DYNAMIC BLOCKS: how to keep attributes horizontal while rotating a block?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I found a video with example how attributes moving with block, but remains horizontal. I cant find how to do it. Maybe somone can help me?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sXzcYqnDsc&list=HL1393395570

[rhgrafix]

... and once your block is working, you can uncheck Annotative in the text style manager and even in the BEDIT editor for the attributes you want to keep level, make sure attribute is locked in position (if it's included in any parameter action). We have some clients who(m?) don't like their drawings returned with any annotative in the text style manager. Warning! ⚠ If you use BATTMAN and sync the block, it will ruin the action of the attribute(s) unless you go into the Settings in the BATTMAN dialog box and uncheck "apply changes to existing references". I am hoping Autodesk will make this a lot more user friendly.

R.L. Hamm

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I'll bear in mind that for the next time 🙂

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I'll bear in mind that for the next time 🙂

[Anonymous]

  As far keeping text orientated properly during rotation, I made a Directional Compass with text that stays oriented correctly as well as stays centered in place, when the whole block is rotated. 

 I drew out my Compass and then placed a letter at each of the 4 points.  I placed a circle concentrically around each letter.  I then went to each letter separately, and made it a block.  I snapped to the circles center point as an insertion point. When selecting objects I only selected the letter, not the circle.  At the completion of each block (a single letter) I opened the block editor and selected the letter.  In the properties box, FIRST under Annotative, I selected YES. Next under Match Orientation, I selected yes.  Now I erased the circles that were around the letters.  I now I made the entire symbol a block.  Next I opened the block editor and on the Parameters tab I assigned a Rotation Parameter.  Next on the Action tab I assigned a Rotation Action.  I closed the block editor and saved the changes while doing so.

  Now click once on the block and grab the circular grip to rotate the block.  The letters stay centered and orientated correctly.

[Anonymous]

@steven-g Love this bit of info i JUST found from you !

Thank you !!!

[yamajama]

Hi all,

The original solution worked like a charm.

In any block -

1. Create a point with a move action for the text you want to keep horizontal.
2. Create a rotation and select everything you want + include the point/move parameter of the text but exclude the text element itself.

3. Done.

[ahthelife]

you almost had it. I went back after finishing your instructions and highlighted the radius of the rotation action and then clicked on the text that was by my geometry and added a second action to the rotation. When testing the block rotates and the text remains horizontal. 

[h_s_walker]

Can you post your drawing. If you attach a point move to text and chain that point to a rotation parameter the point will move the text around the circle, but the text will remain horizontal.

[gccdesign]

Very cool. I've tried to do this many years ago (Autocad LT) and thought it couldn't be done.

It works great.

GChapp

[prousseauCQJ6U]

Hi Steven,

I know I'm replying to an old thread, but is there a way to achieve the behavior you described (automatically-rotating attribute) with a block that is itself annotative?

[gccdesign]

This is actually easy to do once you know how to do it.

I decided to make a screencast for it.

(edit) Attaching screencast doesn't seem to work. So I attached a video.

GCCad

[gccdesign]

Here is the screencast. 

(edit) Tried a different browser, inserting a screencast just doesn't work.

[mlanza]

That Worked wonders for me! having to rotate TWO text areas on the same block, keeping on top of the areas and keeping horizontal while the block is rotated AND flipped!
THANKS SO MUCH!

[chriswade]

How do I do this with an Alignment parameter instead of a rotation parameter?

According to this, it should be possible, but I can't get it working:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/simplecontent/content/use-dynamic-...

[h_s_walker]

@chriswade Have you set up a text style as in the image below and are you using it for your attribute?

[chriswade]

Yes, I have, please see attached for the outlet and the example that shows it not working right.

[h_s_walker]

@chriswade There is a problem with the text style you're using (I'm not sure what). I created a new one called style1 and created a new attribute, and the text stays horizontal. See the attached drawing.

[chriswade]

Strange, that still doesn't work, but I did find a way to get it working; however, there is an issue.

We draw at various scales and need to size the outlet up and down accordingly, but when we scale the outlet up or down, the text scales up and down as well. For example at a 1/4" scale drawing, it would get scaled up at a scale of 48. Well, this also scales the text up by 48 and then makes in annotative. I always want the text to be the same size, no matter the scale of the block.

I know I have to be missing something obvious here.