Annotative vs Non Annotative blocks

[LucasHicks]

We use annotative blocks for our survey point symbols for different drawing scales, i.e. sanitary manhole.  I was tasked finding out why these blocks won't show up in the plan view of a pipe network.  Changing the blocks to non-annotative allowed them to show.

In a normal work flow do you have the same looking block but one being annotative and the other not for different use case scenarios?

I know nothing about pipe networks, just trying to find out workflows.

Thanks

[jmayo-EE]

Your point style can adjust the size of the block without a need for the Autocad Dynamic feature if that's what you need. I don't believe that AutoCAD feature works with Civil 3D styles. If you have different symbols for every scale you may need a point style for every scale.

[LucasHicks]

We have one symbol for existing manhole.  It uses an annotative block when the survey is processed.  Size of the block depends on the drawing scale.  Scale adjusts, size adjust.

From what I found out annotative blocks cannot be used in the networks.

I was wondering how others get around this problem or if they have a different work flow.

[jroot]

So is the annotative block being used for a cogo point symbol or for the symbol of a MH in a Pipe Network? or both? 

I think you're talking about Pipe Network but you say survey points... two different things.

[MMcCall402]

Structure styles can be set up to use a block that is sized based on drawing scale. The 'scale' used has nothing to do with any annotative setting. Civil 3D object and label scaling pre-dates annotative properties so it acts a little different.  Civil 3D objects and labels only use the drawing scale (viewport 'standard' scale)

[Joe-Bouza]

Civil3d does not observe native auto cad annotative anything when used in a civil3d object

[LucasHicks]

If you change the block MH-SAN to annotative using the block editor properties.  Does it now show up in your structure styles preview window?  It does not for me.

Do you use annotative blocks for your survey points?

[MMcCall402]

Points use a point style, structures use a structure style. Both are Civil 3D objects. Both can be set to use drawing scale for their sizing if that what you want them to do.

[LucasHicks]

Annotative block and no preview.

Yep survey styles and structure styles are two different things.  But they both use blocks.  Can they be the same block?  From what I'm seeing it's no if the block is annotative.

[Joe-Bouza]

ooooh! Deal breaker 😯

[Joe-Bouza · Accepted solution]

I think it is a deal breaker.

I cannot get pipe network to accept an annotative block to use as a structure.  Use a standard block and let c3d scale it

[rl_jackson]

@LucasHicks 

In all honesty I've used and have many blocks annotation that I also use as my survey point block the one drawback to using a annotation block in a point style is that should you have to export the data for any reason it create a world of grief. 1 time it will export fine (very unlikely in most cases), the next time you export  some but not all  will be so small you can't see them and it becomes an enormous undertaking just to locate and get them all scaled back to 1=1.

Note: Only workaround for this is that I've found is to explode points (2-3x) prior to export to get to the native block and then export.