Dia 1 - CAD College

. 

Customization 

Is The Key To 

Successful CAD ! 

By Athier Alwekil 

. 

,

EDCAD® 1.0 is the first version of costom Dev. Tool tailor-made 

for SolarTech International B.V 

and the Graduation assignment as part of the 

HBO – Trajectory ACE System Manager at the TEC / CAD 

College in Nijmegen. 

Supervised by Dhr . R. Boeklagen 

With thanks and appreciation to 

mevr. Gea van den boer from Gemeente Nijkerk 

Mevr. Leonie Bergsma from CAD College in Nijmegen. 

And a special thanks to .R. Boeklagen 

16/12/2010 EDCAD1.0 HBO-Traject 2010 2

. About Me: 

I have been studied for almost 3 years at University of Technology department of Computer and 

Control Systems. 

For personal reasons I had to leave Iraq to Netherland. 

Then unfortunately several years ago I couldn’t finish my studying. 

During working in different jobs I was keep trying to use innovative methods to complete the 

work in the best way. 

The question was always about my education level and finally I got the opportunity to achieve 

My goals to continue my studies 

My studying started with: 

Auto CAD 2D Gevorderd 11/12/2009 

Auto CAD Optimalisatie 24/02/2010 

Auto CAD 2010 Certified Associate 31/05/2010 

Auto CAD 2010 Certified Professional 14/07/2010 

Auto CAD & VB.Net Basis 13/10/2010 

Auto CAD & VB.Net Gevorderd 28/10/2010. 

For the last months I was looking for graduation project ,I found this advertise 

Ontwerpprogramma 

Min. niveau: HBO 

Studierichting: Techniek 

Opleiding: Vrij studierichting HBO Techniek 

Type stage: Afstudeerstage 

Duur stage: 3 maanden 

Omschrijving: 

Als een Energiedak bij ons in opdracht wordt gegeven moet eerst een ontwerp worden 

gemaakt. 

Dit Gebeurt nu handmatig in AUTOCAD. 

Een erg tijdrovende bezigheid. 

Wij zijn op zoek naar een eigen Oplossing om geautomatiseerd een ontwerp tekunnen 

genereren. 

rekening houden met afschotlijnen in het dak,dakdoorbrekingen en de gebouwvorm. Het 

betreft hier een stage meer betrekking tot een aantal vakgebieden: 

-Installatietechniek. 

- Bouwkunde. 

-IT. 

Ideaal is een Installatietechnieker met IT affiniteit. Het betreft hier zeker niet alleen maar 

programmeren maar ook opzetten van een berekeningsmodule. 

Interesse?Reageer dan nu! 

I contacted them Immediately! 

By this repot I will clarify more details about the Energiedak® , SolarTech Company and them 

Problem and the solution. 

16/12/2010 EDCAD1.0 HBO-Traject 2010 

3

After the completion of the project the evaluation by the director was 

Athier heeft in ruim twee maanden tijd een ontwerp opgeleverd dat meer 

dan 100% voldoen aan onze opdracht en verwachtingen die wij hadden. 

gaandeweg de besprekingen werd duidelijk dat het probleem 

omvangrijker was dan wij in eerste instantie hadden voorzien. enkele 

keren liep hij tegen problemen aan waarvan in de praktijk nog geen 

oplossing voorhanden was en die hij zelf heeft moeten tackelen. het 

project heeft geen echte wijzigingen gekregen in aanpak, echter het is 

wel keer op keer uitgebreid en verder verfijnd, niet in de laatste plaats 

door athier zelf die meer en meer inzicht verkreeg in de materie en daar 

een goed passende oplossing voor wilde opleveren. het uiteindelijke 

programma werkt met tabbladen voor de hiervoor omschreven 

deelontwerpen, die afzonderlijk van elkaar en in combinatie van elkaar 

kunnen worden getoond. daarnaast levert het systeem een uiterst 

bruikbare stuklijst op voor de in het ontwerp te gebruiken materialen. 

Athier is met vlag en wimpel geslaagd in het leveren in het door 

SolarTech gewenste ontwerpprogramma. wij zijn hem zeer erkentelijk 

voor zijn inspanningen en zullen er met groot plezier en gemak gebruik 

van maken. wij wensen athier toe dat hij met hetzelfde enthousiasme 

aan het werk kan, gesteund door de bij SolarTech opgedane ervaring en 

kennis. wij bevelen hem dan ook van harte aan bij mogelijke 

opdrachtgevers die in de toekomst van zijn diensten gebruik willen 

maken. 

SolarTech International B.V. Eindhoven, 15 december 2010 

A.W.E. Schiebroek 

Directeur 


Index 

1Introduction 

1.1 AutoCAD 6 

1.2 Autocad.NET 7 

1.3 About SolarTech 8 

1.4 Waht Is The Energiedak® 9 

2 The Problem Statement 

2.1 Analysis Of The Problem 13 

2.2 The Other Face Of The Problem 14 

2.3The Solution 14 

3 The Project 

3.1 Delineation of The Project 15 

3.2 Interface of The Projects 17 

4 EDCAD1.0 

4.1 What is EDCAD1.0 22 

4.2 The AutoCAD .dwg File 23 

4.3 AutoCAD Object Hierarchy 26 

4.4 EDCAD1.0 Details 27 

A - Afschotisolatie Palette 27 

The ToolTip 32 

B - Collectorleidingen Palette 33 

The ComboBoxes 38 

C-CollectorPlatenPalette 39 

E-PV-Module-Aanv.Reto.Palette 41 

The Bottom 43 

D- The Berekenen Palette 44 

F- The Afdrukken Palette 56 

Kader invullen 59 

Attachments 60 

Afterword 60 


1 Introduction 

1.1 AUTOCAD 

AUTOCAD is a general design tool in the designer's hands. The Customization 

includes modification or conversion of the universal usefulness into a particularized, 

customized application, which look after the repetitive and everyday operations 

forming them simpler in an automatized mode. The designer may demand average 

to high skill to control the CAD software. 

CAD operators take longer time to finish a series of tasks in an un-customized 

environment, while those CAD operators working in a customized environment will 

take comparatively lesser time to finish off the same series of tasks. With an uncustomized 

environment, operators are ineffective to take advantage of immediate 

menus and commands that they would typically use during the designing process. 

CAD operators process with a user interface that contributes no additional help to 

the characteristics that they normally use in their design. 

The software is typically left in its measure set of command, toolbars and menus. 

Automation of CAD is done essentially to minimize the time consumption and 

maximize the productivity. 

The Customization includes conversion or modification of the general utility into a 

specialized, tailor-made application, which takes care of routine and repetitive 

operations making them simpler in an automated manner. 

CAD Customization which gives you some of benefits likes: 

Increases the productivity. 

Faster Designs 

Accurate designs adhering to standards 

Consistent designs 

Ease of use, allowing low skilled manpower to handle design load 

Minimize errors 

Link CAD to other applications, such as Microsoft Excel and Access using the latest 

technologies 

Component Libraries 

Integration of Functions 

Structuring Requirements 

Custom Applications-CAD 


1.2 Autocad.net 

One of the greatest strengths of Autodesk products is the extensive Application 

programming Interface (API), which gives users the ability to customize and 

extend the functionality of the software. In the past, some favorite techniques 

included using Visual Lisp or VBA to create any needed customizations. 

Well, the good and bad news is that this decision has pretty much been made for 

us. Microsoft has deprecated VBA, and for several years now, has been pushing 

developers to drop VBA in favor of .NET. As a result, VBA will not be available 

inside of AutoCAD after the 2012 release, so VBA is no longer a good choice. And 

Autodesk has decided to concentrate only on the .NET API, so for the last couple 

of releases, we have only gotten new API functionality in the .NET API. And as 

time goes on, more and more functionality will be available only in the .NET API, 

We can use the Visual Studio Express Integrated Development Environment (IDE) 

to write our code. 

