%{Mass} - Error: No Reference

[m4rc]

Similar to a recent question...

I use in the title block %{mass} to return the mass of the item that's being detailed. However, unless there is a part file that is being detailed the field contains Error: No Reference. Is there a way to get it to display nothing? The reason for this is that not all drawings using this boarder will be details a part, and is just a 2D drawing that wouldn't have a mass... I've tried going into the custom tab and entering Mass - Text - '-' but it does not change from the Error.

Any ideas?

Cheers,

M

 

[donyoung]

Hi,

the mass will usually retrieved from the derived part thus
the Callout will read %{Mass|Rx) where Rx starts at 1 to
reference the first part. 'Mass' itself is a reserved word
and can't be used to retrieve a value from an equal named
draft's variable (IMHO because a draft itself does not have
a mass).
The only thing I can think of at the mo is to have different
background sheets one with %{Mass|Rx) and one without so
one can switch between them whether it be a 2D only or not

dy

 

[beachcomber]

Hi,
Can't you simply double-click the property text and replace the %{Mass¦R1} with a "-" when the drawing does not have a model attached ?

bc

 

[donyoung]

Hi,

that will work but the active sheet must be the appropriate
background sheet (those fields are ususally on the background
sheet)

dy

 

[m4rc]

Hi,

Yep, the field is indeed on the background sheet and contained within a block so it's the same on all five drawing sheet sizes... I'm thining at the moment of going with one template file and having 10 drawing sheets inside that, half and half.

Cheers for the help,

M

 

[KENAT]

Carrying a lot of template files around can occasionally cause problems due to file size etc. So if you have a lot you may want people to delete the ones they don't want.

Alternative - leave that one callout out of the block, as a separate entity or block to allow editing when required.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[m4rc]

Kenat, that's the answer, a seperate block! Cheers, that will work perfectly. When you're tyring to make everything work as easily as possible for 30 Engineers it's normally the simple things that make life easier.

Cheers,

M

 

[Gstoner]

Actually found this the hard way.

If you've already made a custom tab, you can edit the 'propseed.txt' file to include pulldown choices for your custom tab. So, you could add a pulldown choice that is a blank space and a choice with the mass properties. That way you could flip between them from the File Properties dialog box. (or, turn the mass 'on' and 'off')

No, I'm not real good at explaining, and pretty much learning it myself, but I just did something similiar today.

 

[m4rc]

I'm lost!

M

 

[donyoung]

Hi,

sometimes it takes time ...

[cite]
Alternative - leave that one callout out of the block, as a separate
entity or block to allow editing when required.
[/cite]

even simpler: put that callout on a seperate layer on the background
sheet. Then with RMB -> 'Show everywhere', 'Hide Everywhere' one can switch.
(will not work when the draft contains a 2D as well as a 3D model where
mass is wanted)

dy

 

[KENAT]

dy, we used to do this with layers but then some people had trouble (I think I posted at the time) so I'd hesitate about layers unless your people know what they're doing.

However, rather than block I should perhaps have said group, you can hide or lock groups and I did this on a new template for assy instructions.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[m4rc]

Hi,

I've ended up creating two blocks. Mass On, Mass Off. One has the mass info, the other is just '-', which will work perfectly

Cheers,

M

 

[donyoung]

Ken,

using layers is IMHO just as easy as using groups. The main
difference is (when located on background sheet): one has
to use Show/Hide Everywhere, Show/Hide will not work in this
case. One advantage with layers is: there is no need to LMB
on the GroupTab.
But as you've already said: which approach to choose depends
on the ones who have to deal with it ..

dy