Topic: BlockTesting2011

[Kerry]

This will be an ongoing thread with functions added as I get a chance.
Refer to the attached Zip for the full solution.
The routines are noted for functionality.

There are some gotcha's and traps in these incomplete samples.
The intent was to proceed step by step to explore the concepts involved.
//---------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff H has volunteered to convert these Methods to VB.net
Thanks Jeff.

gile has volunteered to convert these Methods to F#
Thanks gile.
//---------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE Solutions updated
//------------------------------- Sample Blocks
3DBlock.dwg  - block with no attibutes is attached to this first post :
 
3DBlock_A.dwg - block with one attibute is attached to this first post :

3DBlock_4A.dwg - block with 4 attibutes is attached to this post :
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.msg427676#msg427676

 //------------------------------- C# Solutions
BlockTesting2011 _20110331.1115.zip is attached to this first post :

BlockTesting2011 _20110401.0936.zip is attached to this post :
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.msg427348#msg427348

BlockTesting2011 _ 20110405.1206.zip  is attached to this post :
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.msg427833#msg427833

//------------------------------- VB Solutions
BlockTesting2011VB_04012011.zip is attached to this post :
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.msg427562#msg427562

BlockTesting2011VB_04042011.zip is attached to this post :
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.msg427562#msg427562

//------------------------------- F# Solutions
BlockTesting2011FS_20110403.zip is attached to this post :
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.msg427619#msg427619

BlockTesting2011FS_20110405.zip   is attached to this post :
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.msg427843#msg427843
//---------------------------------------------------------------

Container :

Code - C#: [Select]

1. // CodeHimBelonga kdub@theSwamp 20110331
2. //
3. using System;
4. using System.IO;
5.  
6. using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime;
7. using Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices;
8. using Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices;
9. using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry;
10. using Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput;
11. //
12. using AcadApp = Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application;
13. using AcUtils = Autodesk.AutoCAD.Internal.Utils;
14.  
15. [assembly: CommandClass(typeof(KdubTesting.BlockTesting2011))]
16.  
17. namespace KdubTesting
18. {
19.     public class BlockTesting2011
20.     {
21.         Document doc;
22.         Database db;
23.         Editor ed;
24.  
25.         public BlockTesting2011()
26.         {
27.             ActiveDoc = AcadApp.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument;
28.         }
29.  
30.         Document ActiveDoc
31.         {
32.             get { return doc; }
33.             set
34.             {
35.                 doc = value;
36.                 if( doc == null ) {
37.                     db = null;
38.                     ed = null;
39.                 } else {
40.                     db = doc.Database;
41.                     ed = doc.Editor;
42.                 }
43.             }
44.         }
45.         //=======================================================================
46.  
47.         // Methods go here < snip>
48.         //=======================================================================
49.     }
50. }
51.  
52.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.         //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
3.  
4.         [CommandMethod("BI_1")]
5.         public void BlockInsert_1()
6.         {
7.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg";
8.             string blockName = "3Dblock_A";
9.             Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
10.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
11.  
12.             // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
13.             db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true);
14.  
15.             // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable with a Temporary Name
16.             db.Insert("TmpTest", tmpDb, true);
17.         }
18.         //=======================================================================
19.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.        //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3.         // block is exploded IE: copy of original
4.         // Insert will be at World 0,0,0 and transformed for Scale
5.  
6.         [CommandMethod("BI_2")]
7.         public void BlockInsert_2()
8.         {
9.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg";
10.             double scale = 5.0;
11.  
12.             Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
13.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
14.  
15.             Matrix3d Transform = Matrix3d.Identity;
16.             Transform = Transform *
17.                 Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin);
18.  
19.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, true);
20.         }
21.         //=======================================================================
22.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.        //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3.         // block is exploded IE: copy of original
4.         // Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
5.         // and transformed for Scale
6.  
7.         [CommandMethod("BI_3")]
8.         public void BlockInsert_3()
9.         {
10.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock.dwg";
11.             double scale = 2.5;
12.  
13.             Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
14.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
15.  
16.             Matrix3d Transform = ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem;
17.             Transform = Transform *
18.                 Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin);
19.  
20.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, true);
21.         }
22.         //=======================================================================
23.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.        //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3.         // block is exploded IE: copy of original
4.         // Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
5.         // and transformed for Scale
6.         // and transformed for Displacement
7.         // note that the nominated displacement will be scaled !!
8.  
9.         [CommandMethod("BI_4")]
10.         public void BlockInsert_4()
11.         {
12.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock.dwg";
13.             double scale = 3.0;
14.             Vector3d DispacementVector = new Vector3d(20, 50, 0);
15.             //
16.             Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
17.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
18.  
19.             Matrix3d Transform = ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem;
20.  
21.             Transform = Transform *
22.                 Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin) *
23.                 Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector);
24.  
25.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, true);
26.         }
27.         //=======================================================================
28.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.  
2.        //=======================================================================
3.         // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
4.         // block is exploded IE: copy of original
5.         // Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
6.         // and transformed for Scale
7.         // and transformed for Displacement
8.         // note that the nominated displacement will be honoured
9.  
10.         [CommandMethod("BI_5")]
11.         public void BlockInsert_5()
12.         {
13.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_a.dwg";
14.             double scale = 3.0;
15.             Vector3d DispacementVector = new Vector3d(20, 50, 0);
16.             //
17.             Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
18.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
19.  
20.             Matrix3d Transform = ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem;
21.  
22.             Transform = Transform *
23.                 Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin) *
24.                 Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector / scale);
25.  
26.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, true);
27.         }
28.         //=======================================================================
29.  
30.  

[gile]

Hi Kerry,

In the last code (honoured displacement), you can replace:

Code - C#: [Select]

1. Transform = Transform *
2.                 Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin) *
3.                 Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector / scale);

with:

Code - C#: [Select]

1. Transform = Transform *
2.                 Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector) *
3.                 Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin);

The Matrix3d multiplication operator (*) is equivalent to PostMultiplyBy that means transformations occur in reverse order : Scaling, then Displacement, then UCS rotation(s) and origin displacement.

Maybe it's more 'readable' to use the PreMultiplyBy method to write the transformations the same order they occur:

Code - C#: [Select]

1. Transform = Matrix3d
2.     .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
3.     .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector))
4.     .PreMultiplyBy(Transform);

[Kerry]

Thanks gile, that's a better option ... and valuable information.
I had planned on doing some more investigation on the Transform but ran out of time

I'll update the Solution next time I post it.

Maybe it's more 'readable' to use the PreMultiplyBy method to write the transformations the same order they occur:

I think the PreMultiplyBy method will be better also

[Kerry]

Thinking about it, this may be better ... but a little more difficult to debug ( if ever necessary)

Code - C#: [Select]

1.  
2.  
3.             // **remove** Matrix3d Transform = ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem;
4.  
5.             Matrix3d Transform = Matrix3d
6.                 .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
7.                 .PreMultiplyBy( Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector))
8.                 .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem);
9.  
10.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, true);
11.  
12.  

[Kerry]

Next series :
Refer notations.

Transforms use PreMultiplyBy method as suggested by gile

Code - C#: [Select]

1.        //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3.         // Expects to find the Block in the BlockTable
4.         // does not handle Attributes
5.  
6.         [CommandMethod("BI_10")]
7.         public void BlockInsert_10()
8.         {
9.             string blockName = "3Dblock";
10.  
11.             using( Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() ) {
12.                 BlockTable bt = (BlockTable)tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead);
13.                 if( !bt.Has(blockName) ) {
14.                     ed.WriteMessage("\nBlock '{0}' is not available in the current drawing.", blockName);
15.                     return;
16.                 }
17.                 PromptPointResult ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ");
18.                 if( ppr.Status != PromptStatus.OK )
19.                     return;
20.  
21.                 BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite);
22.                 BlockReference br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt[ blockName ]);
23.  
24.                 br.TransformBy(Matrix3d
25.                     .Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin)
26.                     .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem));
27.  
28.                 btr.AppendEntity(br);
29.                 tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true);
30.                 tr.Commit();
31.             }
32.         }
33.         //=======================================================================
34.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.        //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3.         // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4.         // does not handle Attributes
5.  
6.         [CommandMethod("BI_11")]
7.         public void BlockInsert_11()
8.         {
9.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock.dwg";
10.             string blockName = "3Dblock";
11.  
12.             using( Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() ) {
13.                 BlockTable bt = (BlockTable)tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead);
14.                 if( !bt.Has(blockName) ) {
15.                     Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
16.                     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
17.                     // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
18.                     db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true);
19.                 }
20.  
21.                 PromptPointResult ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ");
22.                 if( ppr.Status != PromptStatus.OK )
23.                     return;
24.  
25.                 BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite);
26.                 BlockReference br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt[ blockName ]);
27.  
28.                 br.TransformBy(Matrix3d
29.                     .Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin)
30.                     .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem));
31.  
32.                 btr.AppendEntity(br);
33.                 tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true);
34.                 tr.Commit();
35.             }
36.         }
37.         //=======================================================================
38.  

[Kerry]

Next; Rotations with Displacement and Scale
.
Be carefull with the sequence for the PreMultiplyBy method
We usually do not want the  Displacement rotated.

If you DO want the displacement rotated swap the sequence of the Rotation and Displacement
Like this

Code - C#: [Select]

1.  
2.             Matrix3d Transform = Matrix3d
3.                 .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)                
4.                 .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector))
5.                 .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Rotation(rotation, zAxis, Point3d.Origin))              
6.                 .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem);
7.  
8.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.  
2.         //=======================================================================
3.         public const double kPi = 3.14159265358979323846;
4.         //=======================================================================
5.         public static double RadiansToDegrees(double radians)
6.         {
7.             return (radians * (kPi / 180.0));
8.         }
9.         //=======================================================================
10.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.        //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3.         // block is exploded IE: copy of original
4.         // Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
5.         // and transformed for Scale
6.         // and transformed for Rotation
7.         // and transformed for Displacement
8.         // does not handle Attributes
9.  
10.         [CommandMethod("BI_6")]
11.         public void BlockInsert_6()
12.         {
13.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock.dwg";
14.             double scale = 3.0;
15.             Vector3d DispacementVector = new Vector3d(-20, -50, 0);
16.             Vector3d zAxis = ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem.CoordinateSystem3d.Zaxis;
17.             double rotation = RadiansToDegrees(15.0);
18.             //
19.             Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
20.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
21.  
22.             Matrix3d Transform = Matrix3d
23.                 .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
24.                 .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Rotation(rotation, zAxis, Point3d.Origin))
25.                 .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector))                
26.                 .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem);
27.  
28.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, true);
29.         }
30.         //=======================================================================
31.  

[Kerry]

Next Stage :
Inserting Attributes.

