Topic: What's your Block Library like?

[jbuzbee]

Some of us over at the AutoLISP forum are writing a Block Mananger program: http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=32058.0

We wanted to get some real world feed back on how users organize standard blocks.  I'd appreciate if anyone one could chime in and summarize how Blocks are organized. 

What we're looking for:

Organization: containers.  Do you store multiple blocks in a single drawing or one drawing per Block?
                   folders.  Do you organize blocks in different folders / subfolders?
                   naming.  CSI, numeric, alphabetic?

Any information will be helpful.  It's our goal to create a mananger that can easily adjust to a multitude of organization styles.

Thanks,
jb

[t-bear]

*need more input!*  OK, here's mine:
We create a dwg for each block.
We store them in folders/sub-folders...
For an 8" valve..."blocks/pipe-8/valve-8.dwg"
Main folder is "blocks", sub-folder is "pip-8" or 8" pipe, and dwg is "valve-8.dwg"
For 4" stainless sched. 40 pipe..."blocks/pipe-4/pip-4ss40.dwg"
Main folder is "blocks", sub-folder is "pip-4" or 4" pipe, and dwg is "pip-4ss40.dwg".

We are using a store-bought library program here ("Symbolman" from Dotsoft) but will be watching this project closely.  Sounds like a good little project fellers....!!!

[TimSpangler]

I'll add my $0.02.

I have a dwg for each block (Mostly).  My main folder "Block Library" then I have sub folders based on plan type i.e.

00 - Annotation
01 - Elevations
02 - Foundations
03 - Groundworks
...... etc

In each folder there are blocks specific to those plans.

I would like to see (and will help) to be able to set the main folder and have the program automatically pick up the sub folders.  (it would work nice for my set up)

Are you thinking OpenDCL for this?

[T.Willey]

Are you thinking OpenDCL for this?

I think that is what James is learning toward.

[TimSpangler]

Are you thinking OpenDCL for this?

I think that is what James is learning toward.

james, are you working on a beta of the GUI?

[Shinyhead]

I have a pretty big library of non proprietary blocks if you want something to work with.
Its a mix of cabinet hardware, drafting symbols and appliances.
Some dynamic, some standard.  A couple of hundred blocks in a variety of catagories, might be a good testbed.

[T.Willey]

Are you thinking OpenDCL for this?

I think that is what James is learning toward.

james, are you working on a beta of the GUI?

From James in the Lisp thread

Thanks everyone for the replies and support.  I've cobbled together a palette in OpenDCL and will post it later, unfortunately I have to be out on appointments most of the day.

I have a pretty big library of non proprietary blocks if you want something to work with.
Its a mix of cabinet hardware, drafting symbols and appliances.
Some dynamic, some standard.  A couple of hundred blocks in a variety of catagories, might be a good testbed.

Right now we are just trying to get ideas of how different people set up there blocks.  This way we can code for as many different ways as possible, and have a global type function that all can use, and setup per their standards.  Once we get the meat of the code written, then we may ask for some blocks, as of right now they are not needed.  Thanks for the offer though, and we will keep you in mind when the testing time comes around.

[TimSpangler]

From James in the Lisp thread

How did I miss that??

[dgorsman]

Wherever possible, I use the folder hierarchy system as Client -> In-house -> Generic.  This way, if I need to have client specific block it just gets dropped into the client folder so its found first.  If its not in the client folder, the in-house version is used, and so on.

[CottageCGirl]

since I deal with product numbered items, each prefix has it's own folder then each item has a block, used to have individual drawings for each prototypical grouping, but have moved over to a source drawing with all related grouped blocks , so I can put them on palettes......so I Have a HUGE LIBRARY.

[Krushert]

Mostly a block per drawing in a hodge poge of folders.

It is the naming of the blocks that is killing me.  But these users of mine don't seem to think it is a big deal until I get have fit and start organizing. Some of them well go make a new block and put it back what I just deleted.   :pissed: :realmad:

[GDF]

I use CSI format for small blocks...(generic library of small blocks and a separate entourage directory)

For note libraries, details, sheets, schedules and symbols, I use a varity of folder directories...(based on Arch., Struc., MEP and Civil)

Also use some parametric routines that create blocks...

[Krushert]

I use CSI format for small blocks...(generic library of small blocks and a separate entourage directory)

For note libraries, details, sheets, schedules and symbols, I use a varity of folder directories...(based on Arch., Struc., MEP and Civil)

Also use some parametric routines that create blocks...

^^^ is that Heaven?   Can I come work with you? 

[GDF]

Another thing to consider is that some blocks like symbols require unique layers and scale, so I use multiple dialog based routines to do behind the sceen functions automatically...

For example, here are someof my many dialog based routines...

The Cabinet routine uses 1x1 scale blocks that are scaled by width for blocks in elevation and plan drawings.
I use this approach and parametricly drawn blocks to cut down the size of my overall libraries...

[Matt__W]

Mine/Ours is based off an idea by JB using container blocks and built with OpenDCL.

http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=16730.msg203685#msg203685