topic Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point in Dynamic Blocks Forum

Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Joe-Bouza — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 22:36:31 GMT

I dont have access to the block to share but it is a simple rectangle i stretch and would like the align and flip grip to stay at the midpoint. What is the work flow for that?

Thanks

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Libbya — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 20:08:28 GMT

Without seeing how you have the parameters set up, it is just a guess, but my guess would be to add another stretch or move [edit]action[/edit], add those two parameters to its selection set, and change its distance multiplier property to 0.5.

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Joe-Bouza — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:23:41 GMT

I will let you know. sounds good. Can that stretch parameter have zero grips?

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

h_s_walker — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:56:54 GMT

@Joe-Bouza Yes. Just change the item ringed in the image below to 0

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Libbya — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 15:14:55 GMT

@Joe-Bouza wrote:

I will let you know. sounds good. Can that stretch parameter have zero grips?

I misspoke previously when I said "add another stretch or move parameter". There is no such thing as a 'stretch parameter' or 'move parameter'. There are stretch actions though which can be associated with several kinds of parameters including linear, polar, XY, and point parameters. Actions do not have grips so there is no such thing as a stretch grip or said another way, stretch actions always have zero grips. Parameters have grips and you can turn them on or off in properties. You can associate any number of stretch actions with a parameter point and that parameter point can have its grip on or off as desired. The 'distance multiplier' is a property of the individual stretch or move actions so you can have two actions associated with a single parameter point that has its single grip turned on. One of those stretch actions can have a distance multiplier of 1 and stretch the edge of the rectangle exactly as far as the grip moves. The other stretch action can have a distance multiplier of 0.5 and move the centered objects 1/2 as far as the grip moves and so keep the centered objects centered regardless of how far the grip/parameter point is moved. Hopefully that all makes sense.

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Joe-Bouza — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 19:18:01 GMT

Where do I find the distance multiplier?

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Libbya — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:27:40 GMT

You have a linear parameter selected. As I mentioned in my last comment, the distance multiplier is a property of the stretch action. You need to select the action, not the parameter it is associated with, and then look at the properties palette.

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Joe-Bouza — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:30:37 GMT

that's the grip number. it is a list?

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Joe-Bouza — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:32:05 GMT

Pardon my dense head but im not getting it so fast.

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Libbya — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:38:47 GMT

Slowly reread my comment that is message 5. It details things very specifically. I'll try again.

PARAMETERS have grips. The number of grips they have and how many are shown are one of their properties. You can turn the grips on/off by selecting a parameter and changing their grips property on the properties palette.

ACTIONS are associated with parameters. Any number of actions can be associated with a parameter. The move or stretch actions have a Distance Multiplier property. You can alter the distance multiplier property by selecting the action and changing the distance multiplier property on the properties palette.

Parameters do not have any distance multiplier properties. Actions do not have grips.

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Joe-Bouza — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 19:44:47 GMT

I appreciate you taking the time to explain. I am fairly well acquainted with dynamic blocks and the parameter / actions. Where I fell short in my desperate cry was I don't follow how to make one action link to another parameter per se.

I have the multiplier

I'm not sure how to select the object or get distance2 to to stretch with distance 1

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Libbya — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 20:04:59 GMT

Your Distance2 linear parameter is superfluous. You should add BOTH stretch actions to your Distance1 linear parameter.

Re: Stretch and keep align and flip grip at the mid point

Libbya — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 20:16:52 GMT

In looking at the block you posted, you will also need to remove the flip and alignment parameters from the Stretch action that has the distance multiplier of 1. They should only be included in the selection set of the second action that has a distance modifier of 0.5. For that second action I would use a move rather than stretch but either can work provided your stretch action window completely surrounds the two parameters you want to move.