I'm running into an issue with custom topworks. From trying different permutations, it looks like they only work if the file contains a single solid, unioned together. What I would *really* like is to build the topworks out of common blocks, allowing for fast redefinition inside the models.

Has anybody gotten custom topworks to function using multple objects and/or blocks in the source file?

Did you ever figure out what the limitations or requirements are for custom topworks? I have a custom topworks dwg that is composed of several surfaces and a solid object grouped together. When I place it in the model the solid part does not show. If I convert the solid part to surfaces and regroup it the topworks does not come in at all.

Never mind, I figured out the problem. My solid object was actually a block. Once I exploded the block in the topworks file the topworks appeared in the model in its entirety.

where you able to ever get a user definable (in the model) topworks to work?

Yup, I've been using them for some time now. Still would prefer a multi-block solution rather than be limited to a single UNION'd solid, but it's other wise functional.

Yup, I've been using them for some time now. Still would prefer a multi-block solution rather than be limited to a single UNION'd solid, but it's other wise functional.

could you describe what your method allows you to do? are you able to manipulate dimensionally the topworks block once inserted?

Ah, sorry - misread that. It's still limited to single, unioned, solids, and doesn't insert anything as block references. As solids they can be tweaked using the normal AutoCAD solid editing commands.

I did have something fancy cooked up to insert blocks onto CADWorx objects, originally used for detailed valve bodies (this was before the DWG overlay field was added to the catalogs), which was going to serve the purpose. That, along with a custom 3D dynamic block setup (e.g. handwheel size was selectable, as was the major offset dimensions), was going to handle the topworks issue.