Stretch and Array in a dynamic block

[Oakhillarchitects]

I haven't been able to find any posts that answer exactly what I'm trying to do (if I've missed that golden one, forgive me), so I'm turning to the forum for help. The closest questions always left out one key aspect or had a different desired result.

I'm trying to create a dynamic block that I can use essentially as a hatch pattern for plywood. First I want 2 lines to stretch horizontally in a simple linear fashion from a base point. I also want them to adjust their spacing vertically by adjusting another linear parameter. Next I want 3 diagonal lines to lengthen with the vertical spacing. I've been able to achieve all of this so far, no problem. The three diagonal lines should array with 6 inch spacing, as the original linear parameter is stretched horizontally. Again, no problem, but this next part is where I get hung up. I really want the 3 diagonal lines and their arrayed brethren to always stay centered within the whole horizontal length. The screen cap below has what I want on top, while the dynamic block below it shows the point I can't get past.

The solutions to similar blocks I've seen elsewhere either used visibility states or another linear parameter that had to be manually adjusted, each of which I'd like to avoid. Also, if you do know how to do this, please explain your steps, don't just fix my block.

Thanks for looking at this.

Justin

[Libbya · Accepted solution]

See screencast.

[Oakhillarchitects]

Libbya, you are the BEST! Thank you for both solving it and showing me how to do it.

Justin

[Oakhillarchitects]

Now that I've played around with the block and gotten it working on my end, I've noticed one small detail that isn't critical, but would make it extra perfect... When stretching the block horizontally, the array doesn't kick in until the diagonal lines are at least 6" from the end, is there a way to make the array kick in when they are at least 3" from the ends, but maintain the 6" spacing between them?

This is just me being extra picky, the screencast solution above will already save lots of time in details, and is certainly good enough if there isn't a way.

Justin

[Libbya · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can, but you are relegated to using visibility states and a double-lookup.  It can all happen automagically, but the array can only go as far as the rows you enter on the double lookup input table.  In your first post you stated that you did not want to use visibility states and as such, I do not know any way to do it other than how I showed.  Let me know if you want to go that route and I will make a screencast, but if the added complexity is not worth it to you I would rather not take the time.

[Oakhillarchitects]

Thanks,

The problem with the look-up/visibility is that sometimes we'll only need 1'-0" of plywood, and other times we'll need well over 100'-0" (I know plywood doesn't come in sheets that big, but we don't want to be responsible for specifying seams typically). The idea of entering all of those distances in a look-up table isn't worth the time when what you already showed me is so helpful.

Justin

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for your vid showing how to get it done .

i have tried many many times, floowing your steps, i think it gotta be 30 times at least.

unfortunately, i could not get it to work as per your video.

i made simple block with array copy as per we schetch it out. Please see attached dwg file.

can you please help me look thru it, and let me know what step i missed or did wrong.

[Anonymous]

oh awesome, thank you so much for your help.

now i knew where i did wrong, and where i was missing.

Thanks again

[srey.chhoeun]

hi @ojuris 

i tried to create something similar to you video. i have copy every step but it doesnt seem work.

can you please shade some direction.

attached is my dynamic block

[ojuris]

hi!

make your Distance1 and Distance2 paramaters "chained" (in properties window Chain Actions -> Yes)

[srey.chhoeun]

Thank you. it works