Thursday

Dynamic Blocks and LOOKUP parameter

5 Comments Apr-05-2007 | Posted by Erhan Toker | Printable Version | Level |

AutoCAD 2006 and higher versions

We are ending our article series about dynamic blocks by introducing the LOOKUP parameter.

If you examine all of the articles about dynamic blocks, there should not be any open points about dynamic blocks. Now, let’s go back to our article. LOOKUP parameter is used for creating a preliminary setting list. You can assign one or more normal parameter to each of the items in this list. By this way, you can run more than one action at the same time or in pre-defined way by selecting one item in the list. In our example, we will examine how to rotate a chair block by 4 main angles (Fig. 1).
 

Fig. 1
 
There is one ROTATE parameter/action couple and one LOOKUP parameter/action couple inserted inside the block. As usual, we are entering block editor and creating a simple chair (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

Try to keep insertion point as 0,0 point and the angle as shown in figure. After this, let’s insert a ROTATE parameter (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Select rotation center of the parameter, or what we call BASE POINT, as the center of the block. From the properties of ROTATE parameter, make ‘Ang type = List’ and ‘Ang value list = 0,90,180,270’. By this way, our chair will be able to be rotated by 4 main angle directions. As we can control the ROTATE parameter by LOOKUP list, we have to prevent it to look inside the block. At this stage, we must change properties as ‘Show Properties = NO’ and ‘Number of Grips = 0’ to do this. Finally, let’s associate our ROTATE parameter with a ROTATE action. When we finish, our block should look like as shown in Fig. 3. All of the settings and buttons are shown all together in Fig. 3. After ROTATE parameter, we will insert LOOKUP parameter and action (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4

After inserting the parameter, we have to associate it with a LOOKUP action. As soon as LOOKUP parameter is selected for association, a ‘Lookup Table’ window will open up (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5

By using ‘Add Properties…’ button, you will reach a list of parameters that has already been defined for this block from block editor. Select ROTATE parameter from this list (with Angle default name). When you return back to main window, you will see that it is divided into two. There is ROTATE parameter on the left side, and there is LOOKUP parameter on the right side. Select pre-defined angles respectively from the left side and create 4 rows for them. After this, you have to define what will be written in the selection list that corresponds to these angles on the right side. Empty cells are not accepted. Here, I gave same names with the angles. Close this window and then close the block editor (save changes). Now, our block is ready to be used (Fig. 1).

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