Revision History

[karmoh]

Hi Guy’s

If possible, I’d like to know your procedures for auto-filling/creating revision history blocks on drafts.
Over the years I have played with several ways and none have been that successful.

The two that I have found the most useful were
1. Create a txt callout (without leader) by using spaces to format between the Rev, Description, Date, and author. I am then able to copy down to the next line, double click and edit. Relies on memory and accurate input.
2. Create an excel table, copy and paste to the draft and edit. Which can cause lots of problems if the excel file goes walkabout or the link becomes unstable.

I was wondering if I’m missing something or is there an addin available that can automate the procedure from properties. I would envisage it would involve creating custom properties of some sort.

I did search, plenty for SW but very little on SE

Thanks for any input, it is appreciated.

 

[beachcomber]

I totally agree - none that I have seen have been that successful.
Generally I would say use property text to record the latest revision, and drop the property text of old revisions, which is what we did at aprevious contract.
At my present contract they keep adding more property text for Rev2, Rev3 etc.
It's a real PITA if you want to use Property Manager, because you have to have so many columns.
One thing with property text though, most of it is only single line input, particularly Custom properties - unless you do it through VB.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[KENAT]

Ours is set up as 'text blocks' in a table created with geometry lines in the background.

We have 5 columns, Aone, Rev, Description, Date & Approved.

For each new rev we just copy, past, move (or variation there on such as move with copy) down.

Now that the table functionality is being improved I want to take another look, but I don't have time right now.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[karmoh]

Thanks Guys,

Kenat,
I like the idea of using the table on the background sheet. This could be the answer and very flexible. I'll have a play and get back to you.

Beachcomber,
At one time I set up the custom properties, for different revs, but became a chore and as you rightly say, to many columns. Hence I started using the txt callout.

There is probably software out there, PLM or PDM style, but I'm an owner/operator business with a limited budget and hours. Typically PLM/PDM style software is geared towards company specific products, whereas guys like me have several clients from government contracts to jobbing shops all with different QA and drafting needs. I fear that if I went down the PLM/PDM track, I would become a slave to the software spending vast amounts of time manipulating data for little financial benefit. Although I love my business, at the end of the day I’m only here for………….


cheers