the concept is to realize that when a component is saved to its own file, the outer data is held to the file, so opening a component file exposes only the nested components. So this held data influences the swap and writes first
In order to circumnavigate this issue we can place a wrapper component whose so purpose is to pass data to the door and keep the above criteria It should be a container with no raw geometry, (unless required to have a non changeable item).
I use groups as sub-components mainly so after copy changes, or explosion, outer-shelling there is no residue definitions to worry about, hence automatic cleanup=smaller file size
I believe they has been issues with groups but I was given to understand they have be mainly resolved. Then you have to consider there are quite a few others like the 2.54 bug for metric users, the line on face issue…with ignorance we blunder on until experience kicks in.
The greatest tester of software is the learner, but he’s the the person most likely to come up with a new and maybe better way
Thanks pcmoor,
I might have to see an example to understand. Did you finish everything on your door that you wanted too?
I re-did my door and am able to swap door components now (before the inserted component would not redraw correctly)
I now think that might have been caused by the rotated glueing plane.
I was asking about recycling components because I wanted to make a variety of trim based on the same parametric frame logic. (To insert new geometry without having to rewrite the logic.)
I also learned that I could use copy and other logic to potentially create a wide variety of doors from a very few standard components. I figured out a way to change door handedness without hidden geometry.
But after thinking about it I do not think that changing door styles is a big problem. Most people will pick a style they like to begin with and never change it. Or if they do it is probably easier to swap the whole component than just the door leaf.
I would still like to find a way to automatically redraw a component after a swap but that is a minor inconvenience.
Use the main option dialog to change data, then use outliner to quickly access the sub_component dialogs, swap either front or back architraves, if use square or round making sizes equal to thickness creates a bead or quad which can be moved via the margin attribute
Check arc options, door stop options, door swing(fittings) with door inside this component, jamb options
So the main requirements to create your own families
create custom attributes for the installed attributes, recommend use “a” as a prefix so that there’s consistency , so others can share…use aX, aY, aZ. aLenX, …aRotZ to transfer through the swap
2 use parent! for all swapping attributes references (good practice for reuse)
3 for complex components with sub components create a containing component or group that holds the raw geometry and reacts to the passed aLenX…,.aRotZ for instance door in Glass door, or architrave in the Front Architrave Colonial, etc. Whereas for simple components like the flush door this not required.
Although this work well on its own, there are copy issues when a new instance is inserted, components have to be made unique. So will redo to minimise the number of components and use groups instead. however, leaving same jamb sets as connected could be beneficial
It seems to work well for me. It seems that there is a compromise between getting all the doors to act as one and individually. I would think, for example, that many times a person would want to swap all trim at once.
The only thing I noticed (and this may be intentional) the glass door bottom rail is wider when it is inserted into the set.
I see that you are not using a cut or glue to vertical surfaces. What is the purpose of using a unique front/back trim vs rotating the same set?
Do need to resolve some scaling issues and reduce the number of components to that which will be swap-able,
I elected different front and back trim as then can change to beads or cuts for confined spaces, or situations where there is a wall return,
Well on reviewing the door-set attached in previous post, I find that if it is saved as a component then inserted into a new drawing it behaves, and any further inserts naturally update their component #number, including the sub-components. They all work independently.
However problems occur when I copy a door set within the same drawing, they initially behave as one, and can only be successfully edited by selecting all the copies and applying the front attributes. Their subcomponents are not unique, and making then so, is painful. I guess one needs to mark the copies to remember which are which. I noticed with exchanging some of swap-able the subs do become unique…so copies are not stable
Further exploration is required, so reducing number of components may help. Plus other improvements and fixes… I’ve noticed a creeping issue on redraw in regards to architrave position as well
As far as updating all trim, A search and replace Ruby may be the answer, so if after the next release there is no improvements for DCs then we need the help of the ruby experts.
HI Chris. I have been doing dynamic components for some time now. had ran into problems like yourself. I make kitchen cabinets. found best to make every thing inside a component a group unless it need changing like a handle.
I was interested in the group discussion and also been looking at ruby. very interesting. The annoying thing about all this is the lack of information from Trimble. There is plenty of information but it all over the place. Only for some youtube videos from stranger I would of giving up. also ruby is a bit of a mind field. but looks promising. Trimble should hold webinar for guys like us, It would increase the DC component library for everyone. Did you know that you can set your axes in a group like you do in components. That maybe where you are running into issues. What formula did you use to swap the door hand to left or right opening. I will have a look at your work and see if I can help.
I’ll have a quick look at you dynamic code you have not set some of you attribute measurement. some are set at text rather than numbers or sizes.
Have you tried “animate” instead of “set” function, works better I think.
Design your door component laying flat if you re going to use cutting planes.
Thanks for the info I forget to purge.
Been on vacation for the past 9 days.
I try to save just the component but have been having trouble so I saved the whole file instead.
I simple rotated the handle to get a left and right
I do not know about attribute measurement settings I will have to look into that. I think I have not reset the cutting plane yet and need to work on that.
It is hard to piece together information about DC’s there does not seem to be a comprehensive book available
Currently I remain skeptical that DC’s are good for complex objects like interior doors and my soffit project.
Agree. The normal tutorials, videos, and online help are scattered, incomplete, and confusing. If anyone knows of a comprehensive guide, whether printed or online, I’d also like to know about it.
DC-Dining-Set.skp (2.7 MB)
I disagree, DC options has allowed me to contain several dozen combinations of options that would otherwise require many hours of redrawing or modifying. And I know there are people out there who are much more skilled and can make pretty complex DC’s. There is a lack of a complete guide to DC, but I find the DC’s formulas much like Excel, and just takes a bit of playing around.
Yes it works very well for simple repetitive objects like your table set but door sets are much more complex. The table set is very nice but it is what I consider to be a basic component.
A fence is another example of a simple repetitive object that DC’s will do well.
I am a home designer. For the past several years I have only used SketchUp to supplement my primary CAD app because SU does a good job creating unusual objects and has a good library of building accessories.
I primarily use SoftPlan but they have been struggling to keep up with the competition and make any substantial progress so I decided to try SU. SU I think has a lot of potential and I like the fact that it has such a large user base (at least for the free version)
I have been learning about DC’s just for the fun of it. I am in no hurry to use SU to actually produce a project. I have done a bit of DBase programming in the distant past and find it interesting.
Hi Chris I am a kitchen designer. So got into it to do Curved work as no
other software can do curved Kitchen custom made. Have you tried profile
builder Version 1 wow but profile builder 2 wow wow. You need the plugins
from Fredo to really take advantage of Sketch-up. I doing rendering also. I
am studying ruby Just for the fun.