Questions on Blocks and Dynamic Blocks

DYNAMIC BLOCKS QUESTIONS

Hi,

I have attached a dwg file containing numerous drawing components that I used in my drawings. One such special component is flush doors and you will see drawing of 600 wide, 650 wide, 700 wide, 750 wide and more of such doors.

However, I want to create a dynamic block of only one door that I can just drag to fit width and height without creating havocs to the door handle and the door hinges. Also how to change the label D1 for 900 Door, D2 for 850 Door, D3 for 800 Door ... and FD for any other doors of any other width.

There is also the issue of insertion point. A door can have four insertion point. Why autocad enable only 1 Base Point and how to change this.

Moreover there is a frame around the door. Sometimes I need the frame, sometimes not. Sometimes I need only the left and top frame and at other time I need only the right and top frame. I know that dynamic block takes cares of all this and some hints would be quite appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely Yours,

Nicolas MARIE.

There is also the issue of insertion point. A door can have four insertion point. Why autocad enable only 1 Base Point and how to change this.

Moreover there is a frame around the door. Sometimes I need the frame, sometimes not. Sometimes I need only the left and top frame and at other time I need only the right and top frame. I know that dynamic block takes cares of all this and some hints would be quite appreciated.

You need to add a visibility parameter and then add different visibility states. You will need one state for each combination, not one state for each line.

You can use a point parameter as an insert point by setting up the point cycling value:

http://heidihewett.blogs.com/my_weblog/2006/12/dynamic_cycling.html

You are stuck with one visibility parameter though.

Why not see how far you can get with your block by yourself. Nothing you've described is unachievable. If you get stuck, post it back up on here. I'm sure we will be only to willing to help!

Hi brothers can you any one guide me from where we can buy the lisp to creat contour line and cross sections in Autocad.

Hi,

I was unable to send the door yesterday due to the file size which contain all the blocks. Yesterday, I was able to create a door dynamic block which is by default 900 wide x 2100 high. You will find the file attached. I was able to create a single grip so that the door is stretched in one direction according to a list of pre defined width namely 700, 750, 800, 900, 1000 and 1200. One of the problem in creating dynamic blocks earlier was that units was in inches, I was drawing in mm. and the block was in mm as well. Following changing the UNITS to mm. help solve miniature block. Also I was using window select instead of cross select. Now, I wish only to know how I can:

1. hide/reveal component part attached to a block i.e architrave or door frame

2. create different base point when insert instead of a single one

3. create a macro that automatically change d1 label (900 wide door) to d2, d3, d4 ... for 800, 750, 700 doors and have the label always set to say the midst of the x-width of the door, and the same y- coordinate.

4. I have noted that there is no label or tooltip as when I click on the stretch grip. Is there a way to make this more user-friendly.

Some more hints would be much appreciated.

Sincerely Yours,

T. Nicolas MARIE

Thank you very much for responding. I have downloaded the materials and links for trial this evening at home. thousands thanks.

Drawing2.dwg

nicolas, i'll try to answer your questions:

1. Through visibility states or seperate layers for the components you want to hide

2. Just add point parameters to your block ,you can use those as basepoints, when inserting the block push CTRL to cycle through the different points.

3. Instead of a manual stretch grip use a lookup list with the widths of the door and visibility states for the attributes, for example:

width visibility

900 D1

1200 D2

1400 D3

To keep the attributes centered add a point parameter and move action to the center of your attributes (the labels) and link this to the stretch action or move them using your lookup action.

4. Rename your parameters in the block editor, so that it shows "width" in your properties instead of "distance 1",...

What you want is certainly doable but might require some trial and error

good luck!

Here's a file with a few pointers. To insert from a differnt point, hit the ctrl key before placeing the block. To update the 'width' value regen...

Drawing2[1].dwg

Hi,

I have been able to have four insertion point to the door as you can see in the attachment but due to the hatching it took long hours to reach that far with the dynamic block. There was endless trial and errors. There is a tremendous problem with hatching with respect of lack of association and each time it "Brig to Back" is automatically reverse to "Bring to Front". Hence each time I enter block editor, I have to change this setting. Moreover, there is another problem with the three additional grips. They have the tendency to be able to go everywhere on the screen if they are accidentally dragged. Moreover it was hell trying to group the components together. At one time it is ok and then at the other time the group is no more, like the lines have been automatically exploded, and worse with the attached hatching.

With respect to Tommy78: Thank you very much for your poitns. However, it would be great if you can please elaborate on your points as I am quite novice on dynamic block creation (especially point 3 and 4).

Also I would be happy to know why there is a need for two successive crossing window instead of one? Also I have noted multiple/offset option with the final steps when applying stretch action. Could any help on those points please?

Sincerely Yours,

Nicolas.

Door Block Experiment.dwg

Hi Pablo,

I have just download the file to review at home. I have been able to do the point parameter and when inserting the block, I am able to cycling insertion points easily pressing CTRL until the choiced vertex is reached. Thank you very much. My only problem is that following actual insertion, the point parameter continues to display and they can easily be accidentally moved and this spoiled the beauty of the dynamic block.

I don't have that problem with the Door Block Experiment file you posted... Here's a few things you could try.

While inside the block editor you can select the point parameter you want to change, and in the properties pallete changes it's 'Show properties' value to off.

Just checking, you only need the point parameter for cycling to work, you don't need to have any actions associated with it...

I just picked up a good tip about Wipeouts and hatches myself. Autocad will show your geometry in the order you created it, which may allow Wipeout's to 'Float to the top'. To stop this happening get the geometry in the order you want it and then cut and past the whole lot to recreate it in the right order.

Hi,

As you can see in the gif file, as soon as I click the Block, you can see the grips that have been accidentally move and this is far from being professional or esthetic. I have set the "Show Properties" in "Point Parameter" to off yet to no avail as you can see in the second gif file. Also as soon as I enter and leave block editing window, the existing block break down as you can see in the gif files. This sure tells me that there's something definitely wrong about the technique used.

Your comments will be much appreciated.

Sincerely Yours,

Nicolas.

Door Block Experiment_point properties changed.dwg

Take a look at your units and Measurment system variables. Let me know how you get on.

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?t=45795

As you can see in the drawing, there is no actions attached to the point parameters and I believe that this may be a possible reason for the problem. Note the exclamation marks. However, I see no alternative right away.

The unit is assuredly set to mm. for when it was not the block thus created was inserted as a miniature model. That was one of my longest error while working on ACAD.

In the link that you have provided, Derek stated

I went into the block and changed my 'measurement' to 1. (metric) Block fixed.

What is the meaning of the above and how does he changed his 'measurement' to 1. I used UNITS to change my units to mm. and thus match the block units but I have seen no "measurement" that need to change to 1. I will look deeper into this tonight.

Thank You So Much.

T. Nicolas MARIE.

Nicolas, a simple solution to prevent your insertion points (grips) going allover the place is to assign a move action to each one and us it to move everything.

The "show properties" flag turns on or off the xy parameters in the properties windows, not the grips.

Hi,

You are right and I have successfully controlled the "grips" problem by assigning move action to all of them except the first one which is already assigned the stretch action. However, I am still at a lost concerning the hatch problem and its solution within the visibility context.

It has more to do with techniques than acad knowledge per se.

Thank you in advance,

Nicolas.