Using the Drawing Format Definition Program To Add, Modify, Remove, and Copy Format Blocks

Blocks are the "pieces" or "parts" used to define a format or additional tables that are added to a drawing. Blocks can be required portions of a format definition like a title block, or a optional block or table like a KPC block.
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Creating (Adding) A New Block

To create a new block, select the "Add Block" button on the "Format Definition" dialog, and an empty "Block Definition" dialog will be displayed. (See figure below)
Enter/select the following for the "Block Definition" dialog:

Block ID

Internal identifier used to represent the data required representing a portion of the drawing format.  For example, "dphTitle" and "dphExtTitle" are used to define the title blocks used on the corporate category of standard formats for internal and external Delphi use respectively.

Restrictions:

  • Use a unique identifier name to represent usage.
  • No blanks.
  • Use only alphanumeric characters.
  • Use lowercase characters for all but use uppercase for first letter of the second or more joined words.
  • Category

    The category is the classification of formats that the block is to be available.

    Options/Restrictions:

  • Use category names that match those defined in the format section.
  • Description

    Used in the Delphi Format menus to describe the type of block. For example, the corporate standard size title blocks are:
  • "Internal Title" (Title block used on component and assembly drawings that are A0, A1, or A2 in size.)
  • "External Title" (Title block used on outline drawings that are A0, A1, or A2 in size.)
  • Pattern Name

    The name of the UG pattern file that contains the static geometry and text used to define block. A pattern file in not required if no static text and/or geometry is required in the block.For example, the block that contains the company name (dphAddress) does not require a pattern or dialog file. Leave this option blank if it is not required.

    Options/Restrictions:

  • The pattern file must be in the categories pattern directory.
  • A link must be defined from the $DAFORMAT_BASE_DIR/pattern directory to the pattern in the in the format categories" pattern sub directory in the. Example:
  • ln -s ../../delco_format/pattern/delcomma0.prt .
  • If you are currently using patterns, a link must be defined from the $UGII_PATDIR pattern directory to the frame pattern file.
  • Be descriptive.
  • Dialog Name

    The name of the UI_Styler dialog menu used to enter values for the text fields defined in the block. A dialog menu is not required if there is no required user input for text fields defined in the block. For example, the block that contains the company name (dphAddress) does not require a pattern or dialog file. Leave this option blank if it is not required.

    Options/Restrictions:

    The dialog files, and the automatically generated header files are to be saved in each of the format categories" application directory.
    A line with the full path of new format category directory must be added to the $DAFORMAT_BASE_DIR/config/search_dirs.dat file for the dialogs to be available.

    Units

    This option is used to correctly locate the block and text fields on the format. Be sure that values enter for text field location and size are in the correct units

    Moveable

    Toggle to allow the used to reposition the block on the drawing.

    Options/Restrictions:

  • Off (Default)
  • On
  • Can Delete

    Toggle to allow the used to delete the block on the drawing.

    Options/Restrictions:

  • Off (Default)
  • On
  • Pattern Layer

    This value is used to define the layer number to be used for the geometry and text in frame pattern when added to a drawing.

    Options/Restrictions:

    Text Layer

    This value is used to define the layer number to be used for the text fields in the block.

    Options/Restrictions:

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    Block Locations

    Format ID
    Used to define/access the data required for the block on the entered/selected format. Blocks can be used on various formats, and is controlled by the category name and the format id entered. When creating a new block definition, the "Empty List" option in the Format ID pull down menu is displayed until a format size definition is added. To add a new format size definition for the block, click on the "Add" button in the block locations area of the dialog, and the "Blocks Location" dialog will be displayed (See figure below).
    ---
    Enter the name of the previously defined format ID. For example: "delphiProduct".
    Size IDs
    If no size ids have been added the pull down will display "Empty List".
    Size ID
    Enter the name of the format size that the block is to be available for use on. This is the same size id entered for the format definition. For example: "delphiProduct" (Internal Cut Sizes) has a0, a1, and a2 format sizes defined.
    X Location
    The "x" location that the block is to be placed on the format.
    Y Location
    The "y" location that the block is to be placed on the format.
    Add Button
    After entering in the required data, press the "Add" button to set the block location options for the format size entered.
    Remove Button
    Press the "Remove" button to delete the set the block location options for the format size entered selected in the "Size IDs" pull down menu.
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    Fields