It gives us quite a few advantages : 

We have access to the Microsoft .NET framework, which contains tons of useful 

functionality. Not only does this framework give us access to all parts of Windows, 

it also gives us lots of utility classes, such as Lists, Dictionaries, Hash Sets, string 

parsing and formatting, advanced math functions, and more. Much of this stuff had 

to be hand-written in VBA and Visual Lisp. So the availability of the Microsoft .NET 

frameworks means that we often have to write a lot less custom code in order to 

get our custom applications working. 

We have full access to Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Framework 

(WPF), so we can create much more elaborate user interfaces than we could in 

Visual Lisp, or even in VBA. 

We have “Intellisense” in our IDEs, which makes it much easier to code. It lets us 

easily see what methods, properties, and events are available to any object, while 

we’re writing our code, and all we have to do is type the first few letters, and the 

rest is auto-typed for us. 

Our applications typically run faster. This may not matter for some routines, but 

can make a huge difference in other routines. 

A .NET application tends to be much more readable than a Lisp application, 

especially for large projects. 

And “more readable” means “more maintainable” – years later, when that original 

programmer is no longer around, and someone else needs to improve a routine or 

figure out why it stopped working, it’s much easier for the new programmer to 

parse a large .NET application than a large Lisp application. 


.NET applications tend to be somewhat platform-independent, so the vast majority of 

the code will work on 32-bit and 64-bit systems, and on any Windows OS, with no 

issues. 

With attention that Visual Basic for Applications was only designed for 32-bit operating 

Systems! 

With our observation that LISP not affected and therefore remains available for use in 

the applications when we need it 

64-bit operating systems Used in most engineering companies, which means we really 

need to develop applications running on the new machines, even if we still use the old 

version of Autocad which support VBA we will not able to run VBA applications. 

It's time to move from 32-bit operating systems to 64-bit operating systems. 

It's time to stop Programming with VBA. 

It's .NET time. 


1.3 About SolarTech. 

SolarTech International BV focuses in particular on the development of integrated 

Energieda® Solutions, including design, consulting and product development. 

SolarTech is a young company, established to the sustainability of the Energiedak® 

better market position than from the roofing industry would be possible. 

The Energiedak ® was developed by Schiebroek dakbedekkingen Best B.V, a patent on 

the system. 

SolarTech knowledge portal will be the roofing companies that Energiedak® to process. 

A.A.G. Schiebroek 

CommercialManager 

A.W.E. Schiebroek 

General Manager 

A.Alwekil 

Systemdeveloper 

Stagiaire 

In the previous period was Mr. Alexanderis in contact with me as well as Mr. André . 

I am not informed enough on the pyramid company. 


1.4 What is the Energiedak® 

The Energiedak® heats during the day by sunlight and cool at night again. 

The top layer of the roof is dark colored and therefore highly absorbent roof covering. 

Below is a temperature conductive lines in the solar system that hides the roof. 

Through these pipes Flowing a liquid mixture that transports heat to heat a cold storage 

system. 

Here the heat is Stored until the moment when a short or long-term needs (eg night or in 

winter). 

The heat can be used in floor heating or to heat water. 

Conversely, the Energiedak® also contribute to the cooling of a building cooled by water to 

flow through the heating, eg during the night. By nocturnal heat radiation can be delivered 

through the Energiedak®. 


Energiedak ®-Plus 

1 High Absorbent plastic roof covering 

2 Energiedak® collector plates with hose 

3 Receivers for Insulation U-value 

4 Bituminous vapor seal 

5 Building Construction, such as concrete or 

steel 

6 Plastic covering with roof integrated PV 

Modules 

Technical Data 

Pressure: 1.5 to 3.0 bar 

Flow: 2.5 to 3.5 l / min 

Resistance per section: 43.1 kPa 

System Weight: 4.16 Kg / m 

Fluid capacity: 0.9 l / m² 

Antifreeze: 0.27 l / m² 

1400 hours at full capacity 300 Wp 

Avg. yield Energiedak® 1.45 GJ / m² 

Avg. PV laminate yield: 63 Wp / m² 


Service unit 

Bochtplaat collectorplaat collectorpiping PowerFastener 

PV modules 


12

2 The Problem Statement 

2.1 Analysis Of The Problem 

The drawing of the design for Energiedak® is fully manual line by line, and 

separately for each project and sometimes use different symbols and different 

colors which Indicate some important points in Energiedak®. 

Layers are used randomly. 

After considerable effort they got acceptable results with the continuation of the 

project readable only by the designer. 

They plot from the model space directly and they need drawing template for each 

project. 

Making the required calculations manually and the others are approximation. 

The designer does not have sufficient flexibility due to the use of traditional manual 

methods. 

Some project take time up to 80 hours for designing and drawing!!. 

We cannot depend on the DWG to achieve the project 100% ”after visiting to the 

workplace I have heard from the workers that the design is not completely 

accurate ” . 


As we can see errors like this makes the design 

non-untrusted 

and the Length of pipe is calculated Manually!! 

Is it possible to trust the result with such large Tangled 

number of piping? 

With attachments :some drawing to clarify the 

previous situation. 

2.2 The Other Face Of The Problem 

We must know that The Energiedak® is performed on the roof by roofers,which 

was originally not familiar with such systems, And Since the system of several 

layers, it is desirable to those layers separately to show 

so there is therefore need for Very clear and precise design which can be seen 

how the roof should be made. 

Also there are 10 years warrenty, so We can consider the warranty period as one 

of the problems because of the absence of a clear and detailed diagrams which 

provide quick handling in case of repairing. 

2.3The Solution 

Program can solve all the problems, and It can be used by the operator even if does not 

have good experience with autocad!!, To do 

- Determination the required highest point of the roof slope 

- Placement Service units and distribution lines 

- Installation plan for collector plates 

- Installation plan for collector piping 

- Installation plan for PV panels 

- A list of materials and measurements, etc.. 

Solar Tech specified its request 

No courses 

No simple customize 

Program meets all the requirements. 


3 The Project 

3.1 Delineation of the project 

We must take into account when thinking about some of the technical points in the solution 

like 

Each service unit consist of maximum 8 groups piping "Circuit“. 

Maximum length for each group "Circuit" approximately 100m and the total for each unit 

approximately 800m . 

Which affect on the pumping system , so for the best design the designer has to know the 

length for each group from the beginning and he must able to change the design easily 

One collector plat can be used for two or more groups . 

We have to be able to close some of group in the service unit in case of emergency and 

In order to achieve this the design must be identical to the absolute reality in order to 

determine the group intended easily and quickly . 

Sure things that will be part of the solution are: 

Dynamic blocks with attributes. 

Custom hatches 

Using layers as much it's necessary. 

Templates are not part of solution (The main reason for that because we often begin 

work from an earlier drawing) 

Using Desile ,Script ,Macros , ImageTileMenus, CUIx files, Traditional Pallet, etc …can 

not be real useful , The main reason for that because 

A- some functionality are missing in autocad 

B-We need to make some calculations so we need a few routines 

The CAD operators must have basic knowledge of AutoCad , therefore they have to take 

a specific course on what they need to complete their work in a professional accuracy 


It takes along time to clarify all the attempts what i have been through to resolve 

the problem because its complicated and takes along time. 

For example part of the project was the dynamic block , in the block editor 

environment we cannot array the array action, another action wel! . 

And we can apply multiple move action to the one segment but not array action. 

Attributes `` let we say is a segment in the dynamic block`` we can apply many 

actions like move, visibility to the attribute but not the array action same 

things for Xdata. 

Data instruction is function in auto cad we can use it to get many information 

but not the polyline length in the Block in specific layer just In case that 

the dynamic block is created in that specific layer not layer zero 

Conclusion : 

Data instruction is a powerful function In AutoCAD but cannot provide 

everything we need from the drawing. 

.NET is a powerful development environment I found the solution by using .NET 

to build EDCAD1.0 Dev. Tool. 

Through the following pages we will see more details. 


3.2 Interface of The Projects 

The first question was wat type of Interface I will use 

Ribbon 

WinForms 

Palettes 

Ribbon 

Ribbon is the latest innovation in user interfaces. It was introduced by Microsoft in Office 

2007 and Autodesk followed in AutoCAD 2009. The Ribbon is created using the 

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) that is part of all Microsoft .NET 

Frameworks since 3.0. 

