Create Toolbar for Blocks ? ? ?

[TimZilla]

OK, say I have a pipe fitting, a 4 inch 90 to be exact. I want to draw this fitting, make it a block.

 

then I want a toolbar where I can click on it, insert it at the center point and aim it in any direction.

 

I just think a toolbar with fly-outs would be the most convenient for my line of work. Hate using Pallates.

 

can anybody give me advice on how I could get started doing this?

[TimZilla]

HEEEELLLP !

 

 

[uddfl]

Are you familiar with creating menus and editing menu files? if not, first read these articles to familiarize yourself:

 

http://www.markcad.com/autocad/acadtoolbars.htm

http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/AutoCAD_tips_create_custom_toolbar_cui.html

 

Once you know how to add your custom toolbar, you can either call a LISP routine which inserts the block write a menu macro for it.

[TimZilla]

Are you familiar with creating menus and editing menu files? if not, first read these articles to familiarize yourself:

 

http://www.markcad.com/autocad/acadtoolbars.htm

http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/AutoCAD_tips_create_custom_toolbar_cui.html

 

Once you know how to add your custom toolbar, you can either call a LISP routine which inserts the block write a menu macro for it.

 

 

I have been making a few very simple lisp. I don't understand the code, I just kind of figure it out through forums and puzzle it together.

 

I make all kinds of custom toolbars using existing tools though.

 

anything you could tell me would help, im making the blocks as we speak, and im going to put all in a folder. Hopefully I can make a toolbar that will pull from this folder.

 

I will read the articles to get familiar with it a little more.

 

I have also made toolbars out of lisp using this code in the macro section

 

^C^C(if (not c:FlatZ)(load "FlatZ"));FlatZ

 

Hopefully you will have some good information to help me out.

 

- Thanks in advance.

[uddfl]

Well, based on what you know, it shouldn't be difficult at all to make your block-msertion macros. I would make sure that the folder in which you are saving your blocks is in the support file search path under Options > Files. Then, let's say for instance that your 4" 90 elbow block is named "Elbow-90-4in-side", you can have a macro that looks like this:

 

^C^C(command "insert" "Elbow-90-4in-side" "s" "1" pause pause)

 

which should allow you to pick the insertion point and rotate it as needed. I hope that helps.

[TimZilla]

That's what I was looking for. So when I click my tool bar button it will automatically throw the block out there ready for rotation?

 

or will it open up that insert box with the option box to specify rotation on screen?

 

Thanks for your help man, this is going to speed things up at work when I get it done.

 

[Hugh_Compton]

Try looking at the example found here for 3D Pipe Fittings:

3D AutoCAD Pipework –

http://www.HerculeDesign.com

It will show you a working example of how to build an image tile menu (which is exactly what your after without having to learn a code language).

Or if you prefer 2D then have a look at the 2D dynamic blocks on this link:

http://www.3dcadmax.com/2DPipeFittingsAutoCAD.htm

A dynamic block means that you can insert one 90 deg block which contains all of the sizes. Thus a 4" bend can be changed to a 2" bend with just a click of your mouse and no moving necessary. No coding is needed either - just some standard AutoCAD skills.

[wannabe]

You thought about tool pallettes?

[dbroada]

You thought about tool pallettes?

 

from his first post

 

Hate using Pallates.

 

 

which is a shame as I thought them ideal too.

[bonehead411]

What is it that people don't like about tool palettes? I think they're one of the best additions to ACAD ever. I rarely open DC for blocks nowadays.

[dbroada]

I think they're one of the best additions to ACAD ever. I rarely open DC for blocks nowadays.

I only agree to a point.

 

 

 

I love the palettes, never really got on with DC.

[uddfl]

That's what I was looking for. So when I click my tool bar button it will automatically throw the block out there ready for rotation?

 

or will it open up that insert box with the option box to specify rotation on screen?

When using LISP, the INSERT command will use the command line version so the DDINSERT dialog box will not come up.

[stevsmith]

What is it that people don't like about tool palettes? I think they're one of the best additions to ACAD ever. I rarely open DC for blocks nowadays.

 

I third that opinion.

 

tool pallets are awesome when set up correctly. I import glazing brackets with an option to rotate. Ohhh the joys..

[michaeloureiro]

stevsmith,

 

What do you mean by setting up correctly, do you mean naming tool palletes, or is there somenthing i don´t know about??

[stevsmith]

stevsmith,

 

What do you mean by setting up correctly, do you mean naming tool palletes, or is there somenthing i don´t know about??

 

Once you have uploaded them to the tool pallet if you right click on the block you want to drag in select proporties and a new menu will come up.

You can set the scale, rotate on insert, set which layer you would like it to come under.

 

I have all my dimensions in the tool pallet and when i insert them it automatically puts them in a dim layer.

[JBullseye74]

oi oi i did't know you could do that with the insertion layer!! skillz

 

Ta Stevie

[michaeloureiro]

great tip, didn´t know that one!

[bonehead411]

 

I have all my dimensions in the tool pallet and when i insert them it automatically puts them in a dim layer.

 

Amen to that Steve.

[stevsmith]

I find the rotate command very handy.

i design balustrades, so when i draw a handrail and put in the brackets it asks m what angle or snap point i can specify the rotation.

 

Also, I have my title block under "auxillery scale" set to "dimscale" all my dims are set to 1:10 for a3. When I chnge the dimension scale it automatically adjusts to suit my text height.

So for example i want my drawing at 1:20 i change the dim scale to 20 and the border sets up the text and border to suit. but make sure the text height is set 1st.

 

If you know what I mean.

 

ill post a pic if anyone requires it.

 

 

[michaeloureiro]

Amen to that Steve.

 

is there a way to get all of the blocks in a tool pallete inserted in specific layer?