Block with Multiple layers linked?

[autodrguy]

Is there anyway to make a block with more than one layer linked to it? For example if one wants a hole in "floor layer" to line up with a hole in "roof layer" simultaneously so that if it's moved in one layer it will automatically move it in the other(s) layer(s) since they would be linked. This would save a ton of time since you won't have to turn on different layers and make sure they both line up plum by moving them one by one until they all line up on top of one another in different layers.

 

In other words I would like to move a hole on a single visible layer that would automatically move the holes on any other layer that are linked or plum to that one visible hole (even if the others are Not visible/turned off or if they are frozen in the view port).

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Edited March 6, 2013 by autodrguy

[Ski_Me]

I think you need to make the block with constraints but I think you could still have different parts of the block on different layers.

[BIGAL]

You could compare the relationship of 2 different blocks in this case the insert point and move 1 if it was within a tolerance using a lisp. Not sure with constraints that you could only have 1 relationship ie move floor only roof moves, not move roof floor moves this may cause an error like excel cyclical error

[RobDraw]

How about making a block or group of all the holes that are to move together?

[Mike_Taylor]

How about making a block or group of all the holes that are to move together?

 

That will work, you would essentially have multiple holes on top of each other in the block, each hole being on its own layer. Simply Freeze/Thaw that layer in your viewport (which it sounds liike you are already doing).

[neophoible]

An alternative would be to just create all match holes on one layer and have that layer displayed whenever you want to look at such holes. But I think I might prefer Rob's idea (with Mike's explanation). Anything workable that requires just one movable object would be less error-prone.

[autodrguy]

Thank everyone very much, I messed around with blocks today and that works great with multiple holes on top of each other in the block, each hole being on its own layer and all constrained with each other so they move together (Constraining them is the only way I know to link them, but it worked fine, just the constrain popup labels can be annoying but that's all).

[MSasu]

just the constraint popup labels can be annoying but that's all).

If you hover the mouse cursor over a constraint icon, on its right side will get a small "x" that allow you to hide it. However I don't know how to show them back.

On constraint preferences (command CONSTRAINTSETTINGS) there is an option to have them hidden by default at creation time: Show constraint bar after applying... - may want to disable it.

[neophoible]

Thank everyone very much, I messed around with blocks today and that works great with multiple holes on top of each other in the block, each hole being on its own layer and all constrained with each other so they move together (Constraining them is the only way I know to link them, but it worked fine, just the constrain popup labels can be annoying but that's all).

 

Are you sure you have to constrain them? I was thinking that being in the same block would insure they move together. Is this linking some sort of MEP function? Just curious.

[Mike_Taylor]

Having them in the same block will cause them to move together reagradless of the state of your layers.