how do I rotate a block where the attributes are always readable

[Anonymous]

I have blocks with attributes (lighting instruments).  There is a front and a back to the block with attributes on both.  When I created the block I made the attributes read correctly with the front of the block pointing up.  When I place the blocks on drawings they may be placed pointing up but also pointing at an angle or pointing down.  Unfortunately the attributes, when the block is rotated, will always rotate with the block but not adjust to the correct angle for reading.  For example when the block is rotated from pointing to pointing down, the attributes are upside down.  Is there a way to have the attributes rotate correctly when the block is rotated?  If not, is there a way to correct the rotation of the attributes.  When I use Enhanced Attribute Editor, I can correct the attributes one attribute and one block at a time but the attributes are not where they were placed when the block was pointing up.  The relationship of attribute location to block is changed.  Anyone have any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Hi again,

   I looked at what you did and it almost works although I don't know how you managed it.  It still doesn't work if the light is rotated to face down.  In the drawing I have attached you will see 4 rows.  The first light in the first row is from what you did but I rotated it more and it is not working.  The next 3 lights the text is manually added to how it should look when it is rotated.  The 2nd row is again lights with attributes manually drawn in the way they should look.  The 3rd row are attributes with text in different position, not working.  The 4th row are blocks without attributes added.  I then placed the attributes by the light and selected the block and separate attributes and rotated them.  Again nothing works.  I want to include the attributes in the blocks because I want to create spreadsheets from the drawing.  If this is impossible then I will have to place the block of just the unit at the right angle and add each of the attributes manually and then create a spreadsheet manually.  I was hoping autocad would make this a much easier task.  If I have to do all this manually is there then a way to create the text, one attribute at a time, either vertically horizontally or at a desired angle? Please let me know what you think.  Thanks again for all your help. - Mike

[MMcCall402]

I forgot to mention that you cannot use the rotate command on these blocks. Their rotation needs to be 0 for the objects inside the block to know which way is up.  To rotate them you just need to grab the rotation grip (round blue dot) and it will rotate the objects inside the block.

[Anonymous]

Wow. that is great, it works.  Thank you.  Can you tell me how to do it or where to find the instructions.  You say I can add it to an already created block, that is amazing.  Although I am trying, Autocad is not easy to teach on self.  This Forum is a great aid and I thank you for all your help.  - Mike

[MMcCall402 · Accepted solution]

I put together a screencast (my first!)  of the process of adding this dynamic functionality to an existing block.  I used the file from your last posting.

Hope this helps.

[Ranjit_Singh2 · Accepted solution]

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@Ranjit_Singh2 wrote:

It just occurred to me (after reading post 5, thanks @Alfred.NESWADBA) that you could edit the block definition to change text justification on all attributes to middle center. Now call attsync and synchronize all attributes. Then call the lisp routine and it may fix the slight shifting problem! I am not on AutoCAD right now so cannot test. But will give it a try later. Hopefully it works.

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OK. Finally got some time to test this. See steps below.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, I have time tomorrow I will try to follow this.  - Mike

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for this great solution.  It has taken me a bit of time to follow the screen cast I think because I have the student version of Autocad 2017 and a lot of the screen stuff you selected took me a while to find.  It seemed it was just there for you but I had to search for some things.  I finally got one to work and it is great.  Thanks again. - Mike

[rhgrafix]

 That is awesome, I opened the block in BEDIT and don't see any dynamic parameters except for Basepoint which can't have anything to do with the attributes, (I set to Show all Actions). I made my own attribute in the same block, set up every single property to match, annotative and all, saved, ran BATTMAN to update it, my attribute will not stay horizontal for anything. I can't for anything figure out how you make it happen! For now I can copy your block and put all of my entities in it, if I try to cut n paste one of your magic attributes into my block, it disappears. Can you explain the trick please?

Thanks much,

R.L. Hamm

[anushTQ8DN]

I follow the same way
but if I rotate, My block is invisible only letter is there