Dynamic Block Detail symbol

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

I am new to dynamic blocks and have been managing to make a few simple ones. However, I have stumbled across a problem when creating a dymanic block for marking details on a GA.

I have attached three jpg's showing what I would like to achieve, and what I have now. Ideally, I would like the label to be moveable as in jpg2 but with the line still heading towards the centre of the circle without crossing it! I hope that made sense. 

The third jpg shows the block in editor.

Can anyone explain how I may be able to achieve this? 

Thanks, 

Josh

[ojuris · Accepted solution]

hi!

may be this way?

Regards

Juris

[Anonymous]

That's perfect! Thanks for that. I'll have a go at reverse engineering it so to speak, to learn how it's done.

thanks again,

Josh

[Anonymous]

I managed to reverse it and create what I needed, I also looked at a stretchable block. I have attached both. The second stretchable doesn't quite work. Any suggestions?

Thanks, 

Josh

[ojuris]

hi!

may be you like that solution

[Anonymous]

It does work; I had thought about creating a wipout to hide the line. However, this can sometimes be a nusiance with managing the draw order. 

Thanks, 

Josh

[Libbya]

I have a similar block and just put a point move on the inner end of the line so that I could stretch it to the edge of the bubble.  

[Anonymous]

Sorry Libbya, I am not sure what you mean?

[ojuris]

he means something like this, I think

[Libbya · Accepted solution]

No problem.  I didn't describe it very well as I was in a hurry.  When making my own similar block I was not concerned about the angle of the line and so I placed a point move at the end of the line so I can pull it into the bubble at the angle I want and then move it to the intersection snap point on the bubble.  See attached.  In your block I updated it so that it has a linear stretch grip that allows you to stretch in a similar manner.  After adjusting the angle, pull it into the bubble and then snap to the intersection point.  I also inserted my finished detail callout as it might give some other ideas. 

[Anonymous]

@ ojuris; that work's well thankyou,  I think that combined witht the flip function should do it. 

@ Libbya; I prodded into how your bubble works. There are a lot of commands in there for something that essentially appears simple. I like the flip command. I think I will revise mine to show have that horizontally and vertically and anchor the start of the leader line on the edge of the bubble. 

I will put the detail up for your amusement if I succeed... if not, I will be back with more questions. 

Thanks again, 

Josh

[ojuris]

OK - we will wait results or questions 

Juris

[Anonymous]

Ta dah! Working detail now attached. You'll notice it is very similar to yours Juris. 

Thanks for the help.

Josh 

[ojuris]

very nice

I correct some mistakes and see 1 problem

if you mirroring block to right side and after that edit text in attribute, you have problems with text aligning

Juris

[Libbya]

My detail callout block has evolved through use over several years.  At this point it is both very powerful and user-friendly.  A couple items that I really like that are not within your block are the ability to rotate the bubble using the same polar stretch grips that size it and the ability to move the bubble without moving the callout using the grip at the intersection of the two reference lines.  Rotating the bubble is very useful for calling out details on fascia or stairs.  Being able to move the bubble without moving the callout makes placement a lot easier.  The flip in the center of the bubble is very useful for placing similar callouts on each side of a building, e.g. stem walls, fascia.  The flip at the bubble is not as useful and I rarely use it.  

On a similar note, I don't think that I would make much use of the vertical flip you added.  The callout can be stretched up and down vertically and I've found that vertical placement of the callout tends to need to be more precise than a flip can accomplish due to surrounding linework and annotation.  If you do want to keep the vertical flip but do not want the text to flip, you can add a chained point move to the text and flip that point move instead of the attributes.  

There is a solution for the justification issue Ojuris mentioned but it is complicated.  You can use two sets of attributes in two visibility states and then use the flip state as in input on a double-lookup to switch states.  You then have a third 'master' set of attributes that have invisible set to yes in properties and yet are present in each visibility state.  You then place fields in the two visible sets of attributes that reference the invisible set.   

[Anonymous]

I see what you mean when about the alignment issue. I will correct that using the technique Libbya suggests when I can work out how to do that. I use Autocad R8 LT, with multisuite bolt on so I dont get the full set of options for creating Dynamic blocks. I also havent ever been taught or used dynamic blocks so double lookup's can be a thing for the future! 

The vertical flip is handy for calling up steel connections on plans and complex sections in RC walls. I did consider the rotate function but didnt feel it was needed/ didnt know how to do it and had to get on with some proper work!

I think the block will stay as is for now. I need to look into chain commands and correct the flipped text function, however, I am under pressure to complete a bunch of IPD forms so that'll need to ake proirity for now. 

Thanks again to you both for your help, 

Josh