Ribbon: hosts all the content and is similar to a Windows Form Tab control 

RibbonBar: is similar to a TabPage in a Tab control but it can only contain 

RibbonPanels 

RibbonPanel: can contain rows (similar to toolbars), subpanels, panel separators, 

and controls. A RibbonPanel is intended to organize commands by task as seen 

above where all text related commands are in one panel, all draw related in 

another, etc. 


It is very complicated to get all the features of ribbon may be for some case of 

few new routine we can use

So we can use it to active the command or may be to show WinForms. 

Summary 

Ribbon do not give enough space for the design of the application and because of the 

complexity of the ribbon. 

I think it does not help the new developers it is advanced stage 


WinForms 

The application consisted of several forms so the final appearance of the application 

will be top, left and right sides of the AutoCAD drawing area which shrunk the drawing 

space…. 

Shared f As New Form1 

Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As 

System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles 

Button2.Click 

If f Is Nothing Then 

f = New Form1 

ElseIf f.IsDisposed Then 

f = New Form1 

End If 

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.Sho 

wModelessDialog(f) 

End Sub 


20

Palettes 

We can use .NET usercontrol in the Palettes, and also we can auto hide to maximize the 

drawing space as well as contain multiple palettes to allow for organization of commands - 

concepts. 

It also made the processes easier to orchestrate by providing a work flow where the user 

interacts with the various tool 

Palettes instead of moving around between different dialog boxes. 

Summary 

Palettes has several features and its not complex and easy to make. 

Friend Shared palet As PaletteSet 

Public Sub startpalet() 

If palet = Nothing Then 

palet = New PaletteSet("EDCAD1.0 DVE.Tool for SolarTech ") 

palet.Add("Afschotisolatie", New UserControl1) 

palet.Add("Circuits", New UserControl2) 

palet.Add(" CollectorPlaten", New UserControl3) 

palet.Add("PV-Module-Aanv.Reto. ", New UserControl4) 

palet.Add("Berekenen ", New UserControl5) 

palet.Add("Afdrukken ", New UserControl6) 

End If 

palet.Visible = True 

End Sub 


21

4 EDCAD1.0 

4.1What is EDCAD1.0 

EDCAD1.0 was the project and the benefit obtained by SolarTech with the using of those 

tools which solve them problems are: 

1-Save drafting and designing time up to 90 % ‘as a proof I have designed project for 

Bredeschool in Ylpendam within two hours which usually takes with the traditional method 

about 40 hours. 

2-Accurate design adhering to standards by using blocks in component block library, costume 

hatches, etc. 

3-Easy to use, allowing low skilled cad operator can handle the design 

4-structuring work. 

5-Improve productivity. 

6-And thus increase profits. 


4.2 The AutoCAD .dwg File. 

We could generalize the contents of that file as “The Document” and “The Database”. 

“The Document” contains document-wide properties (such as Dimension Variables), while 

the Database is comprised of Tables and Records. The Records reside inside the Tables. 

DesignSpace 

PropertiesSpace 

The Database 

DimStyleTable 

LineTypeTable 

AutoCAD .dwg File 

Tables Records 

The Document 

BlockTable ModelSpace 

LayerTable 

TextTable 

Layout(Pap.Spa.) 

X(BlockDefinition) 

LayerTableRe. 

TextStyleTableRe. 

DimStyleTableRe. 

LineTypeTableRe. 


Practical example 

In order to see what of records we have in our drawing lets try this code 

_ 

Public Sub ShowBTRs() 

Dim myDwg As Document = DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument 

Using myTrans As Transaction = myDwg.TransactionManager.StartTransaction 

Dim myBT As BlockTable = _ 

myDwg.Database.BlockTableId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) 

For Each myBtrID As ObjectId In myBT 

Dim myBTR As BlockTableRecord = myBtrID.GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) 

MsgBox(myBTR.Name) 

Next 

End Using 

End Sub 

For example we will see 

ModelSpace 

BlockTableRecord 

Layout 


LD is a BlockTableRecord for the 

Dynamic Blocks and *U37 is a 

BlockTableRecord which created 

automatically by Autocad after 

changing any Block Parameter. 

Its begin always with *U and the 

numbers after it is randomly each time 

we run the Autocad we must take into 

account that thing when we work with 

Selection Filters . 

*D38 Dimension BlockTableRecord in 

fact the Dimension in Autocad is kind of 

special Dynamic Blocks. 

Layout 


LD(BlockDefinition) 


Dimension 


؟؟؟؟؟؟ 


*To see another TableRecord like LayerTableRecord or TextStyleTableRecord Just change the 

code As BlockTable to xxx As LayerTable, or xxx As TextStyleTable . 


Sometime the same object has different Properties between the document and the 

database. 

An example of the difference between The Document and The Database is Create 

block in layer 0 when we insert the block in layer x in the Properties of the block we will 

see the layer name of the block is x, but in the database if we check it all the element of 

the block is in layer 0 it appears in the document in layer x and in the database not. 

Another example when we create block in layer A not in layer 0 and again change the 

layer to layer B it will changed in the document but not in the database ,as proof 

turnoff layer b …the block which originally created in layer A and moved to B will still 

on not off. 

Again if we `lock` the layer in the database it well locked well but not the Appearance 

of it in the document. 

In other words, some Properties not stored in the Database but elsewhere. 

Probably my nomination for this thing is not accurate(The document) but it is important 

to take it into account, to be used and to pay attention to what can happen from 

mistakes sometimes. 

Certainly I do not mean the difference between System Variable and Database 

Property, but as example, there is System Variable stored in the Drawing , like 

TEXTSTYLE. 

This means it is a Database Property and LAYLOCKFADECTL in the Registry 

Its not Database Property. 

Perhaps I can explain it by another example latter. 

Finally I found that development guide AutoCAD 2011give more information which can 

changing many things, I need a lot of time to read it and understand very well. 

. 


4.3 AutoCAD Object Hierarchy 

Most of codes is builde on base of autocad Object Hierarachy . 

The following illustration shows the basic relationships between the Application object and 

an entity that is in a BlockTableRecord, such as Model space. 

There are many more objects in the AutoCAD .NET API that are not represented here. 

Entity 

1 

Application 

BlockTable 

BlockTableR 

ecord 

Entity 

2 

Document 

Maneger 

Entity 

… 

LayerTable 

LayerTableR 

ecord 

Document 

Databae 

Tables 

TextStyleTa 

ble 

TextTableR 

ecord 


4.5 EDCAD1.0 Details 

A- Afschotisolatie Palette 

I will choose some Buttons and show parts of the code with 

some explanation 

If RadioButtonRIRV.Checked = True Then 

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.Document 

Manager.MdiActiveDocument.SendStringToExecute ("- 

HATCH" & vbCr & "P RIR12V 1 0 O D L N A S O ", True, 

False, False) 

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.UpdateSc 

reen() 

End If 

If RadioButtonRIRH.Checked = True Then 


Manager.MdiActiveDocument.SendStringToExecute ("- 

HATCH" & vbCr & "P RIR12H 1 0 O D L N A S O ", True, 

False, False) 


reen() 

RIR12V, RIR12H,etc, are custom hatches to make it 

Command: AI_EDITCUSTFILE 

Custom File to edit: acadiso.pat 

*RIR12V 

90,0,0,0,1200 

*RIR12H 

0,0,0,0,1000 

After that I used SendStringToExecute to write macros ! Nice 

and easy isnt it 

If RadioButtonRIRV.Checked = True Then 

PictureBoxRIRV.Visible = True 

PictureBoxRIRH.Visible = False 

PictureBoxEPSV.Visible = False 

PictureBoxEPSH.Visible = False 

End If 

Sure in the RadioButton event not in the PictureBoxevent 

we can also use one PictureBox to show multiple Picture by using 

PictureBox1.Image = My.Resources.PictureName 

. 


