Specify what text i want.

I have a specifications sheet that i use in every project. It contains numerous text blocks for each specification, however on certain projects some specs do not apply. I have to go through the spec sheet and delete/modify what i don't need for each job. wondering if there is a way to tell autocad what i want displayed and what i don't want displayed. For example, i do electrical drafting, the job does not require a transformer so i don't want the specs for a transformer to appear on the sheet. Basically looking for check-box type list (or similar) that i run and it inserts the appropriate text in its location.

Put each section of your spec sheets on their own layer and freeze at will: can the layer the name of the spec sheet question.

Welcome to CADTutor.

Pendean is right on the button, do it with layers.

If you needed to, you could also create layer filters, if these need to be grouped for greater ease.

Using the layer method will leave large gaps in the spec where there is a frozen item. You would have to move the sections that follow the frozen ones to make it look presentable. Which, to me, would be more work than editing the text. I'm not sure but maybe this can be done more easily in word and then imported into AutoCAD?

Try lookups in a dynamic block.

thanks for all the replies. The layer method wont work as its no different then going through and deleting and moving text fields around. I will have to check into dynamic block lookups, not familiar. My goal is basically to set up a "check & balance" type system that i can run through and make sure my spec sheet has what i need and what i don't need. my sheet layouts get copied from project to project so the specs from a previous job do not always match the current. deleting text from the spec sheet is not so much the issue its adding text back in. To use the transformer example again, say my spec sheet does not have the specs for a transformer, i would have to dig up a project sheet that did have those specs and copy/paste into the new project. that's why i was hoping there was a way to have a checklist set up with all possible options that either removed the text block or inserted a text block. My specs are set up as numbered sections with the details written below the topic header. When we are not using a certain spec we keep the number, delete the spec info, and write "Not Used." after the number where the topic header was. This keeps the numbers consistent for all spec sheets in any job. I can see where layers would keep me from having to dig up the specs and copy/paste, but the work involved to move things around would take up more time.

Also not sure how i would use word to help me, but i will look into it.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Wouldn't be smarter to have a master spec sheet with all the sections to start with? Then you would just have to delete the sections that are not used.

Wouldn't be smarter to have a master spec sheet with all the sections to start with? Then you would just have to delete the sections that are not used.

Most likely. But this is the way the firm i work for has been doing it for years so i cant change the template.

If it were me, I wouldn't continue to waste my time without saying something. Tell your immediate supervisor that there is a better way that would save everyone from having to search for deleted sections. Everything in one nice neat package to start. A lot of companies have a master spec that they work from for every project. In fact, it is frowned upon to do it the way you are currently. 30 lashes with a wet noodle for the first offense. It usually stops after that. In fact, the way you want to do it would require a master file with everything in it.

If it were me, I wouldn't continue to waste my time without saying something. Tell your immediate supervisor that there is a better way that would save everyone from having to search for deleted sections. Everything in one nice neat package to start. A lot of companies have a master spec that they work from for every project. In fact, it is frowned upon to do it the way you are currently. 30 lashes with a wet noodle for the first offense. It usually stops after that. In fact, the way you want to do it would require a master file with everything in it.

Alright, well then maybe what I'll do is just make a file on my desktop and keep my specs there.

Are you using Inventor or AutoCAD?

Are you using Inventor or AutoCAD?

AutoCAD mep 2013