How to create Dynamic Blocks?

[bert]

Hi All,

I'm trying to learn how to create Dynamic Blocks.

I've taken a simple chair block I previously created and am trying to give it the rotate action.

 

Ok, I can get it to rotate but it's not rotating around the center point I set. It seems to rotate around a centerpoint on the edge.

 

What have I missed?

 

thanks

[dbroada]

it should rotate around the base point you set. I think you will have to post your block.

[bert]

Ok, Here's the file...

 

Thanks for the response.

Chair-1.dwg

[dbroada]

basically your rotation parameter wasn't placed at 0,0.

 

try this

Chair-1.dwg

[bert]

Thanks for the response.

 

So does that mean that even though you set a point for the rotation parameter it doesn't recognize that point but defaults to 0,0?

Seems strange.

 

Does this mean that for all my existing blocks I have to move all of them so that the spot I want as the center of rotation is at 0,0?

[dbroada]

Thanks for the response.

 

So does that mean that even though you set a point for the rotation parameter it doesn't recognize that point but defaults to 0,0?

Seems strange.

No, it goes where you put it. You had placed the rotation parameter at something like -12,0

[bert]

I'm lost.

I just tried it again and get the very same result.

When I place the Rotate Parameter I place it in the center of the chair seat.

So why does it not rotate around that point?

I'm not placing it off to the side.

What am I doing wrong?

[bert]

Here are my steps:

1. Open existing chair drawing.

2. Tools>Block Editor>Current Drawing.

3. Parameters>Rotation Parameter>click.

4. Specify Base Point: I pick the center of the chair seat.

5. Specify Radius: I arbitrarily pick a point within the chair seat.

6. Specify Default Rotation: 0>enter.

7. Actions>Rotate Action>click.

8. Select Parameter: click on it.

9. Select Objects: Draw selection rectangle around chair>enter.

10. Specify Action Location: I pick anywhere, doesn't seem to matter.

11. Click "Save Block Definition" icon.

12. Close Block Editor.

13. Save Chair drawing.

 

End result: rotation does not occur at chair center. Why?

[dbroada]

I'm now at home so won't be able to check until tomorrow but it looks to me that at step 4 you didn't drop the parameter at 0,0

[bert]

So everytime I want to create a dynamic block are you saying I have to start at 0,0?

 

I'm not following the logic of this.

[dbroada]

you should start any block with a sensible insertion point. BEDIT automatically puts the centre of the screen at 0,0. If you use BMAKE without setting the insertion point it will default to 0,0 irrespective of where the graphical details are - a BIG pet hate of mine.

[dbroada]

check my screen shot, you will see that the centre of your rotate parameter is not in the centre of the chair

[bert]

But on mine it shows different. See my attached screenshot.

I wonder what I'm doing wrong?

[dbroada]

at least that shows where the problem is - but I don't have an answer

[bert]

I moved the chair to 0,0 and recreated the Parameter and Action. Everything worked then.

 

I thank-you for your patience and time spent helping me with this.

[dusko]

for a good start you can use training program no. 170 about dyn blocks (check here):

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10908

[bert]

Thanks for the reference.

[lpseifert]

If you're interested, here's a tutorial

[bert]

Thanks, I downloaded and watched all the free videos from that site yesterday.

I did pick up a few points.