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Automatic insertion angle in Dynamic Blocks

6 Comments Apr-04-2008 | Posted by Erhan Toker | Printable Version | Level |

AutoCAD 2006 and higher versions

In this article, I will explain how to make a smart block which determines the angle of the line over which the block is placed and aligns itself to that angle.

Fig. 1

Of course, I am assuming that whoever tries to get use of this article should have enough knowledge about dynamic blocks or have read my articles dynamic blocks I, II and III. All of their links are given at the beginning of article. In order to start our block, we first enter dynamic block editor. Here, I drew a simple washbasin. You can start with a simple rectangle. Insertion point of our block will be as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

Then, let’s assign an ALIGNMENT parameter to the marked point (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

While assigning the parameter, mark the ALIGNMENT TYPE as TANGENT. I would like to remind you that if we select PERPENDICULAR here, then our block will be perpendicular to the entity over which it is placed.

Specify alignment direction or alignment type [Type] : T
Enter alignment type [Perpendicular/Tangent] : T
Specify alignment direction or alignment type [Type] : 0

Aligning parameter does not require any operation. As soon as you assign the parameter, it will look like as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

As we have finished our work, now it is time to close the block editor and have a look at how good we have done. Let’s run the usual INSERT command that we always use and select the insertion point of the block as the midpoint of a line that is not straight but angular. Then, you will notice that our block will be immediately inserted as aligned to this line. However, it still needs some practice to determine which side it will be placed. Alignment will be towards the side where you approach the line. You can easily understand this by making some practice.

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