Updated Solution Zip added:

Library stuff:

Code - C#: [Select]

1.         //=======================================================================
2.         /// <summary>
3.         /// Insert ALL AttributeReferences from BlockTableRecord into BlockReference
4.         /// </summary>
5.         /// <param name="blkRef"></param>
6.         /// <param name="tr"></param>
7.         public static void InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(
8.             BlockReference blkRef,
9.             Transaction tr)
10.         {
11.             BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead);
12.             foreach( ObjectId attId in btr ) {
13.                 Entity ent = (Entity)tr.GetObject(attId, OpenMode.ForRead);
14.                 if( ent is AttributeDefinition ) {
15.                     AttributeDefinition attDef = (AttributeDefinition)ent;
16.                     AttributeReference attRef = new AttributeReference();
17.                     attRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(attDef, blkRef.BlockTransform);
18.                     ObjectId id = blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(attRef);
19.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(attRef, true);
20.                 }
21.             }
22.         }
23.         //=======================================================================
24.         /// <summary>
25.         ///  Insert ALL AttributeReferences from BlockTableRecord into BlockReference
26.         ///  Set the value of Attribute 'attributeTag' to 'attributeText'
27.         /// </summary>
28.         /// <param name="blkRef"></param>
29.         /// <param name="attributeTag"></param>
30.         /// <param name="attributeText"></param>
31.         /// <param name="tr"></param>
32.         public static void InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(
33.             BlockReference blkRef,
34.             string attributeTag,
35.             string attributeText,
36.             Transaction tr)
37.         {
38.             BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead);
39.             foreach( ObjectId attId in btr ) {
40.                 Entity ent = (Entity)tr.GetObject(attId, OpenMode.ForRead);
41.                 if( ent is AttributeDefinition ) {
42.                     AttributeDefinition attDef = (AttributeDefinition)ent;
43.                     AttributeReference attRef = new AttributeReference();
44.                     attRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(attDef, blkRef.BlockTransform);
45.                     if( attRef.Tag == attributeTag )
46.                         attRef.TextString = attributeText;
47.                     ObjectId id = blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(attRef);
48.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(attRef, true);
49.                 }
50.             }
51.         }
52.         //=======================================================================
53.  

Test Routines:

Code - C#: [Select]

1.        //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3.         // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4.         // Adds ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
5.  
6.         [CommandMethod("BI_15")]
7.         public void BlockInsert_15()
8.         {
9.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg";
10.             string blockName = "3Dblock_A";
11.  
12.             using( Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() ) {
13.                 BlockTable bt = (BlockTable)tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead);
14.                 if( !bt.Has(blockName) ) {
15.                     Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
16.                     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
17.                     // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
18.                     db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true);
19.                 }
20.  
21.                 PromptPointResult ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ");
22.                 if( ppr.Status != PromptStatus.OK )
23.                     return;
24.  
25.                 BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite);
26.  
27.                 using( BlockReference br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt[ blockName ]) ) {
28.                     br.TransformBy(Matrix3d
29.                         .Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin)
30.                         .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem));
31.  
32.                     btr.AppendEntity(br);
33.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true);
34.                     //                    
35.                     InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(br, tr);
36.                 }
37.                 tr.Commit();
38.             }
39.         }
40.         //=======================================================================
41.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.         //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3.         // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4.         // Adds ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
5.         // Set the attributeText in a nominated
6.  
7.         [CommandMethod("BI_16")]
8.         public void BlockInsert_16()
9.         {
10.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg";
11.             string blockName = "3Dblock_A";
12.             string attTag = "ATTRIBUTETAG";
13.             string attText = "Yes, we have no bananas";
14.  
15.             using( Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() ) {
16.                 BlockTable bt = (BlockTable)tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead);
17.                 if( !bt.Has(blockName) ) {
18.                     Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
19.                     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
20.                     // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
21.                     db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true);
22.                 }
23.  
24.                 PromptPointResult ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ");
25.                 if( ppr.Status != PromptStatus.OK )
26.                     return;
27.  
28.                 BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite);
29.  
30.                 using( BlockReference br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt[ blockName ]) ) {
31.                     br.TransformBy(Matrix3d
32.                         .Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin)
33.                         .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem));
34.  
35.                     btr.AppendEntity(br);
36.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true);
37.                     //                    
38.                     InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(br, attTag, attText, tr);
39.                 }
40.                 tr.Commit();
41.             }
42.         }
43.         //=======================================================================
44.  

[Jeff H]

Laying it out the same as Kerry.
You will notice the extra calls to DirectCast because
Option strict is on.

I used http://www.developerfusion.com/tools/convert/csharp-to-vb/ to check and did good job only messed up a couple of things.

I will attach zip in last post and update along with kerry.

Container:

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1. 'Option strict and explicit are turned on
2. 'Code converted from C#
3. 'Original C# code located  @ http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.0
4. 'Check link in above line as code is posted for learning resource and likely to be updated.
5. 'Please thank Kerry at above link
6. 'If something is wrong it is probably error converting from C#
7.  
8. 'CodeHimBelonga kdub@theSwamp 20110331
9.  
10.  
11. Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime
12. Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices
13. Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices
14. Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry
15. Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput
16. Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application
17. Imports AcUtils = Autodesk.AutoCAD.Internal.Utils
18.  
19. <Assembly: CommandClass(GetType(KdubTesting.BlockTesting2011))>
20.  
21.     Namespace KdubTesting
22.         Public Class BlockTesting2011
23.             Private doc As Document
24.             Private db As Database
25.             Private ed As Editor
26.  
27.             Public Sub New()
28.                 ActiveDoc = AcadApp.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument
29.             End Sub
30.  
31.             Private Property ActiveDoc() As Document
32.                 Get
33.                     Return doc
34.                 End Get
35.  
36.                 Set(ByVal value As Document)
37.                     doc = value
38.  
39.                     If doc = Nothing Then
40.                         db = Nothing
41.                         ed = Nothing
42.                     Else
43.                         db = doc.Database
44.                         ed = doc.Editor
45.                     End If
46.                 End Set
47.  
48.             End Property
49.             '=======================================================================
50.  
51.             ' Methods go here < snip>
52.             '=======================================================================
53.         End Class
54.  
55.     End Namespace
56.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.  
2.         <CommandMethod("BI_1")> _
3.         Public Sub BlockInsert_1()
4.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock_A.dwg"
5.             Dim blockName As String = "3Dblock_A"
6.             Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
7.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
8.  
9.             ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
10.             db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, True)
11.  
12.             ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable with a Temporary Name
13.             db.Insert("TmpTest", tmpDb, True)
14.         End Sub
15.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.  '=======================================================================
2.         ' add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3.         ' block is exploded IE: copy of original
4.         ' Insert will be at World 0,0,0 and transformed for Scale
5.  
6.         <CommandMethod("BI_2")> _
7.         Public Sub BlockInsert_2()
8.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock_A.dwg"
9.             Dim scale As Double = 5.0
10.  
11.             Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
12.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
13.  
14.             Dim Transform As Matrix3d = Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin).PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Identity)
15.  
16.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, True)
17.         End Sub
18.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1. '=======================================================================
2.         ' add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3.         ' block is exploded IE: copy of original
4.         ' Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
5.         ' and transformed for Scale
6.  
7.         <CommandMethod("BI_3")> _
8.         Public Sub BlockInsert_3()
9.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock.dwg"
10.             Dim scale As Double = 2.5
11.  
12.             Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
13.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
14.  
15.             Dim Transform As Matrix3d = Matrix3d _
16.                 .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin) _
17.                 .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
18.  
19.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, True)
20.         End Sub
21.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.   '=======================================================================
2.         ' add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3.         ' block is exploded IE: copy of original
4.         ' Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
5.         ' and transformed for Scale
6.         ' and transformed for Displacement
7.  
8.         <CommandMethod("BI_4")> _
9.         Public Sub BlockInsert_4()
10.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock.dwg"
11.             Dim scale As Double = 3.0
12.             Dim DispacementVector As New Vector3d(20, 50, 0)
13.             '
14.             Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
15.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
16.  
17.             Dim Transform As Matrix3d = Matrix3d _
18.                                         .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin) _
19.                                         .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector)) _
20.                                         .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
21.  
22.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, True)
23.         End Sub
24.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.  
2.         '=======================================================================
3.         ' add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
4.         ' block is exploded IE: copy of original
5.         ' Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
6.         ' and transformed for Scale
7.         ' and transformed for Displacement
8.  
9.         <CommandMethod("BI_5")> _
10.         Public Sub BlockInsert_5()
11.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock_a.dwg"
12.             Dim scale As Double = 3.0
13.             Dim DispacementVector As New Vector3d(20, 50, 0)
14.             '
15.             Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
16.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
17.  
18.             Dim Transform As Matrix3d = Matrix3d _
19.                                         .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin) _
20.                                         .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector)) _
21.                                         .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
22.  
23.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, True)
24.         End Sub
25.  

[Jeff H]

Next series :
Refer notations.

Transforms use PreMultiplyBy method as suggested by gile 

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.   '=======================================================================
2.  
3.         '=======================================================================
4.         ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
5.         ' Expects to find the Block in the BlockTable
6.         ' does not handle Attributes
7.  
8.         <CommandMethod("BI_10")> _
9.         Public Sub BlockInsert_10()
10.             Dim blockName As String = "3Dblock"
11.  
12.             Using tr As Transaction = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
13.                 Dim bt As BlockTable = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead), BlockTable)
14.  
15.                 If Not bt.Has(blockName) Then
16.                     ed.WriteMessage(vbLf & "Block '{0}' is not available in the current drawing.", blockName)
17.                     Return
18.                 End If
19.  
20.                 Dim ppr As PromptPointResult = ed.GetPoint(vbLf & "Specify insertion point: ")
21.  
22.                 If ppr.Status <> PromptStatus.OK Then
23.                     Return
24.                 End If
25.  
26.                 Dim btr As BlockTableRecord = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite), BlockTableRecord)
27.                 Dim br As New BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt(blockName))
28.  
29.                 br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin) _
30.                                .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem))
31.  
32.                 btr.AppendEntity(br)
33.                 tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, True)
34.                 tr.Commit()
35.  
36.             End Using
37.         End Sub
38.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.  '=======================================================================
2.         ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3.         ' Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4.         ' does not handle Attributes
5.  
6.         <CommandMethod("BI_11")> _
7.         Public Sub BlockInsert_11()
8.  
9.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock.dwg"
10.             Dim blockName As String = "3Dblock"
11.  
12.             Using tr As Transaction = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
13.                 Dim bt As BlockTable = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead), BlockTable)
14.  
15.                 If Not bt.Has(blockName) Then
16.                     Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
17.                     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
18.                     ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
19.                     db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, True)
20.                 End If
21.  
22.                 Dim ppr As PromptPointResult = ed.GetPoint(vbLf & "Specify insertion point: ")
23.  
24.                 If ppr.Status <> PromptStatus.OK Then
25.                     Return
26.                 End If
27.  
28.                 Dim btr As BlockTableRecord = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite), BlockTableRecord)
29.                 Dim br As New BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt(blockName))
30.  
31.                 br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin) _
32.                                .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem))
33.  
34.                 btr.AppendEntity(br)
35.                 tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, True)
36.                 tr.Commit()
37.  
38.             End Using
39.         End Sub
40.  

Rotations with Displacement and Scale
.
Be carefull with the sequence for the PreMultiplyBy method
We usually do not want the  Displacement rotated.

