topic Simple revision box with Mtext in Dynamic Blocks Forum

Simple revision box with Mtext

akbcad — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 13:57:25 GMT

I aim to create a revision history box to insert into title blocks in AutoCAD. The box will consist of two sections, the revision letter (A,B,C, etc) and a brief description of the changes, in multiline mtext.

I want the height of the box to dynamically increase when the mtext is sufficiently long to force a new line, so that the text doesn't overfill the box.

I am a long-time user of AutoCAD but have never used dynamic blocks and am finding it hard to get my head around (old dog/new tricks)!

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Re: Simple revision box with Mtext

akbcad — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 14:33:32 GMT

I have attached the block in question.

When REVDESC mtext flows into a new line, the box should stretch up to accomodate it, keeping the same gap and the text remaining centred within the box.

Any help with this?

Re: Simple revision box with Mtext

Libbya — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 17:26:37 GMT

You can add a linear parameter with line height interval and a stretch action with grip in order to stretch the box to the appropriate place easily. Unfortunately, there is not any way with stock AutoCAD to link that stretch action to the multiline attribute in order to make the stretch automatically happen. The user simply has to stretch to the appropriate point if the text changes make another line.

Re: Simple revision box with Mtext

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 15:59:26 GMT

Hi, akbcad.

See attached. Using a table for your revision block may be a good way to go. IMO tables are much easier to work with than blocks for revision blocks, as well as Bill of Material lists.

When you are ready to create a new row in the table, double-click the space in the cell at the end of your last row to enter the text editor, then hit TAB and a new row will be generated.

Also, if you want to reverse the direction of the flow of the table, select the table as an object (click on the border, otherwise you will just select a single cell of the table), go to your properties window > Table > Direction, and change from "Down" to "Up".

Hope this helps.