Dynamic in Action

REVIEW OF DYNAMIC BLOCKS

DYNAMIC IN ACTION

  • Definition: Applying action in dynamic block to enhance flexibility in a drawing.

COMMON ANGLES

  • A list of typical angles used in dynamic blocks:

    • 30°

    • 45°

    • 60°

    • 90°

OVERVIEW OF USING ACTION PARAMETERS

  • Purpose: Parameters in block references allow for specification of:

    • Positions: Define where the object will be located in a drawing.

    • Distances: Specify how far the object can be moved or resized.

    • Angles: Set the angle at which an object can be rotated.

  • Adding Parameters:

    • When a parameter is added to a block definition:

    • Custom grips and properties are automatically added to the block.

    • Custom grips allow manipulation of the block reference in the drawing.

    • Key Points of Parameters:

    • Key points are specific points on parameters that manipulate the block reference.

    • Example: A linear parameter has key points at its base point and end point, enabling movement from either.

  • Parameter Types and Associated Grip Types:

    • Each parameter type has specific grips that control associated actions:

    • Point: Standard grip, associated with Move, Stretch actions.

    • Linear: Linear grip, associated with Move, Scale, Stretch actions.

    • Polar: Standard grip, associated with Stretch, Polar Stretch actions.

    • XY: Standard grip, associated with Move, Scale, Stretch, Array actions.

    • Rotation: Rotation grip, associated solely with Rotate action.

    • Flip: No grip, associated with Flip action (alignment), None visibility state.

    • Visibility: Lookup grip, associated with visibility states.

    • Basepoint: Standard grip, no actions associated.

ACTION PARAMETERS

ADD POINT PARAMETER

  • Definition: Defines specific X and Y coordinates in the drawing.

  • Display: Similar to an ordinate dimension in the Block Editor.

  • Associated Actions:

    • Move

    • Stretch

  • Grip Manipulation: Even without associated actions, the grip allows parameter manipulation.

ADD LINEAR PARAMETER

  • Definition: Displays the distance between two anchor points.

  • Display: Similar to an aligned dimension in the Block Editor.

  • Associated Actions:

    • Move

    • Scale

    • Stretch

ADD POLAR PARAMETER

  • Definition: Displays distance between points and an angle value.

  • Display: Appears similar to an aligned dimension in the Block Editor.

  • Associated Actions:

    • Stretch

    • Polar Stretch

    • Array

ADD XY PARAMETER

  • Definition: Displays X and Y distances from the base point.

  • Display: Works as a pair of horizontal and vertical dimensions in the Block Editor.

  • Associated Actions:

    • Move

    • Scale

    • Stretch

    • Array

ADD ROTATION PARAMETER

  • Definition: Defines a specific angle.

  • Display: Formulated as a circle in Block Editor.

  • Associated Actions: Rotate action.

  • Grip Manipulation: Disallowed actions even when the grip is shown.

ADD FLIP PARAMETER

  • Definition: Facilitates flipping of block objects.

  • Display: Shown as a reflection line in Block Editor.

  • Associated Actions: Flip action (indicates if the block has been flipped).

ADD ALIGNMENT PARAMETER

  • Definition: Sets X and Y location and an angle.

  • Functionality: Allows block to align with other objects through automatic rotation.

  • Display: Appears as an alignment line in Block Editor.

  • No Actions Needed: Automatically applied to the entire block.

ADD VISIBILITY PARAMETER

  • Definition: Controls which objects are visible within the block.

  • Functionality: Facilitates multiple graphical representations without needing to find alternative blocks.

ADD LOOKUP PARAMETER

  • Definition: Establishes a custom property evaluated from a defined list or table.

  • Functionality: Utilizes a single lookup grip; clicking the grip presents a list of values.

  • Display: Shown as text in the Block Editor with an associated grip.

ADD BASE POINT PARAMETER

  • Definition: Defines a relative base point for dynamic block reference.

  • Display: Appears as a circle with crosshairs in the Block Editor.

  • Limitations: Cannot be associated with actions; serves solely as part of an action's selection set.

OVERVIEW OF USING ACTIONS

  • Definition: Actions determine how block geometry moves or changes during manipulation.

  • Action Association: Requires linking an action with a parameter, a key point, and geometry (the selection set).

  • Key Points: Specific points on parameters that control action manipulation.

ADD MOVE ACTION

  • Definition: Makes objects move a designated distance and angle.

  • Command Similarity: Comparable to the MOVE command.

  • Associations:

    • Applicable with Point, Linear, Polar, XY parameters.

  • Mechanism: Changing a parameter's value through grips or the Properties palette may affect geometry movement in the selection set.

ADD SCALE ACTION

  • Definition: Scales objects within a selection set.

  • Command Similarity: Comparable to the SCALE command.

  • Mechanisms:

    • Must associate with the entire parameter (not key points).

    • Applicable with Linear, Polar, XY parameters.

ADD STRETCH ACTION

  • Definition: Causes objects to stretch at specified locations.

  • Associations:

    • Can use Point, Polar, XY, Linear parameters.

  • Selection Frame: Defines what objects are moved or stretched, similar to the STRETCH command:

    • Objects within the frame apply movement.

    • Objects crossing the frame will be stretched.

ADD POLAR STRETCH ACTION

  • Definition: Moves and stretches objects defined by an angle and distance.

  • Associations: The action is exclusive to polar parameters.

  • Mechanism: Set a selection frame to define object manipulation by both rotation and stretching—differentiates actions based on frame placement.

ADD ROTATE ACTION

  • Definition: Causes the designated objects to rotate.

  • Command Similarity: Similar to the ROTATE command.

  • Associations: Exclusively associated with the rotation parameter, not key points.

ADD FLIP ACTION

  • Definition: Enables flipping blocks along a specified axis.

  • Mechanism: Activates when parameters are edited; it flips selection sets about the reflection line.

  • Key Point: Associated entirely with the flip parameter of geometry selection.

ADD ARRAY ACTION

  • Definition: Copies objects in a rectangular array pattern.

  • Associations: Can link to Linear, Polar, XY parameters.

ADD LOOKUP ACTION

  • Definition: Assigns and customizes properties and values for dynamic blocks.

  • Mechanism: Creates a lookup table when linked to lookup parameters.

  • Thank you for engaging with the overview of dynamic blocks and their functionalities.