SetSystemVariable("osmode", 547) 

INSERT.ExternBlok("C:\BLOCKS.dwg", "AFL") 

Dim x As String = "AFL" 

Dim doc = 


Manager.MdiActiveDocument 

Dim dwg = doc.Database 

Using transactie = 

dwg.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() 

Using doc.LockDocument() 

Dim acLyrTbl As LayerTable 

acLyrTbl = transactie.GetObject(dwg.LayerTableId, 

OpenMode.ForRead) 

If acLyrTbl.Has(x) = False Then 

Dim acLyrTblRec As LayerTableRecord = New 

LayerTableRecord() 

acLyrTblRec.Color = 

Color.FromColorIndex(ColorMethod.ByAci, 7) 

acLyrTblRec.Name = x 

acLyrTbl.UpgradeOpen() 

acLyrTbl.Add(acLyrTblRec) 

transactie.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(acLyrTblRec, True) 

End If 

If acLyrTbl.Has(x) = True Then 

dwg.Clayer = acLyrTbl(x) 

transactie.Commit() 

End If 

End Using 

End Using 

Dim NAME As String = "AFL" 

Dim text = "(command ""insert"" ""AFL"" pause 1 1 0) " 


Manager.MdiActiveDocument.SendStringToExecute(text, 

True, False, True) 


reen() 

It work like this, 

In each time the operator ask for x block to tnsert it in the project the 

routine will check if the block is already exist if not the routine will 

import it from external dwg BLOCK.DWG which contain all the blocks 

used in the program this achieved by the Sub exterblok in Module 

INSERT 


Dim NAME As String 

NAME = "AFL" 

Dim text = "(command ""insert"" ""AFL"" pause 1 1 0) " 

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.DocumentManager.MdiActi 

veDocument._ 

SendStringToExecute(text, True, False, True) 

I used this method to insert blocks with attributes and field , but it does not work 

always well, it depends on the type of field ,field category objects -…field 

names…object does not work! After insert the block multiple times jest the last one 

will be correct! 

field category objects -…field names…NamedObject and BlockPlaceholder work good . 

In fact this method to inserting simple blocks not Dynamic blocks with attributes and 

field, its not the same as using commando insert manually, I will not use it in the next 

project ,it may cause big errors, The solution is to develop the Function InsertBlock in 

Module INSERT ‘I used it to insert bolck to a fixed point ‘ wich Is work 100% Except 

that the block is not hanging in the mouse cursor . 


dwg.Clayer = acLyrTbl(N) 


End If 

End Using 

End Using 

Dim x, y As Double 

Dim l As Double 

l = Me.TextBoxL.Text 

Dim a As Double 

Dim k As Long 

If CheckBoxMax.CheckState = 

CheckState.Checked Then 

Dim b As Double 

b = Me.TextBoxMax.Text 

Dim c As Double 

c = Me.ComboBox1.Text 

If RadioButtonRIRH.Checked = True Then 

k = l / 1 

INSERT.EerstePunt "Waar wilt u het eerst 

nummer?", x1:=x, y1:=y) 

a = b + c 

For i = 1 To k 

a = a - c 

INSERT.Tekst ((a & "mm."), x, y, 400, 1.57) 

y = y + 1000 

Next 

End If 

If RadioButtonEPSH.Checked = True Then 

k = l / 1.2 

INSERT.EerstePunt(“Waar wilt u het eerst 

nummer?", x1:=x, y1:=y) 

a = b + c 

For i = 1 To k 

a = a - c 

INSERT.Tekst ((a & "mm."), x, y, 400, 1.57) 

y = y + 1200 

Next 

This routine Doing some calculations based on some data, and 

finally the type in the project by using some functions EerstePunt, 

Tekst and Element which is in Tekst functions all in Module INSERT 


Public Function Tekst(ByVal regel As String, ByVal x As Double, ByVal y As Double, 

ByVal h As Double, ByVal r As Double) As ObjectId 

Dim objTekst As New DBText 

objTekst.SetDatabaseDefaults() 

objTekst.Position = New Point3d(x, y, 0) 

objTekst.Height = h 

objTekst.Rotation = r 

objTekst.TextString = regel 

objTekst.Color = Color.FromColorIndex(ColorMethod.ByAci, 1) 

Using myTrans As Transaction = 

ApplicationServices.Database.TransactionManager.StartTransaction 

Dim myTST As TextStyleTable = 

ApplicationServices.Database.TextStyleTableId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) 

objTekst.TextStyleId = myTST("MYISODAK") 

myTrans.Commit() 

End Using 

Return INSERT.Element(objTekst) 

End Function 

Was created in an earlier part of the proceedings 

Dim 

Dim 

myTST 

myTST 

As 

As 

TextStyleTable 

TextStyleTable 

= 

= 

dwg.TextStyleTableId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

dwg.TextStyleTableId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

If 

If 

myTST.Has(S) 

myTST.Has(S) 

= 

= 

False 

False 

Then 

Then 

Dim 

Dim 

myTSTR 

myTSTR 

As 

As 

DatabaseServices.TextStyleTableRecord 


myTSTR 

myTSTR 

= 

= 

New 

New 



myTSTR.Name 

myTSTR.Name 

= 

= 

"MYISODAK" 

"MYISODAK" 

Dim 

Dim 

myFont 

myFont 

As 

As 

New 

New 

GraphicsInterface.FontDescriptor("ISOCPEUR", 

GraphicsInterface.FontDescriptor("ISOCPEUR", 

False, 

False, 

False, 

False, 

0, 

0, 

0) 

0) 

myTSTR.Font 

myTSTR.Font 

= 

= 

myFont 

myFont 

myTST.Add(myTSTR) 

myTST.Add(myTSTR) 

transactie.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(myTSTR, 

transactie.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(myTSTR, 

True) 

True) 

End 

End 

If 

If 



In fact it was possible to use SetSystemVariable("TEXTSTYLE", MYISODAK) so we can 

use Teks Function with more Style or to define it corrctly in the Function `ByVal S As 

String` to choice the style. 

Sometimes we cannot see the defects until after the completion of work, finally we can 

learn from the previous experiences. 

Function Element(ByVal entiteit As Entity) As ObjectId 

Dim doc = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument 


Dim s As BlockTableRecord 


Using transactie = doc.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() 

Try 

s = transactie.GetObject(dwg.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) 

Element = s.AppendEntity(entiteit) 


transactie.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(entiteit, True) 


Catch ex As Exception 

MsgBox("Er ging iets fout: " & vbCrLf & ex.Message) 

End Try 

End Using 

End Using 

End Function 

The ToolTip 

A tooltip is a small pop-up window that labels the unlabeled control being pointed 

to, such as unlabeled toolbar controls or command buttons ,which gives the user a 

little additional information regarding about the control and hoe to use it. 

Because we are going to design a program within a program A tooltip is useful. 

Once a ToolTip is added to the Palette (actually its UserControl) it appears at the bottom of 

the Palette window, not on the Palette ,it can be used by the other Controls on the same 

Palette. 

When a ToolTip has been added to the Palette, a new Property shows up in the Form’s 

other controls. 

Here we can see the property “ToolTip onToolTip1” for the Text Box we had already placed 

on the Form. 


