Dynamo - code blocks lacing

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I wonder if in future we could have lacing on code blocks?

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Not on the input, but you can in the code. They are called replications guides, and if memory serves they look like this:

Point.ByCoordsinates(x<2>, y<1L>);

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Urgh, not those things. :anxious_face_with_sweat:

A nice thing I could click on would be so much lovelier :slight_smile:

In this instance I just used the point.ByCoordinates node… but it’d be nice to have the option.

4

Place a version with lacing set up as you want, and use node to code. :wink:

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haha! Not anywhere near as lovely or cool or delightful as my original suggestion. :face_with_tongue:

I just did that and it did scary things… So I put it back. :face_with_peeking_eye:

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@Alien if you want to dive a little deeper, you can take a look at my DesignScript guide from BILT Ljubljana :slight_smile:

Specifically, pages 37 through 44, some snippets shown below.

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When I think of replication I think of:

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And, whilst I don’t disagree it’s possible, being able to click on, “cross lacing” would be a tiny bit easier?

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It is easier to learn about the replication guides, but in case you want the easy way, I suggest you create a Custom Node of your Code Block:

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Then you can set the lacing on the Custom Node in your graph:

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I know you can do this (I do).
I know (in this instance) there is a node that exists…

All I am saying it would be nice if the code block had an option to do that :smiley:

10

In theory it could be done, and you’d be happy…

However in doing so you’d lose the flexibility that replications guides allow. Just like Python can do some list handling which nodes can’t by implicitly defining the loops, replication guides can say 'make the Z points first, then the X, then they Y but use the XY with longest lacing and the Z with cross product… But the with the Point.ByCoordiantes node (or any node for that matter) will only allow starting with the X value (or whatever the first input is for other nodes). This is a known limitation of nodes (and in my opinion a primary limitation in visual programming today), with no functional resolution (list levels can get close, but you can’t entirely replicate this).

As such, this theoretical universe where you’re made happy by adding lacing and list levels to inputs of code blocks suddenly removes a feature of the application which others enjoy (i.e. many of the amazing works of @Vikram_Subbaiah which just cannot be recreate in nodes alone). This means that the theoretical universe is not likely to come true, as much as I would like to see every forum user get every feature they may want.

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11

Love this explanation :smiley:

Also, most of us only ever dream of getting to Vikram’s designscript level.

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@jacob.small and @Alien have awakened me from my long forum slumber :slight_smile:
Thanks guys

I’ve never studied replication guides technically though. I just found it super intuitive for design explorations with code.

Years ago I tried to convey my understanding in two articles. @Alien, this one might appeal to your extraterrestrial sensibilities. :stuck_out_tongue:

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Welcome back!!
I’ve been hoping you’d enter one of the forum challenges with your crazy design script wizardry!

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