If you DO want the displacement rotated swap the sequence of the Rotation and Displacement
Like this

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.             Dim Transform As Matrix3d = Matrix3d _
2.                                      .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin) _
3.                                      .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector)) _
4.                                      .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Rotation(rotation, zAxis, Point3d.Origin)) _
5.                                      .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
6.  
7.             db.Insert(Transform, tmpDb, True)
8.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.         '=======================================================================
2.         Public Const kPi As Double = 3.1415926535897931
3.         '=======================================================================
4.         Public Shared Function RadiansToDegrees(ByVal radians As Double) As Double
5.             Return radians * (kPi / 180.0)
6.         End Function
7.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.  
2.         '=======================================================================
3.         '=======================================================================
4.         ' add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
5.         ' block is exploded IE: copy of original
6.         ' Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
7.         ' and transformed for Scale
8.         ' and transformed for Rotation
9.         ' and transformed for Displacement
10.         ' does not handle Attributes
11.  
12.         <CommandMethod("BI_6")> _
13.         Public Sub BlockInsert_6()
14.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock.dwg"
15.             Dim scale As Double = 3.0
16.             Dim DispacementVector As New Vector3d(-20, -50, 0)
17.             Dim zAxis As Vector3d = ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem.CoordinateSystem3d.Zaxis
18.             Dim rotation As Double = RadiansToDegrees(15.0)
19.             '
20.             Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
21.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
22.  
23.             Dim Transform As Matrix3d = Matrix3d _
24.                                         .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin) _
25.                                         .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Rotation(rotation, zAxis, Point3d.Origin)) _
26.                                         .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector)) _
27.                                         .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
28.  
29.         End Sub
30.  

[Jeff H]

********************Edit***************
Solution Updated 4/4/2011
********************End Edit***************
Next Stage :
Inserting Attributes.

Solution Zip added for everything posted:
Library stuff:

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.         '=======================================================================
2.         '=======================================================================
3.         ''' <summary>
4.         ''' Insert ALL AttributeReferences from BlockTableRecord into BlockReference
5.         ''' </summary>
6.         ''' <param name="blkRef"></param>
7.         ''' <param name="tr"></param>
8.         Public Shared Sub InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(blkRef As BlockReference, tr As Transaction)
9.             Dim btr As BlockTableRecord = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead), BlockTableRecord)
10.  
11.             For Each attId As ObjectId In btr
12.                 Dim ent As Entity = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(attId, OpenMode.ForRead), Entity)
13.  
14.                 If TypeOf ent Is AttributeDefinition Then
15.  
16.                     Dim attDef As AttributeDefinition = DirectCast(ent, AttributeDefinition)
17.                     Dim attRef As New AttributeReference()
18.  
19.                     attRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(attDef, blkRef.BlockTransform)
20.  
21.                     Dim id As ObjectId = blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(attRef)
22.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(attRef, True)
23.  
24.                 End If
25.  
26.             Next
27.  
28.         End Sub
29.  
30.         '=======================================================================
31.         ''' <summary>
32.         '''  Insert ALL AttributeReferences from BlockTableRecord into BlockReference
33.         '''  Set the value of Attribute 'attributeTag' to 'attributeText'
34.         ''' </summary>
35.         ''' <param name="blkRef"></param>
36.         ''' <param name="attributeTag"></param>
37.         ''' <param name="attributeText"></param>
38.         ''' <param name="tr"></param>
39.         Public Shared Sub InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(blkRef As BlockReference, attributeTag As String, attributeText As String, tr As Transaction)
40.  
41.             Dim btr As BlockTableRecord = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead), BlockTableRecord)
42.  
43.             For Each attId As ObjectId In btr
44.                 Dim ent As Entity = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(attId, OpenMode.ForRead), Entity)
45.  
46.                 If TypeOf ent Is AttributeDefinition Then
47.  
48.                     Dim attDef As AttributeDefinition = DirectCast(ent, AttributeDefinition)
49.                     Dim attRef As New AttributeReference()
50.                     attRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(attDef, blkRef.BlockTransform)
51.  
52.                     If attRef.Tag = attributeTag Then
53.                         attRef.TextString = attributeText
54.                     End If
55.  
56.                     Dim id As ObjectId = blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(attRef)
57.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(attRef, True)
58.  
59.                 End If
60.  
61.             Next
62.  
63.         End Sub
64.  

Test Routines:

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.         '=======================================================================
2.         '=======================================================================
3.         ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
4.         ' Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
5.         ' Adds ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
6.  
7.         <CommandMethod("BI_15")> _
8.         Public Sub BlockInsert_15()
9.  
10.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock_A.dwg"
11.             Dim blockName As String = "3Dblock_A"
12.  
13.             Using tr As Transaction = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
14.  
15.                 Dim bt As BlockTable = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead), BlockTable)
16.  
17.                 If Not bt.Has(blockName) Then
18.                     Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
19.                     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
20.                     ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
21.                     db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, True)
22.                 End If
23.  
24.                 Dim ppr As PromptPointResult = ed.GetPoint(vbLf & "Specify insertion point: ")
25.  
26.                 If ppr.Status <> PromptStatus.OK Then
27.                     Return
28.                 End If
29.  
30.                 Dim btr As BlockTableRecord = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite), BlockTableRecord)
31.  
32.                 Using br As New BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt(blockName))
33.                     br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin).PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem))
34.  
35.                     btr.AppendEntity(br)
36.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, True)
37.                     '                    
38.                     InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(br, tr)
39.                 End Using
40.  
41.                 tr.Commit()
42.             End Using
43.         End Sub
44.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.         '=======================================================================
2.         ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3.         ' Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4.         ' Adds ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
5.         ' Set the attributeText in a nominated
6.  
7.         <CommandMethod("BI_16")> _
8.         Public Sub BlockInsert_16()
9.  
10.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock_A.dwg"
11.             Dim blockName As String = "3Dblock_A"
12.             Dim attTag As String = "ATTRIBUTETAG"
13.             Dim attText As String = "Yes, we have no bananas"
14.  
15.             Using tr As Transaction = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
16.  
17.                 Dim bt As BlockTable = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead), BlockTable)
18.  
19.                 If Not bt.Has(blockName) Then
20.                     Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
21.                     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
22.                     ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
23.                     db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, True)
24.                 End If
25.  
26.                 Dim ppr As PromptPointResult = ed.GetPoint(vbLf & "Specify insertion point: ")
27.  
28.                 If ppr.Status <> PromptStatus.OK Then
29.                     Return
30.                 End If
31.  
32.                 Dim btr As BlockTableRecord = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite), BlockTableRecord)
33.  
34.                 Using br As New BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt(blockName))
35.                     br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin).PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem))
36.  
37.                     btr.AppendEntity(br)
38.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, True)
39.                     '                    
40.                     InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(br, attTag, attText, tr)
41.                 End Using
42.  
43.                 tr.Commit()
44.             End Using
45.  
46.         End Sub
47.  

[gile]

Should I try a F# translation ?

[Kerry]

Sure gile.
I'm trying to concentrate on concepts not language so any 'language' questions that arise  can be split off this topic.

Regards,

[gile]

So, here's a F# translation of  the C# code from the 'BlockTesting2011 _20110331.1115' source.
Maybe it's not 'very good' F# coding (I'm newby) but every command seems to work as expected (and it was a fine exercice).

If you don't use VS 2010 pro,
- to run the dll, you have to install the F# runtime.
- to play with F#, you can add F# to Visual Studio 2008 (Standard edition or greater) or use a free Visual Studio Shell (2008 or 2010) see here.

I'll post the code the same way as Kerry and Jeff H to make easier comparisons, just adding some 'off code' comments for F# main differences from C# or VB.

Container
No need to contain all functions in a class

Code - F#: [Select]

1. // Code translated from C#
2. // Original C# code located  @ http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=37686.0
3. // Check link in above line as code is posted for learning resource and likely to be updated.
4. // Please thank Kerry at above link
5.  
6. module KdubTesting.BlockTesting2011
7.  
8. open System
9. open System.IO
10. open Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices
11. open Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices
12. open Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput
13. open Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry
14. open Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime
15.  
16. type AcAp = Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application
17. type AcUt = Autodesk.AutoCAD.Internal.Utils
18.  
19. let doc = AcAp.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument
20. let db = doc.Database
21. let ed = doc.Editor
22.  
23. // Functions go here
24. //=======================================================================

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
3. [<CommandMethod("BI_1")>]
4. let blockInsert_1 () =
5.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg"
6.     let blockName = "3DBlock_a"
7.    
8.     use tmpDb = new Database()
9.     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
10.    
11.     // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
12.     db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true) |> ignore
13.    
14.     // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable with a Temporary Name
15.     db.Insert("TmpTest", tmpDb, true) |> ignore
16. //=======================================================================

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3. // block is exploded IE: copy of original
4. // Insert will be at World 0,0,0 and transformed for Scale
5. [<CommandMethod("BI_2")>]
6. let blockInsert_2 () =
7.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg"
8.     let scale = 5.0
9.    
10.     use tmpDb = new Database()
11.     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
12.     let transform = Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
13.     db.Insert(transform, tmpDb, true)
14. //=======================================================================

The matrix multiplication uses 'pipe-lining' operator which looks like the PreMultiplyBy method

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3. // block is exploded IE: copy of original
4. // Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
5. // and transformed for Scale
6. [<CommandMethod("BI_3")>]
7. let blockInsert_3 () =
8.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock.dwg"
9.     let scale = 2.5
10.    
11.     use tmpDb = new Database()
12.     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
13.     let transform = Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
14.                     |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem
15.     db.Insert(transform, tmpDb, true)
16. //=======================================================================

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3. // block is exploded IE: copy of original
4. // Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
5. // and transformed for Scale
6. // and transformed for Displacement
7. [<CommandMethod("BI_4")>]
8. let blockInsert_4 () =
9.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock.dwg"
10.     let scale = 3.0
11.     let dispacementVector = new Vector3d(20.0, 50.0, 0.0)
12.    
13.     use tmpDb = new Database()
14.     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
15.     let transform = Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
16.                     |> (*) (Matrix3d.Displacement(dispacementVector))
17.                     |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem
18.     db.Insert(transform, tmpDb, true)
19. //=======================================================================

[gile]

Next; Rotations with Displacement and Scale

renamed RadiansToDegrees into degreesToRadians which seems more correct

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. let kPi = 3.14159265358979323846
3. //=======================================================================
4. let degreesToRadians degrees =
5.     degrees * (kPi / 180.0)
6. //=======================================================================

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the current space (Model or Paper).
3. // block is exploded IE: copy of original
4. // Insert will be at UCS 0,0,0 honouring current X, Y, Z Axis.
5. // and transformed for Scale
6. // and transformed for Rotation
7. // and transformed for Displacement
8. // does not handle Attributes
9. [<CommandMethod("BI_6")>]
10. let blockInsert_6 () =
11.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock.dwg"
12.     let scale = 3.0
13.     let dispacementVector = new Vector3d(-20.0, -50.0, 0.0)
14.     let zAxis = ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem.CoordinateSystem3d.Zaxis
15.     let rotation = degreesToRadians 15.0
16.    
17.     use tmpDb = new Database()
18.     tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
19.     let transform = Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
20.                     |> (*) (Matrix3d.Rotation(rotation, zAxis, Point3d.Origin))
21.                     |> (*) (Matrix3d.Displacement(dispacementVector))
22.                     |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem
23.     db.Insert(transform, tmpDb, true)
24. //=======================================================================

[gile]

Next series

Looking in the BlockTable

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3. // Expects to find the Block in the BlockTable
4. // does not handle Attributes
5. [<CommandMethod("BI_10")>]
6. let blockInsert_10 () =
7.     let blockName = "3Dblock"
8.    
9.     use tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
10.     let bt = tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTable
11.     if bt.Has(blockName) then
12.         let ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ")
13.         if ppr.Status = PromptStatus.OK then
14.             let btr = tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) :?> BlockTableRecord
15.             let br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt.[blockName])
16.             br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value.GetAsVector())
17.                            |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
18.             btr.AppendEntity(br) |> ignore
19.             tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true)
20.             tr.Commit()
21.     else
22.         ed.WriteMessage("\nBlock '{0}' is not available in the current drawing.", blockName)
23. //=======================================================================

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3. // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4. // does not handle Attributes
5. [<CommandMethod("BI_11")>]
6. let blockInsert_11 () =
7.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock.dwg"
8.     let blockName = "3Dblock"
9.    
10.     use tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
11.     let bt = tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTable
12.     if not (bt.Has(blockName)) then
13.         use tmpDb = new Database()
14.         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
15.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
16.         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true) |> ignore
17.        
18.     let ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ")
19.     if ppr.Status = PromptStatus.OK then
20.         let btr = tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) :?> BlockTableRecord
21.         let br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt.[blockName])
22.         br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value.GetAsVector())
23.                        |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
24.         btr.AppendEntity(br) |> ignore
25.         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true)
26.         tr.Commit()
27. //=======================================================================

[gile]

Next Stage :
Inserting Attributes.

