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Have a record auto-populate based on object info properties


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Hi there,

 

I am diving into the world of using worksheets to help keep track of symbols. We happen to draw a lot of wall-flats which vary in size based on the production that we are working on. We have a few basic sizes as symbols, but also have a symbol that is pretty quick and easy to modify for when we run into dimensions that are outside of our basic sizes (which is somewhat often).

 

Right now if we were to encounter a wall-flat that is outside of what we already have in the library. We would have to update our template symbol to the new size, duplicate the template as a new symbol, and then update the record information appropriately.

 

We were curious if there was a way to make it so that when we updated the dimensions in our object info properties, that the record would also update appropriately. So for instance if we had a 4'X8' wall flat and modified it to become a 4'X9' wall flat, that the record would update as we changed the dimensions in the object info properties.

 

Likewise, we were curious if it was possible to link text to dimensions in the object info properties as well. So if our symbol had text associated with it which read "4'X8' wall flat" that it would automatically update to "4'X9' wall flat" as we updated dimensions.

 

Any thoughts on whether something like this is possible?

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Not possible using symbols by themselves. The only information that can be displayed singing the Link Text To Record command is data in a static record. You would have to change both the symbol and the record information as you are doing now.

 

A couple of possibilities:

1. Use a script to find all of the custom sized symbols and programmatically update the information in the Record which is linked to text in the symbol.

2. Create a Plug-in Object (PIO) rather than static symbols. Then when you change the values in the OIP (Object Info Palette), the symbol and record would both be updated at the same time.

 

 

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I believe what you’re looking for is possible with a combination of data tags and the data manager. Not necessarily by linking to a dimension parameter, but by using one of the height or width functions. 
 

That said, if your end goal is to have dimensions in a worksheet, the worksheet height and width functions might give you what you need. 

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15 hours ago, Pat Stanford said:

Not possible using symbols by themselves. The only information that can be displayed singing the Link Text To Record command is data in a static record. You would have to change both the symbol and the record information as you are doing now.

 

A couple of possibilities:

1. Use a script to find all of the custom sized symbols and programmatically update the information in the Record which is linked to text in the symbol.

2. Create a Plug-in Object (PIO) rather than static symbols. Then when you change the values in the OIP (Object Info Palette), the symbol and record would both be updated at the same time.

 

Got it! I think a plug-in object could work quite well. I may be missing something but is there a tutorial or resource which explains how to make Plug-in Objects?

15 hours ago, Pat Stanford said:

 

 

 

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