B- Collectorleidingen Palette 

Dim x As String 

x = Me.ComboBox1.Text 

Dim Lengte As Double = 0 

Dim TA As String = "NU" 

Me.Label5.Text = Lengte & "M" 

Dim Criterium(1) As TypedValue 

Criterium(0) = New TypedValue(DxfCode.Start, "INSERT") 

Criterium(1) = New TypedValue(DxfCode.LayerName, x) 

Dim ss As New SelectionFilter(Criterium) 

Dim Antwoord = 

Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument.Editor.Selec 

tAll(ss) 

If Antwoord.Status = PromptStatus.OK Then 

Dim col = New 

ObjectIdCollection(Antwoord.Value.GetObjectIds()) 

Dim doc = 

Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument 


Using transactie = 

dwg.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() 


Try 

For Each id In col 

Dim blokreferentie As BlockReference 

blokreferentie = transactie.GetObject(id, 

OpenMode.ForWrite) 

Dim AttRefIdColl = 

blokreferentie.AttributeCollection 

Dim BlokDefinities As BlockTable 

BlokDefinities = 

transactie.GetObject(dwg.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) 

Dim Blokdefid = 

BlokDefinities(blokreferentie.Name) 

Dim BlokDefinitie As BlockTableRecord 

BlokDefinitie = transactie.GetObject(Blokdefid, 


For Each elementId In BlokDefinitie 

Dim Element As Entity 

Element = transactie.GetObject(elementId, 


If Element.Visible = True Then 

If TypeOf Element Is Polyline Then 

Dim PL = CType(Element, Polyline) 

If PL.ConstantWidth = 18.9876 Then 


Lengte = Lengte + FormatNumber((PL.Length / 1000), 2) 

End If 

End If 

End If 

Next 

Next id 



blokreferentie = transactie.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForWrite) 

Dim AttRefIdColl = blokreferentie.AttributeCollection 

For Each attRefId As ObjectId In AttRefIdColl 

Dim AttRef As AttributeReference 

AttRef = transactie.GetObject(attRefId, OpenMode.ForWrite) 

If AttRef.Tag.Equals(TA, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) = 

True Then 

AttRef.TextString = Lengte 

Exit For 

End If 

Next 

Next id 




End Try 

Me.Label5.Text = Lengte & "M" 

DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument.Editor.Regen() 

End Using 

End Using 

End If 

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.UpdateScreen() 

This code to calculate the total lengths of the pipes 

for one "Circuit“. 

one "Circuit" can consists of multiple Dynamic 

Blocks which have multiple Parameters, actions 

and elements. 

It’s not possible to do it through the Parameter 

value, some pipes lengths are not be account in a 

Parameter. 

Calculate the Polyline length in a multiple Dynamic 

Blocks in a specific layer without exploded and see 

the result directly to modify the "Circuit" is the 

function of this routine which was missing in the 

autocad. 

We can use this code to get any information about 

the Dynamic Blocks more than befor. 


Selection Filters 

we can use Selection Filters to limit which objects are selected and added to a selection 

set by using a selection filter, a selection filter list can be used to filter selected objects by 

properties or type. 

For example, we select only Blocks ( the type of block is "INSERT" to know the type 

small lisp do it (entget ( entlast)) or objects on a certain layer. 

I am not going to clarify deeply all details except one significant point that is the using of 

selection filters not easy as its look 

As example using 'Criterium(x) = New TypedValue(DxfCode.BlockName, "xxxx") 

it’s not work with Dynamic Blocks 

because of 

More details in page 24 

LD(BlockDefinition) 


؟؟؟؟؟؟ 


Another example each element in the Selection set must have the property with or without 

same value but must have it. 

As example in one Selection set if there is one Polyline doesn’t have GlobalWidth 

(ConstantWidth) the code will not work 

This error happened when you changing the start width and the end width by the property 

windows GlobalWidth will be nothing also not 0 you have to set it manually 

and when start width not same the end width there will be no GlobalWidth(ConstantWidth) 

Then we should not use the condition (ConstantWidth) in the code of Selection Filters. 


Dim x As String 

x = Me.ComboBox1.Text 



Using transactie = dwg.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() 



acLyrTbl=transactie.GetObject(dwg.LayerTableId, 


If acLyrTbl.Has(x) = False Then 

Dim acLyrTblRec As LayerTableRecord = New 

LayerTableRecord() 

acLyrTblRec.Color = 

Color.FromColorIndex(ColorMethod.ByAci, 5) 

acLyrTblRec.Name = x 



transactie.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(acLyrTblRec, True) 

End If 

If acLyrTbl.Has(x) = True Then 

dwg.Clayer = acLyrTbl(x) 

If doc.Editor.SelectImplied.Status = PromptStatus.OK Then 

Dimcol= 

NewObjectIdCollection(doc.Editor.SelectImplied.Value. 

GetObjectIds) 

WijzigenLaag(col, x) 

End If 


End If 

End Using 

End Using 

Each time the operator choice "Circuit" form the ComboBoxe if its new (no exist) the 

routine will create Layer for it and in the end set it current. 

The advantage of this method is to have the required number of Layers 

(some Projects have 10 Layers "Circuit" and other Projects have 200 Layers "Circuit") 

Some time the operator want to copy exist "Circuit" to another place in the roof to be new 

"Circuit" with another name (the "Circuit" has the same name of its layer ) 

As I said previousely they work from earliar drawing which may containe hundreds of 

layers and that will make the using of standard layermanager difficult with high risk of error 

and this code will do what they need from the standard layermanager with minimal errors 


Sub WijzigenLaag(ByVal objIds As ObjectIdCollection, ByVal Laag As String) 




Try 

For Each objId In objIds 


Element = transactie.GetObject(objId, OpenMode.ForWrite) 

Element.Layer = Laag 

Next 




End Try 

End Using 

End Using 

End Sub 

Each object has associated properties describe aspects of the individual object. 

Layer like color is properties, this code work on this base 


The ComboBox 

ComboBox provide a space where the user can select a single item from a List. 

It is compact because it only expands to show more than one item when the user 

‘drops it down’. 

We can populate a ComboBox at run-time with code or at design-time using the Items 

property. 

Changing the DropDownStyle to a value of “DropDownList” will force the user to select 

something from the list. 

By default, users can select from the list or type in a different value. 


C- CollectorPlaten Palette 

The DynamicBlock in this Pallte is simple and specific to avoid 

any design error. 

At the begging this block was part of the "Circuit" block "pipe" 

block but because one CollectorPlat can be contain pipes of 

two or more "Circuits" I made sprit block for it. 


The Block 

Let us forget the codes and talk about the Block , DynamicBlock or StaticBlock is same 

they are block, and block is block like ModelSpace has Table and Block Table Records, 

and the (Block) has Block Table Record called BlockDefinitions. 

I think that I said nothing new until now, but to apply this concept in practice is what I'm 

seeing is very important. 

So we can create a powerful Dynamic Block especially with the ability to control the 

parameters values with .net. 

But ageing block is block like ModelSpace or PaperSpace we can draw, add entity, even 

insert block into the BlockDefinition(normally we can create Block in Block but we can not 

change the Parameter just ofter explod the Block with .NET we can do that with out 

exploded). 

The block can has several layers and the nice thing that we can turn of some of the block 

layers. 

I think understanding the Block is very important for any one wants to develop CAD 

applications 

This block has three element ech one is in special layer, after insert the block in the 

modelspace if we turn of layer x the element x in the block will be of. 

Crating element not in layer 0 can give us let me say new Parameter. 

It’s not like the visibility parameter ,we can turn of special part of multiple block in one time 

and we can use it as Criterium in the SelectionFilter, it’s have another advantage like what 

I have been used in CollectorPlaten Blocks 

You can not changing the original layer of the Block (or part of it) if it was not layer 0 

To be more accurate, you can not changing the original layer (in the database) of the Block 

(or part of it) if it was not layer 0. 


E- PV-Module-Aanv.Reto.Palette 

Dim doc =Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application. - 

Documen Manager.MdiActiveDocument 




Dim S, C As String 

Dim A, B As Long 

S = "S" 

C = "C" 

A = 1 

B = 1 

For A = 1 To 20 

For B = 1 To 8 

Dim N As String 

N = [String].Concat(S, A, C, B) 


Dim acLyrTblRec As LayerTableRecord 

acLyrTbl = - 

transactie.GetObject(dwg.LayerTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) 

If acLyrTbl.Has(N) = True Then 

acLyrTblRec = New LayerTableRecord() 

acLyrTblRec.Name = N 


acLyrTblRec = 

transactie.GetObject(acLyrTbl(N), _ 


acLyrTblRec.IsOff = True 

End If 

Next 

Next 


End Using 

End Using 

This routine has tow (For . . . Next statements) used to repeat a block of code a specific 

number of times. 

For A represent the number of the service unite ,For B represent the number of the "Circuit" . 

That (block of cod)is to turn of the layer. 

Finally we can turn of a specific group of layer (could be 160) in one time. 


Dim name As String 

name = ComboBox1.Text 

INSERT.ExternBlok("C:\BLOCKS.dwg", name) 

In the beginning of this routine I used the ComboBox items to 

Specify the name of the block, which will be effective in the four 

buttons, which saves a large area. 