    Fields are using to define how text is dynamically added in the drawing format. The size, color, font, location, and default values are among the options that are defined.
    Fields Pull Down
    The "Fields" pull down menu is used to access pre-defined fields. The string "No Fields" will be visible until fields are defined.
    Fields Add Button
    The add button is used to define a new field in a block. The "Field Definition" dialog menu is now displayed. (See figure below.)
    Field ID
    Unique identifier used to represent the text field.
    Restrictions:
      1. If a UI_Styler dialog is to be used to input text for this field, the field id MUST match the "Object Identifier" for the variable in the dialog.
      2. Use a unique identifier name to represent usage.
      3. No blanks.
      4. Use only alphanumeric characters.
      5. Use lowercase characters for all but use uppercase for first letter of the second or more joined words.
    Default Type
    Specifies the type of default text to be displayed in the initial setting of the text field. This value is only used for the default value of the field when the block is added to the format. All five support options support multiple line text.
    Default String
    The default string option is used to enter text to be displayed as default.
    Override Name
    The name of the variable defined in the da_format/config/da_format file. For example:
    DPH_CompanyName = "DELPHI DELCO ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS"
    NOTE: You can use the default type and string as default text and use the override name to override the text from the specified type with the value of the variable in the da_format/config/da_format file if the variable is set. Example: The default for the companyName field is value and the string is "DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS". If the variable DPH_CompanyName is set in the da_format file, the value for the field will be "DELPHI DELCO ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS"
    Broadcast Type
    The broadcast type determines the type of attribute to write the text entered in the UI_Styler dialog for the text field. The options are:
    1. Part Attribute
    2. Object Attribute
    If no value for the attribute is entered in the "Broadcast String" option, the text for the string will not be stored in an attribute.
    Broadcast Table Type
    The options are:
      1. AsIs - Update specified broadcast (output) attribute as entered.
      2. LastNonBlank - Update specified broadcast (output) attribute with the last non blankstring entered for this field.
      3. MinLengthNumber - Not Implemented.
    Broadcast String
    The name of the part or object attribute to store the value for the text field entered in the block's dialog. If no value is the text for the string will not be stored in an attribute.
    Text Font Name
    The name of a valid UG character font that is to be used for the text field. The standard is "LEROY".
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    Border Policies

    Bottom Border Policy
    The bottom border policy specifies if and how a line is created around the text field. This is used for defining text fields in tables.
    Options:
      1. Never - Never display a border around the field.
      2. Always - Always display a border around the field.
      3. IfValue - Not Impliemented.
      4. InitialOff - Specifies that the border will be displayed if the inital value is defined.
      5. InitialOn - Specifies that the border will be displayed if the inital value is not defined.
    Note: The options Initial Off and Initial On are only used for controlling the display of the middle border.
    Left Border Policy
    The same as "Border Policies - Bottom" but for the left side of the text field.
    Middle Border Policy
    The same as "Border Policies - Bottom" but for the middle of the text field.
    Right Border Policy
    The same as "Border Policies - Bottom" but for the right side of the text field.
    Top Border Policy
    The same as "Border Policies - Bottom" but for the top side of the text field.

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    Text Color

    The color to be used for the text field. Options are:
    *Blue
    *Green
    *Cyan
    *Red
    *Magenta
    *Yellow
    *White
    *Olive
    *Pink
    *Brown
    *Orange
    *Purple
    *Dark red
    *Aquamarine
    *Gray

    Border Color

    If a border is specified, the color to be used for the borderlines. Options are:
    *Blue
    *Green
    *Cyan
    *Red
    *Magenta
    *Yellow
    *White
    *Olive
    *Pink
    *Brown
    *Orange
    *Purple
    *Dark red
    *Aquamarine
    *Gray

    Flip Text

    Specifies that the text field is to be displayed mirrored on the drawing. (Rotated about the Y-axis 180 degrees.)

    Multi-line Field

    Specifies that the text field is to support multiple lines of text is selected.

    Editable

    Specifies that the text field can be updated with values from the specified part or object attribute. If this is not selected, the field can only be edited with input from a UI_Styler dialog.

    Zone Field

    Specifies the text field is to be used with the zone symbol.
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    Relative Offset type

    Specifies how the location of the text field is controlled. The offset can be from the origin of the block that the text field is defined or the drawing origin.
     
    Options:
      1. Block Bottom Left (Default)

      2. The text field is located relative to the bottom left corner of the block.
      3. Dwg Bottom Left

      4. The text field is located relative to the bottom left corner of the drawing format.
      5. Dwg Bottom Right

      6. The text field is located relative to the bottom right corner of the drawing format.
      7. Dwg Top Left

      8. The text field is located relative to the top left corner of the drawing format.
      9. Dwg Top Right

      10. The text field is located relative to the top left corner of the drawing format.

    Text Width Type

    Specifies the line width of the text.
     
