Block Metric

Block Metric

Win32 and 64, English

A>V>C>
Calculating the dimensions of the block, the sum of the lengths of all curves, the solids' area and volume, and the parts' weight and price. Write results to block attributes.

General Usage Instructions

Features of the program  

  • The program works only with blocks but takes into account any objects inside them, including nested blocks. Works with dynamic blocks.
  • Works with scaled blocks: when substituted into the Data Table, the size, perimeter, area, volume, and weight are recalculated correctly. But not the cost.
  • You can configure which drawing objects are taken into account, and which are filtered and ignored. The filter can be configured by object type, layer, line type, and so on. You can customize up to 9 filtering styles and quickly switch between them. 
  • Manually entered values of block attributes can be protected from changes by unchecking the Measure checkbox in the block properties in the Properties Palette (Or assigning the Measure attribute to No). 
  • By default, the program assumes that all annotative blocks have the Measure attribute = No. And all metrics of these blocks will be considered zero. The same is true for blocks not marked as Explodable.
  • In a millimeter drawing (InsUnits = 4), the perimeter, area, and volume will be converted to meters. 
  • If there are no attributes in the block, then the program itself will create invisible constant attributes to store the results. You can make these attributes visible and move them to the desired location in the block - use the regular block editor (_bedit).
  • Block attribute names are customizable. 
  • All results can be retrieved into the Data Table and referenced in Smart Leaders using attribute substitutions. And then, you can save them to tables in a drawing or in Excel. 

 

Working with the Block Metric command.

Preparation

Create assembly blocks from 2D objects or from 3D solids. Materials and coatings can be assigned to solids. It is important to correctly set the type of material, its density, and its price. Then the program will be able to calculate the weight and cost of the product. Don't forget to set up stocks in Common Options as well. You can use the AsmCreate command to create blocks. Scaled and distorted blocks are best converted to regular blocks using the AsmNew command.

For some blocks, you can disable measurement. Open the Properties palette on the Block tab and uncheck the Measure box. Now all metric fields will become available to you and you will be able to write down the real values of weight and cost. This can be done with all purchased products, fasteners, and fittings. Note that the metric (like all constant attributes) is editable only in the block properties, not in the block reference properties.

For all 2D blocks, you will also have to manually enter the metric parameters if you want to calculate their weight and cost.

You can first measure once, and then prohibit the measurement and correct the metric.

 
Launch

Call the BlockMetric command. If nothing is selected in the drawing, then the command will ask you to select blocks. The entire model can be selected (ALL option).

On the command line, you will see an option to switch the style and invoke the customization dialog.

Next, the program will select the necessary objects in accordance with the configured filtering conditions. Among the remaining objects, only blocks will be selected and their measurement will begin.

The program will calculate the dimensions of all block objects, find the sum of lengths and perimeters, and calculate the total area and volume. For all solids, the solid metric will be calculated and added to the block metric. If there is a nested block marked "Measure", then the measurement procedure will also be performed for it. And if measurement is prohibited, then the program will simply add its metric, as it was recorded in the attributes. If you write incomprehensible texts in the attributes, the program will consider this metric equal to 0.

The program will tell you why some objects were predicted, and what filter they fell under.

The measurement results will be written to the attributes. Attribute names are set in the settings. If the block does not yet have such an attribute, it will be created and marked as constant and invisible.

At the end of the work, the program will write how many block definitions have been measured.

Watch the command line for error messages.

Screenshots

Commands

Ribbon/Toolbar Icon Command Command Description

BlockMetric

Calculation of the dimensions of the block, the sum of the lengths of all curves, the area and volume of the solids, and the weight and price of parts. Writing results to block attributes.

Installation/Uninstallation

The installer that ran when you downloaded this app/plug-in from Autodesk App Store will start installing the app/plug-in. OR, simply double-click the downloaded installer to install the app/plugin. You may need to restart the Autodesk product to activate the app/plug-in. To uninstall this plug-in, exit the Autodesk product if you are currently running it, simply rerun the installer, and select the "Uninstall" button. OR, click Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features (Windows 7/8.1/10/11) and uninstall as you would any other application from your system.

Additional Information

Known Issues

Contact

Company Name: A>V>C>
Support Contact: avc.programming@gmail.com

Author/Company Information

A>V>C>

Support Information

Version History

Version Number Version Description

2024.03.00

AutoCAD 2025 compatibility

2023.09.05

All updates for September 2023.
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