Library stuff
Two different named functions have to be defined because F# do not allow function overloading

The first one is written in an 'imperative' style (closer to C# or VB), the second one is writen in a more 'functional' style (using F# specific features)

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // Insert ALL AttributeReferences from BlockTableRecord into BlockReference
3. let insertDefaultAttibuteInBlockRef (blkRef:BlockReference) (tr:Transaction) =
4.     for attId in tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTableRecord do
5.         let dbObj= tr.GetObject(attId, OpenMode.ForRead)
6.         if dbObj:? AttributeDefinition then
7.             let attDef = dbObj:?> AttributeDefinition
8.             let attRef = new AttributeReference()
9.             attRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(attDef, blkRef.BlockTransform)
10.             blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(attRef) |> ignore
11.             tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(attRef, true)
12. //=======================================================================
13. // Insert ALL AttributeReferences from BlockTableRecord into BlockReference      
14. let insertAttibuteInBlockRef (blkRef:BlockReference) attributeTag attributeText (tr:Transaction) =
15.     tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTableRecord
16.     |> Seq.cast<_>
17.     |> Seq.map (fun id -> tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead))
18.     |> Seq.choose (function :? AttributeDefinition as att -> Some att | _ -> None)
19.     |> Seq.iter (fun attDef ->
20.         let attRef = new AttributeReference()
21.         attRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(attDef, blkRef.BlockTransform) |> ignore
22.         if attRef.Tag = attributeTag then
23.             attRef.TextString <- attributeText
24.             blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(attRef) |> ignore
25.             tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(attRef, true))
26. //=======================================================================

Test routines

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3. // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4. // Adds ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
5. [<CommandMethod("BI_15")>]
6. let blockInsert_15 () =
7.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg"
8.     let blockName = "3Dblock_A"
9.    
10.     use tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
11.     let bt = tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTable
12.     if not (bt.Has(blockName)) then
13.         use tmpDb = new Database()
14.         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
15.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
16.         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true) |> ignore
17.        
18.     let ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ")
19.     if ppr.Status = PromptStatus.OK then
20.         let btr = tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) :?> BlockTableRecord
21.         use br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt.[blockName])
22.         br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value.GetAsVector())
23.                        |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
24.         btr.AppendEntity(br) |> ignore
25.         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true)
26.         insertDefaultAttibuteInBlockRef br tr
27.         tr.Commit()
28. //=======================================================================

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3. // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4. // Adds ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
5. // Set the attributeText in a nominated
6. [<CommandMethod("BI_16")>]
7. let blockInsert_16 () =
8.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg"
9.     let blockName = "3Dblock_A"
10.     let attTag = "ATTRIBUTETAG"
11.     let attText = "Yes, we have no bananas"
12.    
13.     use tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
14.     let bt = tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTable
15.     if not (bt.Has(blockName)) then
16.         use tmpDb = new Database()
17.         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
18.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
19.         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true) |> ignore
20.        
21.     let ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ")
22.     if ppr.Status = PromptStatus.OK then
23.         let btr = tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) :?> BlockTableRecord
24.         use br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt.[blockName])
25.         br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value.GetAsVector())
26.                        |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
27.         btr.AppendEntity(br) |> ignore
28.         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true)
29.         insertAttibuteInBlockRef br attTag attText tr
30.         tr.Commit()
31. //=======================================================================

[Kerry]

Next for C# :

Set ScaleFactor, Rotation as BlockReference Properties rather than by Transform
Set Layer as BlockReference Properties
Test for Layer assertion.

Code - C#: [Select]

1.         //=======================================================================
2.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3.         // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4.         //
5.         // Set ScaleFactor, Rotation and Layer as BlockReference Properties
6.         //
7.         //   Add ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
8.         //   and Set the attributeText in a nominated  Attribute  
9.         //
10.         // Includes a test for Layer assertion.
11.  
12.         [CommandMethod("BI_17")]
13.         public void BlockInsert_17()
14.         {
15.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg";
16.             string blockName = "3Dblock_A";
17.             string attTag = "ATTRIBUTETAG";
18.             string attText = "Sample BI_17";
19.             //
20.             double scale = 2.3;
21.             double rotation = RadiansToDegrees(20.0);
22.             string layerName = "Test BI_17";
23.  
24.             // Assert the layer exists
25.             CreateLayer(db, layerName, 8);
26.  
27.             using( Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() ) {
28.                 try {
29.                     BlockTable bt = (BlockTable)tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead);
30.                     if( !bt.Has(blockName) ) {
31.                         Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
32.                         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
33.                         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
34.                         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true);
35.                     }
36.  
37.                     PromptPointResult ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ");
38.                     if( ppr.Status != PromptStatus.OK )
39.                         return;
40.  
41.                     BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite);
42.  
43.                     using( BlockReference br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt[ blockName ]) ) {
44.                         br.ScaleFactors = new Scale3d(scale);
45.                         br.Rotation = rotation;
46.                         br.Layer = layerName;
47.  
48.                         br.TransformBy(Matrix3d
49.                             .Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin)
50.                             .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem));
51.  
52.                         btr.AppendEntity(br);
53.                         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true);
54.                         //
55.                         InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(br, attTag, attText, tr);
56.                     }
57.                     tr.Commit();
58.  
59.                 } catch( Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.Exception exx ) {
60.                     ed.WriteMessage("\n" + exx.ToString());
61.                 }
62.             }
63.         }
64.         //=======================================================================
65.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.         //=======================================================================
2.         /// <summary>
3.         ///  CreateLayer layer if not existing
4.         /// </summary>
5.         /// <param name="db"></param>
6.         /// <param name="layerName"></param>
7.         /// <param name="color"></param>
8.         /// <returns> ObjectId of existing or new layer </returns>
9.         public static ObjectId CreateLayer(Database db, string layerName, short color)
10.         {
11.             ObjectId layerId = ObjectId.Null;
12.             using( Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() ) {
13.                 LayerTable lt = (LayerTable)tr.GetObject(db.LayerTableId, OpenMode.ForWrite);
14.                 //Check if EmployeeLayer exists...
15.                 if( lt.Has(layerName) ) {
16.                     layerId = lt[ layerName ];
17.                 } else {
18.                     //if not, create the layer here.
19.                     LayerTableRecord ltr = new LayerTableRecord();
20.                     ltr.Name = layerName;
21.                     ltr.Color = Autodesk.AutoCAD.Colors.Color.FromColorIndex(
22.                         Autodesk.AutoCAD.Colors.ColorMethod.ByAci, color);
23.                     layerId = lt.Add(ltr);
24.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(ltr, true);
25.                 }
26.                 tr.Commit();
27.             }
28.             return layerId;
29.         }
30.         //=======================================================================
31.  

[gile]

Next for F# :

Set ScaleFactor, Rotation as BlockReference Properties rather than by Transform
Set Layer as BlockReference Properties
Test for Layer assertion.

I put the  sub function first because with F# a function have to be defined in the code prior to be called (as local LISP sub routines)

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. /// <summary>
3. ///  CreateLayer layer if not existing
4. /// </summary>
5. /// <param name="db"></param>
6. /// <param name="layerName"></param>
7. /// <param name="color"></param>
8. /// <returns> ObjectId of existing or new layer </returns>
9. open Autodesk.AutoCAD.Colors
10. let createLayer (db:Database) (layerName:string) color =
11.     use tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
12.     let lt = tr.GetObject(db.LayerTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> LayerTable
13.     if lt.Has(layerName) then
14.         lt.[layerName]
15.     else
16.         let ltr = new LayerTableRecord()
17.         ltr.Name <- layerName
18.         ltr.Color <- Color.FromColorIndex(ColorMethod.ByAci, color)
19.         lt.UpgradeOpen()
20.         let layerId = lt.Add(ltr)
21.         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(ltr, true)
22.         tr.Commit()
23.         layerId
24. //=======================================================================

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3. // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4. //
5. // Set ScaleFactor, Rotation and Layer as BlockReference Properties
6. //
7. //   Add ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
8. //   and Set the attributeText in a nominated  Attribute  
9. //
10. // Includes a test for Layer assertion
11. [<CommandMethod("BI_17")>]
12. let blockInsert_17 () =
13.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_A.dwg"
14.     let blockName = "3Dblock_A"
15.     let attTag = "ATTRIBUTETAG"
16.     let attText = "Sample BI_17"
17.    
18.     let scale = 2.3
19.     let rotation = degreesToRadians 20.0
20.     let layerName = "Test BI_17"
21.    
22.     createLayer db layerName 8s |> ignore
23.    
24.     use tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
25.     try
26.         let bt = tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTable
27.         if not (bt.Has(blockName)) then
28.             use tmpDb = new Database()
29.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
30.             db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true) |> ignore
31.            
32.         let ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ")
33.         if ppr.Status = PromptStatus.OK then
34.             let btr = tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) :?> BlockTableRecord
35.             use br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt.[blockName])
36.             br.ScaleFactors <- new Scale3d(scale)
37.             br.Rotation <- rotation
38.             br.Layer <- layerName
39.            
40.             br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value.GetAsVector())
41.                            |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
42.             btr.AppendEntity(br) |> ignore
43.             tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true)
44.            
45.             insertAttibuteInBlockRef br attTag attText tr
46.             tr.Commit()
47.     with
48.         | :? Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.Exception as ex -> ed.WriteMessage("\n" + ex.Message)
49. //=======================================================================

[kaefer]

The Matrix3d multiplication operator (*) is equivalent to PostMultiplyBy that means transformations occur in reverse order : Scaling, then Displacement, then UCS rotation(s) and origin displacement.

Hi gile,

sorry for coming late to the party. Order of evaluation isn't quite what is at play here, think associativity.

Maybe it's more 'readable' to use the PreMultiplyBy method to write the transformations the same order they occur:

Code: [Select]

Transform = Matrix3d
    .Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
    .PreMultiplyBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(DispacementVector))
    .PreMultiplyBy(Transform);

You have already addressed the method chaining with pipelining, eg.

