Blocks with user defined variables

kane · 05-26-2006, 05:50 AM

Hi there,
I am using AutoCAD LT 2005. I am trying to create a block that when called into a drawing the user can enter the length and width of the block so it appears at the size specified.
This does not seem possible from what I have read in the help folder.

Cheers!

Inactive · 05-26-2006, 10:16 AM

i'm not sure about 2005Lt - the Lt versions do have limits to the full versions. the way i create blocks so that you can specify x y z sizes is first draw the object you will be inserting. make a block of the object you just created. keep track of the name you call this block because you'll be nesting that in another block which will be the one that will be inserted into a drawing.

when you've made a block of it get the total distance of it's x, y (and z) if its 3D. then using the change properties dialogue box select the block and for it's x,y and z scales put in the reciprocal (1/x) of the distance you just measured. you should have a little cube measuring 1x1x1 units of the block you just created. now save this file (or 'wblock' the block out to a new file) with the name of the block people will insert into their drawings and when they are asked for the x,y and z scales they can type in the values and the block will take on those sizes.

make sure you pick an insertion point if you are 'wblock'-ing out the entites or set the 'BASE' point to somewhere on the object if you are saving the file as a drawing file. it's very annoying when cad technicians don't watch their insertion points.

i've only mentioned z here in case it is a 3D block. otherwise leave z=1.

so cad users will be inserting a block with a block nested in it. it's the way i do it.

05-26-2006, 05:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
kane Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Blocks with user defined variables Hi there, I am using AutoCAD LT 2005. I am trying to create a block that when called into a drawing the user can enter the length and width of the block so it appears at the size specified. This does not seem possible from what I have read in the help folder. Cheers!

05-26-2006, 10:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
Inactive Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,704 OS: ~	i'm not sure about 2005Lt - the Lt versions do have limits to the full versions. the way i create blocks so that you can specify x y z sizes is first draw the object you will be inserting. make a block of the object you just created. keep track of the name you call this block because you'll be nesting that in another block which will be the one that will be inserted into a drawing. when you've made a block of it get the total distance of it's x, y (and z) if its 3D. then using the change properties dialogue box select the block and for it's x,y and z scales put in the reciprocal (1/x) of the distance you just measured. you should have a little cube measuring 1x1x1 units of the block you just created. now save this file (or 'wblock' the block out to a new file) with the name of the block people will insert into their drawings and when they are asked for the x,y and z scales they can type in the values and the block will take on those sizes. make sure you pick an insertion point if you are 'wblock'-ing out the entites or set the 'BASE' point to somewhere on the object if you are saving the file as a drawing file. it's very annoying when cad technicians don't watch their insertion points. i've only mentioned z here in case it is a 3D block. otherwise leave z=1. so cad users will be inserting a block with a block nested in it. it's the way i do it. __________________ "it takes two to lie, one to lie and one to listen" Homer