TheSwamp
CAD Forums => CAD General => Topic started by: gmyroup on March 06, 2009, 08:12:17 AM
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Good morning,
I'm curious as to which type (if any) of block manager you are using. If you're using a commercial or Shareware manager, which one?
Also, does anyone know of any good but inexpensive (under $50) 2D block libraries... discipline doesn't matter?
Thanks
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Blockwerx from CADwerx.net
I have used it for about 5 years or so and really like it.
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Toolpalettes work well enough for me.
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I built my own Manager which works very well. DCL & Lisp with catalog files holding the block descriptions.
using the toolpalettes is a problem here cause its local to your PC, no way of standardizing it for a company....atleast that I know of.
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We used to have everything as IMAGETILE menus. Given that we have a number of different clients to support, with different blocks, layers, settings, and so on, I created something easier to keep up to date. I'm glad I did - I don't want to think about having to manipulate the CUI everytime a new block needs to be added. Instead I just add a line to the proper data file; the users don't even need to restart AutoCAD to see the updates.
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There appears to be a definate bias towards people developing their own tools. Is this because 3rd party tools are too expensive, lack features, or are too hard to implement and maintain? As a software developer I can tell you it's much cheaper to buy a 3rd party tool rather than developing your own.
Any comments on this?
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I'll agree with you there... However, cost may not be the driving factor. I used to spend a lot of time making slide libraries, tablet menus, custom toolbars ( which reminds me of those damned smiley faces, mocking you when the paths weren't set right 8-) :pissed: ). The list goes on...
At the time, the extra work seemed worth it because of the custom tailoring we could do to suit us, but ever since we started using Blockwerx, it works quite well for us and I would venture to say that we'll be using it as long as Byron keeps the program up to date.
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There appears to be a definate bias towards people developing their own tools. Is this because 3rd party tools are too expensive, lack features, or are too hard to implement and maintain? As a software developer I can tell you it's much cheaper to buy a 3rd party tool rather than developing your own.
Any comments on this?
Cost is debateable, but there are other considerations such as working with newer versions of AutoCAD or new clients with differing requirements. There is no guarantee that the 3rd party developer will be around to support their work later, either (been burned by that one). Ultimately the better choice here was to do it in-house.
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At the time, the extra work seemed worth it because of the custom tailoring we could do to suit us, but ever since we started using Blockwerx, it works quite well for us and I would venture to say that we'll be using it as long as Byron keeps the program up to date.
And therein, lies the problem.
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...And I fully understand that potential (otherwise, I wouldn't have mentioned it). If it becomes a problem, we will slide back into the home-grown schtuff...
Likely after a search for another third party application has been exhausted.
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That's why I rolled my own (if you know what I mean).
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That's why I rolled my own (if you know what I mean).
*Looks @ Avatar* Yes, yes I do.
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That's why I rolled my own (if you know what I mean).
*Looks @ Avatar* Yes, yes I do.
:-D
At any rate, I'm going to ride Blockwerx until it's no longer supported and go from there.
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I'm a control freak, so I'd rather have the ability to manipulate the blocks I insert on my own terms, rather than have to rely on 3rd party software and it's limitations.
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What kind of limitations are you refering to?
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What kind of limitations are you refering to?
My guess would be "any limitations you can think of." :)
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What kind of limitations are you refering to?
My guess would be "any limitations you can think of." :)
That's about right.
What if I wanted to insert a block, and move it to a certain layer, and then run a lisp program to extract xdata from it, then construct a reactor for it to update a table in the drawing? I haven't looked but I don't think there are any BM's out there that will accomplish this any easier than me rolling my own.
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We have a few extras available to us with BW... here's a small taste...
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Sheesh. How many ways can you make a teeter totter?
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Sheesh. How many ways can you make a teeter totter?
Here's something with Odcl
... anyone want to buy a copy ? :)
(http://www.theswamp.org/screens/index.php?dir=KerryBrown/&file=Folder%20Viewer%202009-03-11.png)
The Name is to be changed of course ..
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Dotsoft Symbol Manager...works well with our 3D blocks and is easily expandable. We don't attribute our blocks here, so that aspect doesn't come into play. We've been using it since '04 with no problem...over 5,000 blocks in 38 directories.
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kdub, very nice form. post it over at OpenDCL.com for the guys and gals to see.
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Here's a pic of the one I created (I used some of the code/ideas that JB posted a while back) and incorporated a search function as well.
The form is resizable and you can pan/zoom the preview image.
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Are your blocks organized by directories and sub-directories? i.e. Is the department a directory and the libraries sub-directories under it?
Are your blocks mostly purchased libraries, shareware, or blocks created over the years?
How do you deal with views on 2D or 3D components (i.e. top, side, front. etc.)?
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Are your blocks organized by directories and sub-directories? i.e. Is the department a directory and the libraries sub-directories under it?
Are your blocks mostly purchased libraries, shareware, or blocks created over the years?
How do you deal with views on 2D or 3D components (i.e. top, side, front. etc.)?
The department is a folder, the library is a DWG file, the details are blocks within the host DWG file. These are details that have been created in-house (mostly), all strictly 2D not to scale.
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We used to do the subdirectory thing, but when we redrew our block library, I also gave the blocks some logical filenames.
A couple examples:
M-SW-PressureSwitchNormallyClosed
M-ELECT-ResistorVariable
M = Metric
ELECT = Electrical ( duh! )
SW = Switches
...Followed by a description.
Using these different prefixes gives us some organization without having to use subdirectories.
All of this came as a result of A) the need to redo our standard blockset and B) being fed up with block names that meant nothing to the user like "162.dwg", "734.dwg", etc.
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Do you use the type of block drawings as Matt W, where there are multiple blocks in 1 drawing or are your blocks a 1 block per drawing type?
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1 file = 1 block
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So what you end up with is 1 directory with a large number of drawings that are named so they can be easily located?
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Hey Matt W, if you have multiple blocks in a drawing... how does your application insert the selected one into a drawing? Do you write the block description into the the drawing(if it doesn't already exist) and then add an block reference?
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Yessir...
Currently 281 files... and every once in a while, we add a block or two.
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Hey Matt W, if you have multiple blocks in a drawing... how does your application insert the selected one into a drawing? Do you write the block description into the the drawing(if it doesn't already exist) and then add an block reference?
See here... (http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=16730.msg203685#msg203685)
And here... (http://www.opendcl.com/forum/index.php?topic=9.msg26#msg26)
Big ups go to James for some of the code that got the ball rolling for me on this one.
'I'd like to send a shout out to JB!! What up, dog!!' :mrgreen: :lol:
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Thanks, I'll see what he is doing there.
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I voted for none, but not because it is to hard to organize, simple because I don't use one... :-)
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Matt: Waaaaazzzzz Uuuuuuup!
I've had a couple of slow days here lately so I'm sticking my nose in trying to stir up some trouble. :lol:
Looks like all the swampers have been busy!
You guys take it easy.
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Matt: Waaaaazzzzz Uuuuuuup!
What are YOU doing? :-D
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no, I'm not high! 8-)