Code: [Select]

let transform = Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)
                        |> (*) (Matrix3d.Rotation(rotation, zAxis, Point3d.Origin))
                        |> (*) (Matrix3d.Displacement(dispacementVector))
                        |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem

There's another functional fix for the natural order of these transforms: treat them as sequence and flip the order of the overloaded operators arguments (i.e. of PostMultiplyBy). Use this to reduce the seq<Matrix3d>, or better yet, fold it with its identity, to get a meaningful value even if the input sequence is empty.

Code: [Select]

        let flip f x y = f y x
        let fold xs = Seq.fold (flip (*)) Matrix3d.Identity xs

        let transform =
            fold[
                Matrix3d.Scaling(scale, Point3d.Origin)   
                Matrix3d.Rotation(rotation, zAxis, Point3d.Origin)
                Matrix3d.Displacement dispacementVector
                ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem   
            ]


[gile]

Nice trick,Thorsten, as usual.

[Kerry]

Intermission : before we move on to handling multiple attributes.

I'd like opinions ( or reasoned arguments)
   
The method InsertAttibuteInBlockRef() only needs to be called if the BlockReference has attributes.
   
In InsertAttibuteInBlockRef_Original()I think I have too much casting occuring.
   ie
    Iterating the BlockTableRecord
    casting each Object to an Entity using a direct cast
    then testing if that Entity is an AttributeDefinition
    If that test is true
       direct-casting the Entity to an AttributeDefinition.
       Proceed to define the AttributeReference
   
 InsertAttibuteInBlockRef_Option
A better alternative may be to combine the cast using the 'as' keyword and forgo all direct casts.
If the conversion is not possible, 'as' returns null, which can be tested   
  ie
  Iterating the BlockTableRecord
  casting each Object to an AttributeDefinition using 'as'
  test if the AttributeDefinition is NOT null (compatible reference types)
  if NOT null,    Proceed to define the AttributeReference.
 

Code - C#: [Select]

1.   public static void InsertAttibuteInBlockRef_Original(
2.       BlockReference blkRef,
3.       string attributeTag,
4.       string attributeText,
5.       Transaction tr)
6.   {
7.       BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead);
8.       foreach( ObjectId id in btr ) {
9.           Entity ent = (Entity)tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead);
10.           if( ent is AttributeDefinition ) {
11.               AttributeDefinition attDef = (AttributeDefinition)ent;
12.               AttributeReference attRef = new AttributeReference();
13.               attRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(attDef, blkRef.BlockTransform);
14.               if( attRef.Tag == attributeTag )
15.                   attRef.TextString = attributeText;
16.               blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(attRef);
17.               tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(attRef, true);
18.           }
19.       }
20.   }  
21.  

Code - C#: [Select]

1.  
2.   public static void InsertAttibuteInBlockRef_Option(
3.       BlockReference blkRef,
4.       string attributeTag,
5.       string attributeText,
6.       Transaction tr)
7.   {
8.       BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead);
9.       foreach( ObjectId id in btr ) {
10.           AttributeDefinition aDef = tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead) as AttributeDefinition;
11.           if( aDef != null ) {
12.               AttributeReference aRef = new AttributeReference();
13.               aRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(aDef, blkRef.BlockTransform);
14.               if( aRef.Tag == attributeTag )
15.                   aRef.TextString = attributeText;
16.               blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(aRef);
17.               tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(aRef, true);
18.           }
19.       }
20.   }  

Comments appreciated.   

[Jeff H]

How about checking a property of the ObjectID and then if it matches criteria, then use the transaction to open the object and cast it.

MSDN or VS help says about 'as'

It is equivalent to the following expression except that expression is evaluated only one time

expression is type ? (type)expression : (type)null

Does not go into any real depth or exactly has it is implemented, but using that description I would think it has to open each object then check the type.

ObjectId.ObjectClass Property

Accesses the RXClass of the object that is associated with the object id, thus guaranteeing that the result can be safely de-referenced and correctly compared against any class derived from DBObject. This is done because the entire purpose of this property is to streamline code being written; having to always compare the result against NULL would partially defeat the purpose of the function.

Use this property to obtain the associated object class without having to open and close the object itself.
If the object has not been read in from disk, the disk image will be scanned, but the object will remain on disk after the usage.

So to keep from opening each object and trying to cast it maybe something like this?

Code - C#: [Select]

1. public static void InsertAttibuteInBlockRef_OptionA(
2.               BlockReference blkRef,
3.               string attributeTag,
4.               string attributeText,
5.               Transaction tr)
6.         {
7.             BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(blkRef.BlockTableRecord, OpenMode.ForRead);
8.             foreach (ObjectId id in btr)
9.             {
10.  
11.                 if (id.ObjectClass.Name == "AcDbAttributeDefinition")
12.                 {
13.                     AttributeDefinition aDef = (AttributeDefinition)tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead);  
14.                     AttributeReference aRef = new AttributeReference();
15.                     aRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(aDef, blkRef.BlockTransform);
16.                     if (aRef.Tag == attributeTag)
17.                         aRef.TextString = attributeText;
18.                     blkRef.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(aRef);
19.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(aRef, true);
20.                 }
21.             }
22.         }
23.  
24.  

[Kerry]

That should work very nicely Jeff.


again, proof of 'use it or lose it"
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=31351.msg369348#msg369348

[Kerry]

Next  deals with :

non-unifirm scaling
using the  PromptKeywordOptions
attribute Rotation.

Attached is a new block '3DBLOCK_4A' which has 4 attributes with differing justification.
This block will be used in this example and for the following multi attribute update examples.

This example is a little long for a sample but most of the concepts used should be familiar to the reader by now.

The Solution will be updated after the next example.

Code - C#: [Select]

1.  
2.        //=======================================================================
3.         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
4.         // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
5.         //
6.         // Set ScaleFactor, Rotation and Layer as BlockReference Properties
7.         // The scale can be non-uniform (demonstrated)
8.         //
9.         //   Add ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
10.         //   and Set the attributeText in a nominated  Attribute  
11.         //
12.         // Includes a test for Layer assertion.
13.         //
14.         // Rotate the nominated Attribute Tag to either UCS, WCS, or Aligned with block insert
15.  
16.         [CommandMethod("BI_18")]
17.         public void BlockInsert_18()
18.         {
19.             string blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_4A.dwg";
20.             string blockName = "3DBLOCK_4A";
21.             string attTag = "ATTRIBUTETAG_MC";
22.             string attText = "BI_18";
23.             //
24.             double scale = 2.5;
25.             double rotation = RadiansToDegrees(-25.0);
26.             double tagRotationAngle = 0.0;
27.             string layerName = "Test BI_18";
28.  
29.             // Assert the layer exists
30.             CreateLayer(db, layerName, 8);
31.  
32.             using( Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() ) {
33.                 try {
34.                     BlockTable bt = (BlockTable)tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead);
35.                     if( !bt.Has(blockName) ) {
36.                         Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true);
37.                         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
38.                         // add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
39.                         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true);
40.                     }
41.  
42.                     PromptPointResult ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ");
43.                     if( ppr.Status != PromptStatus.OK )
44.                         return;
45.  
46.                     PromptKeywordOptions pkOpt = new PromptKeywordOptions("\nRotate Attribute to :");
47.                     pkOpt.Keywords.Add("UCS");
48.                     pkOpt.Keywords.Add("WCS");
49.                     pkOpt.Keywords.Add("Aligned");
50.                     PromptResult prRes = ed.GetKeywords(pkOpt);
51.                     if( prRes.Status != PromptStatus.OK )
52.                         return;
53.  
54.                     BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite);
55.  
56.                     using( BlockReference br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt[ blockName ]) ) {
57.                         br.ScaleFactors = new Scale3d(scale, scale, 1.0);
58.                         br.Rotation = rotation;
59.                         br.Layer = layerName;
60.  
61.                         br.TransformBy(Matrix3d
62.                             .Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin)
63.                             .PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem));
64.  
65.                         btr.AppendEntity(br);
66.                         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true);
67.                         //  
68.                         InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(br, attTag, attText, tr);
69.  
70.                         switch( prRes.StringResult ) {
71.                             case "WCS":
72.                                 tagRotationAngle = 0.0;
73.                                 break;
74.                             case "UCS":
75.                                 tagRotationAngle = br.Rotation - rotation;
76.                                 break;
77.                             case "Aligned":
78.                                 tagRotationAngle = br.Rotation;
79.                                 break;
80.                         }
81.  
82.                         foreach( ObjectId idAttColl in br.AttributeCollection ) {
83.                             AttributeReference ar = tr.GetObject(idAttColl, OpenMode.ForWrite) as AttributeReference;
84.                             if( ar != null ) {
85.                                 if( ar.Tag.ToUpper() == attTag ) {
86.                                     ar.Rotation = tagRotationAngle;
87.                                 }
88.                             }
89.                         }
90.                     }
91.                     tr.Commit();
92.  
93.                 } catch( Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.Exception exx ) {
94.                     ed.WriteMessage("\n" + exx.ToString());
95.                 }
96.             }
97.         }
98.         //=======================================================================
99.  

[gile]

Hi,

Just one thing about casting issues.
If we avoid using using the 'ObjectId.ObjectClass' route so that this sample can be used with AutoCAD version prior to 2009, I think the 'as' statement is the right way for C# (maybe fo VB too (with TryCast ?)).
But I can't find a F# equivalent for it (maybe there's none). I use the ':?' operator which is closed to 'is' C# keyword and I think this way can be used avoiding the cast from DBObject (returned by GetObject) to Entity:

Code - F#: [Select]

1. DBObject dbo = tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead);
2. if (dbo is AttributeDefinition) { ... }

Anyway, here's a F# translation of the upper example.
Dealing with attribute rotation

Note: as F# default uses immutable values bound to symbols (using 'let'), 'variable' features need to explicitly use the 'mutable' keyword or use 'reference cells' with the 'ref' operator. This second way needs to be used in the following code with 'tagRotationAngle' because the lambda expression using the 'tagRotationAngle' value generates a closure.

