DYNAMIC BLOCK WITH VIEWPORT

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to use a DB with viewports? The attached file contains the DB with notes indicating what I would like to do with the DB. Basiclly I made a stretchable box that would be used on our detail sheets. This box has text that will stay at its location in relation to the DB. I've noticed that I can not use constraints on the DB after its inserted into the drawing. Is this normal? For example, I want to add a viewport to the DB and constrain its size using parametric dims but when I do this the DB is no longer a DB. Hopefully the attached file can better explain what I need. Perhaps I'm asking too much.

Spoiler

Thanks

[Libbya]

You can add a viewport within a block, but I do not believe you can turn it on because it is 'not in paperspace' so it is essentially useless.

I have a similar dynamic block that I use for details, but I place the frame/number/title text/scale information all in modelspace.  The block is annotative so changes in annotative scale adjust the size of the box automatically and when the view is inserted on a sheet everything is the correct size.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, you confirmed what I feared. I can get the DB to work with all the attributes and stretching, but getting the viewport to work is a no go. In a perfect world I should be able create the DB with a viewport that works when inserted (naturally in PS).

Also, I noticed if I add a dimension to the DB after I insert it into a drawing, the DB is no longer a DB. By adding a dimension all the parameters are "turned off" and I'm stuck with a dumb block.

[Libbya]

As I mentioned, the annotative detail title/frame block that I use works perfectly, so IMO, there would be no improvement from being able to place viewports within blocks.  

I cannot replicate your issue with dimensions and dynamic blocks.  I have not problems dimensioning dynamic blocks or adding dimensions within dynamic blocks.  They remain dynamic.  

[Anonymous]

I may not have explained the situation correctly so I've attached a file that will act as I described. If I add a "Parametric" dimension to control the location of the viewport the DB is no longer usable. Once you erase the dimension the DB becomes usable. 

I also can create a DB the way I described in my original post, but I really wanted the VP to function.

thanks

[Libbya]

Yes, you cannot add parametric constraints to dynamic blocks.  That is correct.

What reason do you have for avoiding the solution I promoted of using an annotative dynamic block in model space with the detail linework?  It works perfectly for me.  

[Anonymous]

We produce our drawings exclusively in paperspace. We design exclusively in model space. I don’t understand how you would use the DB in model space.

My "viewport" DB is meant to be used exclusively in PS. I was looking for a way to quickly create new details by creating a DB with a viewport and text that is linked to the viewport via a field that would update based on the VP scale. And of course the detail number and description are attributes that we can edit on the fly. 

We use annotative dims and text from paperspace.

[Libbya · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

We produce our drawings exclusively in paperspace. We design exclusively in model space. I don’t understand how you would use the DB in model space.

My "viewport" DB is meant to be used exclusively in PS. I was looking for a way to quickly create new details by creating a DB with a viewport and text that is linked to the viewport via a field that would update based on the VP scale. And of course the detail number and description are attributes that we can edit on the fly. 

We use annotative dims and text from paperspace.

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Are you on vanilla Autocad or are you using one of the verticals?

I work within Autocad Architecture, but have it all set up with the functionality you desire.  Each detail has its own file.  My dynamic detail titleblock is inserted with the detail linework/dimensions.  It is then x-ref'd to the sheet (within ACA I define a model view and then drag onto the sheet).  I then link the dynamic detail title block to the specific view and the various fields (detail number, title, viewport scale) all populate and update with changes.  Similarly I have the detail callouts linked in a similar manner so that if the detail number is changed on the sheet all of the detail callouts within the project will update to the correct number automatically.    

[Anonymous]

We use plain ol' AutoCAD 2013.

[Libbya]

You should be able to accomplish similar using Sheet Set Manager but I am not as familiar with the details.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the idea. I will investigate that and other options.

[Anonymous]

Hi

Please find attached a drawing I put together of how I think a Dynamic Block should work. I would love your input. Its fairly simple. An adjustable box with text and viewport constrained to the box.

thanks

don

[Anonymous]

Thanks,
Please note that the "scale" text is a field linked to the view port and will update to display the scale factor of view port.