Step 5 of 7: Add Optional Dynamic Properties, Rules, and Dimension Points

This step has three parts — Dynamic Properties, then Dynamic BIM Component Rules, then Dynamic Dimension Points — done in that order, since the rule in Part B and the check in Part C both depend on work from earlier parts.

1.) Create a user-defined 3D parameter. In DigiPara Liftdesigner Datamanager, open the car frame's row and type a value into the next empty, gray CFD_USER_PG_nn column (e.g. 50 into CFD_USER_PG_52) — this becomes parameter P52.

2.) Reload the car frame in DigiPara Liftdesigner. Make sure you are no longer in Edit Mode, then reload the car frame by re-entering its RID in the Properties window.

3.) Assign the new parameter to a profile. Select the profile whose height this property should control and set its relevant size field (e.g. DY) to P52. The parameter now appears in the profile's 3D Parameter list.

4.) Save the car frame into the DigiPara BIM Library.

5.) Create a dynamic property using the associated Profile Group. In DigiPara Liftdesigner Datamanager, open the car frame's profile group and switch to the L_ProfilGrpPropConfigItemTab tab. Add a new record.

6.) Define the dynamic property by copying the reference from the Data tree. In DigiPara Liftdesigner, open the Data tree for the car frame, locate P52 under Database Table, right-click it, and choose Copy for Program (the reference always starts with L_). Paste it into the config item's PGPROPCI_COMP_VAL column, and fill in its description. Selecting the tab again saves the new content.

7.) Check the new dynamic property in DigiPara Liftdesigner. Reload the car frame and confirm the new property is now visible and editable in its Properties window.

8.) Open the Rule Editor and activate Developer mode. Select the car frame and click Rule Editor on the Develop BIM Components ribbon tab. Select the Developer radio button — required before you can add a rule component.

9.) Define the rule's description and tree structure. Add a rule component for the car frame and give it a clear description, then set its structure fields to organize it under a readable heading.

10.) Define the rule's condition and assignment. Open the rule's matrix editor. In the condition column, reference the dynamic property from Part A; in the assignment column, list the values you want that property constrained to.

11.) Save the rule. Click Check and Save Matrix, then Save All to Database.

12.) Test the new rule in DigiPara Liftdesigner, and check Options and Rules. Close the Rule Editor and try setting the dynamic property to a value outside the allowed range — the rule should now enforce a fixed range of possible values. You can also activate or deactivate the option and the rule directly from the Options and Rules docking window.

13.) Add a characteristic point for a custom dimension, and save. On the Develop BIM Components ribbon tab, click Add Characteristic Point — the new point appears at the car frame's base point. Position it under [0517] Position, copying formulas from an existing profile with Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V where useful, then save the car frame into the DigiPara BIM Library.

14.) Determine the necessary point code, and assign it to the new point. In DigiPara Liftdesigner Datamanager, open the Profile Group Point Codes table and add a new record with a unique code number and description (e.g. "Car Frame T - P1"). Then open the car frame's profile group Points tab and set the new point's code column to that number — selecting the tab again saves it.

15.) Reload the car frame and check the new dynamic dimension point. Reload the car frame (RID re-entry). On the Dimensions ribbon tab, use Aligned Dimension, Vertical Dimension, or Horizontal Dimension from the Dynamic Dimensions group, and click on the new point to anchor a dimension line to it.

The car frame now has an adjustable, rule-constrained dynamic property for profile height, and a custom characteristic point that can anchor its own dimension lines.