#Linked Objects
I've been pondering a lot of options I would like to see in AutoCAD, but
not being privy to the long-range goals I'll go ahead and ask them here.<g>
One feature which would be extremely helpful, and lead into some
intelligent interaction between AutoCAD and architects (for instance) is a
method of linking objects (entities) intelligently. Perhaps there is
already a way to do this — I haven't delved too deeply yet into extended
entity groups. But maybe an example would clarify what I was thinking of:
In inserting a door, it would be helpful to link an attribute of the door
tag with the door block. The door size could be listed in the attribute
automatically, and visa-versa a change in the attribute table could alter
the door block. Deleting one would delete the other, although they
could be moved and manipulated individually. The question I think is one
of linking them dynamically in a similar fashion to spreadsheets: there
would be a variable that would determine when the actual updating would
take place, on command, immediately, or at the next regen. This is
different, I think, than the way in which Windows DLL and OLE is
handled. Several other elements could use this linking feature, such as a
room tag, which could be linked to a polyline perimeter of the room. An
Expert Shell could then use this link to make certain code-related
decisions, prompting an architect that the occupancy rating for the space
exceeds the square footage currently shown; or exiting requirements could
be calculated from the information in the Room Tag's attribute table,
cross-referenced by the actual polyline indicating the room, then prompting
the architect with how many exit units or exit stairs would be needed. With
a Yes or No, the architect can direct the drawing of an exit stair (all
that is really needed is the exit width requirements, floor-to-floor
heights, and type of configuration). Sure, I could probably write a lisp
routine or ADS routine to do this, but there are certain linking groups
that would make such a system very fast, and also easier to implement.
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