How to "self-label" objects when inserting them?

[rob2218]

see attached.
How can I self-label the objects (set them up) so when they are inserted they already come in with an associated "label" and tag?

[Laszlo Nagy]

Since the Label element is now independent of the element it Labels you will not be able to place the Label at the time of placing the Element. I would suggest setting up a Label (or Labels) and select all Toilets, etc. and use the Document\Document Extras\Label Selected Elements command.
The other option is to modify each of those Objects to contain a text that would display the desired piece of information. For that, you would have to a) create GDL parameters to control the content, font type, font size, exact location of the text within the GDL Object, and b) use the TEXT2 command in the 2D Script to place the text within the Object.

If you ask me I would use the first option as it can be used with any object, while the second would have to be repeated for each object you want to display text in.

[Steve Jepson]

Personally, I don't want to display the Labels at the time the Elements or Objects are placed, and I need them to be independent on different layer too. I use the Label Selected Elements tool. http://screencast.com/t/aGMnuaaNNR

[Anonymous]

Sorry to tag on to this thread, but I think it's relevant. I'd like to be able to turn on and off text, like the object title Queen, King, Double Bed. Or the width and depth of an object in plan. Often the client asks "how big is that" or "what size is that".

Would I be better off creating furniture schedules?

[Steve Jepson]

Charlie wrote:
Sorry to tag on to this thread, but I think it's relevant. I'd like to be able to turn on and off text, like the object title Queen, King, Double Bed. Or the width and depth of an object in plan. Often the client asks "how big is that" or "what size is that".

Would I be better off creating furniture schedules?

My clients always ask about those kind of dimensions too. I get that information into the plan for their review in two ways. (1) I add the dimensions of the bed (for example) to the the GDL script for the object, and (2) I use a second set of smaller, different colored dimensions that will are on a separate layer for easy toggle on and off display.

On my construction documents, all dimensions are to face of stud, center of column or beam, etc... never to any finish material. However, the first ting the client wants to know is clearance ( finish to finish) and the size of the beds used in the presentation plan. So for that I have the second set of dimensions.




I also find that I need a set of temporary dimensions sometimes for things too. Like making the cabinet layouts.

Not a great example but you get the idea I am sure.

[Anonymous]

Thanks steve - your image is very similar to what I end up doing. The bed is a good example, but for dressers, showers - essentially any furniture or equipment this would be great. The object dimensions are in the file, but I guess not in the gdl file. I had a macro in 2D CAD that printed the dimensions much like your bed. You had one object, but you could input the object in what ever size you wanted. The text would be associative and update. Kind of similar to ArchiCad zones but in 2d.

[Steve Jepson]

Charlie wrote:
Thanks steve - your image is very similar to what I end up doing. The bed is a good example, but for dressers, showers - essentially any furniture or equipment this would be great. The object dimensions are in the file, but I guess not in the gdl file. I had a macro in 2D CAD that printed the dimensions much like your bed. You had one object, but you could input the object in what ever size you wanted. The text would be associative and update. Kind of similar to ArchiCad zones but in 2d.

Yes. That's the way I like the objects to work too. And I like those dimensions to be displayed by the object. It is not too difficult to add that script to the objects. I don't have an optimal script for that. Perhaps someone else does and can share it with us. ? I can usually manage a script to get what I need but it is not as efficient as what a GDL Guru would do.