By Dennis Collin
I recently posted about the benefits of making AutoCAD blocks have dynamic properties by making use of the Alignment parameter, which can be useful for any component that needs to be aligned to a wall, pipe, or any linear feature. However, so much more can be achieved with other dynamic block controls.
For example, when using the align-enabled sink element against a wall, depending upon cursor movement the sink might align the wrong way and get buried in a wall. Whilst ‘wiggling’ the cursor can solve this problem, it may give the excuse for the more sceptical CAD colleagues to revert to classic, slower and more problematic drawing methods!
The block can be mirrored conventionally, but by adding a Flip control to the sink, will provide users not just an option to place elements as desired but also the ability to place ‘handed’ elements such as doors, furniture, pipe and duct fittings!
To make a block flappable, create or modify a block within the Block Editor Environment. Within the block parameters pallet add a Flip parameter via 2 points as indicated. Then place the Flip marker to a suitable location.
The Flip parameter merely sets the flipping axis. To instruct AutoCAD what to flip, a Flip Action needs to be added.
Once chosen, select the Flip parameter axis, then select the elements to flip and press enter to complete. The block editor environment should display like the image below.
Exit the Block editor and place the block using a palette or Designcentre. For the block to Align just drag the element to a suitable target and click the Flipper arrow toggle as desired.
Creating and managing dynamic blocks is just one of several topics that we cover on the 2-day AutoCAD Intermediate Course. However, we also do focused days just on dynamic blocks. Just visit https://training.cadline.co.uk where we will be happy to help.
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