Dimension Following Geometry

I just created a dynamic block (of an equipment rack) and I want the dimensions to follow the point I'm stretching. It is snapped to the correct point, but when you pull the bottom of the rack down, the dimension stays where it was. I thought this was just the associative property... but it says it is associative, so I don't know.

Also, is this just a 2012 bug? Whenever I'm in MText (not Dtext), CAPS lock is always on... even if it was off when I went in there. It's a little annoying.

Are you dimensioning in paperspace or model?

If you're in paper, try DIMASSOC (set to 2)

If your dimension is in your block check the action selection set?

I'm dimensioning in Model Space, and it's not a part of my block. That's why I'm confused.

1) I don't know that you can make dimensions associative with Dynamic blocks

2) AutoCAPS

Thank you oh lord Nestly! That was driving me nuts. And it started completely randomly sometime after I installed 2012. I must have turned it on accidentally.

I guess you can't make associative dims with dynamic blocks... but why not? That doesn't make sense to me. Then again, neither do a lot of things.

It seems I mis-spoke. I've gotten mixed results, sometimes dims will stay associated, and other times they'll get dis-associated. I dunno what makes the difference.

Hmmm... interesting. Well, I can't seem to make these associate at all. Though that's not the biggest hurdle I'm facing with what I'm working on.

I'm also trying to give the dynamic block real life distances with the stretch parameter, while the block itself is already scaled to 1" = 1'. I'm thinking a lookup parameter may be in order. Though I haven't played with those much and am not entirely sure of their usefulness.

Hmmm... interesting. Well, I can't seem to make these associate at all. Though that's not the biggest hurdle I'm facing with what I'm working on.

 

I'm also trying to give the dynamic block real life distances with the stretch parameter, while the block itself is already scaled to 1" = 1'. I'm thinking a lookup parameter may be in order. Though I haven't played with those much and am not entirely sure of their usefulness.

Make sure DIMASSOC = 2

I recommend you draw your blocks 1:1, just as you do everything else. You can "stretch" them by their grips just as you would any other object to obtain a "real world" size, or you can change their size using the associated parameter in the properties palette.

Well, I would love to draw them full size. But the point of what I'm doing right now is to create a structural library. Where all you have to do is copy or move the pieces you want onto your paper size and be done. No more scaling, viewporting, anything. So I have to scale them beforehand.

Oh, and Dim Assoc = 2. I checked that.

So you're making scaled drawings in modelspace and not using viewports?

I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30075[/ATTACH]

Seriously... don't remind me. I hate it. But this is my boss's way of making this sh*t idiot-proof. Which usually just means you attract idiots, but hey, what do I know?

What method are you using to attach the dimensions to the block?

Dim associativity seems to not work when snapping with Node, Nearest and a few others. They also do not recognize other dims.

I've got it snapped the endpoint of one of the lines that's being stretched in the dynamic part of the block.

I've attached the file so you guys can see what I'm sort of trying to do. On the left part of the drawing, there are three separate "drawings" in white rectangles. It's the one in the middle that I'm playing with. If you highlight the blue rack, you'll see the dynamic property.

Structural Template.dwg

I've got it snapped the endpoint of one of the lines that's being stretched in the dynamic part of the block.

 

I've attached the file so you guys can see what I'm sort of trying to do. On the left part of the drawing, there are three separate "drawings" in white rectangles. It's the one in the middle that I'm playing with. If you highlight the blue rack, you'll see the dynamic property.

I did _DIMREASSOCIATE used end point snap and the dims follow.

Hmmm... that's interesting. Ok... I need to play with that and see what exactly it does. When I do it it moves my whole dimension. It still amazes me that there are SO many commands I don't know about in CAD, when I've been using the program for 10 years!

I also had no trouble with associative dimensions, but I took a different route and just made a new dimension with "Add Selected" on the right-click menu (ADDSELECTED)

Well that makes sense. I was trying to make the old dimension work. I like the video thing! That makes this a WHOLE lot easier. Now... if I could only get my boss to stop making me draw out of scale!