Overview of Using Lookup Tables to Assign Data to Dynamic Blocks

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User's Guide

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Actions and Parameters to Dynamic Blocks

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Create and Use Blocks (Symbols)

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Add Dynamic Behavior to Blocks

Use Lookup Tables to Assign Data to Dynamic Blocks

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You can use a lookup table to define properties for and assign property values to a dynamic block.
When you manipulate the block reference in a drawing, the property values associated with the block
reference change.
You can use a lookup table to define properties for and assign property values to a dynamic block. Using
lookup tables is a powerful way to associate parameter values for the dynamic block reference with
other data that you specify (for example, a model or part number). You can extract this data from block
references in a drawing just as you would extract block attribute data.
Note Constraint parameters cannot be added to a lookup table. Instead, you should use a Block
Properties Table. For more information, see Use a Block Properties Table.

When completed, the lookup table assigns property values to the dynamic block reference based on how
it is manipulated in a drawing. Conversely, you can change how the block reference is displayed in the
drawing by changing the value of a lookup property of the block reference through a lookup grip or the
Properties palette.
The following example shows a dynamic block reference for a lighting fixture. For this block, the
Custom area of the Properties palette displays a size property. This property is defined in the lookup
table for the block.

If you change the size of the lighting fixture in your drawing (using the custom grips), the size property
in the Properties palette changes accordingly.

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You can also use the lookup grip to change the display of the block reference. When you select a size
from the list that is displayed when you click the grip, the block's geometry changes and the new size is
displayed in the Properties palette under Custom.

Create a Lookup Table

After you've drawn the geometry and added the appropriate parameters and actions required for the
dynamic block's functionality, you can add a lookup table to the block definition.
A blank lookup table is created when you add a lookup parameter to a dynamic block definition and
then add a lookup action and associate it with the lookup parameter. The lookup table is displayed in
the lookup table dialog box.

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Add Properties and Values to a Lookup Table

The Property Lookup Table consists of input properties and lookup properties. Each input property and
lookup property is represented by a column in the table.
Input properties. Parameters other than lookup parameters (for example, a linear
parameter labeled Width). You can create a column under Input Properties for every
parameter in the block definition except for lookup, alignment, and base point parameters.
Lookup properties. Lookup parameters. You add one lookup parameter to the dynamic block
definition for every lookup property column you want to add to the lookup table. The lookup
parameter label is used as the property name.
After you add the properties (columns) to the table, you add values to the cells in each column. You
click a cell and enter a value. Make sure to follow the guidelines in Specify Values for Lookup Tables.
If you defined a value set for an input property (parameter) in the table, a drop-down list of available
values will display when you click a cell in that column.
The following lookup table is used for the lighting fixture block shown previously. The linear parameters
that have been labeled Height and Width have been added as input properties. Size has been
added as a lookup property. The values under Height and Width are taken from the value sets defined
for each of those parameters. The values under Size are entered manually.

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When the parameter values in a dynamic block reference match a row of input property values, the
corresponding lookup property values in that table row are assigned to the block reference. These
lookup properties and values are displayed in the Properties palette under Custom.
For example, when you edit the lighting fixture block reference to have a height of 250 centimeters and
a width of 500 centimeters, the Size property in the Custom area of the Properties palette will display a
value of 0.25 m x 0.50 m.
In the lookup table, at the bottom of the input properties is a row labeled <Unmatched>. When the
parameter values in a block reference do not match a row of input property values defined in the
block's lookup table, the lookup property value that corresponds to <Unmatched> is assigned to the
block reference. The default value is Custom, but you can specify another value by changing it in the
table.
Enable Reverse Lookup
You can also specify that a lookup property allows for reverse lookup. This adds a lookup grip to the
dynamic block reference. When you click this grip, a drop-down list of the lookup values for that lookup
property (column in the table) is displayed. When you select a value from the list, the corresponding
input property values are assigned to the block reference. Depending on how the block was defined,
this usually results in a change in the block reference's geometry.

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To enable reverse lookup for a lookup property, each row in the lookup table must be unique. After you
add properties and values to the table, you can check for errors and empty cells by clicking the audit
button in the Property Lookup Table dialog box. You can also use the shortcut menu options to insert,
delete, or reorder rows.
Note If you leave a cell empty in the lookup properties column and the cell has an associated input
property in the same row, the lookup property will not allow for reverse lookup.
See Also

Extract Data from Block Attributes

Extract Block Attribute Data (Advanced)
To create a lookup table for a dynamic block
1. Click Insert tab

Block panel

Block Editor.

2. In the Block Editor, add one or more lookup parameters to a dynamic block definition by following
the steps in To add a lookup parameter to a dynamic block definition.
3. In the Block Editor, add a lookup action to a dynamic block definition by following the steps in To
add a lookup action to a dynamic block definition.
The Property Lookup Table dialog box is displayed.
4. Use any of the following procedures to set up a lookup table for the dynamic block:
To add input properties to a lookup table
To add lookup properties to a lookup table
To enable reverse lookup
5. Click Block Editor tab

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Open/Save panel

Save Block.

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6. (Optional) If you are finished using the Block Editor, click Close Block Editor.
To add input properties to a lookup table
1. In the Block Editor, double-click a lookup action in a dynamic block definition.
2. In the Property Lookup Table dialog box, click Add Properties.
3. In the Add Parameter Properties dialog box, in the bottom-left corner of the dialog box, click Add
Input Properties.
4. In the Parameter Properties list, select the parameter properties you want to add to the lookup
table. Hold Ctrl down to select more than one property.
5. Click OK.
To add lookup properties to a lookup table
1. Click Insert tab

Block panel

Block Editor.

2. In the Block Editor, double-click a lookup action in a dynamic block definition.

3. In the Property Lookup Table dialog box, click Add Properties.
4. In the Add Parameter Properties dialog box, in the bottom-left corner of the dialog box, click Add
Lookup Properties.
5. In the Parameter Properties list, select the lookup parameter properties you want to add to the
lookup table. Hold Ctrl down to select more than one property.
6. Click OK.
To add values to a lookup table
1. Click Insert tab

Block panel

Block Editor.

2. In the Block Editor, double-click a lookup action in a dynamic block definition.

3. In the Property Lookup Table dialog box, click an empty cell and do one of the following:
Select a value from the drop-down list. (A drop-down list only displays if a value set has
been defined for the parameter.)
Enter a value.
4. Repeat Step 2 as required to complete the table.
5. Click OK.
To enable reverse lookup
1. Click Insert tab

Block panel

Block Editor.

2. In the Block Editor, double-click a lookup action in a dynamic block definition.

3. In the Property Lookup Table dialog box, at the bottom of a Lookup Property column, click Read
Only, and then select Allow Reverse Lookup from the list.
Note You can only select Allow Reverse Lookup if you have entered data in the column.

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4. Click OK.
To make the lookup property read-only
1. Click Insert tab

Block panel

Block Editor.

2. In the Block Editor, double-click a lookup action in a dynamic block definition.

3. In the Property Lookup Table dialog box, at the bottom of a Lookup Property column, click Allow
Reverse Lookup, and then select Read Only from the list.
4. Click OK.
To check for errors in a lookup table
In the Property Lookup Table dialog box, click Audit.
To open an existing lookup table
1. Click Insert tab

Block panel

Block Editor.

2. In the Block Editor, double-click a lookup action.

Commands

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