Dynamic Blocks and Lookup Tables

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am currently an intern with around a month's worth of experience with autocad.  I have been given the task to create a dynamic block with a lookup table that will allow someone to change the sizes of the block.  I have looked around these forums for some clues, but I have not been able to fully put everything together.  There is a perfect example in the lookup actions area in Autocad's user guide, but it is pretty vague to me.  I am using 2011 Version of autocad, I was hoping that someone could help explain how to do this a little more clearly.  I have attached a file with the boxes I am attempting to cut down to one using a dynamic box.  Also I am wondering if I would be able to keep the triangle/text/number relatively in the same areas they are now; is this possible?

Thanks,

Lee

[Charles_Shade · Accepted solution]

Okay - There is a lot going on here for a newb so study and post questions and it will be easieer to answer what you need to know.

Click on the TEST DynBlk

BTW - The DynBlk is done. You just need to put the correct sizes into the lookup table. If you want the size to populate an attribute in the block... Well I cannot do that since I do not have Fields and LT 2008.

[Anonymous]

Hey

Thank you for your help.  I wish my university would offer a class for autocad, but they do not currently.  I do have a couple questions as to what was exactly done.  My biggest question would be how was the input properties inserted into the look up table.  I tried to attempt at it, but I could not figure it out or am missing something.  Also why was the move hor/ move vert added to the stretch actions?

Thanks, 

Lee

[Charles_Shade]

-Opening the Lookup Table will allow Parameters to be added to the table thru the Add Properties box near the top of the window. Since both Parameters have already been added to this lookup table there are no other choices so the window is blank when opened.

-Any Action can have Parameters added to them by right clicking (in your case) and choosing to add an object to the Selection Set. In this case the Move Action was added near the end. As with any Action it needs a Parameter. I just chose the proper Parameter for the direction I wanted the object to move. You will also need to note that the multiplier for the Move Action is set to .5 in both cases. You could add another Parameter for each Move Action but that's a rookie way of doing it.

-Polar Actions need Polar Parameters. Standard Actions need Standard Parameters but in most cases a Linear Parameter will accept a Move, Stretch, Array, or Scale Action. This is explained well in Help.

This is not the only way to create this block. I choose this direction since it demonstrates several key abilities of DynBlk's. Adding several Actions to one Parameter. Having one Grip manipulate several Actions and having the Lookup Table size the block per you request. If you click on the Width and Depth Parameters you will see that No. of Grips is set to Zero. Change that to One and you can pull the block w/o the Lookup Table.

If you are interested in inserting the DynBlk to a centered location and have the box expand about the center as opposed to up and right that can be done too.

A good read:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Dynamic-Blocks/create-a-sticky-topic-or-a-wiki/m-p/2318033

[Charles_Shade]

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  Also why was the move hor/ move vert added to the stretch actions?

Thanks, 

Lee

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I thought you might want them centered. Removing the Move Actions would keep the text at the bottom left.