      Options:
      1. Normal - Indicates that objects created will be assigned the line width normal.
      2. Thick - Indicates that objects created will be assigned the line width thick.
      3. Thin- Indicates that objects created will be assigned the line width thin.

    Text Justification

    Controls the alignment of multiple lines of text.
    Options:
      1. Left - Indicates that multiple lines of text will be aligned to the left.
      2. Center - Indicates that multiple lines of text will be aligned to their centers.
      3. Right - Indicates that multiple lines of text will be aligned to the right.
    Text Site
    Controls the location of the point used to position the text field in relation to its text. (See figure below.)
    Options:
    1. Top Left - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be at the top left corner of an imaginary box containing the text.
    2. Top Center - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be at the center of the top edge of an imaginary box containing the text.
    3. Top Right - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be at the top right corner of an imaginary box containing the text.
    4. Mid Left - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be at the mid-point of the left edge of an imaginary box containing the text.
    5. Mid Center - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be in the center of an imaginary box containing the text.
    6. Mid Right - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be at the mid-point of the right edge of an imaginary box containing the text
    7. Top Right - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be at the bottom left corner of an imaginary box containing the text.
    8. Mid Right - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be at the center of the bottom edge of an imaginary box containing the text.
    9. Bottom Right - Indicates that the point used to locate text will be at the bottom right corner of an imaginary box containing the text.


    Indentation

    Specifies the number of blank spaces to add to the front of the first line of multiple line text fields.

    Text Angle

    Controls the angle of the text field. (0-360)

    Text Aspect

    Option to specify the aspect ratio for the text field. The aspect ratio times the character size determines the character width.

    Line Space

    The Line Space Factor option allows you to assign a multiplier to the line spacing value. This line spacing value (used to define the spacing between lines of text) is equal to the actual value for a given font (found in the Unigraphics font table) multiplied by the current character. The line spacing value determines the distance between the base line of the upper line of text, and the cap line of the lower line of text.
    An example of how the line spacing value is determined for a particular font and size is shown in the figure below. If the line spacing field contains a value of 2, the line spacing is doubled (see the following figure).

    Margin Height

    Defines the height the border around the text field in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.

    Margin Width

    Defines the width the border around the text field in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.

    Text Size

    Defines the height of character text in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.

    Char Space Factor

    The space factor times the character spacing defined in the character font definition determines the actual character spacing.

    X Location

    Defines the relative x distance offset for the text field from the location specified in the "Relative Offset value" option. The value is in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.

    Y Location

    Defines the relative y distance offset for the text field from the location specified in the "Relative Offset value" option. The value is in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.

    Height

    Defines the height of the table "cell" for the text field if borders are specified.

    Width

    Defines the width of the table "cell" for the text field if borders are specified.

    Project Symbol X Location

    Obsolete

    Project Symbol Y Location

    Obsolete

    User Defined Symbol File

    Specifies which symbol file to use.
    Options:
      1. UG Default
      2. Customer Default

    Alternate Text Size

    Defines the alternate text field height of character text in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.

    Alternate Text Size Number Of Characters

    Defines the maximum number of characters for text fields using the alternate text size.
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    Fields Edit Button

    The edit button is used to edit previously defined block fields. Select the field to edit using the "Fields" pull down menu and click on the "Edit" field button.

    Fields Remove Button

    The remove button is used to delete block fields. Select the field to remove using the "Fields" pull down menu and click on the "Remove" field button.

    Fields Clone Button

    The clone button is used to copy a field. This is helpful when setting up blocks with multiple fields. Select the field to clone using the "Fields" pull down menu and click on the "Edit" field button. A copy is made of the selected field and is the same name with the suffix "copy". After cloning, select the copy and press the "Edit" field button. Next rename the field id in the "Field Definition" dialog. (See below)
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    Tables

    Tables are used to create and edit tables of information on drawings. Tables are similar to UG's tabular notes and can used to define blocks like the revision column and a kpc block.

    Tables Pull Down

    The "Tables" pull down menu is used to access pre-defined tables. The string "No Tables" will be visible until a table is defined.

    Tables Add Button

    The add button is used to define a new table to be used in the block. The "Table Definition" dialog menu is now displayed. (See figure below.)

