AboutCAD

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Dynamic Block Tip: How to Maintain Attribute remain in the Middle Block

On the tip of this dynamic block, we make some elements of the picture and add attribute in the middle of the block. We need to add action to block this stretch, because we want to change the size of the block. The challenge is we need to keep the attribute remains in the middle of the block. There are two ways to do this: first we can let the attribute remains in the middle block to block and stretch the sides. Or the second way: we are to stretch to one side and at the same time move the attributes but still in the middle.

Let's try it. I use a simple dynamic block: room tag.
create attribute

Makes essentially the same attributes, we use ATTDEF.Untuk it easier later on, arrange for justification to the center.

One more thing: make sure the lock position is active. Some dynamic block action will not work if it is not set to lock.

Alternative one: stretch in both directions

This makes it fairly easy. You can change the parameters of the base location to the midpoint. Then add two stretch action on both sides.

If you are not familiar with the stretch action, can see the dynamic block tutorial to make this wall.

Alternative two: Add a stretch action and move

If you create a dynamic block that is quite complex, you may not want to stretch it in both directions. Suppose you want to create a table that also has an array of action. When the size of the table changes, you also want to change the number of seats. You can also see some other examples of dynamic blocks in AutoCAD e-book Best Practices

In this situation, it would be easier if we are to stretch in one direction only. To keep the attribute remains in the middle block, we add one more to move the action attribute.

Remember: an attribute to be moved half the distance from the block size changes. If kia stretch of 100, then the attribute must switch 50, to stay in the middle. To achieve this, select the move action. Change in the Properties palette is the distance value multiplier to 0.5.

Try and have a good time!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Grip Options on the AutoCAD 2012 Platform

In this Click Saver article, I want to talk about some really nice enhancements in 2012 using grips. In the past, when using grips, a lot of the options were done through the right-click; but, starting in the 2012 release, hovering over the grip gives us new abilities.

The first one to look at is using grips on a line. Select the line and move the pointer over the grip at the end of the line, but don’t pick it. If you click it, you will activate stretch command. By hovering over the grip, you will see a pop up menu with the option of lengthen. So, how is lengthen different than stretch? Lengthen locks the angle that the line was originally drawn at. You can also choose lengthen by picking the grip and then pressing the [CTRL] key on your keyboard to cycle between the commands.

Another click-saving feature that was slipped in is using grips on dimensions. By hovering over the dimension arrow you can quickly continue the dimension, create baseline dimension, or even flip the arrowhead.

Now, you can consider how this might help you with other objects in AutoCAD such as arcs, polylines, multi-leader, multiple-sided viewports and more.

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How to: Publish AutoCAD layouts to multiple pdf file with single sheet

Do you use publish command to plot several AutoCAD layouts to PDF/DWF format? The default setting will allow you to get single file, with multiple pages.

What if you want to get multiple files, with one sheet in each PDF/DWF file?

You can change it in publish dialog. Click publish option.

In publish option dialog, change type in general DWF/PDF options to single-sheet file.

In this example, I have 4 sheets to plot. I will get 4 PDFs instead of one PDF with 4 pages.

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Squeeze or stretch single-line text to fit in a space with TEXTFIT

The TEXTFIT command lets you easily squeeze or stretch existing single-line text (TEXT or DTEXT) so you can fit it into a defined space, such as a title block. TEXTFIT doesn’t work with multi-line text (MTEXT). When you start the command, you select the single-line text and TEXTFIT puts a drag-line under the text. Just pick the desired endpoint and you’re done. If you want to change the start point of the text, use the Start Point option, pick a start point and then an end point.

TEXTFIT works with existing text, but you can fit single-line text into a space when you create it, using the Align or Fit Justify options. Here are the steps:

Start the TEXT command. At the Specify start point of text or [Justify/Style]: prompt, type j and press Enter. At the Enter an option. [Align/Fit/Center/Middle/Right/TL/TC/TR/ML/MC/MR/BL/BC/BR]: prompt, type a for the Align option or f for the Fit option and press Enter. At the Specify first endpoint of text baseline: prompt, specify a start point for the text. At the Specify second endpoint of text baseline: prompt, specify an endpoint. You may want to turn on Ortho before specifying the endpoint. If you chose the Fit option, it asks you to specify a height. This option maintains that height, distorting the letters if necessary. The Align option changes the height of the text to maintain the proportion of the letters. Type your text and press Enter twice to end the command.

