Using Blocks and Making Arrow Heads

[GPSJane]

Is there a nice tutorial on blocks somewhere? I need to do this fairly quickly though.

I started to use blocks because I have shapes that I need to use often, only they change a little depending on where they are. A block needs to be rotated and stretched to fit. I find it exceedingly difficult to insert the block correctly.

So I wonder, will changing the arrowhead to fit the end of a line be difficult? I would love to be able to set a style for a layer that says all lines have arrow heads.

I hope I have not missed anything about arrow heads but by what I read the only way to have arrow heads is a block (or leaders but I need these to be lines).

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

maybe I'm the only one, at least I don't understand what you try to do.

When reading about arrow-heads my first thought is: you'd like to draw dimensions ... then why don't you use dimensions?

On the other hand I read:

>> they change a little depending on where they are. A block needs to be rotated and stretched to fit

Why does a size of an arrow change by the positions? When "stretched to fit" ... fit to what?

Can you show us some samples of what you'd like to get?

- alfred -

[GPSJane]

Ok I did originally write this in another thread then decided to create my own. My blocks need to rotate and stretch when inserted, no matter what shape they are. There are several types.

The arrow head is not for dimensions otherwise I would have used dimensions. Why can't I use arrows for other reasons? I would like lines with arrows at the end and can only see that I need to use blocks. They would need to rotate according to the direction of the line. They may even need to change size if I need them to.

Hence, I think I should use a block tutorial because I can't get what I want at the moment. Also, it would help if someone here has used arrow heads on lines and can help. I'll draw and attach some pictures.

Also, how do I look for blocks that the previous person working on this data would have used?

[parkr4st]

gpsjane

same as alfred, a bit confused

what do you want arrows for and how often do you repeat the use?

There are a variety of web sites with arrows all drawn including dynamic blocks.  Why not find what you need if it exists, download it and use it.

if you can decribe what you want and how you will use it someone reading may just post what you need.

dave

[GPSJane]

I don't know how to explain this any clearer; I need to create blocks that I can then insert in different orientations and at different sizes. One of those blocks would be an arrow head but there would be others like the square.

I need lines with a directional arrow to indicate the direction that a borehole was drilled, if that matters. I use them a lot.

I know I can download a block but that is not the problem. I can't insert the blocks correctly at the orientation and size I want. If a line is facing 62 degrees then how do I get the arrowhead to rotate to 62 degrees (from the 0 degrees I created it at) when I insert it?

I have not had time to find a tutorial yet but I would read it if anyone had one to pass one.

[GPSJane]

In addition I don't know how to save them separately and to apply them to all my files at once so that they will always be available. Or can I make them available from an application level for all files I work on?

I would like to be able to add them as I need them then always have them available at all times.

And then I need to be able to have them insert in the correct layer, if that is possible.

[parkr4st · Accepted solution]

ok

Have you used Toolpalettes?  One way to get it done.

if not command TOOLPalettes or view tab Tool Palettes

rc a tab and new pallette.  name it arrows.

draw a block and copy and paste it to the palette

d &  d from the palette the arrow you want into the drawing.

on the TPs select the Draw tab and RC line and select properties.  you can set a variety of items there including layer.

however you may look into http://www.dotsoft.com/mwgeology.htm for example. special tools for special work

and there are other users who will have better answers given exact what professson, utility, trade, etc you work in.

[GPSJane]

---

@parkr4st wrote:

ok

Have you used Toolpalettes?  One way to get it done.

if not command TOOLPalettes or view tab Tool Palettes

...

on the TPs select the Draw tab and RC line and select properties.  you can set a variety of items there including layer.

however you may look into http://www.dotsoft.com/mwgeology.htm for example. special tools for special work

and there are other users who will have better answers given exact what professson, utility, trade, etc you work in.

---

Thanks! I did not know about that. I'll hopefully have some time to try it out this week.

I think I have used Mapsoft but to be honest we don't manage our borehole data in AutoCAD but in Surpac. I need to represent the location of things on plans in AutoCAD so we can print out or import to Surpac.

[GPSJane]

Oops I meant MapWorks

[GPSJane]

Ok, so tool pallettes had all this stuff I didn't want so I never used them. Now I have my own blocks and hatch patterns on there. What a relief 🙂

But I can't insert them properly. Well the hatch patterns are good but the block I am inserting is teensy, even though I am using the same units and it gets inserted to some random layer instead of the layer I am working on. Why would that happen?

[GPSJane]

And even though the properties are set to 'By Layer' the colours are wrong 😞

[Murph_Map · Accepted solution]

Are you setting the properties in the palette or in the dwg the blocks are in? 

[GPSJane]

Ah, thanks! And there is an option for prompt to rotate, fantastic.

[Murph_Map]

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@GPSJane wrote:

Ah, thanks! And there is an option for prompt to rotate, fantastic.

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You're welcome.

[foxeec]

Murph,

On a somewhat side note:

I noticed that in your screen shot, on your tool pallette, there is a tab for map symbols.  Is that something you custom made, or is that part of the Map software?  Just curious, as i have Map 2015, and i don't have that tab on my tool pallettes and now wondering if it wasn't installed correctly.

thanks!
Lorrie

[Murph_Map]

That tab is one I created from the Design Center. If you open up design center "DC" then navigate to the C :\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015\Map\Sample\Symbols dwg you can create a tool palette from that dwg with all the blocks. Or any of the blocks in the dwgs in the sample folders or your own dwgs.