Simple dynamic block creation in AutoCAD 2011

[garygoude]

Hi,

 

I am new to dynamic blocks and I would like some advice. I have searched the web for a tutorial for this and I cannot find anything similar to what I want to achieve. I want to make a dynamic block of just text. I want to be able to insert a block with a drop down pick list of preset texts and select the text I want it to display.

 

The attached file containing the various options of text I want to be able to pick from the list. I want to maintain the insertion point common to each text variation shown with a crosshair and the justification of the text as right and the height as 10. I would like to know how to add/remove variations to the block too.

 

LINK TO FILE IF ATTACHMENT DOESN'T WORK

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12331630/ACAD/PROCESS%20TAG.dwg

 

Does anyone know how to do this, I am not familiar at all with the controls in the block editor.

 

Feel pretty dumb, however I know if you don;t ask questions you don't learn!

 

Thanks

PROCESS TAG.dwg

[dbroada]

The simplest dynamic blocks use the "visibility" parameter. It must be simple, it was the one we had demonstrated to us. I have started applying visibility actions to a block made from your drawing. Insert it into a drawing (don't just open it) and then BEDIT it. Have a look at what I have done and apply the rest for yourself. Any problems, come back here (although I am off on holiday this afternoon).

 

test.dwg

[garygoude]

Thanks so much for this!

 

I have taken a look inside BEDIT an although there still remains a lot to learn in there, I have managed to add some extra pick selections controlling the visibility and integrate it all into my standard drawing border blocks, all in all exactly what I needed!

 

Thanks again.

 

G.

[dbroada]

Good, I thought I had given you enough to get going.

 

I find I don't use visibility very often but it is ideal for times like this. The big problem is that you cannot have multiple visibility parameters (you can but it requires additional programming).

 

For example, if you have a push button and a lamp and they can be red or green you have to have: green p/b, red p/b, green lamp & red lamp. With two parameters you could have one for the p-b/lamp and one for the red/green. Trivial in this example but add two more colours and an illuminated p/b and you can start to see the limitations.

[garygoude]

Thanks for that, I have a number of more complex dynamic blocks to create, so I will bear this in mind when starting those.

 

G.

[steven-g]

Good, I thought I had given you enough to get going.

 

I find I don't use visibility very often but it is ideal for times like this. The big problem is that you cannot have multiple visibility parameters (you can but it requires additional programming).

 

For example, if you have a push button and a lamp and they can be red or green you have to have: green p/b, red p/b, green lamp & red lamp. With two parameters you could have one for the p-b/lamp and one for the red/green. Trivial in this example but add two more colours and an illuminated p/b and you can start to see the limitations.

 

As an alternative, here is a cheat, so you can save your visibility state for other uses, it means you can have more in one block as well.

PROCESS TAG.dwg

[garygoude]

Thanks for this also, I'll take a look at it and consider it for my other blocks, it might be another useful work around!

 

Thanks, G.

[dbroada]

I wondered if you might be along Steve.

 

I don't use look up tables very often either. Interesting use of one there. (Note to Gary - after selecting from the list you must REGEN your drawing.) Is the distance doing anything other than a reference for the look up?

[garygoude]

I haven't checked this out fully yet, but the regen noted, thanks.

 

G.

[steven-g]

Oops yes sorry forgot to mention the regen. Dave indeed the linear parameter is only to give the Lookup something to look at (and store the value), which is why I called it a cheat. I use this in my door block to keep track of all the different fixtures and fittings. It's slightly quicker to fill in as well, rather than the visibility manager.

 

Have a nice holiday Dave.