Topic: Custom Flow Arrows?

[BlackBox]

What's the trick to making a custom Flow Arrow from a Block?

I'm attempting to label a Surface via Two Point Slope label. The Block shows fine, but does not adjust to the actual flow direction on its own, when anchored to the feature. I've tried adding a Directional Arrow and anchoring to that instead, but no change.

My Line/Curve and Pipe flow arrows work fine also, but they use an Arrow, not a Block component.


Cheers

[Jeff_M]

Attaching to the Direction arrow works for me. Can you attach a drawing or screencast?

[MSTG007]

Hmm... I don't think we ever tried to do that. I know we use a lot of the One Point Directional Slope Arrow Labels, but again those do not have custom blocks in them. I would be cool to see if you get this to work.

[BlackBox]

Okay -

I tried this again this morning, and am getting the same result; which is to say that the Block component 'follows' the Direction Arrow component in a two point slope label, but neither depict the actual slope (down, from HP to LP). They both instead 'flow' toward the first point in the two point slope label.

Do I have to create an Expression to get it to always 'flow' down grade, like water actually does out here in the real-world?


I don't actually want the Directional Arrow to show; I just let it be displayed using all default settings for clarity in the images below.

[Jeff_M]

I'm attaching a tutorial drawing with a mock slope style. It has the direction arrow still displayed, as well as having a block component. It uses an expression so the arrow, and block, always point downhill.

[MSTG007]

Very Cool. I see the expression is simple. I don't know why it would not work OOTB.

[mjfarrell]

Civil 3D, if it is not driving you crazy; you aren't using it right.

[BlackBox]

What's the trick to making a custom Flow Arrow from a Block?

... It uses an expression [that is not included with Civil 3D] so the arrow, and block, always point downhill.

This Expression is exactly what I was after, Jeff - thank you!

Now I don't even need the Directional Arrow; just assign the Expression to the Block's rotation angle, and done!

Code - Text: [Select]

1. IF({Surface Slope}<=0,0,pi)

[Jeff_M]

... It uses an expression [that is not included with Civil 3D]

Well, C3D does not ship with ANY Expressions, so this shouldn't be a big surprise.

[Jeff_M]

I should also note that I found the slope rotation expression on a post at the old Civil3D.com website run by James Wedding and Dana Probert, c. 2007. I think it may have been a post by Matt Kolberg....ah, my memory sure ain't what it used to be.

[mjfarrell]

... It uses an expression [that is not included with Civil 3D]

Well, C3D does not ship with ANY Expressions, so this shouldn't be a big surprise.

Nor do they explain exactly how to form, and or use an Expression, anywhere in official documentation.

[MSTG007]

Does Dana P. work for Autodesk now?

[Jeff_M]

Does Dana P. work for Autodesk now?

Yes, she does. I believe she is what they have termed a "product evangelist".

[Jeff_M]

Nor do they explain exactly how to form, and or use an Expression, anywhere in official documentation.

Really?
http://docs.autodesk.com/CIV3D/2012/ENU/filesCUG/GUID-27126EB8-AE17-4119-A898-35158B1BBDA-2766.htm#GUID-6B8321E9-313F-4649-80FA-3EAF829076C0
http://docs.autodesk.com/CIV3D/2012/ENU/filesCUG/GUID-0B593837-EF95-4E34-8689-CB48F8ADF94-2150.htm
http://docs.autodesk.com/CIV3D/2012/ENU/filesCUG/GUID-F767C568-5609-4163-8DC7-CC266344E05-2151.htm

Well, that was for C3D2012, as that is what I have open at the moment, but I'm pretty sure the newer versions contain these pages as well.

[mjfarrell]

Nor do they explain exactly how to form, and or use an Expression, anywhere in official documentation.

Really?
http://docs.autodesk.com/CIV3D/2012/ENU/filesCUG/GUID-27126EB8-AE17-4119-A898-35158B1BBDA-2766.htm#GUID-6B8321E9-313F-4649-80FA-3EAF829076C0
http://docs.autodesk.com/CIV3D/2012/ENU/filesCUG/GUID-0B593837-EF95-4E34-8689-CB48F8ADF94-2150.htm
http://docs.autodesk.com/CIV3D/2012/ENU/filesCUG/GUID-F767C568-5609-4163-8DC7-CC266344E05-2151.htm

Well, that was for C3D2012, as that is what I have open at the moment, but I'm pretty sure the newer versions contain these pages as well.

Ok let me rephrase that, no good usable / practical examples....

when was the last time I needed to "Converting Astronomic Direction to Magnetic Direction" ?  Exactly Never