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
3. // Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
4. //
5. // Set ScaleFactor, Rotation and Layer as BlockReference Properties
6. // The scale can be non-uniform (demonstrated)
7. //
8. //   Add ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
9. //   and Set the attributeText in a nominated  Attribute  
10. //
11. // Includes a test for Layer assertion.
12. //
13. // Rotate the nominated Attribute Tag to either UCS, WCS, or Aligned with block insert
14. [<CommandMethod("BI_18")>]
15. let blockInsert_18 () =
16.     let blockQualifiedFileName = "K:\\ToTest\\3Dblock_4A.dwg"
17.     let blockName = "3Dblock_4A"
18.     let attTag = "ATTRIBUTETAG_MC"
19.     let attText = "BI_18"
20.    
21.     let scale = 2.5
22.     let rotation = degreesToRadians -25.0
23.     let tagRotationAngle = ref 0.0
24.     let layerName = "Test BI_18"
25.    
26.     createLayer db layerName 8s |> ignore
27.    
28.     use tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
29.     try
30.         let bt = tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTable
31.         if not (bt.Has(blockName)) then
32.             use tmpDb = new Database()
33.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
34.             db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true) |> ignore
35.            
36.         let ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ")
37.         if ppr.Status = PromptStatus.OK then
38.             let pkOpt = new PromptKeywordOptions("\nRotate Attribute to :")
39.             pkOpt.Keywords.Add("UCS");
40.             pkOpt.Keywords.Add("WCS");
41.             pkOpt.Keywords.Add("Aligned");
42.             let prRes = ed.GetKeywords(pkOpt)
43.             if prRes.Status = PromptStatus.OK then
44.                 let btr = tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) :?> BlockTableRecord
45.                 use br = new BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt.[blockName])
46.                 br.ScaleFactors <- new Scale3d(scale)
47.                 br.Rotation <- rotation
48.                 br.Layer <- layerName
49.                
50.                 br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value.GetAsVector())
51.                                |> (*) ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
52.                 btr.AppendEntity(br) |> ignore
53.                 tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true)
54.                
55.                 insertAttibuteInBlockRef br attTag attText tr
56.                
57.                 match prRes.StringResult with
58.                 | "WCS" -> tagRotationAngle := 0.0
59.                 | "UCS" -> tagRotationAngle := br.Rotation - rotation
60.                 | "Aligned" -> tagRotationAngle := br.Rotation
61.                 | _ -> ()
62.                
63.                 br.AttributeCollection
64.                 |> Seq.cast<_>
65.                 |> Seq.map (fun id -> tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForWrite))
66.                 |> Seq.choose (function :? AttributeReference as ar -> Some ar | _ -> None)
67.                 |> Seq.iter (fun ar -> ar.Rotation <- !tagRotationAngle)      
68.                 tr.Commit()
69.     with
70.         | :? Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.Exception as ex -> ed.WriteMessage("\n" + ex.Message)
71. //=======================================================================

EDIT:
For those who prefer an 'imperative style' , just replace these lines (note that as there's no more closure, a 'mutable' variable can be used instead of a 'reference cell'):

Code: [Select]

let tagRotationAngle = ref 0.0and

Code - F#: [Select]

1.                 match prRes.StringResult with
2.                 < ... >    
3.                 tr.Commit()

with

Code - F#: [Select]

1. let mutable tagRotationAngle = 0.0

and

Code - F#: [Select]

1.                 match prRes.StringResult with
2.                 | "WCS" -> tagRotationAngle <- 0.0
3.                 | "UCS" -> tagRotationAngle <- br.Rotation - rotation
4.                 | "Aligned" -> tagRotationAngle <- br.Rotation
5.                 | _ -> ()
6.                
7.                 for id in br.AttributeCollection do
8.                     let dbObj = tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForWrite)
9.                     if dbObj :? AttributeReference then
10.                         let ar = dbObj :?> AttributeReference
11.                         if ar.Tag.ToUpper() = attTag then
12.                             ar.Rotation <- tagRotationAngle
13.                 tr.Commit()

[Kerry]

Hi,

Just one thing about casting issues.
If we avoid using using the 'ObjectId.ObjectClass' route so that this sample can be used with AutoCAD version prior to 2009, I think the 'as' statement is the right way for C# (maybe fo VB too (with TryCast ?)).
< .. >

I had chosen the option indicated in InsertAttibuteInBlockRef_Option()   .. ( which is the 'as' statement combined with a null test.)
The next Solution (to be posted) will have code reflecting that choice.

Thanks gile, the F# samples are getting easier to read for me
Regards


//
Does anyone have any problems following the samples ??

[Jeff H]

Next for VB :

Set ScaleFactor, Rotation as BlockReference Properties rather than by Transform
Set Layer as BlockReference Properties
Test for Layer assertion.

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1. '=======================================================================
2.         '=======================================================================
3.         ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
4.         ' Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
5.         '
6.         ' Set ScaleFactor, Rotation and Layer as BlockReference Properties
7.         '
8.         '   Add ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
9.         '   and Set the attributeText in a nominated  Attribute  
10.         '
11.         ' Includes a test for Layer assertion.
12.  
13.         <CommandMethod("BI_17")> _
14.         Public Sub BlockInsert_17()
15.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock_A.dwg"
16.             Dim blockName As String = "3Dblock_A"
17.             Dim attTag As String = "ATTRIBUTETAG"
18.             Dim attText As String = "Sample BI_17"
19.             '
20.             Dim scale As Double = 2.3
21.             Dim rotation As Double = RadiansToDegrees(20.0)
22.             Dim layerName As String = "Test BI_17"
23.  
24.             ' Assert the layer exists
25.             CreateLayer(db, layerName, 8)
26.  
27.             Using tr As Transaction = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
28.                 Try
29.                     Dim bt As BlockTable = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead), BlockTable)
30.                     If Not bt.Has(blockName) Then
31.                         Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
32.                         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
33.                         ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
34.                         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, True)
35.                     End If
36.  
37.                     Dim ppr As PromptPointResult = ed.GetPoint(vbLf & "Specify insertion point: ")
38.                     If ppr.Status <> PromptStatus.OK Then
39.                         Return
40.                     End If
41.  
42.                     Dim btr As BlockTableRecord = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite), BlockTableRecord)
43.  
44.                     Using br As New BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt(blockName))
45.                         br.ScaleFactors = New Scale3d(scale)
46.                         br.Rotation = rotation
47.                         br.Layer = layerName
48.  
49.                         br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin).PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem))
50.  
51.                         btr.AppendEntity(br)
52.                         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, True)
53.                         '
54.                         InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(br, attTag, attText, tr)
55.                     End Using
56.  
57.                     tr.Commit()
58.                 Catch exx As Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.Exception
59.                     ed.WriteMessage(vbLf & exx.ToString())
60.                 End Try
61.             End Using
62.         End Sub
63.  

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.         '=======================================================================
2.         '=======================================================================
3.         ''' <summary>
4.         '''  CreateLayer layer if not existing
5.         ''' </summary>
6.         ''' <param name="db"></param>
7.         ''' <param name="layerName"></param>
8.         ''' <param name="color"></param>
9.         ''' <returns> ObjectId of existing or new layer </returns>
10.         Public Shared Function CreateLayer(db As Database, layerName As String, color As Short) As ObjectId
11.             Dim layerId As ObjectId = ObjectId.Null
12.             Using tr As Transaction = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
13.                 Dim lt As LayerTable = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.LayerTableId, OpenMode.ForWrite), LayerTable)
14.                 'Check if EmployeeLayer exists...
15.                 If lt.Has(layerName) Then
16.                     layerId = lt(layerName)
17.                 Else
18.                     'if not, create the layer here.
19.                     Dim ltr As New LayerTableRecord()
20.                     ltr.Name = layerName
21.                     ltr.Color = Autodesk.AutoCAD.Colors.Color.FromColorIndex(Autodesk.AutoCAD.Colors.ColorMethod.ByAci, color)
22.                     layerId = lt.Add(ltr)
23.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(ltr, True)
24.                 End If
25.                 tr.Commit()
26.             End Using
27.             Return layerId
28.         End Function
29.  

Next  deals with :

non-unifirm scaling
using the  PromptKeywordOptions
attribute Rotation.

Code - vb.net: [Select]

1.         '=======================================================================
2.         '=======================================================================
3.         ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing CurrentSpace
4.         ' Imports the Block if not found in the BlockTable
5.         '
6.         ' Set ScaleFactor, Rotation and Layer as BlockReference Properties
7.         ' The scale can be non-uniform (demonstrated)
8.         '
9.         '   Add ALL AttributeReference to the BlockReference
10.         '   and Set the attributeText in a nominated  Attribute  
11.         '
12.         ' Includes a test for Layer assertion.
13.         '
14.         ' Rotate the nominated Attribute Tag to either UCS, WCS, or Aligned with block insert
15.  
16.         <CommandMethod("BI_18")> _
17.         Public Sub BlockInsert_18()
18.             Dim blockQualifiedFileName As String = "K:\ToTest\3Dblock_4A.dwg"
19.             Dim blockName As String = "3DBLOCK_4A"
20.             Dim attTag As String = "ATTRIBUTETAG_MC"
21.             Dim attText As String = "BI_18"
22.             '
23.             Dim scale As Double = 2.5
24.             Dim rotation As Double = RadiansToDegrees(-25.0)
25.             Dim tagRotationAngle As Double = 0.0
26.             Dim layerName As String = "Test BI_18"
27.  
28.             ' Assert the layer exists
29.             CreateLayer(db, layerName, 8)
30.  
31.             Using tr As Transaction = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
32.                 Try
33.                     Dim bt As BlockTable = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead), BlockTable)
34.  
35.                     If Not bt.Has(blockName) Then
36.                         Dim tmpDb As New Database(False, True)
37.                         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockQualifiedFileName, System.IO.FileShare.Read, True, "")
38.                         ' add the block to the ActiveDrawing blockTable
39.                         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, True)
40.                     End If
41.  
42.                     Dim ppr As PromptPointResult = ed.GetPoint(vbLf & "Specify insertion point: ")
43.  
44.                     If ppr.Status <> PromptStatus.OK Then
45.                         Return
46.                     End If
47.  
48.                     Dim pkOpt As New PromptKeywordOptions(vbLf & "Rotate Attribute to :")
49.                     pkOpt.Keywords.Add("UCS")
50.                     pkOpt.Keywords.Add("WCS")
51.                     pkOpt.Keywords.Add("Aligned")
52.  
53.                     Dim prRes As PromptResult = ed.GetKeywords(pkOpt)
54.  
55.                     If prRes.Status <> PromptStatus.OK Then
56.                         Return
57.                     End If
58.  
59.                     Dim btr As BlockTableRecord = DirectCast(tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite), BlockTableRecord)
60.  
61.                     Using br As New BlockReference(Point3d.Origin, bt(blockName))
62.                         br.ScaleFactors = New Scale3d(scale, scale, 1.0)
63.                         br.Rotation = rotation
64.                         br.Layer = layerName
65.  
66.                         br.TransformBy(Matrix3d.Displacement(ppr.Value - Point3d.Origin).PreMultiplyBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem))
67.  
68.                         btr.AppendEntity(br)
69.                         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, True)
70.                         '  
71.                         InsertAttibuteInBlockRef(br, attTag, attText, tr)
72.  
73.                         Select Case prRes.StringResult
74.                             Case "WCS"
75.                                 tagRotationAngle = 0.0
76.                             Case "UCS"
77.                                 tagRotationAngle = br.Rotation - rotation
78.                             Case "Aligned"
79.                                 tagRotationAngle = br.Rotation
80.  
81.                         End Select
82.  
83.                         For Each idAttColl As ObjectId In br.AttributeCollection
84.  
85.                             Dim ar As AttributeReference = TryCast(tr.GetObject(idAttColl, OpenMode.ForWrite), AttributeReference)
86.  
87.                             If ar IsNot Nothing Then
88.                                 If ar.Tag.ToUpper() = attTag Then
89.                                     ar.Rotation = tagRotationAngle
90.                                 End If
91.                             End If
92.  
93.                         Next
94.  
95.                     End Using
96.  
97.                     tr.Commit()
98.  
99.                 Catch exx As Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.Exception
100.                     ed.WriteMessage(vbLf & exx.ToString())
101.                 End Try
102.  
103.             End Using
104.  
105.  
106.         End Sub
107.         '=======================================================================
108.  

