Parametric sketching

[stephenP66RM]

Hi,

One of my most common tasks is drawing cutting tools, which has a certain amount of fixed geometry and variable geometry rotated in an array. If I were using CATIA it would be simple enough to draw a sketch with parametric dimensions and create the model that way.  However, I am using AutoCAD Lt, which if I understand correctly, doesn't have the ability to use parametric dimensions.

Having said that, I notice that every time I go into Block Edit there is a palette with a few tabs which include the word Parameters, so I'm hoping that there is a way of using it in some form or another to help speed up the design process.

Is it possible?  And are there any tutorials to help me get the most out of the Block Edit function?

Many thanks in advance,

Stephen

[h_s_walker · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately not.

LT can only view or edit parametric objects which have been created in full AutoCAD. It cannot create parametric objects on it's own

[stephenP66RM]

That's frustrating.

Is the palette only there for editing parametrics created in full-fat AutoCAD, or can it be used for other things?

[h_s_walker]

It can be used for changing the order of Attributes / Parameter sets that you place in the block.

[stephenP66RM]

Do you know of any tutorials on what you are describing? I've never come across attributes within blocks, so whilst it might not help me with my current needs, it might be useful to know in the future.

[steven-g]

For clarity LT cannot edit the constraints themselves just the objects that are constrained. It can delete them, just not create or edit them.

[cadffm]

You can use action-parameters, thats what you see in BEDIT.
Full Autocad have constrainParameters too.

For the first Steps: Youtube
Autocad dynamic Block

But there is nothing for polar-array parameters.

Do you know about the normal ARRAY command? F1

An example File for us forces a better help for you!

[h_s_walker]

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/ENU/AutoC...

[steven-g]

Well I'm confused now (it doesn't take much), are we talking Block Parameters or Geometric Constraints, because Block Parameters are IN and Geometric Constraints are OUT (other than viewing).

[cadffm]

My opinion
The ThreadOpener does not know the possibilities in LT and the full version.

But in BEDIT he sees only the palette for action parameters, so they are meant and available in LT.

Which is more sought for the work are constrained-parameters, but these are not available in LT.
So he can check the possibilities of action-parameters in dynamicBlocks, perhaps it could help,

and command ARRAY for polar-copies which can also be changed by values.

If he is looking for tutorials, he should take care in Tutorials when examples used constrained parameters,
then this example is only for the Fullversion of AutoCAD.

[pendean]

Autodesk INVENTOR (possibly INVENTOR LT) is comparable to CATIA: if it has to be "AutoCAD", AutoCAD MECHANICAL is the closest comparison. Full AutoCAD, not AUTOCADLT, would be the next lwer ability comparison.

Did you possibly need to be using INVENTOR/LT perhaps https://www.autodesk.com/products/inventor-lt-family/overview