Dynamic Block Rotation

[RFRUSSO]

I have a North Arrow that I would love to make into a dynamic block. I would like to be able to rotate the N that represents where the north direction is. But while rotating the N around the center of a circle I would like the letter itself to stay un-rotated. It seems simple, if I rotate the letter around the axis of a circle 90 deg, I would like the letter itself to rotate -90 deg on it's own axis. Of course this is easy to do manualy, but how do i do it so that rotation 1 automaticaly triggers rotation 2?

[Cad64]

Take a look at these video tutorials, they are very helpful: http://www.cadclips.com/Acad2006-DynamicBlocks.htm

[RFRUSSO]

Those are great videos. I have watched them all when i first started working with CAD 2006. They don't cover what I am trying to do. I was hoping that some one here would know if it could be done and if so how to do it.

[Cad64]

I've been trying, but I can't find a way to make the "N" spin as it's being rotated around the circle.

[dbroada]

I thought that I had done this in the past but I can't get it to work now. either. I was convinced that I rotated the text at angle * -1 but that no longer works. I also tried moving the text but had nothing to tie it to.

[dbroada]

this works if you only rotate orthogonally!

 

 

We need a way of rotating the letter AGAINST the other angle. This rotates with and subsequently rotates twice as fast as the circle.

[dbroada]

got it!!!!!!

now where's the SMUG smillie?

NorthArrw2.dwg

[Cad64]

Hmmm, can't seem to get the drawing to work. When I click on the link, the drawing opens in the block editor. Then when I close out of the editor, the drawing closes. I get a message stating "the drawing contains authoring elements, open in block editor?" If I click "Yes," the drawing opens in the block editor, if I click "No" the drawing opens without any dynamic properties.

[dbroada]

Oh.

 

Instead of opening it, save it and then INSERT into your drawing. I drew it in metric so may be an odd scale!

[Cad64]

Nice one, you get a gold star for that

[dbroada]

Nice one, you get a gold star for that

Thanks.

 

I've waited most of the morning for somebody to ask me how its done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

so I'll tell anyway.

 

I excluded the "N" from the rotate selection set but have added a Point Parameter at its insert point. There is a Move action associated with the Point parameter and a Chain action on the Point. When the rotation is applied all but the N rotate and the chain action on the point instigates a move. I have made a couple of cosmetic changes since I posted this but in essence it's much the same. I feel so smug!

[RFRUSSO]

You are a rock star my friend! This is a great block. I was so hung up on trying to figure out how to get the N to have some sort of negative rotation value, I never even considered using any of the other options. I was a slave to the box. I am going to use this as a reference to build my own to see if I can build a similar block that is as clean and sharp as yours. Thank you.

[AJSatGLS]

I know this is an old thread, but I just had to tap in and say that that really is a great block! Thanks for the help!!!

[MrJackson]

Awesome block/how-to, exactly what I needed for a similar block.

[BelCAD]

Been looking a long time for this one and yes... here it is, you don't know how this makes my life easier! Thx alot for sharing!!

[dbroada]

I was looking for this thread a few weeks ago and could I find it? Of course not. At least I remembered what I did and managed to replicate it. Thanks for the thanks.

[BelCAD]

Just one small thing going wrong. In "test block" everything is fine and working like it should, but when saved and used in a drawing, the attribute keeps sitting at it's original place and doesn't move when a rotate is applied. Is it because I use an attribute i.s.o plain text... Strange it works in "test"

Any idea? Thnx in advance!

[dbroada]

have you "locked" the attribute. If not, do so. They have to be locked if you need to move them.

[BelCAD]

Yep is "locked"

[dbroada]

and chain action is set on one of the actions?

 

edit.........

 

to put it another way, you certainly can use move with attributes