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Step 9 of 16: Define and Link Constant Groups

B2.9: Add and define Constant Groups

Written by Alexandra Göttert

Prerequisites

  • The DST loads correctly for the CWT-left and CWT-right project.

Steps

1.) Define a constant group. Configure a Constant Group to create your own user storage values per sheet item, based on your predefined conditions — for example, one that drives the text shown in the plan view.

2.) Link the constant group to the sheet group. Reference the constant group via the SHEETIT_SHCSTGRP_RID column.

3.) Link the constant group to each view frame using the Data tree. For both CWT_R and CWT_L, delete the sheet number from the text — otherwise there's a risk of a broken connection in another type — and link the text to the constant group via the Data tree.

Pitfall: The view frame must be saved again after this edit, for both CWT_R and CWT_L.

  • CWT_R

  • CWT_L

4.) Load your DST with running rules. Load the finished DST configuration for the CWT-left and CWT-right location in Liftdesigner, with its rules active.

5.) Load your DST without running rules. Load the same DST without running its rules — for testing purposes, for example. Since no static content is configured, a DST loaded this way shows nothing.

6.) Use drawing messages in a constant group. Liftdesigner's standard drawing messages can also be used in the SHCSTITEM_RULE column — for example, LDS("") & "External$(""MSGGRP0.MSG529"")" OR LDS("") & "External$(""MSGGRP0.MSG559"")", where depending on the rule, one of the two drawing messages becomes active. First copy the relevant drawing messages in Liftdesigner as a preparation step.

Result

Both view frames' plan view text is now driven by the constant group instead of fixed text, and both view frames are re-saved to keep the link intact.

You can verify a DST both with and without its rules running, and know how to drive a drawing message's content from a constant group.

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