Dynamic Block, Centering Issues

[Pineapple]

Hi everybody, I'm trying to make my horribly redundant job a lot easier with these dynamic blocks I keep hearing so much about , I'm having some issues with centering though. I have a rectangular window with lines running diagnally to indicate hinge direction. However, when I stretch the overall window, the diagonals get all messed up. I've read a few posts on this and attempted to set a 0.5 multiplier move action to the already stretching parameter, but it still gets screwed up. I'm just getting into this, so It could just be something stupid I'm overlooking. Thanks for any help you can provide! I've attached the DWG with the block. Thanks again!

[fuccaro]

Hello Pineapple!
First of all: welcome in the forum!
Could you please save the block back in 2006 version? This will give a chance to some more people to have a look.

[Pineapple]

That's weird... no option for 2006 in the Save As box. 2004 is the latest one it has besides 2007... I saved it again as a 2004 file, but isn't that before Dynamic Blocks? I must be missing something

[mrbucket]

The hinge lines "NEED" to be there? I am looking at it right now. The issue I am having with lines is that they are connect to multiple edges along several parameters. aka trying to make the lines stretch diagonally, vertically, and horizontal at the same time through one action while hitting 2+ point intersections. I don't know that this can be done.

[Pineapple]

Yeah, I know it's kind of awkward. Those lines would eventually be controlled with a visibility parameter, so you could select which way the window opens. I don't think that helps any though....

[mrbucket]

The only thing I can suggest would be to put all parameters on a scaled increment, then like you said, change the visibility of the lines for each setting.

[mrbucket]

One more thought, are you using these windows alot? Or on one project, and thats it? Because it may be easier (not to take you away from all the fun) to just add the lines after placement.

[Pineapple]

Unfortunately I use EXCLUSIVELY windows. I'm trying to refine the current way of doing things, which is just to draw EVERYTHING by hand - no blocks at all, and we're talkin about a lot of windows here!!! So I figured that If I'm gonna do it at all, I might as well do it right! I'm coming from a SolidWorks / ProE background, so I'm used to a more parametric/relationship based way of drawing.... This doesn't seem to be one of AutoCad's strong suits.

[Cad64]

That's weird... no option for 2006 in the Save As box. 2004 is the latest one it has besides 2007... I saved it again as a 2004 file, but isn't that before Dynamic Blocks? I must be missing something

There never was a 2006 file format. 2005 and 2006 both saved in 2004 format, so if you save in 2004 format, others with 2006 will be able to open your drawing and view your dynamic block. But if someone with 2004 or 2005 opens your drawing, they will just see a standard block.

[mrbucket]

Unfortunately I use EXCLUSIVELY windows. I'm trying to refine the current way of doing things, which is just to draw EVERYTHING by hand - no blocks at all, and we're talkin about a lot of windows here!!! So I figured that If I'm gonna do it at all, I might as well do it right! I'm coming from a SolidWorks / ProE background, so I'm used to a more parametric/relationship based way of drawing.... This doesn't seem to be one of AutoCad's strong suits.

Yeah I hear ya. I tried solidworks, I love the program but it is alot different, I guess you gotta put in the time.

On your windows- If your dealing with the same manufacturer, make blocks for all the available sizes, and then I would (this is me) draw individual hinge lines, or include hinge swing on schedules with block markers. I guess it depends how big your jobs are.