Workshhets: Height and width

[Tobias]

First off, Let me say I am a novice in regards to worksheets. My goal is to create symbols with records attached that represent actual common trimboards sizes. To put it simply, I would create a extrude that measures 11.25"w x 16'L x 3/4" thick for a 1x12x16, and make a symbol out of it, with a record attached to it. I would like to then be able to grab this symbol from my library and manipulate the length to "trim" my model. I would then like to be able to use a worksheet to tell me the individual board lengths, and totals, to create a dynamic updating stock list.

I have been able to get this to partially work,but when I use the =WIDTH and =HEIGHT functions to get the actual length of the symbol on the model the formulas give me the delta x and delta y depending on how the symbol is orientated on the page, not the height and width of the symbol. Are there different functions I could be use to accomplish this? I know the information is there somewhere because the PIO displays the height and width correctly.

(I attached a screen shot in hopes it would clear things up)

-Tobias

[Tobias]

Nobody knows how to get an extrude's length and width into a worksheet? Or was my previous post a bit confusing?

Any help would be appreciated.

-Tobias

[CS1]

Yeah I have been suffering with the same problem. I did experiment with a bit of maths and the XCenter and YCentre functions etc (using a 2d loci on each corner of the extrude within the symbol and referenving to the loci rather than the extrude. And then used a bit of pythagoris for the extrudes at an angle. From memory Once you can get 2 contants you can use the volume (tool) divided by two of the contants to give you the third value. IE if you use the height tool and can get the length to work then in order to get the width rather than using painfull maths, just use the VOLUME (function) divide by the hieght and length.

That probably makes no sense but sorry am in a bit of a hurry.

[Tobias]

I get that it is not as easy as I had hoped. Seems like it should be simple, since the information I want is right in the OIP when an extrude is selected. Thanks for the help.

-Tobias

[CS1]

I agree

[Gerrit]

You might consider drawing your objects using the Wall tool. Their length can be taken into a worksheet (=LENGTH).

Another option would be to script a PIO and work with it's parameters.

[Tobias]

Wall objects don't seem to be easily rotated into place (ie Rake boards) and can't be easily used as soffits. Scripting a PIO is beyond my ability at the moment. How do you even begin that process?

[bcd]

=volume/area

[djb]

Try using "framing member" off the detailing menu. set your width and height and such. You can even call it trim. The use tools, create report, framing member and define what you want to see and you'll have your report.

hope this helps

[michaelk]

Take a look at the discussions here: http://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&topic=31561&gonew=1

and here: http://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=132752

They use classes to do what (I think) you are talking about.

hth

mk

[Tobias]

Thanks for the help. I will have to get back into this, next house. original post is quite old, but still relevant. Framing member is a good idea.

[Tobias]

The framing member seams promising, but again, I am having trouble getting the length of the board. Height and width, no problem, but length? I can query the 'line length' or span but not actual length of a pitched board.

I also can't figure out how to query the area, so can't use length=volume/area.

I can get the 'nominal dimension' (i.e. 1" x 12" x 18') which is semi-useful, but that value can't totaled or manipulated. So again, the value I want is right there, (in this case the 18') but I can't bring it in to a worksheet in a useful way.

I will try extrudes again, but I think it would be faster and more accurate to 'trim' a house w/ framing member tool, as it has miter settings, and pitch and bevel cuts.