jwstimac Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 I have a profile drawing of a pv module that is a dynamic block. The dynamic block has options to let you select different attachment points. The location of the attachment points and where they attach to the pv module (the rectangle) is a manufacture requirement to maintain the warranty. I am trying to modify this dynamic block so that I can stretch both the length and the height of the module. The height was the easy part and is working in the attached dwg. As the length changes the location of the attachment points need to change as well but proportionally to the length. Basically scaling the rectangle but only on one axis. I have seen references to how when you insert the block you can change the scale factor or once the block has been inserted into the drawing you can set the scale for one axis in the properties menu but is there anyway to do this dynamically? The pv modules (the rectangle) come in a variety of specific sizes so scaling the block upon insert wouldn't really work anyway. Thanks for any help! It is greatly appreciated. John dynapvmodule.dwg Quote
SLW210 Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Are you wanting the attachment points to be include in the stretch action? Do they need to remain a certain distance from the end? Quote
jwstimac Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 Yes they need to be included but should be scaled not stretched. If you were to divide the length of the module into 16 sections the attachment points are located 3 sections from each end. A simple, but not realistic example, would be if you had a 1 inch long module the attachment points would be located 3/16 from each end. Thanks for the prompt reply by the way. Quote
SLW210 Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Here it is with the attachements added to the stretch. Look at this and see what needs adjusted. Soon to be leaving work, but I will be able to help more Monday. Maybe you could post an example of how it should look after stretching. Quote
jwstimac Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 I was able to get to the point you achieved. I have a feeling it might be beyond a simple stretch or stretch/scale combination. This image should make clear the objective. Thanks for the help! Quote
nestly Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Give this one a try. If you need any clarification, just ask. BTW, the UniRac stretch needs fixed, but I didn't change it. dynapvmodule_1.dwg Quote
jwstimac Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 Yes! I didn't think of doing the stretch two different directions. Thanks a bunch! Quote
nestly Posted February 18, 2012 Posted February 18, 2012 Well, it doesn't have to be stretched both directions, I just did it that way so I could use the same multiplier value for each bracket. Quote
jwstimac Posted February 18, 2012 Author Posted February 18, 2012 Ok. So I should have been satisfied but... I have added a rotate command, dimensions and some notes. The one thing that I can't seem to get to work is a height dimension. In the attached drawing it is labeled problem dim. It should operate similar to how the lowest sitting dimension works: As the block is rotated up the dimension should change, showing the linear height from the left top corner of the pv panel to the right top corner of the pv panel. Thanks! John The X marks what the block does. The circle is what I want it to do. I tried rotating my dynamic block a little in the block editor so that I could start the dimension correctly but that messed up the rest of the parameters. dynapvmodule_2.dwg Quote
jwstimac Posted February 18, 2012 Author Posted February 18, 2012 Stretching in both directions is fine. Where did you apply the multiplier value? Thanks Quote
nestly Posted February 18, 2012 Posted February 18, 2012 I don't have time to look at your new block now, but I'll try to later The multiplier is set in the Properties for the Action, there's one for each bracket, and even though I uses Stretch actions, they could also have been Move Actions since all the geometry is entirely closed in the selection set. Quote
SLW210 Posted February 18, 2012 Posted February 18, 2012 You may want to investigate using constraints. Quote
jwstimac Posted February 22, 2012 Author Posted February 22, 2012 So I have rebuilt the block changing the insertion point and now it only stretches in one direction. It's pretty much as good as I was hoping to get it but the more I work with dynamic blocks the more I realize the possibilities. One more feature I was trying to get to work was a way to move the attachment point independently of how they are moved when you change the length of the pv module. I have circled the problem parameter in the following image. When the parameter to the right of the problem parameter is adjusted the problem parameter should maintain it's location at the top of the attachment point. I looked into a chain reaction but that doesn't seem right as they should operate independently of each other. Is it possible to stretch a parameter? Thanks for the help! John dynamicmodule4.dwg Quote
SLW210 Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 I don't have time to look at it right now, but have you tried adding it to a move action? Quote
jwstimac Posted February 23, 2012 Author Posted February 23, 2012 Got it to work. Thanks for the help. Quote
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