Post with 3DBLOCK_4A block

[Kerry]

Next will be the Multi Attribute example.
First, a Piccy.

[Kerry]

Multi-Attribute Block Insert

First the helper Method ;

Code - C#: [Select]

1.  
2.        //=======================================================================
3.         /// <summary>
4.         ///  InsertBlockReference
5.         /// </summary>
6.         /// <param name="db"></param>
7.         /// <param name="blockName"></param>
8.         /// <param name="insertPoint"> In Current UCS</param>
9.         /// <param name="scale"> </param>
10.         /// <param name="angle"> </param>
11.         /// <param name="layer"> </param>
12.         /// <param name="attValues"></param>
13.         /// <returns>ObjectId of BlockReference </returns>
14.         public ObjectId InsertBlockReference(
15.             Database db,
16.             string blockName,
17.             Point3d insertPoint,
18.             Scale3d scale,
19.             double angle,
20.             string layer,
21.             System.Collections.Hashtable attValues)
22.         {
23.             using( Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() ) {
24.                 BlockTable bt = tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) as BlockTable;
25.                 if( !bt.Has(blockName) ) {
26.                     string blockPath = HostApplicationServices.Current.FindFile(blockName + ".dwg", db, FindFileHint.Default);
27.                     if( string.IsNullOrEmpty(blockPath) ) {
28.                         return ObjectId.Null;
29.                     }
30.                     bt.UpgradeOpen();
31.                     using( Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true) ) {
32.                         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockPath, FileShare.Read, true, null);
33.                         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true);
34.                     }
35.                 }
36.                 BlockTableRecord btr = tr.GetObject(bt[ blockName ], OpenMode.ForRead) as BlockTableRecord;
37.                 BlockReference br = new BlockReference(insertPoint, bt[ blockName ]) {
38.                     ScaleFactors = scale,
39.                     Rotation = angle,
40.                     Layer = layer
41.                 };
42.                 br.TransformBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem);
43.  
44.                 br.RecordGraphicsModified(true);
45.                 if( btr.Annotative == AnnotativeStates.True ) {
46.                     ObjectContextCollection contextCollection = db.ObjectContextManager.GetContextCollection("ACDB_ANNOTATIONSCALES");
47.                     Autodesk.AutoCAD.Internal.ObjectContexts.AddContext(br, contextCollection.GetContext("1:1"));
48.                 }
49.                 (tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) as BlockTableRecord).AppendEntity(br);
50.                 foreach( ObjectId id in btr ) {
51.                     AttributeDefinition aDef = tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead) as AttributeDefinition;
52.                     if( aDef != null ) {
53.                         AttributeReference aRef = new AttributeReference();
54.                         aRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(aDef, br.BlockTransform);
55.                         aRef.Position = aDef.Position + br.Position.GetAsVector();
56.                         if( attValues.ContainsKey(aDef.Tag.ToUpper()) ) {
57.                             aRef.TextString = attValues[ aDef.Tag.ToUpper() ].ToString();
58.                         }
59.                         br.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(aRef);
60.                         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(aRef, true);
61.                     }
62.                 }
63.                 tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true);
64.                 tr.Commit();
65.                 return br.ObjectId;
66.             }
67.         }
68.         //=======================================================================
69.  

Then a test function ;

Code - C#: [Select]

1.  
2.         //=======================================================================
3.         // A generic sample to test the  InsertBlockReference() Method.
4.         // Attempt to FindFile the block dwg if it is not in the ActiveDocument
5.         // ... so the dwg must be on the file search path
6.         //
7.         // Uses a HashTable to pass the  tag:Value associations to the method.
8.         // Test for Layer.
9.         //
10.         // The InsertPoint is expressed in the current UCS.
11.         //
12.  
13.         [CommandMethod("BI_20")]
14.         public void BlockInsert_20()
15.         {
16.             string blockName = "3DBLOCK_4A";
17.             double scale = 2.5;
18.             double rotation = RadiansToDegrees(0.0);
19.  
20.             string layerName = "Test BI_20";
21.             // Assert the layer exists
22.             CreateLayer(db, layerName, 8);
23.  
24.             System.Collections.Hashtable ht = new System.Collections.Hashtable();
25.             ht.Add("ATTRIBUTETAG_MC", "BI_20");
26.             ht.Add("ATTRIBUTETAG_MR", "9 O'Clock");
27.             ht.Add("ATTRIBUTETAG_BL", "3 O'Clock");
28.             ht.Add("ATTRIBUTETAG_TC", "6 O'Clock");
29.  
30.             PromptPointResult ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ");
31.             if( ppr.Status != PromptStatus.OK )
32.                 return;
33.  
34.             ObjectId blockRefID = InsertBlockReference(
35.                                     db,
36.                                     blockName,
37.                                     ppr.Value,   // point in current UCS
38.                                     new Scale3d(scale, scale, 1),
39.                                     rotation,
40.                                     layerName,
41.                                     ht
42.             );
43.         }
44.         //=======================================================================
45.  

The complete solution is Attached
The .DLL file is included if anyone wants to test the Functions without compiling the source.

[gile]

F# translation

Multi-Attribute Block Insert

First the helper Method ;

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. /// <summary>
3. ///  InsertBlockReference
4. /// </summary>
5. /// <param name="db"></param>
6. /// <param name="blockName"></param>
7. /// <param name="insertPoint"> In Current UCS</param>
8. /// <param name="scale"> </param>
9. /// <param name="angle"> </param>
10. /// <param name="layer"> </param>
11. /// <param name="attValues"></param>
12. /// <returns>ObjectId of BlockReference </returns>
13. let insertBlockReference (dBase:Database) blockName insertPoint scale angle layer attValues =
14.     use tr = dBase.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
15.     let bt = tr.GetObject(dBase.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTable
16.     let btrId =
17.         if bt.Has(blockName:string) then bt.[blockName]
18.         else
19.             let path = HostApplicationServices.Current.FindFile(blockName + ".dwg", dBase, FindFileHint.Default)
20.             if String.IsNullOrEmpty(path) then ObjectId.Null
21.             else
22.                 use tmpDb = new Database()
23.                 tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(path, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
24.                 dBase.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true)
25.     if btrId = ObjectId.Null then ObjectId.Null
26.     else
27.         let btr = tr.GetObject(btrId, OpenMode.ForRead) :?> BlockTableRecord
28.         let br = new BlockReference(insertPoint, bt.[blockName])
29.         br.ScaleFactors <- scale
30.         br.Rotation <- angle
31.         br.Layer <- layer
32.         br.TransformBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem)
33.         br.RecordGraphicsModified(true)
34.         if btr.Annotative = AnnotativeStates.True then
35.             let contextCollection = dBase.ObjectContextManager.GetContextCollection("ACDB_ANNOTATIONSCALES")
36.             Autodesk.AutoCAD.Internal.ObjectContexts.AddContext(br, contextCollection.GetContext("1:1"))
37.         (tr.GetObject(dBase.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) :?> BlockTableRecord).AppendEntity(br) |> ignore
38.        
39.         btr |> Seq.cast<_>
40.             |> Seq.choose (fun id ->
41.                 let dbObj = tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead)
42.                 match dbObj with :? AttributeDefinition as aDef -> Some aDef | _ -> None)
43.             |> Seq.iter (fun aDef ->
44.                 let aRef = new AttributeReference()
45.                 aRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(aDef, br.BlockTransform);
46.                 aRef.Position <- aDef.Position + br.Position.GetAsVector()
47.                 if Map.containsKey (aDef.Tag.ToUpper()) attValues then
48.                     aRef.TextString <- attValues.[aDef.Tag.ToUpper()]
49.                 br.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(aRef) |> ignore
50.                 tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(aRef, true))
51.  
52.         tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true)
53.         tr.Commit()
54.         br.ObjectId
55. //=======================================================================

Then a test function ;

Code - F#: [Select]

1. //=======================================================================
2. // A generic sample to test the  InsertBlockReference() Method.
3. // Attempt to FindFile the block dwg if it is not in the ActiveDocument
4. // ... so the dwg must be on the file search path
5. //
6. // Uses a HashTable to pass the  tag:Value associations to the method.
7. // Test for Layer.
8. //
9. // The InsertPoint is expressed in the current UCS.
10. [<CommandMethod("BI_20")>]
11. let blockInsert_20() =
12.     let blockName = "3DBLOCK_4A";
13.     let scale = 2.5;
14.     let rotation = degreesToRadians(0.0);
15.  
16.     let layerName = "Test BI_20";
17.     // Assert the layer exists
18.     createLayer db layerName 8s |> ignore
19.    
20.     let ht = Map<string,string>[
21.                 ("ATTRIBUTETAG_MC", "BI_20");
22.                 ("ATTRIBUTETAG_MR", "9 O'Clock");
23.                 ("ATTRIBUTETAG_BL", "3 O'Clock");
24.                 ("ATTRIBUTETAG_TC", "6 O'Clock")]
25.    
26.     let ppr = ed.GetPoint("\nSpecify insertion point: ")
27.     if ppr.Status = PromptStatus.OK then
28.         insertBlockReference db blockName ppr.Value (new Scale3d(scale, scale, 1.0)) rotation layerName ht |> ignore

The complete solution is Attached
The .DLL file is included (BlockTesting2011\bin\Debug) if anyone wants to test the Functions without compiling the source.
If F# isn't already installed on the computer (via VS2010 or F# CTP), you have to install F# Runtime

[kaefer]

F# translation

Multi-Attribute Block Insert

A couple of observations with this F# version, which I expect to concern the other languages too:

1. FindFile throws Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.Exception: eFilerError if the block isn't found. May be intentional.

2. Multiline attributes do not get transformed.

I suggest something like this:

Code: [Select]

                let ar = new AttributeReference()
                ar.SetAttributeFromBlock(ad, br.BlockTransform)
                if ar.IsMTextAttribute then
                    ar.UpdateMTextAttribute()
                    ar.TransformBy br.BlockTransform

3. The InsertBlockReference method would benefit greatly from named and optional parameters. All of them - except the block name - have sensible defaults. Alas, to do this in C# seems to require 4.0.

A possible signature for F# might be thus:

Code: [Select]

type Document with
  member
    InsertBlockReference : blockName:string *
                           ?insertPoint:Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry.Point3d *
                           ?scale:Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry.Scale3d *
                           ?angle:float * ?layer:string *
                           ?attValues:seq<string * string> *
                           ?annotationScaleNames:seq<string> *
                           ?ownerId:Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices.ObjectId ->
                             Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices.ObjectId option

Note: Optional parameters are only permitted on type members, that's why there's now an extension method. The complete example is attached.

Other areas of unauthorized tampering with your collective wisdom include dumping the map/hashtable, replaced by a read-only dictionary internally, and provision of a sequence of annotation scales and of an owner BTR Id as additional parameters,

[Kerry]

kaefer,
Thanks for the comments, I'm pleased someone is playing with these.
As I stated at the outset these samples are not complete and have subtle issues. The idea was to start with basic concepts and build up from there.
I had expected a few more comments.

1. FindFile throws Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.Exception: eFilerError if the block isn't found. May be intentional.

Yes it does. And yes, it was ignored intentionally ... untill 'someone' discovered the exception.
The idea was to see the error and find a resolution.

