Changing the centre point of a block upon insert

[edgley]

So I now have these large blocks that I need to overlay on each other.

I go to insert, but the point I move it around by is way away from the block, so when zoomed in I can only see a little bit of both of them together.

I need to figure out how to move the blue blob nearer the block.

Thanks.

[Cad64]

Option 1:
EXPLODE the block and then recreate it.
In the Block Definitioin dialog, there is a section called "Base Point". Click on the "Pick Point" button and you will be able to select a more suitable insertion point. If you don't specify an insertion point, Autocad assumes you want 0,0 to be the insertion point. This is usually not a very good idea.

Option 2:
Use the BEDIT command to open the block in the dynamic editor. Once in the editor, initiate the MOVE command and then select all the entities that make up the block. Now select a base point, some piece of geometry, then type 0,0 at the command line. This will move everything to 0,0. Now just Close the editor and Save on exit.

Once you get back into the Autocad drawing area, re-insert the block and it should come in correctly.

[edgley]

Thanks again.

[dbroada]

Option 2:
Use the BEDIT command to open the block in the dynamic editor. Once in the editor, initiate the MOVE command and then select all the entities that make up the block. Now select a base point, some piece of geometry, then type 0,0 at the command line. This will move everything to 0,0. Now just Close the editor and Save on exit.Just to be pedantic, it is safer to specify the "move to" point as #0,0. AutoCAD out of the box will move things BY 0,0 without the # and TO 0,0 with it.

[Cad64]

Not sure what you mean? I have never used the #0,0 method that you mentioned. I always type 0,0 and everything moves to 0,0. I guess I'm not understanding what you're saying?

I just tried using #0,0 and I got "Invalid Point", am I missing something here?

[dbroada]

interesting. Prior to 2006 any distance typed would move items to the point you typed - as your instructions. After 2006 it has always (for me) moved by the amount specified. Obviously if you type 0,0 this doesn't do a lot! There is a setting to change this over but I don't have AutoCAD here so can't try it.

Do use the command line or dynamic input? I use the dynamic input. Maybe its different at the command line?

[Cad64]

I don't use dynamic input, I can't stand those little boxes flying around on screen.

I'm just curious about something though. In your previous post, you stated that # should be used, but could it be that you really meant @?

[Cad64]

Ok, just tried moving an object to 0,0 with dynamic input enabled and #0,0 is necessary, otherwise if you just type 0,0, the object doesn't move. Now I see what you were trying to explain earlier. I just hate that dynamic input though, it really slows me down. I'm much faster with the old standard way of working.

[dbroada]

I like dynamic input :) - at least I like the few extra lines of screen.

Using dynamic input the # denotes absolute co-ordinates and the @ denotes relative. You can toggle their default by a setting that I have forgotten. I thought they both worked using the command line. Obviously not always. I'll give it a try at work tomorrow.

[dbroada]

OK, confirmed. Without dynamic input the # causes an invalid input error but with dynamic input ommiting the # causes the selection to move BY a distance. Oh well there's AutoCAD's consitancy for you.

That has also sorted out why my boss doesn't know about the # key - he doesn't use dynamic input either.