Adding actions to blocks used by devices?

[MuirEng]

Hi,

I have a block with a rotate action. It seems to work fine. But when I link it to a device and add the device to the sheet, the action isn't avaiable...

Can anyone confirm that blocks lose actions when used by devices, and if so are there any workarounds to add any basic actions such as rotate or flip to devices?

thanks

[VitalyF]

Hi,

I read somewhere that the dynamic blocks are not supported by MEP

Try to use simple blocks, no problem with rotation and mirroring devices

Device rotate

Vitaly

[Keith.Brown]

Hi Vitaly is right.  There is no support for dynamic blocks in AutoCAD MEP.

[MuirEng]

I suppose you really mean that "dynamic blocks are not supported by devices in MEP", because when used outside the world of devices those blocks work as expected.

We do notice that auto alignment works with devices, but I find this more trouble that it is worth. I thought that is a dynamic block behaviour.

The end game here is make it as easy as possible to rotate devices to the proper orientation (90 degree increments) on a building layout. Any suggestions?

thanks

[Keith.Brown]

Yes, let me clarify,  any entities in AutoCAD MEP and AutoCAD Architecture that requires blocks in order to be created do no support dynamic blocks.  For example,

1. mvparts
2. devices
3. mvblocks,
4. structural items,
5. etc.

Since AutoCAD MEP is built upon AutoCAD Architecture which itself is built on AutoCAD, AutoCAD MEP supports all functions, entities etc of AutoCAD.  So a dynamic block will act exactly the same in MEP as it does in AutoCAD.  However, if you choose to use a dynamic block in MEP to create an AEC or AECB item it will strip all dynamic properties from that block and just use the block itself.

[MuirEng]

Yes, thanks Keith, also thanks Vitaly.

It seems that auto align worth for both blocks and devices? I find auto align to be a bit of a nuisance, but if we can't have rotate grips perhaps we will try and optimize that instead.

[VitalyF]

Hi,

>>It seems that auto align worth for both blocks and devices?

Auto alignment is only valid for devices...