HOW TO CHANGE GEOMETRY INSIDE BLOCK EDITOR BY CHANGING LINEAR PARAMETER?

[chaitanya.chikkala]

HI ALL....

      I HAVE MADE A BLOCK IN WHICH I HAVE GIVEN SOME LINEAR PARAMETERS WITH STRETCH ACTIONS....BUT NOW I WANT TO CHANGE THE DEFAULT GEOMETRY OF THE BLOCK BY CHANGING THE LENGTH WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY LINEAR PARAMETER. SO IF I OPEN THE BLOCK EDITOR AND CHANGE DIRECTLY THE VALUES IN THE LINEAR PARAMETERS,THE GEOMETRY INSIDE THE BLOCK EDITOR DOESNOT CHANGE.

IS THERE ANY SHORT CUT METHOD FOR CHANGING THE BLOCK GEOMETRY INSIDE BLOCK EDITOR?

OR

DO I NEED TO AGAIN REDIFINE THE ENTIRE BLOCK WITH REQUIRED GEOMETRY?

[Pointdump]

C,

Whenever I change anything about a Dynamic Block, I first delete all my parameters and actions, then make my changes, then I re-do all the Parameters and Actions.

Dave

[chaitanya.chikkala]

SIR,

BUT I WANT TO CHANGE THE BLOCK INSIDE THE BLOCK EDITOR USING THE PARAMETERS AND ACTIONS THAT I ALREADY APPLIED  (BUT IN ACTUAL, THE PARAMETERS AND ACTIONS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE INSIDE THE BLOCK EDITOR) SO THAT IT SAVES A LOT OF TIME.

I WANT TO KNOW WHETHER THAT IS POSSIBLE (MAKING THE PARAMETERS EFFECTIVE INSIDE THE BLOCK EDITOR).

[Pointdump]

C,

Use the Test Block Button:

Dave

[ojuris]

it is not possible to to change block inside the block editor by parameters and actions

it is possible only outside the block editor

in block editor you can move, copy and make other actions with block elements but you can't change elements by parameters and actions

Regards

Juris

[Libbya]

"Whenever I change anything about a Dynamic Block, I first delete all my parameters and actions, then make my changes, then I re-do all the Parameters and Actions."

I can't imagine why you would take that approach.  If there is an issue with the block geometry, then the deleting and redoing the parameters will not help and will only waste time and effort.  

[Libbya]

If you want the block geometry to change, then move/stretch/delete/add to the linework within the block as necessary using standard autocad commands.  When done, make sure to adjust stretch windows, visibility states or action selection sets in order to accommodate changes in the geometry.

[Pointdump]

Libbya,

I'm just starting to use Dynamic Blocks. From reading your posts, you seem to have mastered them. So I'm sure you're right when you kindly mention that I'm wasting my time and effort.

Particularly with the Rotate parameter/action, if I don't delete it before I edit my block, the Dynamic Block doesn't work like before the edits. And when I say "doesn't work like before", I mean that the block rotates in an unpredictable fashion with an unpredictable Rotation Base Point. So I stick with what works for me. If I knew how to "reset" a parameter/action, I'd try that. But I don't know, so I just delete them before making my edits.

The learning curve for Dynamic Blocks is huge, and frankly, I'm not sure they "pencil", however "cool" they are.

Dave

[Libbya]

The information is meant to be helpful.  I appologize if I am overly blunt.

The rotate actions (and scale) have two settings for their base type.  They can either be dependent or independent.  If the base type is set to dependent then the objects that are rotated by the action are rotated around the parameter's base point.  If the rotation action's base type is set to independent, then a basepoint represented by an X with an additional grip appears (initially at the rotation parameter's base location).  Objects rotated by the action will rotate around that base point location.  That grip can be moved to any desired location within the block and can even be moved dyamically and the the objects in the action's selection set will rotate around it.

I think that in the long run, dynamic blocks can be the most time effective tools available to AutoCAD.  Similarly, a pencil and a ruler can draw a line much more quickly and easily than AutoCAD itself but I do not think that the various industries that use AutoCAD will ditch it to return to using pencils and rulers.  Yes, there is a bit of a learning curve with Dynamic Blocks, but it is only a very small part of the learning curve to AutoCAD itself.  Dynamic blocks that are made initially will NEVER pay back the time required for creation, but once a decent understanding of dynamic blocks is achieved, they can be implemented to save a massive amount of time.  More importantly to me, though, is that using a well-created dynamic block is a far more enjoyable work experience than the tedium of manipulating the individual lines, arcs, hatches, etc... 

[Pointdump]

Libbya,

Sir, you wound me. I love AutoCAD more than life itself. I'm only questioning the usefulness of Dynamic Blocks. And by the way, I hear the pencil and ruler industry thrives to this day. Same with old-fashioned paper. Go figure.

Anyway, yes, the Help Section mentions that the Rotate Base can be Dependent or Independent. However, it is strangely silent on the necessary particulars of how to go about choosing one or the other:

Dave

[Libbya]

To change the base type, you select the action and go to the properties palette.  You'll find 'base type' in the 'Overrides' section.  Select it and it will become a pulldown with the two options. 

[ojuris]

And after select from pull down from Dependent to Independent - unselect rotation action

After that you can select rotation action again and change rotation basepoint coordinates

[Pointdump]

Libbya and Ojuris,

I've hijacked this thread long enough. Success eludes me still, so I'm going to start a new thread. I'm hoping both of you will post further.

Dave

[chaitanya.chikkala]

Hi all....

       Thank you all for all the discussion. From your conversation I have learnt a lot.

       Happy that my post has lead to this useful conversations