More details in page 38 

There was a problem with PV-Modul ,Instead they do not have blocks for all kinds of it, the 

second must be placed over 100 mm.of the end of the first, etc. 

This problem was taking a lot of time, It was resolved very easy, As shown in the following 

pictures 


The Bottom 

One of the most popular control in Visual Basic is the Button Control ,Appearance 

section of the properties window allows us to make changes to the appearance of the 

Button. With the help of Background Image properties we can set a background image 

to the button. 

Certainly we will choose Project resources file in order the (dll ) to work separately but we 

must bay attention aboutThe resource name (picture) . 

Do not import a resource has same name as another one already exist in the resources file 

with different uppercase and lowercase characters, otherwise we will get this error 

To avoid this error its better to but all the resources file in one map , so the windows will 

handle it to us. 


D- The Berekenen Palette 

One of the benefit of using block is that we can use the block 

information to create reports and a bill of materials. 

Usually we used Link Excel, Access, SQL databases with 

Autocad, but In this situation me by its not the best choice, the 

main resin is that the information list is short. 

Another resin why tow files drawing + bill of material, if it can be 

one? 

In order to do that I made another block (Stuklijst Kader) with list 

of attributes and insert it in the PaperSpace. 

The advantage of that is keep the project in one file, update the 

list directly ,minimize the error, attributes is more static than 

Excel cells as example. 

Finally the application well no need any update when the 

company changing the version of Excel, Access. 

I will begin with the rotine which is in the event of 

UserControl5_Load (UserControl5 is Berekenen Palette) 

Dim Viewport As String = "Viewport" 

Dim name As String = "EnergieDakStuklijst" 

Part 1 

Dim name2 As String = "EnergieDakProject" 

INSERT.ExternBlok("C:\BLOCKS.dwg", "KaderA4") 

INSERT.ExternBlok("C:\BLOCKS.dwg", "KaderA3") 


Dim myDB As Database = HostApplicationServices.WorkingDatabase 

Using myTrans As Transaction = myDB.TransactionManager.StartTransaction 


Dim myBlockTable As BlockTable = myDB.BlockTableId.Get- 

Object(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

For Each myBTRid As ObjectId In myBlockTable 

Dim myBlockTableRecord As BlockTableRecord = 

myBTRid.GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

If myBlockTableRecord.IsLayout = True Then 


Dim myLayout As Layout = 

myBlockTableRecord.LayoutId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

If myBlockTable.Has(name) = True Then 

Exit For 

End If 

Try 

myLayout = 

LayoutManager.Current.CreateLayout("EnergieDakStuklijst").GetObject(OpenMod 

e.ForWrite) 

LayoutManager.Current.CurrentLayout = "EnergieDakStuklijst" 

Dim col = New ObjectIdCollection 

col.Add(doc.Editor.SelectLast.Value.GetObjectIds(0)) 

INSERT.Verwijderen(col) 

INSERT.InsertBlock(HostApplicationServices.WorkingDatabase, 

BlockTableRecord.PaperSpace, New Point3d(-5, -5, 0), "KaderA4", 1, 1, 1) 


End Try 

Exit For 

End If 

Next 

PaperSpace has its own constant, BlockTableRecord.PaperSpace , and PaperSpace’s 

constant refers to the current PaperSpace Layout. 

So, the same Constant will provide different results based on which PaperSpace Layout we 

are working in. 

And when we creat new Layout its main we are working in it so we can set it current. 

The is One way to access the Layouts in a Database by them names is to use the 

LayoutDictionary, I use it in the next Palette we will see that later. 

Function Verwijderen(ByVal objIds As ObjectIdCollection) As Boolean 




Try 

Dim s As BlockTableRecord 

s = transactie.GetObject(dwg.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) 

For Each objId In objIds 


Element = transactie.GetObject(objId, OpenMode.ForWrite) 

Element.Erase() 

Next 




End Try 

End Using 

End Function 

Part 2 

It’s to delete the viewport for EnergieDakStuklijst Layout, which is the last element in the 

Layout creation progress . 



acLyrTbl = myTrans.GetObject(myDB.LayerTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) 

If acLyrTbl.Has(Viewport) = False Then 

Dim acLyrTblRec As LayerTableRecord = New LayerTableRecord() 

acLyrTblRec.Color = Color.FromColorIndex(ColorMethod.ByAci, 4) 

acLyrTblRec.Name = Viewport 

acLyrTblRec.IsPlottable = False 



myTrans.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(acLyrTblRec, True) 

End If 

If acLyrTbl.Has(Viewport) = True Then 

myDB.Clayer = acLyrTbl(Viewport) 

End If 


Dim myBlockTableRecord As BlockTableRecord = 

myBTRid.GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

If myBlockTableRecord.IsLayout = True Then 


myBlockTableRecord.LayoutId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

If myBlockTable.Has(name2) = True Then 

LayoutManager.Current.CurrentLayout = "EnergieDakProject" 

Exit For 

End If 

Try 

myLayout = LayoutManager.Current.- 

CreateLayout("EnergieDakProject").GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

LayoutManager.Current.CurrentLayout = "EnergieDakProject" 

INSERT.InsertBlock(HostApplicationServices.WorkingDatabase, - 

BlockTableRecord.PaperSpace, New Point3d(0, 0, 0), "KaderA3", 1, 1, 1) 


End Try 

Exit For 

End If 

Next 

myDB.Clayer = acLyrTbl(0) 


End Using 

End Using 

Application.SetSystemVariable("tilemode", 1) 

Part 3 

We chick the BlockTable tow time to create tow Layouts and insert themes 

Blocks(KaderA4,KaderA3) during the procedure I create layer Viewport to set the view 

port for EnergieDakProject Layout in. 

And fainlly set layer 0 which is already in any drawing as current layer and then return 

to the ModelSpace. 


I use the right method to insert the block (Function InsertBlock) not by 

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocu 

ment.SendStringToExecute("-i" & vbCr & "KaderA4" & vbCr & "0,0" & vbCr & "1" & vbCr 

& "0", True, False, False) 

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocu 

ment.SendStringToExecute("1 0 1", True, False, False) 

Its work good ,but we will not able to edit in place the attribute by double click on it . 

We will lock in (Function InsertBlock) in the next page. 

The resin why I but this routine in the load event is that in each button in the Berekken 

Palette the result we be send directly to, 

A-label in the Palette. 

B-update Attributes in the Stuklijst Layout. 


Public Function InsertBlock(ByVal DatabaseIn As Database, _ 

ByVal BTRToAddTo As String,ByVal InsPt As Geometry.Point3d, _ 

ByVal BlockName As String,ByVal XScale As Double,ByVal YScale As Double,_ 

ByVal ZScale As Double) As DatabaseServices.ObjectId 

Using myTrans As Transaction=DatabaseIn.TransactionManager.StartTransaction 

Dim myBlockTable As BlockTable= _ 

DatabaseIn.BlockTableId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) 

If myBlockTable.Has(BlockName) = False Then 

Return Nothing 

1 

End If 

If myBlockTable.Has(BTRToAddTo) = False Then 

Return Nothing 

End If 

Dim myBlockDef As BlockTableRecord = _ 

myBlockTable(BlockName).GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) 

Dim myBlockTableRecord As BlockTableRecord = _ 

myBlockTable(BTRToAddTo).GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

Dim myBlockRef As New BlockReference(InsPt, myBlockDef.Id) 

myBlockRef.ScaleFactors = New Geometry.Scale3d(XScale, YScale, ZScale) 

myBlockTableRecord.AppendEntity(myBlockRef) 

myTrans.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(myBlockRef, True) 

Dim myAttColl As DatabaseServices.AttributeCollection = _ 

myBlockRef.AttributeCollection 

For Each myEntID As ObjectId In myBlockDef 

Dim myEnt As Entity = myEntID.GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) 

If TypeOf myEnt Is DatabaseServices.AttributeDefinition Then 

Dim myAttDef As DatabaseServices.AttributeDefinition = myEnt 

Dim myAttRef As New DatabaseServices.AttributeReference 

myAttRef.SetAttributeFromBlock(myAttDef, myBlockRef.BlockTransform) 

myAttColl.AppendAttribute(myAttRef) 

myTrans.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(myAttRef, True) 

End If 

Next 


Return myBlockRef.Id 

End Using 

End Function 

1- We are able to specifying the BlockTableRecord which we want to insert the block in the 

ModelSpace, PaperSpace, or even another BlockDefinition (see page 40) 

2- We loops through each entity in a Block Definition, looking for an AttributeDefinition entity. 

