Sequential actions

[ACAD_User_18]

I'm trying to draw a resizable pipe with a faux-hatch pattern inside.

The pattern has a default size of 1x1 and can be stretched vertically (width) for any relevant size.

Changing length is also easy as long as it's in increments of the pattern's size, with an array action. On the other hand. getting to, for instance, 1.4 units, would require "trimming" the pattern and is thus much more complex.

My current best attempt requires a linear parameter for the first half of the pattern and a second one for 50-100%, each with their own grip.

Ideally, I would like to only have one grip for width and one for length, but even cutting one of the two "fractional part" grips would be a significant improvement.

I assume this would require "sequencing" the actions in some fashion, therefore I tried employing chained actions and constraints, but they tend to behave unexpectedly and I couldn't get the desired result.

At the very least I'd like to know whether what I'm asking for can even be done.

Thanks in advance.

[h_s_walker]

The only way I can see of doing it is to make your top and bottom diagonal lines a linetype

[ACAD_User_18]

That's a good idea, but I can't make a linetype that starts or ends with an oblique line.

I converted one of the lines to a shape, then tried to make it into a linetype with the MKLTYPE command and I got the attached result.

Likewise, the default ZIGZAG linetype starts and ends with horizontal bits (and the angle can't be adjusted).

[h_s_walker]

Unfortunately I do not have full Autocad here and cannot generate linetypes

[h_s_walker]

I did think of a way of doing it using a wipeout, but I couldn't get it to work as it needs to only move the second "pipe" section when the linear value is a whole number.

[Libbya · Accepted solution]

Here's one way to make your desired block.  It uses HatchMaker lisp, which is free.  

[ACAD_User_18]

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@h_s_walker wrote:

I did think of a way of doing it using a wipeout, but I couldn't get it to work as it needs to only move the second "pipe" section when the linear value is a whole number.

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I can see a way to do it with two length parameters, but employing wipeouts is not ideal due to "phantom grips" and the possibility of not wanting to cover other elements.

Can't get it to work with a single grip and chain actions, either.

Thanks for the input, but I can't make it work either.

[Libbya]

Did you watch the screencast I posted?  It shows step-by-step how to make the block exactly how you asked for it with two grips and no wipeouts.  

[ACAD_User_18]

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@Libbya wrote:

Here's one way to make your desired block.  It uses HatchMaker lisp, which is free.  

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Not ideal in that my collegue works on LT and thus can't use lisp files, but I can do it on my machine, so that's at least a 90% success.

I would have probably used an array action for the vertical lines, but the hatch does get rid of useless grips, so that's probably better.

Thanks, it's the best option I got, so I'm marking it as a solution.

[Libbya]

The hatches only need to be made once, ever, then placed with your other hatch patterns.  If you have separate hatch pattern file locations for different machines, then the hatch pattern file can be copied to the LT machine pats folder.  

[ACAD_User_18]

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@Libbya wrote:

The hatches only need to be made once, ever, then placed with your other hatch patterns.  If you have separate hatch pattern file locations for different machines, then the hatch pattern file can be copied to the LT machine pats folder.  

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I'm aware, I'll probably keep a copy in my local directory and one in the office's server. I was just noting that I can't teach the process and let my collegue handle it in case he needs a different pattern for another situation, which is not ideal.

Still, it's absolutely good enough and I accepted it as a solution. More a shortcoming of LT than anything else, in all honesty, but you get what you pay for.