block dimensions (visibility) strategy (SOLVED)

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Husky
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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy

Post by Husky » Sat Jun 03, 2023 11:18 pm

bambuko wrote:
Sat Jun 03, 2023 10:00 pm
and now - what are snappable and frozen layers? (rest is self explanatory)
DuckDuckGo here we go :mrgreen:
Snappable - well you can snap to entities of that layer or not. :wink:
Frozen - maybe this topic helps to understand a bit more about it ...

https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic. ... zen#p40515
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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy

Post by bambuko » Sun Jun 04, 2023 8:54 am

All is clear (at last :mrgreen: )
Thank you for the link explaining details of how freezing works -very helpful
I can do a lot more and more efficiently - this thread can definitely be marked as SOLVED
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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy

Post by bambuko » Sun Jun 04, 2023 5:04 pm

Husky wrote:
Sat Jun 03, 2023 11:18 pm
...
I have been using it all day today and I am delighted with convenience and improved usability.
The only issue I have found so far is with controlling images inserted into blocks.
Normally locking image layer prevents it from being highlighted when cursor gets anywhere near it, but...
if the image is inserted into block and this block is later inserted into main drawing, the locking of image layer doesn't prevent it from being highlighted :(

Is it a bug, because developers didn't think nobody would be stupid enough to try doing it? :wink: :mrgreen:
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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy

Post by Husky » Sun Jun 04, 2023 8:25 pm

bambuko wrote:
Sun Jun 04, 2023 5:04 pm
if the image is inserted into block and this block is later inserted into main drawing, the locking of image layer doesn't prevent it from being highlighted :(

Is it a bug, because developers didn't think nobody would be stupid enough to try doing it? :wink: :mrgreen:
So far I can't reproduce that behavior. :oops: May I ask you what typ of image it is and what is the QCAD version?
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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy (SOLVED)

Post by bambuko » Sun Jun 04, 2023 8:38 pm

sorry, should have included it from the beginning...

Code: Select all

QCAD Professional
Version: 3.28.1.0 (3.28.1)
Internet: QCAD.org
Build Date: Mar 30 2023
Revision: ca7ec14
Qt Version: 5.8.0
Architecture: x86_64
Compiler: gcc 4.8.1
images are simple .jpg

to replicate:
1. create a block
2. insert image into the block (making sure that image layer is locked)
3. insert block into main drawing

image in the block behaves as if it's layer wasn't locked...

and ... just had a brain fart :mrgreen:

If I lock the block reference layer (rather than block image layer) all is fine with the image (but I can't work/select the block any more... :evil: )
so that is the problem - locking image layer inside the block doesn't work when the block (with it's image) is inserted into main drawing on different block reference layer
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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy (SOLVED)

Post by CVH » Mon Jun 05, 2023 4:31 am

bambuko wrote:
Sun Jun 04, 2023 5:04 pm
The only issue I have found so far is with controlling images inserted into blocks.
With locking the Block Reference layer one can not select the Block Reference nor is it highlighted when pointing on or near it.
Expected behavior.

With locking the Image layer one can still highlight/select the Block Reference as a whole when the Block Reference layer isn't locked.
The image and all other entities in the Block Reference are indeed highlighted when pointing on or near it and selected if clicked.
One doesn't address the image or other entities, one addresses the Block Reference entity.
Again expected behavior.
This may look odd when the Block is constructed with only an image entity. :wink:

The image may still be on a locked layer, meaning that you can not alter it or individual select it.
In that case there will be a transaction failure when exploding the Block Reference.

Remark here that a Block Reference is merely an entity that lives on a layer like any other kind of entities.
A Block is a collection of entities that each lives on a certain layer, the Block itself not.
A Block Reference is an entity that displays the content of the referenced Block.

I have problems with this kind of prhases:
bambuko wrote:
Sun Jun 04, 2023 8:38 pm
locking image layer inside the block doesn't work when the block (with it's image) is inserted into main drawing on different block reference layer
Layers, Blocks and Block References are fully separate things, there doesn't exist something as an 'image Layer inside a Block'.
When you insert a Block into the main drawing a Block Reference is created on the active layer what displays the content of the Block.

I understand that we tend to use 'Block' for short when talking about a 'Block Reference'.
Still, when mixing the two in the same explanation one should diversify.

Regards,
CVH

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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy (SOLVED)

Post by bambuko » Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:21 am

Indeed my description was sloppy, imprecise and confusing e_confused

Your explanation helps me to better understand the block, block reference and their respective behaviours.
Clearly locking a layer inside of the block (which works fine) has no bearing on block reference.
Block reference (or as I have described it incorrectly - block inserted into main drawing) is only selectable as a single item.

I will have to revise my approach based on this better understanding.

Thank you.
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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy (SOLVED)

Post by CVH » Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:26 am

bambuko wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:21 am
Clearly locking a layer inside of the block
Again, there is nothing as a Layer inside a Block or inside a Block Reference ...

But I see you got the basic ideas ...

Regards,
CVH

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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy (SOLVED)

Post by bambuko » Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:30 am

CVH wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:26 am
...Again, there is nothing as a Layer inside a Block...
and again :wink:
when I open the block to edit it, every single item inside it is on it's own layer,
and (for example) I can control visibility of entities on individual layers inside of the block,

so you will have to do a lot better to convince me...
Last edited by bambuko on Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy (SOLVED)

Post by CVH » Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:51 am

bambuko wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:30 am
I can control visibility of individual layers inside of the block
Rewrite that as:
I can control visibility of entities on individual layers inside of the block
And then it is correct.

With layers you can not control the visibility of a Block, only entities are affected ... A Block Reference is an entity, a Block not.

Regards,
CVH

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Re: block dimensions (visibility) strategy (SOLVED)

Post by bambuko » Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:07 am

CVH wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:51 am
...Rewrite that ...
And then it is correct...
my post edited
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