If we find an AttributeDefinition, we create a new AttributeReference based on the Definition 

and append the AttributeReference to the AttributeCollection of the BlockReference. 

But what dose this main, is it Maine that Attribute like akind of Block in Block, I think it’s like 

that. 

What important to me is BlockReference which is in another word Block name and the 

AttributeReference they are not the same and that affect on the SelectionFilter Criterium. 

In the next page a practicl exampel. 

16/12/2010 EDCAD1.0 HBO-Traject 2010 48 

2



'Criterium(1) = New TypedValue(DxfCode.BlockName, "SU") 


Dim Antwoord = Application.DocumentManager.- 

MdiActiveDocument.Editor.SelectAll(ss) 


Dim col = New ObjectIdCollection(Antwoord.Value.GetObjectIds()) 





Try 



blokreferentie = transactie.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead) 


BlokDefinities = 

transactie.GetObject(dwg.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) 

Dim Blokdefid = BlokDefinities(blokreferentie.Name) 

If blokreferentie.Name = "SU" Then 

TotaalServicunits = TotaalServicunits + 1 

End If 

Next id 

'GET ATTRE 








If AttRef.Tag.Equals(TA, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) = 

True Then 

AttRef.TextString = TotaalServicunits & “ Stuk" 

Exit For 

End If 

Next 

Next id 

Its the proof about what I have said in the last page about the BlockReference and the 

AttributeReference. 

When we add the 'Criterium(1) = New TypedValue(DxfCode.BlockName, "SU") in the 

SelectionFilter we will be not able to get the AttributeReference and that make me think that 

the Attribute let me say linked to the block . 

And the type of Attribute is "INSERT“ it’s a block. Its in the data base separated block in one 

tabel with the block which linked with. 


Notice : this is the page nember 50 and some routine in this palette can take several pages so I 

shall show parts of each routine. 

Berekenen Totaal Circuits Lengte (Paiping) see page 12 

Dim TA As String = "TotaalCollectorbuis" 

Dim TOTAALOPV As String = "TOTAALOPV" 

Dim Lengte As Double = 0 

Me.Label1.Text = (Lengte & " M") 

Dim Criterium(0) As TypedVal 


'Criterium(1) = New TypedValue(DxfCode.LayerName, x) 


This routine is nearly the same routine of the Berekken button in the Collectorleidingen 

Palette With some additions. 

Berekenen Totaal Bocht Platen see page 12 

Try 



blokreferentie = transactie.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead) 


BlokDefinities = transactie.GetObject(dwg.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead) 

Dim Blokdefid = BlokDefinities(blokreferentie.Name) 

Dim BlokDefinitie As BlockTableRecord 

BlokDefinitie = transactie.GetObject(Blokdefid, OpenMode.ForRead) 

'Block PD 



Element = transactie.GetObject(elementId, OpenMode.ForRead) 





If PL.ColorIndex = 171 Then 

TotaalBochtPlaten = TotaalBochtPlaten + 2 

End If 

End If 

End If 

End If 

Next 

'Block LD 









TotaalBochtPlaten = TotaalBochtPlaten + 0.25 


What is this 






TotaalBochtPlaten = TotaalBochtPlaten + 2 

It’s a small Polyline with unique ConstantWidth and ColorIndex values for each block to 

make some calculation. 

It’s like Parameter. 

It was the easier way to get the required information, but way not Attribute or Xdata ? 

Because we are working with Dynamic Block with (some time ArrayAction), we cannot 

Array the Attribute or Xdata. 

And way ConstantWidth and ColorIndex properties? 

Not all properties work ,as example circle with special radius or Polyline..Length 

will not work. 

And way that ? 

Its take a time to know that and to check all kind of Objects properties. 

See page 25 


Berekenen Totaal CollectorPlaten see page 12 

'Block PL 









TotaalSysteemplaten = TotaalSysteemplaten + 1 

End If 

End If 

End If 

End If 

Next 

'Block PL21 







If PL.ConstantWidth = 13 Then 


TotaalSysteemplaten = TotaalSysteemplaten + 0.0625 

End If 

End If 

End If 

End If 

Next 

This number is the result of calculating the block area and compare it with the area of 

one complete CollectorPlaten. 

Berekenen Totaal Power Fastener see page 12 

Berekenen Totaal Aanv.reto.leiding 

Berekenen Totaal PV-Platen see page 12 

Nothing new in them routines they use same idea with some differences. 


The first version of the Aanvoer en retourleiding Block was like 

this. 

(Part of the Block) 

But they need o culculte the length for each diameter, I change it to separated Block and 

with this routine we will get what they asked, this part of it. 

Dim diktes = New List(Of String) 

Dim Lengtes = New List(Of Double) 




Dim Antwoord = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument.Editor.SelectAll(ss) 


Dim col = New ObjectIdCollection(Antwoord.Value.GetObjectIds()) 





Try 





Dim AttribuutAVanDitBlok = "" 




If AttRef.Tag.Equals(a, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) = True Then 

AttribuutAVanDitBlok = AttRef.TextString 


This routine work like this, 

in the begining we define tow ArrayList t "List(Of Type)" , we can considerd the Array list as 

kind of collections. 

Because we do not know the size of the array, so the ArrayList will grow dynamically 

And then we define string AttribuutAVanDitBlok which will get the value of dik Attribuute. 

Dim KomtVoor = False 

For Each dik In diktes 

If dik = AttRef.TextString Then KomtVoor = True 

Next 

If Not KomtVoor Then 

diktes.Add(AttRef.TextString) 

Lengtes.Add(0) 

End If 

End If 

If AttRef.Tag.Equals(b, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) = True Then 

For i = 0 To diktes.Count - 1 

If AttribuutAVanDitBlok = diktes(i) Then 

Lengtes.Item(i) = Lengtes.Item(i) + AttRef.TextString 

End If 

Next 

End If 

Next 

Hier we check first if there is a previous dik in the Array diktes if not we will add the 

new value and then we check the dik if it is same we will add the Lengtes to the old 

one. 

Dim LaatstePlaats = 450 


Dim c1 = New System.Windows.Forms.Label 

c1.BorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.BorderStyle.Fixed3D 

c1.BackColor = Ivory 

c1.AutoSize = True 

c1.Name = "Diameter" & i 

c1.Text = diktes(i) & " " & Lengtes(i) 

c1.Left = 25 

LaatstePlaats = LaatstePlaats + 30 

c1.Top = LaatstePlaats 

Me.Controls.Add(c1) 

Me.Controls("Diameter" & i).Text = "Dik is " & diktes(i) & "mm" & " Lengte is " & (2 * L 

engtes(i)) & "M" 

Next 

Me.Update() 

Next id 

The laste part is for create the lable in the Paltte. 



Dim TA As String = [String].Concat("DIKTE", i) 



blokreferentie = transactie.GetObject(id, 





AttRef = transactie.GetObject(attRefId, 


If AttRef.Tag.Equals(TA, 

StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) = True Then 

AttRef.TextString = "Dik is " & diktes(i) & "mm" & " Lengte 

is " & (2 * Lengtes(i)) & "M" 

Exit For 

End If 

Next 

This for the Attibuutes in the Stuklijst. 


F- The Afdrukken Palette 

One way to access the Layouts in a Database is to use the 

LayoutDictionary. 

In this routien,we open the LayoutDictionary get the current 

Layout Name (EnergieDakStuklijst), and then we ask the 

LayoutDictionary if it has an entry with an EntryName that is the 

same as the current 

layout’s name , it’s the different between BlockTableRecord 

names(*Model_Space, *Paper_Space, *Paper_Space0) and 

Layout Names (Model, Layout1, Layout2). 

Its work perfectly I use it to switch to Model , EnergieDakStuklijst- 

Layout , EnergieDakProject. 

