Block units

[rossuwp00]

Hi all. I am currently working on inserting a block that was saved with the basic unit in meters, while the rest of my work is in feet. Basically, I working with a *.tif file, and two *.dwg files. Basically, I am inserting the image (*.tif), and the contours for the image (*.dwg). Both of these have basic unit of feet, and are on the world UCS. However, when I try inserting the town utility block, with basic unit of meters in the world UCS, obviously, they do not line up. My question is: How can I change the basic unit from meters to feet, without changing negatively affecting the UCS?

 

Here are some things I have done: I actualy once started with the town utility grid first, and then insterted the *.tif file. This allowed me to choose the base unit for the *.tif, which I choose as meters. These two files lined up nicely. However, when I tried to insert my contour block (*.dwg), the contour block did not provide me the option of changing my base unit from feet to meters, and as such, it didn't properly alling with the other two files. Any thoughts?

[rustysilo]

How are you inserting the info into your .dwg? Are you using regular AutoCAD INSERT command as you would with any block? You could XREF it in and set your UNITS in the xref dialog or you could use Map to query the information in. If you really want to use regular INSERT command then just set the scale value when you insert it. If coordinate zones don't match then a Map query would be best I think.

[rossuwp00]

Well, I've tried both ways. When I go through Insert>Block, I have all my typical block options available (location, scale etc.), except the ability to change the Block Unit. That option is greyed out.

 

When I try attaching the .dwg through the xref method, same thing: I have the ability to change insertion point, scale, rotation, but Block Unit is Greyed out.

 

At your suggestion, I have tried going through the Insert>Block path, and in the dialog box, and adjusted the scale to match the other xrefs in the drawing (.tif and .dwg). Still, no good. I am not sure how one does a 'map query'. Can you provide me a bit of guidancece? Thanks

[rustysilo]

To query the dwg in:

 

Open your Map Task Pane if it is not already open (MAPWSPACE > ON).

Click the Map Explorer tab of the Task Pane

Right-click Drawings > Attach

Browse to the .dwg you want to bring in (If you have never used Map in this way you will likely need to add a drive alias if working on a network. To do this go to the 2nd button from the left at the top Create/Edit Aliases. In the dialog you will simply assign an alias to the drive and in Actual Path type the actual drive path, thus if you are working on a network drive mapped as E: then type E: and in Drive Alias give it an alias. I just use the drive letter.)

Select the .dwg and click OK

Now you will see the .dwg in the Drawings tree in the Task Pane

Under Query Library right-click Current Query > Define

In the Query dialog click Location... Click OK to accept all as the boundary condition

Set the Query Mode to Draw

Click OK

This should bring in the .dwg (Note: if the contours are aecc contour objects they will not come in using the Map Query)

At this point you will likely want to go back to the Task Pane and right-click the drawing you attached > Detach

 

With this method it will do any necessary cs transformations and such. If the .dwg does not come in the correct place then either it is in the wrong place or your .dwg is in the wrong place.

 

You follow?

[BIGAL]

Have you just tried rescaling the whole dwg to be inserted 1'=0.3048 m move it then to a known co-ord and resave.

 

I had problems like this and fixed it with aecdwgsetup the blocks were being foot/metricated 1/.3048 scale set the rescale block option to on or off ie change it. Some sort of bug within Autocad.

[rustysilo]

That's weird.