Thanks to Tommy Holden for the part of this tip relating to TEXTFIT.

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Differences Between Extrude, Revolve and Presspull

Many ways to create 3D objects, among the functions of command "Extrude", "Revolve" and "Presspull", each has advantages and disadvantages depending on the requirements and techniques in use, and depending on the object that will do you.

3D objects are generally derived from 2D objects, then extrude do with technique, or presspull Revolve, a special command presspull present only in the latest version of Autocad version, but if extrude and Revolve has existed on older versions.

This is characteristic of each function.

"Extrude"

    1. Extrude an object that will have to form a single entity, eg rectang, ellipse or circle.
    2. Objects that have not been a single entity, must first be done pedit or region.
    3. Extrude can be done against an irregular object, or a complicated shape.
    4. Extrude can be done by following the desired line (path), examples of hurus "S".
    5. Could form the slope (taper) when the extrude.

Figure 1.

2D objects that extrude and extrude in the taper.

"Revolve"

    1. Extrude an object that will have to form a single entity, eg rectang, ellipse or circle.
    2. Objects that have not been a single entity, must first be done pedit or region.
    3. It is suitable for forming objects such as bottles, glass or tire and rim.
    4. Revolve can be done to the axis "X" and "Y"

Figure 2.
Revolve 2D Objects in the axis X or Y and to help lines.
"Presspull"

1. Can be done on an object that has not been a single entity.
2. Can make holes (press) or to make things stand out (pull).

Figure 3.
2D object in the middle gap presspull select objects.

Figure 4.
3D objects in the press and that the full.

RELATED POSTS

Tip : How to Maintain Attribute remain in the Middle Block

Create Attribute

Makes essentially the same attributes, we use ATTDEF.Untuk it easier later on, arrange for justification to the center.

One more thing : make sure the lock position is active. Some dynamic block action will not work if it is not set to lock.

Alternative 1 : stretch in both directions

This makes it fairly easy. You can change the parameters of the base location to the midpoint. Then add two stretch action on both sides.

Alternative 2 : Add a stretch action and move

If you create a dynamic block that is quite complex, you may not want to stretch it in both directions. Suppose you want to create a table that also has an array of action. When the size of the table changes, you also want to change the number of seats. You can also see some other examples of dynamic blocks in AutoCAD e-book Best Practices (Indonesian language).

In this situation, it would be easier if we are to stretch in one direction only. To keep the attribute remains in the middle block, we add one more to move the action attribute.

RELATED POSTS

Tip : Select All Horizontal and Vertical Lines on In Pictures

There are times we need to select all horizontal or vertical lines in an image. It is not easy and can be tedious, especially if we work on the rather complex picture. We can use QSELECT to do this job quickly!

How do you use? Easy. Vertical lines means the lines have the same X value, while the horizontal line have the same values of Y!

Take a look at QSELECT. Change the object type to the line, the properties to the delta X (or Y delta, depending on the type of line you want to choose), and change the value to 0. Click OK, and you're done!

Note:

You can perform further filtering. You can just select all the vertical lines in Layer A, or a horizontal line that has a red color and length of 100 units, and so on. You know how right?

RELATED POSTS

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Dynamic Block Tip: How to Maintain Attribute remain in the Middle Block

Indonesian to English translation

Indonesian to English translation

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Grip Options on the AutoCAD 2012 Platform

How to: Publish AutoCAD layouts to multiple pdf file with single sheet

Squeeze or stretch single-line text to fit in a space with TEXTFIT

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Differences Between Extrude, Revolve and Presspull

Tip : How to Maintain Attribute remain in the Middle Block

Tip : Select All Horizontal and Vertical Lines on In Pictures