AutoCAD Tip - Making AutoCAD Blocks Smarter – Part 5

By Dennis Collin

I recently posted about the benefits of making AutoCAD blocks have dynamic properties. This includes making blocks that have stretch-able properties. This can have a wide range of applications, not just on building drawings but also on mechanical, infrastructure and electrical drawings as well.

Using a door as an example, a block is created and within the block editor a linear parameter is added to define a variable door width. Once created the parameter can be named something appropriate like ‘Door Width’ (see properties dialogue).

To make the door resizable, two actions are required. The first, Scale action, will resize the line and door swing arc to correspond with the change in door size.

Click the Scale action, select the door width parameter and then select the items to scale, in this case the vertical line and arc. Now create the Stretch action, select the same door width parameter as Scale and then use a window selection around the door frame components that needs to move in accordance with the change in door size.

It is possible to set a limit to the door size options, either by specifying a list or by setting an incremental size range. This can be done via the property’s palette in the ‘Value Set’ section.

For this example, the incremental list option is used. Once complete, the Dynamic Door block should look like the image in Figure 3. The block should now be rigorously tested and then saved to an appropriate block library palette.

I have also posted about other aspects of Dynamic blocks here, all of which could be applied to a door block, an example of this application can be in the block editor image below.

Part 4 – Visibility States

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, visit https://training.cadline.co.uk where we will be happy to help.