Technical

Contents

• Technical
  • Introduction
  • Class
  • Value
  • Object
  • Entity
  • Identifiers
  • Methods

Introduction

This page contains technical concepts for users working with SOZ-LIVE.

Class

A Class is a template for the creation of an Object.
Everything that is created is an ‘Object’ of a particular Class.
This includes graphical entities such as:

• AcDbLine - a 3d Line entity.
• SZCEPart - a complex derived entity containing Features, to define a parametric 3d Enitity.

Through to non-graphical objects such as:

• SZLPReal - a value object for a real number.
• SZLPReals - a value object for a list of Real Numbers.

Note

Except for values, each class has a four letter prefix that identifies it as belonging to a particular part of the class hierarchy.
Refer to the Prefixes document for details.

Value

A Value is the base level of things created, such as:

• Real - a real number
• Boolean - a value that is either True or False.
• Point - a list of three Reals defining a 3D Point in space.

They do not have a prefix and are primarily used internally for calculations.

Note

A Real value entered into a dialog box is stored as a string until required by the program.

Object

An Object is non-graphical in nature, such as:

• SZLPReal - a real number Object
• SZGEPoint - a geometric Point Object

Through to complex geometric objects that utilise other objects and entities in their calculated value(s):

• SZGEPoint-AcDbCircle-Center object - that returns the center Point of a AcDbCircle Entity.
• SZGEPattern2D-Rectangular object - that creates and returns a list of TMatrix values for the insertion of Entities into the Model in a Rectangular 2D Pattern.

Entity

An Entity is a type of Object that are graphical in nature.

Base entity classes predominantly begin with the prefix AcDb, and derived classes are typically prefixed with SZCE.

Identifiers

All objects in SOZ are stored and passed by reference to an ID - that is a string incorporating the object’s Handle.
eg: "#O#AA5" would be the SOZ object with the handle AA5.

Note

All Make functions return the value or the ID of the object / entity that was created.

Methods

Within SOZ each function is defined as a Method of a particular Class.

When interacting with SOZ you are basically manipulating Objects by applying a method to the Object.