Referencing an object on existing page from a Master Object

[Anderson]

I would like to be able to drop a shape onto a page and have the shapes color
change based on a property on an existing shape on the page.

For example:
I have a rectangle on a page (sheet.414) with the property
prop.blockpoint and value of 8.2.

When i drop another shape onto the page with sheet.414. I would like for it
to read sheet.414!prop.blockpoint value and set it color depending on other
variables.

If I edit the shape after I drop it onto the page, to read
sheet.414!prop.blockpoint everthing works as I expect it to work.

However, I can not get the user defined cell on the master shape to accept
sheet.414!blockpoint in the value. I have tried several permutations:
Pages[page-1]sheet.414!blockpoint, rectangle.414!blockpoint, etc.

Is there a way to get the shape to read another shapes properties when it is
dropped?

 

[Scott Helmers]

Can you store the pertinent variables in the page sheet instead of sheet.414?
That makes it much easier because the master can refer to the page sheet
instead.

Worst case, use the above approach but set shapesheet formulas in the page
object to read the values from sheet.414. That way your dropped master can
still get data from a known place -- the page sheet.

 

[Anderson]

Scott,
I actually tried this. I added a property to my page called
prop.current_blockpoint and then tried to refer to it from the master shape
user.blockpoint =ThePage!Prop.Current_Blockpoint.

I found that I could add user.blockpoint =ThePage!Prop.Current_Blockpoint to
an object existing on the page, when I tried adding this user prop to the
Master object I still get the error. The strange part is I can drag the
object on my page which has this value onto my document stencil and It works.
The only problem is that now the master is not linked to any of the other
existing objects on the page.

Any thoughts on why i can add the object to the stencil and it works, but if
i try to add the user property to an existing master object i get an error?

Can you store the pertinent variables in the page sheet instead of sheet.414?
That makes it much easier because the master can refer to the page sheet
instead.

Worst case, use the above approach but set shapesheet formulas in the page
object to read the values from sheet.414. That way your dropped master can
still get data from a known place -- the page sheet.

I would like to be able to drop a shape onto a page and have the shapes color
change based on a property on an existing shape on the page.

For example:
I have a rectangle on a page (sheet.414) with the property
prop.blockpoint and value of 8.2.

When i drop another shape onto the page with sheet.414. I would like for it
to read sheet.414!prop.blockpoint value and set it color depending on other
variables.

If I edit the shape after I drop it onto the page, to read
sheet.414!prop.blockpoint everthing works as I expect it to work.

However, I can not get the user defined cell on the master shape to accept
sheet.414!blockpoint in the value. I have tried several permutations:
Pages[page-1]sheet.414!blockpoint, rectangle.414!blockpoint, etc.

Is there a way to get the shape to read another shapes properties when it is
dropped?

 

[Scott Helmers]

The old catch-22 -- the "page" in the stencil is a different page than the
one in the document where you drop an instance of the master. Consequently, a
master in the stencil doesn't know about your document page's custom
property.

You can get around this problem by editing an instance of the master on the
drawing page so it refers to your page data field. Then drag the instance
onto your stencil to create a new master. The new "all knowing" master will
have the page property defined correctly for dropped instances.

 

[vojo]

you may want to use a background page for this.
(seen / avoided during presentation, constant regardless of pages being
added, etc)

I have briefly thought about this approach as a "fabric" for independent
shape to independent shape communications. Aka passing some parameter
between independent shapes not in a common group. ie dyname binding of
shapes

Have not thought it all out yet...but seems promising