Changing the profile of an extrusion

[Dan Kitchens]

I understand how the current extrusion command works - You have a 2D polyline profile and you apply the extrusion command to that, getting your 3D shape.

However, I have a drawing full of different sized extrusions based on the same 2D polyline, and now I want to change that initial 2D polyline without having to manipulate each polyline separately. I thought it would be much better if the initial 2D polyline were referenced, allowing you to swap that inital 2D polyline with another 2D polyline. Is there a way - or a plugin - that is available to do this in AutoCAD?

FYI - the profiles are used in kitchen doors, and I want to be able to simply change the door profiles without resorting to re-extruding the whole lot.

[Dadgad]

It sounds like a job for a DYNAMIC BLOCK with a STRETCH parameter.
Probably one for each door profile.

[Dan Kitchens]

It sounds like a job for a DYNAMIC BLOCK with a STRETCH parameter.
Probably one for each door profile.

I must confess to not knowing much about Dynamic Blocks. Will it allow me to replace the profile with a different one? As an example, changing a circle extrusion to a square extrusion?

[Dadgad]

If they are made as separate blocks, and have the block basepoints defined in the same place, like a hinge defined location,
then you could replace an earlier block with another one, and they would come in at the right locations.
I've only created a few very simple ones, but with a single parameter and action these would be as easy as it gets.
You probably want 2 parameters, one for stretching and one for flipping (for handing your doors), the location of that one, would be defined
by the centerline of your HINGE PIN.

This may help you http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/acad...ock-of-a-door/
if you google creating a dynamic block in autocad you'll find lots more videos.

[Dan Kitchens]

If they are made as separate blocks, and have the block basepoints defined in the same place, like a hinge defined location,
then you could replace an earlier block with another one, and they would come in at the right locations.
I've only created a few very simple ones, but with a single parameter and action these would be as easy as it gets.
You probably want 2 parameters, one for stretching and one for flipping (for handing your doors), the location of that one, would be defined
by the centerline of your HINGE PIN.

This may help you http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/acad...ock-of-a-door/
if you google creating a dynamic block in autocad you'll find lots more videos.

This may be the only way I can get what I'm trying to do to work. It'll take some looking into though. Thank you so much for your help.

[Dadgad]

You're welcome.

It seems like the most appropriate and long term useful way to do it.
Once you have figured out how to do the first one, the rest of them will be more of the same, and easy.
You'll wind up with a nice dynamic block library for your common door and drawer profiles.

[SLW210]

Dynamic blocks have very little use with 3D Blocks. 3D objects are limited to the xy plane in block editor AFAIK.

[ReMark]

Many people are wondering when 3D dynamic blocks might become a reality but AutoDesk has given us no clue. Still waiting........................................... .................................................. .................................................. ...............zzzzz.

[JD Mather]

While you are waiting - Autodesk has a product with this functionality. They call it Autodesk Inventor. Students can download Autodesk Inventor for free from http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity

[Dadgad]

While you are waiting - Autodesk has a product with this functionality. They call it Autodesk Inventor. Students can download Autodesk Inventor for free from http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity

Jd is on a roll now, which is the hotkey in INVENTOR for posting this message I wonder?