Dynamic Blocks

[#1]

And one would presume the Authors pocket book as well.

Probably would need to negotiate the royalties first.

[#2]

Hopefully that wouldn't be an issue.

Hopefully 1.6 will be out soon and I'll be able to insert MVP's, or ADesk wil pull their thumb out.

Until then, could I beg a simple block, just a bit of random geometry and 4 MVP's?

[#3]

I'm still playing with my test blocks, I think I understand more of this. One question though.

Where have my Grips gone?!!!

[#4]

Dear peter_m,

I saved and opened your file, and upon selecting your block, I saw three grips underneath your left section mark. What do you say is missing?

Chris Martin

[#5]

Greetings again, everyone.

Throughout this and other threads, it has been recommended that it is best to create all of your elements first if one is going to try to use multiple visibility states. Wise point, as I have the experience of learning. But now, I would like to build upon that by asking another question.

Where should all of the elements be created in the Block?

I have been using combinations of multiple visibility states, Lookup Actions, and Block Property tables (BPT's, I call them) to create my blocks with great success. But I am concerned somewhat that when my block is complete, and I go to Insert > Block, the default state of the block is in a custom state. The default insertion choice of the block is not one of the choices that is on my table pull-downs. Admittedly, that may be a safety feature, to alert the CADDer that the block's appropriate state must be chosen. But still, I just feel turned off by seeing a state of something that I should not ever see.

I get the feeling that this may be because I create my blocks with elements at their farthest-out positions, and my moving/stretching parameters are drawn to those extreme points. Should I be creating elements at their default positions? Doing this, it looks as though as my blocks are being created, that I'll have elements that will overlap. I also see that a data row in the tables like one that I create cannot be chosen as the default insertion state of the block.

Anyone care to share their experiences? Thanks to all, again.

Chris Martin

[#6]

I put some dynamic controls in there as well; rotates, stretches, etc.

This is a new problem for me. I haven't had them not display in a MVP before, and I've no idea why they aren't now.

[#7]

Dear peter_m,

I took a second look at your block this morning, and I believe I found your problem. As I switch from one visibility parameter to another (using Visibility-Up), I see that the rotation and stretch parameters & grips are invisible in all of your states. Here is a way I found to fix that (other board members may be even more correct than I on this, but here goes):

1) Switch your active visibility parameter from "Default" to another using Visibility-up.

2) Type in BVSHOW.

3) Select the darkened (currently invisible) parameters and grips.

4) At the next prompt which asks if you want items shown in current or all views, type "A" to choose all views.

5) Repeat steps 1-4 with your other visibility parameters, to make sure all of your dynamic controls are visible at all times.

Give that a try, and good luck.

Chris Martin

[#8]

Aye I've just done that, and it's worked, so thank you.

But (I  hate beginning a sentence with that word), there's one set of grips that are only supposed to show in 1 vis state, and they still never show. I tried BVSHOW - Current, but nada.

However, I've also just noticed that the Vis states are affecting each other, they're not supposed to.
 So I might just give up. If I can't get even this simple little test block working how am I ever going to get my grander plans and projects to! /Frustration!

[#9]

If you want a grip to be part of any visibility set the key is to select the parameter (name) of the grip when you are adding to your visibility set, not the grip triangle itself, (just in case you did not know). I remember that it took me a number of tries to figure that one out.

[#10]

Dear peter_m,

I am glad that I was able to help you in this instance. But believe me, in spite of the things I've learned on this board and my own experimentations, I still have troubles with some blocks & their parameters. And, I don't just mean with multiple visibilities. I also still have loads of trouble with linear parameters and moving/stretching objects.

Bottom line: Please don't give up. This is something worth learning, even with the frustration. And the thing above all that this board has taught me, is that there are good people here willing to help.

Chris Martin