Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published May 2009

Dynamic Block Feature: Move + Stretch

There are a lot of Dynamic Block samples on the Tool Palettes, but sometimes I just want to know how to make my own, (thereby enabling me to more accurately edit existing ones).

Here are the instructions on creating a dynamic block that moves the text, while stretching the block geometry. Click here to go to the AutoCAD Stuff page of my website where you can download the DynaDoor and DynaLabel drawings. Insert those into any drawing and they are good to go. For my initial coverage of the dynamic block feature, take a look at the lead article of Michael's Corner, July 2006 to learn how to add multiple visibility parameters to a dynamic block.

Tip: For those of you with a block source drawing containing blocks for your tool palette, insert these dynamic block drawings into that source file, save it, then drag them onto your tool palette. See Michael's Corner, Basics, March 2006 for more information on the importance of the block source drawing for tool palette blocks.

Instructions to Create a Dynamic Block Combining Move & Stretch Actions

1. In Model Space, draw a polyline with a Width of 1/16″ that is 8″ long.
2. Add a text object (Dtext or Mtext) with a Height of 1/2″, below and aligned with the end of the line.
3. Launch the Block command, and check the box and the bottom to Open in Block Editor.
4. Enter a Name for the block (I'm calling mine DynaLine), Select the objects, specify the left endpoint as the Basepoint, then click OK to open the Block Editor.
5. On the Parameters tab of the Block Authoring Palettes, click Linear Parameter, then accurately snap to the left endpoint, then the right endpoint of the polyline. Place the Distance label above the line, just like you would a dimension line.

6. Select the Distance label, then open Properties. Scroll down and change the Number of Grips value to 1. This setting will result in one parameter (cyan arrowhead) on the right endpoint of the line. You can now close the Properties window.

7. On the Actions tab, click Move Action.
8. When prompted to select the parameter, click the cyan parameter at the right end of the line. A red circle and X appear on that parameter.
9. Press [Enter] to accept the default parameter association of <Second>.
10. When prompted to select the objects for the Move action, select the text, then press [Enter].
11. Prior to A2010, you are prompted to position the yellow lightning bolt icon. Turn off Ortho (the icon moves erratically if you don't),then place the icon off to the side anywhere. In A2010, the (more elegant) action icon is automatically placed off to the right.
12. On the Actions tab, click Stretch Action.
13. When prompted to select parameter, click the same cyan parameter, then press [Enter] to accept the default parameter association of <Second>.
14. Specify two corners of the Stretch frame, similar to what you see here.
15. When prompted to select objects for the stretch, click anywhere on the polyline, then press [Enter]. The text object is already associated with the parameter from the previous steps.
16. Prior to A2010, you are prompted to position the yellow lightning bolt icon. Position the icon anywhere off to the side; if you're using A2010, it is automatically placed for you.
17. Click Close Block Editor, save your changes, then click on the block to display the stretch parameter icon. When you click it, you have enabled the stretch action… and the text moves with it!

Dynamic Blocks Video Tutorial

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