post so we can see the whole thing.

David

Re: Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 09:51:29 GMT

Thanks David, that's got the drawing scale correctly outputting.

However, digging in to it, my code still doesn't recognise the AC_DrawingScale variable - it's still just looking at the Autotext for the 2D script.

I even removed any reference to AC_DrawingScale and the object still gave the Autotext output, so I'm not sure how to work with it.

I've attached it in case you have any idea what I'm missing?

My Parameter list simply has 'AC_DrawingScale' as a text input with a default set to 'x'.

My 2D script is then:

text2 0, 0, "<DRAWINGSCALE>"

! Check if recognising AC_DrawingScale
IF strstr(AC_DrawingScale, "1mm = 20mm") THEN
	text2 0, -0.1, "20"
ENDIF

IF strstr(AC_DrawingScale, "x") THEN
	text2 0, -0.1, "x"
ENDIF

And the object then outputs the correct Autotext scale, and then an 'x' (suggesting the AC_DrawingScale parameter isn't being affected by the project environment).

Thanks,

Derek

Re: Reading Autotext

Erwin Edel — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:12:54 GMT

You can exclude placed drawings from being included in autotext.

Look for the tickbox "Include Scale in Autotexting and Indexes" in the drawing selection settings dialogue.

This was included a few versions ago and was most welcome!

Re: Reading Autotext

David Maudlin — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 13:33:35 GMT

derek:

The library part you posted has a SubType of Drawing Symbol, not Drawing Title. The Drawing Title is part of a placed Drawing, the Drawing Symbol can be placed independently and will read the scales of all the Drawings placed on the Layout. I tried playing with your library part but did not make any progress, it may not be possible to do what I did with a Drawing Symbol.

David

Re: Reading Autotext

derekjackson — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 14:39:33 GMT

I've changed the subtype to Drawing Title, and reduced the 2D script to simply

text2 0, 0, AC_DrawingScale

I've defined an 'AC_DrawingScale' parameter with a default value of 'x', and the object just outputs 'x', rather than looking at the drawing scale.

Looking like it can't be done...

Re: Reading Autotext

Erwin Edel — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:42:51 GMT

How about placing the object in floorplan? It should be easy to pick up the scale of the floor plan view, as lots of objects use this to determine how detailed the symbol should be.

Placing a simple textbox with autotext works fine in any view, that's what we use instead of drawing titles to show the drawing name.