2. Multiline attributes do not get transformed

Yes.
And Dynamic blocks need addressing explicitly.
And Mirrors,
And Attribute modification to pre-inserted blocks.
And a few other things

3. < .. >  optional parameters. < .. > Alas, to do this in C# seems to require 4.0.

Yes, optional parameters are version and language specific. Most people trying these in c# will not be using .NET 4.0.
I didn't want to branch into language distinctions with this series.

Other areas of unauthorized tampering with your collective wisdom include dumping the map/hashtable, replaced by a read-only dictionary internally, and provision of a sequence of annotation scales and of an owner BTR Id as additional parameters

Doing this requres a structural change to the samples.
I had intended providing a Dictionary sample using the current structure.
My thought was to also use the HashTable and/or Dictionary for extracting attributes.

Thanks again kaefer.

Regards,
Kerry

[gile]

About the FindFile exception, I'd suggest to use a new library method/function.

C#

Code - C#: [Select]

1.        //=======================================================================
2.         /// <summary>
3.         ///  GetBlock: search for the block table record ObjectId in the block table or the search pathes
4.         /// </summary>
5.         /// <param name="bName"></param>
6.         /// <param name="db"></param>
7.         /// <returns>ObjectId of BlockTableRecord (or ObjectId.Null) </returns>
8.         public ObjectId GetBlock(string bName, Database db)
9.         {
10.             ObjectId result;
11.             using (Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction())
12.             {
13.                 BlockTable bt = (BlockTable)tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead);
14.                 if (bt.Has(bName))
15.                     result = bt[bName];
16.                 else
17.                 {
18.                     try
19.                     {
20.                         string path = HostApplicationServices.Current.FindFile(bName + ".dwg", db, FindFileHint.Default);
21.                         using (Database tmpDb = new Database())
22.                         {
23.                             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(path, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
24.                             result = db.Insert(bName, tmpDb, true);
25.                         }
26.                     }
27.                     catch
28.                     {
29.                         result = ObjectId.Null;
30.                     }
31.                 }
32.                 tr.Commit();
33.             }
34.             return result;
35.         }
36.         //=======================================================================

F#

Code - F#: [Select]

1.  //=======================================================================
2. /// <summary>
3. ///  getBlock: search for the block table record ObjectId in the block table or the search pathes
4. /// </summary>
5. /// <param name="bName"></param>
6. /// <param name="db"></param>
7. /// <returns>ObjectId of BlockTableRecord (or ObjectId.Null) </returns>
8. let getBlock (bName:string) (db:Database) =
9.     use tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction()
10.     let bt = tr.openForRead(db.BlockTableId) :?> BlockTable
11.     if bt.Has(bName) then bt.[bName]
12.     else
13.         try
14.             let path = HostApplicationServices.Current.FindFile(bName + ".dwg", db, FindFileHint.Default)
15.             use tmpDb = new Database()
16.             tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(path, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "")
17.             let id = db.Insert(bName, tmpDb, true)
18.             tr.Commit()
19.             id
20.         with
21.             |_ -> ObjectId.Null
22. //=======================================================================

[dan.glassman]

I'll bite -- sorry I've been silent.

Annotative police, plus one change with comment [and for comment] below. 

Planned contributions, unless somebody beats me to it [preferably Autodesk, in some cases -- though I hope I'm not that slow]:

BlockReference annotative portion when time allows -- intending current scale only.  IEnumerable<ObjectContext> per kaefer...meh -- that's up to the user's ANNOAUTOSCALE, in my opinion; don't see a reason to include it in a lib, but may not be seeing past the end of my nose.

Attributes maybe shouldn't be an IDictionary<string, string> in the "use this collective goodness" version, since AutoCAD allows duplicate tags.  Unless there's a corresponding "we refuse to accept your block until you fix your duplicate tags" warning/exception.

IsMTextAttribute/IsDefaultAlignment issues.

DrawOrderTable preservation issues.

Sync Attribute properties to destination drawing TextStyle properties. 

Code - C#: [Select]

1. try
2. {
3.     string path = HostApplicationServices.Current.FindFile(bName + ".dwg", db, FindFileHint.Default);
4.     bool isAnno = False;
5.     using (Database tmpDb = new Database())
6.     {
7.       tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(path, System.IO.FileShare.Read, true, "");
8.       isAnno = tmpDb.AnnotativeDwg;
9.       result = db.Insert(bName, tmpDb, [color=red]false[/color]);  // tmpDb is immediately disposed because of using -- no need to preserve it
10.     }
11.  
12.     if (isAnno)
13.     {
14.       BlockTableRecord btr = (BlockTableRecord)(tr.Open(result, OpenMode.ForWrite));
15.       btr.Annotative = AnnotativeStates.True;
16.     }
17. }
18. catch
19. {
20.     result = ObjectId.Null;
21. }
22.  
23.  

[Jeff H]

Just a couple of things noticed real quick for InsertBlockReference function.

Do you think 'br' or when the new block reference is created that it should be in a using block in case of an error?
The transaction will know nothing about it and will not dispose of it until 'tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true)' is reached.
Same for 'aRef' AttributeReference

Would it save enough time(That probably will never be noticeable) not using bt[blockName] twice by not searching the BlockTable a second time use btr.ObjectID

Changes in red

Code - C#: [Select]

1. public ObjectId InsertBlockReference(
2.     Database db,
3.     string blockName,
4.     Point3d insertPoint,
5.     Scale3d scale,
6.     double angle,
7.     string layer,
8.     System.Collections.Hashtable attValues)
9.         {
10.             using (Transaction tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction())
11.             {
12.                 BlockTable bt = tr.GetObject(db.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) as BlockTable;
13.                 if (!bt.Has(blockName))
14.                 {
15.                     string blockPath = HostApplicationServices.Current.FindFile(blockName + ".dwg", db, FindFileHint.Default);
16.                     if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(blockPath))
17.                     {
18.                         return ObjectId.Null;
19.                     }
20.                     bt.UpgradeOpen();
21.                     using (Database tmpDb = new Database(false, true))
22.                     {
23.                         tmpDb.ReadDwgFile(blockPath, FileShare.Read, true, null);
24.                         db.Insert(blockName, tmpDb, true);
25.                     }
26.                 }
27.                 BlockTableRecord btr = tr.GetObject(bt[blockName], OpenMode.ForRead) as BlockTableRecord;
28.  
29.                 using (BlockReference br = new BlockReference(insertPoint, btr.ObjectId)
30.                     { ScaleFactors = scale, Rotation = angle, Layer = layer })
31.                 {
32.                     br.TransformBy(ed.CurrentUserCoordinateSystem);
33.  
34.                     br.RecordGraphicsModified(true);
35.                     if (btr.Annotative == AnnotativeStates.True)
36.                     {
37.                         ObjectContextCollection contextCollection =
38.                                                  db.ObjectContextManager.GetContextCollection("ACDB_ANNOTATIONSCALES");
39.                         Autodesk.AutoCAD.Internal.ObjectContexts.AddContext(br, contextCollection.GetContext("1:1"));
40.                     }
41.                     (tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) as BlockTableRecord).AppendEntity(br);
42.                     foreach (ObjectId id in btr)
43.                     {
44.                         AttributeDefinition aDef = tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead) as AttributeDefinition;
45.                         if (aDef != null)
46.                         {
47.                              using (AttributeReference aRef = new AttributeReference())
48.                             {                              
49.                                 aRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(aDef, br.BlockTransform);
50.                                 aRef.Position = aDef.Position + br.Position.GetAsVector();
51.                                 if (attValues.ContainsKey(aDef.Tag.ToUpper()))
52.                                 {
53.                                     aRef.TextString = attValues[aDef.Tag.ToUpper()].ToString();
54.                                 }
55.                                 br.AttributeCollection.AppendAttribute(aRef);
56.                                 tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(aRef, true);
57.                             }
58.                         }
59.                     }
60.                     tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(br, true);
61.                     tr.Commit();
62.                     return br.ObjectId;
63.                 }
64.             }
65.         }
66.         //=======================================================================
67.  

[Kerry]

Do you think 'br' or when the new block reference is created that it should be in a using block in case of an error?

Yes, probably Jeff.

I had done that with the some of the other samples ... missed it for this one.

[Jeff H]

Just wanted to add I really like the way you intialize your Document, Database,  & Editor------clever idea


I messed around to see when the destructor was called if for some reason someone needed to keep up with open documents you have run a command in, but the destructor was not consistent when called.

No big deal was mainly wondering if it was disposed when a document was closed but I am defintely going to borrow that little setup if it is okay with you and of course will note who I stole it from.

[Glenn R]

Well, seeing as Kerry has been quite clever and only used public non-static methods for his command definitions, the class is spun up once and once only for each document the command is called in.

This is the opposite to how a public static command method definition, which is only spun up once per-session.

Not too shabby Kerry, not too shabby at all.

[Kerry]

< .. >
I am defintely going to borrow that little setup if it is okay with you and of course will note who I stole it from.

You're welcome to perloin the procedure Jeff. don't be fussed about the attribution though cause I stole the idea several years ago and have since lost the reference.

< .. >

Not too shabby Kerry, not too shabby at all.

Thanks Glenn .. I'm pretty satisfied with it.

I'm trying to find the time to finish the rest of the samples I had planned.

Be well guys.

[kaefer]

Well, seeing as Kerry has been quite clever and only used public non-static methods for his command definitions, the class is spun up once and once only for each document the command is called in.

Question: What does Kerry's technique buy that can't be bought by standard assignment inside each command? That is, except cutting those assignments themselves?

Not to appear a spoil-sport, I appreciate this feature nonetheless, see F# example below. But IMHO instance member commands display their full power if there's per-document data to store, which doesn't (yet) seem to be the case here. Besides, what about the failure mode, when doc is null: Under which circumstances can that possibly happen?

Code: [Select]

// Class with implicit constructor, let bindings, do bindings and members must
// appear in the order indicated
type ActiveDocumentTest() =
    // 1. Let bindings in implicit constructor
    let (doc, db, ed) =
        match AcadApp.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument with
        | null -> failwith "No Active Document"  // Can't happen?
        | doc -> doc, doc.Database, doc.Editor
   
    // 2. Do bindings in implicit constructor
    do  ed.WriteMessage("\nDocument {0} initialized. ", doc.Name)
   
    // 3. Member definitions
    [<CommandMethod "ActiveDocumentTestCmd">]
    member __.ActiveDocumentTestCmd() =
        ed.WriteMessage("\nCommand in document {0} executed. ", doc.Name)


[Glenn R]

Question: What does Kerry's technique buy that can't be bought by standard assignment inside each command? That is, except cutting those assignments themselves?

Nothing, but he's using the class constructor in a different way to what most use. I do use constructors and their chaining quite a bit, I just never thought of doing it for acad command methods. In most instances, like others, I omit the constructor when defining an acad command as it's normally not necessary and the compiler synthesized one is adequate.

What language is that you posted kaefer - French? 

[gile]

What language is that you posted kaefer - French? 

No, it's not French (French is much more verbose), but the Frenchy I am understands it a bit and likes it more and more.

One more time, many thanks to all, I learn every day new things here (both Programming languages and English).

[LE3]

The idea was to start with basic concepts and build up from there.

Great stuff Kerry - thank you for sharing! - and of course the same goes to the ones doing the porting/translations. nice.