    Table ID

    Internal identifier used to represent the table object. For example, the revision column block uses a table definition called "revTable".
    Restrictions:
    1. Use a unique identifier name to represent usage.
    2. No blanks.
    3. Use only alphanumeric characters.
    4. Use lowercase characters for all but use uppercase for first letter of the second or more joined words.
    5. The table id must be be part of the UI_Styler object identifiers for the entry list, total entries, and the entry operations. Example:
    Table ID
    revTable
    Object Identifier
    REVTABLE_ENT_LIST
    Object Identifier
    REVTABLE_OPS

    Entry List String

    This option defines what text fields are visible in the entry list box of the UI_Stlyer dialog used. For example, the Delphi Corporate revision block (dphRevision) uses a table to insert text and lines defining the revision column. A table called "revtable" is defined for the block. (See figure below.) NOTE: I have modified the dialog file and have added the Delphi logo and Delco Electronics Systems image files.
    The fields defined for the table are: date, stage, revision, change, nonmath, zone, history, authority, designer, checker, and approved. The UI_Styler dialog includes a single list widget that displays any entries that have been made to the revision block table. The label "Entry No. / REV / CHG / N/P" indicates that only the entry number (calculated) and the fields revision, change, and non math are to be displayed.

    X Location

    Defines the relative x distance offset for the start of the table from the block placement point. The value is in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.

    Y Location

    Defines the relative y distance offset for the start of the table from the block placement point. The value is in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.

    Direction

    This option defines the direction that the table is to be built.
    Options:
    1. Down (Default)
    2. Up
     

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    Symbol Settings

    Symbol Line 1 Value
    Specifies the text fields to be used for line one of the symbol. (Comma delimited)
    Symbol Line 2 Value
    Specifies the text fields to be used for line two of the symbol. (Comma delimited)
    NOTE: The symbol text can set to be overridden by using variables in the da_format configuration file.

    Example: The da_format configuration file by default has the symbol line one and two text override commented out for the revision table block.  (See below)

  • #symbol1Value = "revision"
  • #symbol2Value = "change,nonmath"
  • Uncomment to override each of fields to be used in the revision symbol.
    Symbol Text Font Name
    Defines the Unigraphics font name to be used to display text in the symbol. Standard is Leroy.
    Symbol Type
    Define the type of symbol to be added.
      Options:
      1. None
      2. ID Symbol
    ID Symbol Type
    The ID Symbol Type controls the style of ID Symbol Types for you to use. Each symbol type creates a different type of ID Symbol. The following figure shows examples of ID Symbols you can create.

    ID Symbols
    Divided Symbols
    There are three divided symbols, the Divided Circle, Divided Square, and Divided Hexagon. These symbols are divided by a horizontal line and allow you to enter upper and lower text strings. These text strings are placed just above and below this line.
    Datum Target (Quadrant circle Symbol)
    The datum target (Quadrant Circle) symbol is made up of a circle that is divided into quarters by both a horizontal and vertical line. For this symbol, the upper text string is placed in the upper left quadrant just above the horizontal dividing line. The lower text string is placed in the lower right quadrant just below the horizontal dividing line (see the following figure).

    Quadrant Circle Symbol with Upper and Lower Text
    Symbol Color
    The color to be used for the symbol. (Standard system colors.)
    Symbol Layer
    Defines the layer (1-254) to be used for the symbol. Standard is 254.
    Symbol Size
    Defines the height of the symbol in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.
    Symbol Text Size
    Defines the height of the symbol text in inches or millimeters, depending on the unit type you specify for the block.
    Symbol Text Aspect
    Option to specify the aspect ratio for the symbol text field. The aspect ratio times the character size determines the character width.
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    Fields

    Table text fields are defined, edited and remove exactly like fields defined in the fields section for the block. See the fields section in the documentation above.
    Add
    Edit
    Remove
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    Tables Edit Button

    The edit button is used to edit previously defined tables. Select the table to edit using the "Tables" pull down menu and click on the "Edit" in the table section.

    Tables Remove Button

    The remove button is used to delete previously defined tables. Select the table to delete using the "Tables" pull down menu and click on the "Delete" in the table section.

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    Modifying A Block

    To modify a block, select the "Modify Block" button on the "Format Definition" dialog, and a "Edit Block" dialog will be displayed. (See figure below.)
    Select the block to edit, and hit the "OK" button and a "Block Definition" dialog will be displayed with the previously enter format definition data. (See figure below.)
    Use the directions from the "Add Block" command to modify the values for the block.

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    Removing A Block

    To remove a block, select the "Remove Block" button on the "Format Definition" dialog, and a "Remove Block" dialog will be displayed. (See figure below.)
    Select the block to remove from the pull down menu and hit the "OK" button.
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    Copy A Block

    To copy a block, select the "Copy Block" button on the "Format Definition" dialog, and a "Copy Block" dialog will be displayed. (See figure below.)
    Select the block to copy from the pull down menu and hit the "OK" button. The copy is now available to edit and has the same name as the original with "Copy" added to the end of the copied block's description. Edit the copy, rename the block id and modify and settings for the new block.
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    Last updated on January 23, 2001
    Send feedback: steven.l.alexander@delphiauto.com