Point Styles, Scaling

[Anonymous]

In LDT, when setting up a DescKey where you want to import a symbol, you
create your symbol at the desired plotted size, then in your DescKey
table, for that symbol, under "Scale Symbol By", you check the "Current
Dwg Scale" toggle, and that is it. (attached image 1)

In C3D however, in Point Styles, when you select a block for your point
marker, then select "Use drawing scale", you must enter a value in
inches (attached image 2). What does this represent?

In this particular case, the block is a 0.10 diameter circle, which
requires me to enter "0.0025" in the "inches" field (drawing scale is
[1"=40']) to get the end result of a 4 unit circle (which will plot 0.1
at 1"=40')

I get that 40 x 0.0025 = 0.10, I guess I just don't get why the
additional value is needed. Why not just take the block geometry and
scale it X the dwg scale....?


--
R.K. McSwain
http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com

[Anonymous]

R.K. McSwain wrote:
> In LDT, when setting up a DescKey where you want to import a symbol, you
> create your symbol at the desired plotted size, then in your DescKey
> table, for that symbol, under "Scale Symbol By", you check the "Current
> Dwg Scale" toggle, and that is it. (attached image 1)
>
> In C3D however, in Point Styles, when you select a block for your point
> marker, then select "Use drawing scale", you must enter a value in
> inches (attached image 2). What does this represent?
>
> In this particular case,
> the block is a 0.10 diameter circle, which
> requires me to enter "0.0025" in the "inches" field (drawing scale is
> [1"=40']) to get the end result of a 4 unit circle (which will plot 0.1
> at 1"=40')
>
> I get that 40 x 0.0025 = 0.10, I guess I just don't get why the
> additional value is needed. Why not just take the block geometry and
> scale it X the dwg scale....?

Why not have your block at a scale of 1:1 and just scale it based on
that parameter - take my tree block for example:

http://www.civil3d.com/index.php/2006/08/labeling-points-an-addendum/

Sorry we didn't get to talk in Vegas - I was really trying to find you...

--
Jason Hickey

Civil 3D 2007, SP3
Dell Precision M70
2 GIG RAM, 256 MB nVidia Quadro FX Go1400
Intel Centrino 2 gHz Processor

www.civil3d.com

[Sinc]

As near as I can tell, when you specify a size for a custom block, it seems as though C3D basically gets a "bounding box" around the linework in your block. It then uses this as the extents of your block.

So, if you key in a value of 0.25" in the Size, C3D will zoom your block so that the linework fits into a box 0.25" tall. The actual amount of zoom will vary depending on the block.

It makes some sort of sense, but I haven't completely decided what I think of it.

[Anonymous]

Jason Hickey said the following On 12/5/2006 11:12 AM:
>
> Why not have your block at a scale of 1:1 and just scale it based on
> that parameter - take my tree block for example:
>
> http://www.civil3d.com/index.php/2006/08/labeling-points-an-addendum/
>
> Sorry we didn't get to talk in Vegas - I was really trying to find you...
>


Hey Jason,

Sorry I didn't get a hold of you in Vegas. You know how it goes...
You get there, you get busy, and the next thing you know, you are on the
way home....

Ok, let me just ask you this flat out.

I want this particular symbol to plot as a 0.1 unit diameter circle,
regardless of drawing scale.

What should the original block definition look like? A 0.1 unit circle?




--
R.K. McSwain
http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com

[T_Bernhard]

R.K.,

It depends on what you're trying to do. If you're after a symbol appearing at a set size in the final plot regardless of the viewport scale, set your size in the Point Style to "Use drawing scale" and specify a size across for the symbol. This size is not the actual size it will appear but rather a multiplier for block's existing size. Thus, Civil 3D will plot a size 0.3" block which is 3 units diameter in the block's definition at 0.9" in the final plot (I discovered this using trees). From this point of view, it's better to make your block 1 unit across and control its size via Point Style (and Desc Key if you want the additional control).

If you want the symbol to appear to scale (e.g. trees), again make your block 1 unit across and make your Point Style size=1", but control your actual symbol size with the Desc Key. Of course, if all these objects are the same size (e.g. all manholes the same size), you may choose to control it at a Point Style level, but that's personal preference.

That's a bit of an overview, but the key is knowing what you are trying to do and whether you feel happy letting Civil 3D compensate for viewport/drawing scale.

HTH,
Trevor