AutoCad :: Data Extraction For Cutlist Based On Dynamic Blocks

I design all of the architectural metal used on most project homes being built in Sydney at the moment.

I draw up balustrade and screening etc.

Basically what I have is a huge collection of complex dynamic blocks that I insert into my drawings, I then change all the variables to suit.

These drawings are then dimensioned, and a parts list manually written out based on the lengths etc of each type of material.

All of these drawings are exact reproductions of what is produced on the factory floor, so it is quite easy to identify the parts, but rather painfull to manually write out a cutting list.

I'd like to add attributes and/or fields for material type and length to each of these dynamic blocks, which update as the blocks are manipulated to the required sizes.

where I get stuck is that there are multiple drawing methods used to create these blocks, and I cannot seem to figure out exactly what I should be naming, and assigning length fields too, or even how to extract or what to extract!

When I extract the data, I get a mess of conflicting and confusing information that is impossible to sort correctly, as I can use the dynamic parameter field for some, but not others, and on others it is a simple line, but on others again they are polylines and the length is useless to me.

I have tried to creat a block with an attribute for each and every individual part, but when I combine these into a complex part and try to assign dynamic parameters as a single dynamic block, the previously blocked and named parts wont behave correctly.

Im not sure if im making much sense here, but in my mind it all seems simple enough, I just cant get it to actually work with my exsiting blocks...

All im really after is a simple BOM, for example, I have a dynamic block with the Style code A0-1, when this is inserted I change 3 different lengths depending on the job. This style code is made up of several components such as a 40 mm square post (coded 40SQ), an 80 sq baseplate (coded PF2) and a 50 x 25 mm handrail (coded HR5025).

I need to extract a length for the 40 sq post, a length for the 50 X 25 handrail and an item count for the baseplate.

There may be 25 of these in a drawing, all at different sizes.

The dynamic block works perfectly for drafting, but not so well for data extraction.

There are over 1100 of these dynamic blocks, created over the last 2 years, and the only missing piece in the drafting puzzle is the extracted cut-list to save a large amount of time, and I just cant get it working.

Is there a methodology I need to learn here? will I need to re-create these blocks to allow for extraction?

I have explained to my boss the theory behind all of this and he is keen for some working examples that the monkeys on the shop floor can read and understand, and Im stuck creating an extraction template that can work, even if just for proof of concept that I can refine over the next few months.

I know ACAD can do this, I know my brain has all the data, I'm just not getting the ACAD>BRAIN interface working here.