ACAD 2010 - parameters question

I'm trying out AutoCAD 2010 mainly for the new parametric capabilities.

My work primarily consists of creating plot plans (housing industry) and I think that the new parametric features might considerably cut down my design time. I work only in 2D - I found 3D too time consuming.

My question is:

I want to give a "point" an attribute (the attribute will be an elevation - "256.33" meters for example) and I'm wondering how I can get that attribute into the "Parameters Manager".

So basically, at each corner of the property, I have a point designating it's elevation. I can DIMCONSTRAINT the distance between any two points to declare a length, and then I can determine the slope by the following function:

Slope = (Elevation1 - Elevation2)/Length

So then I can use that calculated slope to find intervals between the original two points so I can determine the grade elevation next to the house.

Any idea how I can get the attributes into the "Parameters Manager"?

Thanks,

Shaun

Don't know about that feature, but I wonder about the design approach. Doesn't finish grade need flat & warping areas as called for by door, windows, siding, driveway grades, etc?

If a site could be straight graded between property corners there would be no need for a plan, just turn loose an operator on a scraper.

Don't know about that feature, but I wonder about the design approach. Doesn't finish grade need flat & warping areas as called for by door, windows, siding, driveway grades, etc?

If a site could be straight graded between property corners there would be no need for a plan, just turn loose an operator on a scraper.

Hi CarlB:

According to our local zoning By-Laws, these are the allowable setbacks from the Property Line.

Front yard set back (From PL to Front of Garage) = 7.0m

Side yard setbacks to Living Space = 1.2m

Side yard setbacks to Garage = 0.6m

Rear yard setback = 7.0m

From the foundation wall of the house, all slopes must be in accordance with the following:

The MIN - MAX slope for a driveway = 2% - 7%

The MIN - MAX slope for front and rear yard = 2% - 5%

The MIN grade elevation to the side yard must be greater than 0.15m of the adjacent grade. (this helps define the side yard swales).

So basically, the house is forced to be designed on top of a mound so water drains away from the foundation. It`s just time consuming to punch in all of the numbers to determine the elevation at each corner of the foundation and adjacent Property Lines. I was hoping AutoCAD 2010`s new parametric features would simplify this work, but it appears (from my untrained eye) that the software just isn`t designed to do what I want.

I find it funny how you can`t put formulas into text boxes and aquire variable data from the "Parameters Manager". This can be done so easily in many solid modeling packages like Pro-Engineer.

-Shaun

-=BUMP=-

Still curious to know if AutoCAD 2010 can link attribute values into the "Parameters Manager".

Anyone?