Dynamic Symbols1 Sacramento City College Engineering Design Technology

2 Dynamic Symbols Objectives u Use AutoCAD’s Block Editor u List the parameters and actions that can be used to create a dynamic block. u Insert parameters into blocks u Assign actions to parameters u Insert and use dynamic blocks u Use parameter sets u Modify parameters and actions

Dynamic Blocks u Symbol libraries u Can contain hundreds or 1000’s of blocks. u The more blocks you have, the more time required to manage them. u Many blocks resemble several other blocks with only slight variances. u Solution: create a single dynamic block that can be adjusted according to each unique bolt length. 3 Dynamic Symbols

Dynamic Blocks u Blocks become more useful when written information is provided with them. u Information can u Be assigned to a block u And can be made visible (for display) or u hidden. u From this data, a list very similar to a bill of materials can be requested and printed. 4 Dynamic Symbols

Introduction to Parameters and Actions Dynamic Symbols5

Parameters and Actions u A dynamic block is a u Normal block u Has parameters and actions assigned. u This allows special modifications to be formed on a single block while it is in the drawing, without affecting other instances of the same block. 6 Dynamic Symbols

Creating a Dynamic Block u Creating a block u A parameter is inserted in the block u An action is assigned to the parameter. u Each parameter u Contains custom properties for the objects within the block u Positions u Distances u Angles u Of block’s geometry 7 Dynamic Symbols

Creating a Dynamic Block u An action u Controls how the block’s geometry can be modified in the drawing. u Once the parameter + action have been u inserted into a block u The block is saved u The block becomes a dynamic block. 8 Dynamic Symbols

Creating Dynamic Blocks u A dynamic block is modified by u Selecting it in the drawing to display the parameter grips u Which can then be selected to modify the block. 9 Dynamic Symbols

Attributes u Attributes: u Written or u numerical values u assigned to blocks. 10 Dynamic Symbols

Attributes u Attribute information can be extracted from a drawing. u Attributes u are created using the Attribute Definition dialog box. u Inserted attribute values u can be modified u using the Enhanced Attribute Editor. 11 Dynamic Symbols

Attributes u Attribute definitions u are modified using the Block Attribute Manager. u Exported u block and attribute text data can be exported into other applications using the Attribute Extraction wizard. 12 Dynamic Symbols

u Steps u 1. Determine the information needed for the block. u Name of object is usually your first attribute. u Other attribute items, u manufacturer, u type, u size, u price, u weight. 13 Dynamic Symbols

u After you determine which attributes to assign, decide how you should be prompted to enter a value for each attribute. Atypical prompt, for example, might be What is the size? 14 Dynamic Symbols