insert block into block table (VBA)

I have a VBA routine that finally places a block on the drawing which is mostly working fine providing the block is already present in the drawing. If the block isn't already defined I get an error. How can I ensure the block is already in the drawing?

     Set BlockRefObj = ThisDrawing.ModelSpace.InsertBlock(TriPos, "Tri", CScale, CScale, CScale, 0)

The block name is "Tri" and it is in a pathed folder. I am obviously missing something but I'm not sure what.

I have a VBA routine that finally places a block on the drawing which is mostly working fine providing the block is already present in the drawing. If the block isn't already defined I get an error. How can I ensure the block is already in the drawing?

 

     Set BlockRefObj = ThisDrawing.ModelSpace.InsertBlock(TriPos, "Tri", CScale, CScale, CScale, 0)

 

The block name is "Tri" and it is in a pathed folder. I am obviously missing something but I'm not sure what.

you could check for block existence before adding any reference to it

for instance

Dim BlockToCheck As AcadBlock
Dim BlockRefObj As AcadBlockReference
On Error Resume Next
Set BlockToCheck = ThisDrawing.Blocks.Item("name")
On Error Resume Next
If Not BlockToCheck Is Nothing Then
   Set BlockRefObj = ThisDrawing.ModelSpace.InsertBlock(TriPos, "Tri", CScale, CScale, CScale, 0)
End If

you could check for block existence before adding any reference to it

I suspect that Dave instead wants to first check if the BlockTableRecord exists, and if not, then insert it from File (as it is found within SFSP)... My VBA is pretty much non-existent (I only code in LISP/.NET), so take from this what you like:

Dim dwg As String
dwg = "Tri"

Dim BlockToCheck As AcadBlock
Dim BlockRefObj As AcadBlockReference
On Error Resume Next

Set BlockToCheck = ThisDrawing.Blocks.Item(dwg)
On Error Resume Next

If BlockToCheck Is Nothing Then
   dwg$ = [color="red"]AcadFindFile[/color](dwg)
End If

Set BlockRefObj = ThisDrawing.ModelSpace.InsertBlock(TriPos, dwg, CScale, CScale, CScale, 0)

... And the dependent AcadFindFile() pseudo-Function:

Function AcadFindFile(fname As String) As String
Dim envpath As Variant, i As Integer, FSO As FileSystemObject, srchfname As String
envpath = Split(Application.ActiveDocument.GetVariable("Acadprefix"), ";")
Set FSO = New FileSystemObject
For i = LBound(envpath) To UBound(envpath)
	srchfname = FSO.BuildPath(envpath(i), fname)
	If FSO.FileExists(srchfname) Then
		AcadFindFile = srchfname
		Exit For
	End If
Next
End Function

yes, it is as BB said. I wanted to check for tis existence and if it was in the drawing already I would insert that one but if its not in the drawing then insert it from a file.

As I couldn't understand the AcadFindFile bit (I couldn't get FileSystemObject to work) I have taken the sledgehammer approach now by using RICVBA's search and inserting from file and immediately erasing it(!) if the block can't be found. The filepath is currently hard coded but will only be changed in one place when our network drives have their names changed (again) next.

Thank you both.

... I couldn't understand the AcadFindFile bit (I couldn't get FileSystemObject to work) ....

Sorry about that, Dave.

It is *supposed* to replicate the FindFile() Method in .NET/LISP which accepts a string parameter, and automagically returns the first found file path whilst searching through SFSP for said string.

In any event, I'm glad you got it sorted.

Cheers

yes, it is as BB said. I wanted to check for tis existence and if it was in the drawing already I would insert that one but if its not in the drawing then insert it from a file.

 

As I couldn't understand the AcadFindFile bit (I couldn't get FileSystemObject to work) I have taken the sledgehammer approach now by using RICVBA's search and inserting from file and immediately erasing it(!) if the block can't be found. The filepath is currently hard coded but will only be changed in one place when our network drives have their names changed (again) next.

 

Thank you both.

glad to be of any help to a "Luminous Being"!

as for the AcadFindFile function you just have to set up a reference to the Windows Scripting Host Object Model via Tools->References in the VBE

but you also have to substitute

AcadFindFile = srchfname

with

AcadFindFile = FSO.GetAbsolutePathName(srchfname)

otherwise in case of finding the file in the last "envpath", which is "" (i.e. searching the entire disk), it'd return the file name only (i.e. "Tri.dwg") without its actual path name.

alternatively you can avoid setting up that reference and use late binding. in this case you have to substitute

..., FSO As FileSystemObject,...

with

...FSO As Object,...

finally, regardless of which binding you'll use, in the main sub you have to set

dwg = "Tri.dwg"

hope this will help

bye

RICVBA, thanks for that. I will read it again next week and see what I can learn.