Dim doc = Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application. 

DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument 

Dim myDB As Database = 

HostApplicationServices.WorkingDatabase 

Using myTrans As Transaction = 

myDB.TransactionManager.StartTransaction 


Dim myBlockTable As BlockTable = 

myDB.BlockTableId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 


Dim myDictionary As DBDictionary = 

myDB.LayoutDictionaryId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) 

Dim EnergieDakStuklijst As String = 

LayoutManager.Current.CurrentLayout 

If myDictionary.Contains(EnergieDakStuklijst) Then 

Try 

Dim myLayoutID As ObjectId = 

myDictionary(EnergieDakStuklijst) 


myLayoutID.GetObject(OpenMode.ForRead) 

Dim myBTR As BlockTableRecord = 

myLayout.BlockTableRecordId.GetObject(OpenMode.ForWrite) 

LayoutManager.Current.CurrentLayout = 

"EnergieDakStuklijst" 

Exit For 


End Try 

End If 

Next 


DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument.Editor.Regen() 

End Using 

End Using 



Dim acLyrTblRec As LayerTableRecord 

acLyrTbl =transactie.GetObject(dwg.LayerTableId, 


Try 

If acLyrTbl.Has(Afschotplan) = True Then 


acLyrTblRec.Name = Afschotplan 


acLyrTblRec = transactie.GetObject(acLyrTbl(Afschotplan), 


acLyrTblRec.IsOff = False 

End If 

If acLyrTbl.Has(AFL) = True Then 


acLyrTblRec.Name = AFL 


acLyrTblRec = transactie.GetObject(acLyrTbl(AFL), _ 


acLyrTblRec.IsOff = False 

End If 

The function of these Radio Buttons is turn of group of layers, except the first one which I 

used it to choice which layout will be print, EnergieDakStuklijst Layout if Checked = True ore 

EnergieDakProject Layout if Checked = False. 

This routine work like this. 

First we look for some Attributes and get them values to use it as part of plot file name, and 

then we set the required Layout current and begin the plot progress . 

Its along routine I will begin directly with the plot progress. 

Dim acDoc As Document = Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices. 

Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument 

Dim acCurDb As Database = acDoc.Database 

Using acTrans As Transaction = acCurDb.TransactionManager.StartTransaction() 


Dim acLayoutMgr As LayoutManager 

acLayoutMgr = LayoutManager.Current 

Dim acLayout As Layout 

acLayout = acTrans.GetObject(acLayoutMgr.GetLayoutId(acLayoutMgr.CurrentLayout), _ 


Dim acPlInfo As PlotInfo = New PlotInfo() 

acPlInfo.Layout = acLayout.ObjectId 

Dim acPlSet As PlotSettings = New PlotSettings(acLayout.ModelType) 

acPlSet.CopyFrom(acLayout) 

Dim acPlSetVdr As PlotSettingsValidator = PlotSettingsValidator.Current 

acPlSetVdr.SetPlotType(acPlSet, _ 

Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices.PlotType.Layout) 


acPlSetVdr.SetUseStandardScale(acPlSet, True) 

acPlSetVdr.SetStdScaleType(acPlSet, StdScaleType.StdScale1To1) 

acPlSetVdr.SetPlotOrigin(acPlSet, New Point2d(0, 0)) 

acPlSetVdr.SetPlotConfigurationName(acPlSet, "Dwg to pdf.pc3", _ 

"iso_A3_(420.00_x_297.00_mm)") 

acPlInfo.OverrideSettings = acPlSet 

Dim acPlInfoVdr As PlotInfoValidator = New PlotInfoValidator() 

acPlInfoVdr.MediaMatchingPolicy = MatchingPolicy.MatchEnabled 

acPlInfoVdr.Validate(acPlInfo) 

If PlotFactory.ProcessPlotState = Autodesk.AutoCAD.PlottingServices. _ 

ProcessPlotState.NotPlotting Then 

Using acPlEng As PlotEngine = PlotFactory.CreatePublishEngine() 

Dim acPlProgDlg As PlotProgressDialog = New PlotProgressDialog(False, 1, True) 

Using (acPlProgDlg) 

acPlProgDlg.PlotMsgString(PlotMessageIndex.DialogTitle) = "Plot Progress" 

acPlProgDlg.PlotMsgString(PlotMessageIndex.CancelJobButtonMessage) = "Cancel Job" 

acPlProgDlg.PlotMsgString(PlotMessageIndex.CancelSheetButtonMessage) = "Cancel Sheet" 

acPlProgDlg.PlotMsgString(PlotMessageIndex.SheetSetProgressCaption) = "Sheet Set Progress" 

acPlProgDlg.PlotMsgString(PlotMessageIndex.SheetProgressCaption) = "Sheet Progress" 

acPlProgDlg.LowerPlotProgressRange = 0 

acPlProgDlg.UpperPlotProgressRange = 100 

acPlProgDlg.PlotProgressPos = 0 

acPlProgDlg.OnBeginPlot() 

acPlProgDlg.IsVisible = True 

acPlEng.BeginPlot(acPlProgDlg, Nothing) 

Try 

FolderBrowserDialog1.Description = " Kies waar wilt u het bestand bewaren " 

If FolderBrowserDialog1.ShowDialog = DialogResult.OK Then 

selectedFolder = FolderBrowserDialog1.SelectedPath 

acPlEng.BeginDocument(acPlInfo, acDoc.Name, Nothing, 1, True, _ 

selectedFolder & "\" & Dname & " _ " & Lname & "EnergieDakProject") 

End If 

acPlProgDlg.PlotMsgString(PlotMessageIndex.Status) = "Plotting: " & acDoc.Name & _ 

" - " & acLayout.LayoutName 

acPlProgDlg.OnBeginSheet() 

acPlProgDlg.LowerSheetProgressRange = 0 

acPlProgDlg.UpperSheetProgressRange = 100 

acPlProgDlg.SheetProgressPos = 0 

Dim acPlPageInfo As PlotPageInfo = New PlotPageInfo() 

acPlEng.BeginPage(acPlPageInfo, acPlInfo, True, Nothing) 

acPlEng.BeginGenerateGraphics(Nothing) 

acPlEng.EndGenerateGraphics(Nothing) 

acPlEng.EndPage(Nothing) 

acPlProgDlg.SheetProgressPos = 100 

acPlProgDlg.OnEndSheet() 

acPlEng.EndDocument(Nothing) 

acPlProgDlg.PlotProgressPos = 100 

acPlProgDlg.OnEndPlot() 

acPlEng.EndPlot(Nothing) 


End Try 

End Using 

End Using 

End If 

End Using 

End Using 


Kader Invullen 

Update en onthoud 

I will not talk about update because its work in the same way in the previous routine, just about 

remember "onhoud". 

The routine will remember nothing what going on is in the event of Form1_Load I but this 

routine 








'PROJECTNAME 

If AttRef.Tag.Equals(PROJECTNAME, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) = True Then 

Dim PNAME As String 

PNAME = AttRef.TextString 

TextBox1.BackColor = Drawing.Color.LightGray 

TextBox1.Text = PNAME 

End If 

'CLIENT 

If AttRef.Tag.Equals(CLIENT, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) = True Then 

Dim cNAME As String 

cNAME = AttRef.TextString 

TextBox2.BackColor = Drawing.Color.LightGray 

TextBox2.Text = cNAME 

And for each TextBox 

PrivateSubTextBox1_TextChanged(ByValsender As System.Object, 

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.TextChanged 

TextBox1.BackColor = Drawing.Color.Empty 

End Sub 


Attachments 

The first drawing is an example of situation before which took about 60 hours, 

the second designed by EDCAD in about 1 hour. 

Afterword 

This is just an example of AutoCAD Customization and there is plenty more to do and to learn, 

I wish that I have succeeded in clarifying the project. 

it is the end of the report and the beginning to me to find a job in this field and continue the way 

with autodesk deeply. 

now I am busy in preparing my web site ( autocadsolution.nl ), in future you may find more 

projects. 

Thank you. 

Athier Alwekil.

Dia 1 - CAD College

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