Linking a block to an icon?

[Ste1978]

Hi guys,

 

Been a while since I was here.

 

I was wondering if I can link autocad blocks to icons so that I can click the icon and the block will come in, all I would have to do is place the block. I realise you can create tool paletts via design centre but I wanted to create an icon bar with blocks on for my own use.

 

Hope that makes sense - any ideas?

[dbroada]

you can. you need to assign INSERT; etc. to the toolbar button but tbh its so easy creating a palette I wouldn't bother.

[stevsmith]

Why dont you set the block within the tool pallet?

[Ste1978]

you can. you need to assign INSERT; etc. to the toolbar button but tbh its so easy creating a palette I wouldn't bother.

 

Hi mate,

 

Cheers for the reply. However, when I wet up a toolbar button like you say it then waits for a user input. I want the block to come in as soon as I click on the icon.

 

Two set of inputs would surely have to apply;

1) The location of the block on my harddrive

2) The name of the block

 

Hope that makes more sense :-)

[Ste1978]

Why dont you set the block within the tool pallet?

 

Because I want to create flyouts. For example, I want a conduit toolbar, I want it to flyout and show all the different sizes - 20mm, 25mm, 30mm etc.

 

If I do this on a palette I end up having to scroll down and it is a really slow process.

[dbroada]

Because I want to create flyouts. For example, I want a conduit toolbar, I want it to flyout and show all the different sizes - 20mm, 25mm, 30mm etc.

 

If I do this on a palette I end up having to scroll down and it is a really slow process.

or use dynamic blocks?

[dbroada]

Hi mate,

 

Cheers for the reply. However, when I wet up a toolbar button like you say it then waits for a user input. I want the block to come in as soon as I click on the icon.

 

Two set of inputs would surely have to apply;

1) The location of the block on my harddrive

2) The name of the block

 

Hope that makes more sense :-)

the problem you have doing it off an icon is that you don't get the "ghost" image of where you want to drop the block (another plus in using palettes). I did once see a work around but was too complicated for me.

 

The location can be part of the block name, something like...

 

INSERT;"C:/myBlocks/Block1";pause;1;1;1;1

 

you may need forward slashes instead of backslash - I can't remember the format for buttons

[Ste1978]

or use dynamic blocks?

 

because this will take me longer to set up - hence more hours, hence more money ;-)

[Ste1978]

the problem you have doing it off an icon is that you don't get the "ghost" image of where you want to drop the block (another plus in using palettes). I did once see a work around but was too complicated for me.

 

The location can be part of the block name, something like...

 

INSERT;"C:/myBlocks/Block1";pause;1;1;1;1

 

you may need forward slashes instead of backslash - I can't remember the format for buttons

 

Cheers,

 

I tried this but when I click the icon the insert dialogue block keeps popping up. I can design a control circuit but I'm not very good at macro's I'm afraid :-/

[dbroada]

use -INSERT instead of INSERT (subtle difference but a good one)

[Ste1978]

use -INSERT instead of INSERT (subtle difference but a good one)

 

That's spot on!

 

Thank you very much for your time. One last thing though and I will leave you alone ;-)

 

Is there anyway I can specify the insert point when the block comes in? At the moment I have block called 'conduit' in that block is an exploded conduit length. When I bring this 'conduit' block in, the insert point if not actually on the block if that makes sense, it's in 'fresh air'

 

EDIT: Just though, the insert point needs to be on 0,0 does it not?

 

*checks

 

EDIT: Sorted! It is 0,0 *bangs head on desk

 

Cheers guys, I may set it all up this week, then decide on Palettes, next week and get some more cash!

[Ste1978]

the problem you have doing it off an icon is that you don't get the "ghost" image of where you want to drop the block

 

You can.

 

Create a palette

You have now created a 'ghost' image as a .png

browse to the .png you created

open in paint

save as .bmp

 

Add this to your new toolbar.

 

I know this seems like a long way around but it shows it can be done.

[dbroada]

by ghost image, I meant one that hangs off the end of your cross hairs. You don't (at least a long time back when I last tried) get this if inserting from a macro, but you do from the command line and you do from a palette.

 

Thinking about you fly-out, you can use multiple tabs on your palette - one for each conduit type.

 

And a pet hate of mine is how it is so easy these days to create blocks with inapproriate insertion points.