Attach user defined property sets per instance

Hello, Chris,

there is a LISP API for BIM properties, see our "Lisp Developer Support Package" documentation (freeware in application catalog), or our online help.
Actually, the (bim:set-property) can not yet attach new custom properties, only edit existing properties.

It is planned to have this improved/fixed with V21.2 (already works on my machine) ... so far, that should then work for you as you intend
many greetings !

Dear Chris,

so far, I tried to prevent reworking the entire (bim:set-property) function, for a new "NameSpace" parameter;
actually, the (bim:set/get-property) function already has an optional last argument, for "Category" ... normally, that "Category" should correspond to a BIM property "NameSpace", but the BIM logic had changed over time, and so it never really matched.

Besides, changing properties only works in propertysets for few "NameSpaces" only ... namely in "User";
so the trick implemented now is :
first attempt tries to create + edit the property in a same-named propertyset, as specified by "Category" in (bim:set-property);
if that fails, LISP will internally fall-back to "User" namespace ...
this approach applies to create, read and write operations, so it is fully transparent.

This means :
a) existing apps will start to work, withotu code change
b) no extra code changes required to deal with "NameSpace" (and with "Category" in parallel ... rather confusing)

The disadvantage is, tha LISP + BRX applications can not explicitly use an own, dedicated propertyset name - all API based properties are in "BIM Application Properties" propertiesset ... theoretically, for BRX based apps, it would be possible to automatically create a propertyset, based on the BRX app's "application name" ... but this is not possible for Lisp.

Maybe, for V21.2, I might additionally add new (bim:set/get-ps-property) function, with explicit "propertyset" name ... ? The specified "propertyset" would be created automatically ... in case, it is not yet existing (which means, those functions to create/delete propertysets, as you suggested, also make sense !);
I think this could be a good compromise, compatible forward + backward (I keep thinking about )

I also noticed that deleting a property is not yet available ... so soem work remains till V21.2

If such custom PSets could also be exported as IFC, then i guess this would be perfect for BIM users!

yes, clearly !! We are internally discussing about this ...

many greetings !

Dear Chris,
with V21.2, there will also be a new "LDSP package, with docs for the added + updated LISP functions ...
https://www.bricsys.com/applications/a/?lisp-developer-support-package-(ldsp)-a720-al1176

many greetings !

(bim:pset-set-property (car (entsel)) "MyPSet" "MyProperty1" "MyValue1")
When I call this function for the first time and select a 3DSOLID, the PSet including property and value (string) is created correctly.

If I want to add a second property to the PSet, then a property is created which has the PSet name and the corresponding value (string) instead of the property name.

(bim:pset-set-property (car (entsel)) "MyPSet" "MyProperty2" 123.456)
If I want to add another property, it no longer works because the property name is the PSet name again.

oops, this sounds like a bug, indeed :-( I will check + fix this problem ... with a little luck, for the upcoming V21.2.03

How can I enter a boolean value? If I use T / NIL then the value is 1 or 0 and the property type is integer and not Boolean.
(bim:pset-set-property (car (entsel)) "MyPSet" "MyProperty4" T)
(bim:pset-set-property (car (entsel)) "MyPSet" "MyProperty5" NIL)

hmm, I will check if the properties system supports boolean type (likely it does), and will improve that as well.

Would it also be possible to extend the function or another function to define an enum list for a property?

also, I have to check how this could be made possible ...

many greetings & more to come !