Most plats I've done use a "pony"--another drawing from an earlier similar project. Then I take the pony, make all the changes for the current project, fiddle with the viewports, etc.
While it's better than starting from scratch, it seems like I'm still reinventing the wheel every time.
There must be a way to enter the dynamic data that changes from project to project, e.g. date, licensed surveyor, and location data like township, range, and section, into a table once instead of 30 times in the drawing. The drawing then pulls the text out of the table and I just edit the table to get the plat going.
Can someone tell me how this is done?
> Most plats I've done use a "pony"--another drawing from an earlier similar project. Then I take the pony, make all the changes for the current project, fiddle with the viewports, etc.
> While it's better than starting from scratch, it seems like I'm still reinventing the wheel every time.
> There must be a way to enter the dynamic data that changes from project to project, e.g. date, licensed surveyor, and location data like township, range, and section, into a table once instead of 30 times in the drawing. The drawing then pulls the text out of the table and I just edit the table to get the plat going.
> Can someone tell me how this is done?
Have you considered setting up a template?
Every drawing is unique, but I've found that a good template speeds up my completion of the boiler-plate.
I understand what you are asking for in terms of a "master table", but I don't know if there is a function in ACAD for that.
i made a series of 8.5 x 11 maps for conservation filings
the first tab is a zoom of an attributed block located in the model space outside of the limits of the town, 2x click the VP, 2x click the block and fill in the fields. the block is the name, trust, address, date, job number, etc.
then tab 2 has the first map, a USGS. the VP is unlocked, 2x click, move the locus circle to the project location, pan to center, 2x click outside the VP and plot to PDF. the title block is another VP that shows the attribute block.
tab 3 is another map. this time 2x click the VP, pan to the circle, 2x click outside and plot to PDF
and so on and so forth... there are 5 maps in all. it is great because these maps now look slick with the block, it bites when the attorneys thought they would be funny and they create a mangled trust name that does not fit in my attributed block. the worst was
Seymour Butts Trustee of the Ivana Butts Qualified Personal Real Estate Trust and Ivana Butts, Trustee of the Seymour Butts Qualified Personal Real Estate Trust.
Names were changed to make it funnier.
i have not made this type of block for any other surrounds, but you could do it. you could also use an OLE object, like an excel spreadsheet. have the spreadsheet in model space in a safe spot, be sure to draw a box around it (CAD & MS OFFICE don't always play nice together, go figure. Use multiple VPs in the drawing to show different cells of the spreadsheet. the first time, you'd have to input your info, the next time you just copy and paste.
i would love to read about better methods and would be happy to share my 8.5x11 surround. i created several att. blocks for test holes, test borings, monuments (big failure as I like to rotate my monuments to the line and the text goes with it), certain compoenets like electric meters and spetic cleanouts and valves. you can always change the text later...
I can think of a few possible methods that you could try.
The Field functions within MText allow you to do all sorts of things. One option is to have many pieces of text which all display the contents of another one. Change the contents of the source object and all of the copies will update.
Another method would be to have labels in your template with dummy text ready to be replaced. You could have multiple labels with "Surveyors Name" in them and then use the Find and Replace function to substitute the appropriate values.
As mentioned, templates make things easier. But I usually just open up a similar drawing and do a "save as", then edit whatever needs editing. One problem with that is if you have a typo once, you may duplicate it.
You could use a block with attributes.
But, I'd be more interested in creating a good plat, than creating a fast plat.
I have used the XL2CAD program from Dotsoft with good results. You create an Excel template with your commonly used text fields and create a dwg template with the same fields in the locations you want (using the XL2CAD program of course). I used mine mostly for title block names, and commonly used deed book #s in subdivisions.
If I remember correctly, you place the excel file in the same directory as the dwg file. Update the excel file with the data you need, save it. Go to the dwg and use the XL2CAD toolbar to "update selection" or "update drawing".
