Inserting Blocks with VBA...

[LCE]

Sorry, I missed that it was 04 being used.

[Raggi_Thor]

I am having trouble updating a block from file without using SendCommand.
Even if I supply if full filename in the InsertBlock method AutoCAd (220 will use the local compy.
So I have to do a "SendCommand blkname=blkaname"

[SEANT]

I am having trouble updating a block from file without using SendCommand.
Even if I supply if full filename in the InsertBlock method AutoCAd (220 will use the local compy.
So I have to do a "SendCommand blkname=blkaname"

The general method shown below will update the geometry of a block. Extra steps would be required if attached Attributes are also modified.

Make note of the line:

Set ACDbx = ThisDrawing.Application.GetInterfaceObject("Object DBX.AxDbDocument.16") 'set to appropriate version

in the attached code.

Sub SetBlocks() 'Change as required
Dim strPath As String
Dim strBlockName As String
Dim objBlock As AcadBlock
   strBlockName = "Tester"
   strPath = "C:\"
   BlockRedefine strBlockName, strPath
End Sub

Private Sub BlockRedefine(strBlockName As String, strPath As String)
Dim strFullDef As String
Dim objBlock As AcadBlock
Dim entEnt As AcadEntity
   On Error GoTo BlockNotAvailable
   Set objBlock = ThisDrawing.Blocks.Item(strBlockName)
   On Error GoTo 0
   For Each entEnt In objBlock
      entEnt.Delete
   Next
   strFullDef = strPath & strBlockName & ".dwg"
   DbxTransfer strFullDef, objBlock
   For Each entEnt In objBlock
      entEnt.Update
   Next
   For Each entEnt In ThisDrawing.ModelSpace
      entEnt.Update
   Next
      For Each entEnt In ThisDrawing.PaperSpace
      entEnt.Update
   Next
BlockNotAvailable:
End Sub

Private Sub DbxTransfer(strFullFile As String, objBlock As AcadBlock)
Dim entEntities() As Object
Dim varReturn As Variant
Dim ACDbx As AxDbDocument
Dim intCount As Integer
   Set ACDbx = ThisDrawing.Application.GetInterfaceObject("ObjectDBX.AxDbDocument.16") 'set to appropriate version
   ACDbx.Open strFullFile
   intCount = ACDbx.ModelSpace.Count
   ReDim entEntities(intCount - 1)
   For intCount = 0 To ACDbx.ModelSpace.Count - 1
      Set entEntities(intCount) = ACDbx.ModelSpace.Item(intCount)
   Next
   ACDbx.CopyObjects entEntities, objBlock
End Sub

[Raggi_Thor]

Thanks. Great :-)

[frostrap]

One of the reasons that i want to be able to envoke the insert command without using a command is because I don't want autocad to recall "-insert" as the last command that was used.

Since it looks like the only way to get dynamic feedback is by envoking the insert command, is there any way to effectively change what autocad recalls was the last command used?

I don't think there's a way to do this using just VBA, but perhaps Lisp or Vlisp has some answer?

Since I don't know C++ and there's no .Net API for r16, ARX options are probably out of the picture for the time being. Unless you think the switch from VBA to C++ is one that could be made without too much craziness.

There must be a solution for this because I've seen this done by a program that already exists (i'm trying to reverse engineer portions of it).

Thanks again.

joe

[SEANT]

I would imagine any of those other language options would accomplish the task more easily than VBA. Quite frankly, with Dynamic Feedback and Command Line interaction, you are dealing with two of VBA’s most celebrated shortcomings.

The drawback to employing one of the other options is the overhead dealing with the mixed code base – if you plan on maintaining your existing VBA code. Not insurmountable, I understand, but no doubt a PITA.

[frostrap]

Is there any way to do what I'm looking to do in VisualLisp?

The program I'm using as a model to improve upon seems to be a compiled vlx file, and it is capable of handling dynamic insertions... there must be a way to do what I'm looking to do.

[Raggi_Thor]

(command "-insert" "blockname=filename")

I always mix the order of blockname and filename, but you have the method there.

[frostrap]

Well, in order to solve a few issues, I ended up passing the filename/path, and a slew of other variables to a lisp routine via the "USER**" variables.

That routine picks up where the VBA falls short and handles the ghosting and whatnot just great. I had to get a little tricky with the NOMUTT variable to get things to look right, but it seems to work like a charm.

Am I right in assuming that vb.net or C++ would have been able to do the ghosting without scripting the .-insert command via Lisp?

Thanks for all of your help!

Joe

[SEANT]

JIGGING is the .Net term for ghosting. Jigs allow .net the ability to display temporary graphics before commiting the elements to the drawing database.

In the case of block insertion, I believe Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput.DrawJig or
Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput.EntityJig would be the ticket.