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Using Parametric Features in Dynamic Block

December 6, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

architecture tools - small
Parametric feature is very useful if you have similar object with slightly different geometry or size. In manufacturing, if you have nuts and bolts that looks the same, but have different sizes, parametric features is perfect for this purpose. This kind of remind us about dynamic block, isn’t it? Dynamic block has the same purpose, but has limitation. I can’t figure yet how we can use it in AEC industry, except for reusable contents.
So this time, we are going to create a column with dynamic block. This is similar with the column we created in dynamic block tutorial. But we are not using the parameter and action. We are going to use geometric and dimension constraint. We will see how we can get different dynamic block behavior.

For a start, let’s create two rectangles like this.
initial column
I made a 200x200mm rectangle and offset it 20mm to outside. The 200x200mm is the column, and 20mm is the column finishing layer. Make it as a block, and use the center of the rectangle as insert point. Same like we did before.

As usual, to add ‘dynamic’ behavior to the block, we need to open it in block editor. Let’s forget the block authoring palette for a while. We will focus on the contextual tab: block editor.
block editor palette
Let’s activate the dimensional constraint. use linear dimension, and snap to the rectangle end points. Change the constraint name immediately to h and w like below.
linear constraint
Now we will tell AutoCAD that we want the finish thickness is 20mm. Let’s add one more constraint, name it finish.

Here is the deal. We have four rectangular sides that need to define the offset distance. Add them all and when AutoCAD ask you for the value, type ‘=finish’. It means we are going to use the same value as the previous constraint.
referencing to finish
And when AutoCAD ask you the number of grips, enter 0. We don’t need it since we refer to ‘finish’ constraint. Here is the finished dimension constraint placement.

We haven’t finished yet. But let’s test it before we continue. Click parameter manager button on your ribbon.

As you can see, the result can be unpredictable! Why? We haven’t tell AutoCAD the objects relations to each other. We need to add geometric constraint.
parameter changed
Undo until you see the rectangle back. We will add geometric constraint to these rectangle. Instead of adding them one by one, let’s activate Auto Constraint. Press S then [enter] to change the settings. Deactivate all, except perpendicular. We want or rectangle sides to be perpendicular to each other.
constraint settings
Click OK then select them all. Add one horizontal constraint to any horizontal edges. You can left the whole constraint on actually. Not just the perpendicular. I just want you to know the option exist
Try to change the parameters again. We still have a problem: the insertion point is shifted.
parameter changed 2
The last thing, we need to define a fixed point as the center of the column.
Let’s create a point at #0,0. You can activate point by typing POINT then [enter]. Then type #0,0 [enter]. If you can’t see the point, type DDPTYPE [enter] to change the point appearance.
Lock it at its position using fix constraint.

Now add dimensions from the point to the rectangle edges. Use h/2 and w/2 as the value. This will make sure our column center won’t shifted.
the divider constraint
Let’s try again. Does it work?
We will explore this column again next time.

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Source: CAD Notes – Using Parametric Features in Dynamic Block
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: aec industry, Block, column, constraint, constraint name, dynamic block, nuts and bolts, parametric features, point, rectangle No Comments »

by CADcaster

How to: Label Coordinate in AutoCAD

November 10, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

I had this question several times: can we automatically label our coordinate in AutoCAD? If you are Civil3D user, then you most likely will suggest them to use C3D. But can AutoCAD actually do it? YES!

I saw many people use AutoLISP to do that task. It works great. But sometimes you may want to have your own labeling symbol and format. So, why not using field?

Creating a reference object

First, we need to create an object as a reference point. It can be a point, a circle, or any symbol you want it to appear. I use this symbol.

I prefer to use point or circle. We can easily use the point position or circle center.

Creating an Attribute Definition

After we have the reference object, we need to define an attribute definition. You can activate it by clicking it on your ribbon, home tab, block panel.

Or simply type ATTDEF then [enter].

Let’s define our attribute. Give the attribute tag, prompt like below. In default field, type ‘X Y = ‘ then click insert field.

Change the field category to objects, and in field names, select object. Click select object button to define the object type. Select the circle, don’t select anything else!

AutoCAD will list all available properties. Select center (or if you use point, select position). Because I only use it in 2D drawings, I don’t need it to display Z value. I turn it off. Change the format if necessary.Click OK.

Click OK again to close the define attribute dialog box. Place your attribute definition in desired location.

Optional: Define Adjustable Leader

If you don’t want to have leader in your coordinate label, you can skip this step.

I add a line that will be used as leader.

Create the Block

Now we can define the block. Click create from ribbon, block panel.

Select all the objects, and define the center as insertion point. Activate Open in Block Editor on lower left of this dialog. We are going to add some ‘dynamic’ functionality. Click OK.

AutoCAD will show the edit attribute dialog. We don’t want to modify it as it is updated automatically. Just click OK.

Add the Control Grip

What we want to do is adding a grip control, so we can modify the text (and optionally leader) placement. In block authoring palette, activate the point parameter.

Now place it where you want the grip appear.

Now activate the stretch action.

Select the point parameter, create the stretch frame like below, and select the line and attribute definition. [Enter] to end it.

Now we are done! Save this block and close block editor.

Using the Label

How we can use the label? Just insert the block, and click on the point you want to show the coordinate. After you have one of the block in your drawing, you can copy it and place it on several points you wanted.

Because we add a control grip, we can move the text and leader position!

Becaus
e we use field, if you move your points, the value will be automatically updated! Very cool, isn’t it?

Why Attribute Definition? Why not Just Use Text?

You might ask this: why not just use text with field? I know we can insert field within text, single or multiline. But it doesn’t work. You may want to try it by yourself.

Apparently the field will consider the reference point always at 0,0,0 when you create a block. It works if you don’t create a block from them, but I believe you want to use it as reusable content, aren’t you?

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Source: CAD Notes – How to: Label Coordinate in AutoCAD
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Tags: 2d drawings, attribute definition, AutoCAD, Block, click, D. But, default field, Field, insertion point, Leader If, object button, point, X Y No Comments »

by CADcaster

Dynamic Block Tutorial #5: Controlling Visibility

November 7, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

It’s been a while since I wrote my last dynamic block tutorial. Besides of using parameters and actions, there is one thing left: using visibility states. You can hide and show some (or all) objects and save them on separate visibility state.

Let’s take a dynamic block sample from AutoCAD. I use the trees block. Insert it to your drawing, and click the down arrow in the block. You will see a list of trees. Try to change it to other type of tree.

What it does is hiding objects that form the palm (plan) and show other objects. Let’s try to create our own visibility states.

These doors are actually have a same door type. The only difference is the door on the left can be opened to inside and outside. And the other one can only be opened to one direction.

*What do you call them? single swing and double swing door?

Create a drawing like the door on the left. Make it as a block. Then open it in block editor. You’ve been doing this several of times, haven’t you?

We can’t click any button in visibility panel yet. To enable the visibility states, we need to place visibility parameter first. You can find it in block authoring palette, parameters tab.

Place it near your block. Pick a good spot, so you and others who will use it can find it easily.

Click the visibility states button. The visibility states dialog box will open.

By default, we will have one visibility state with name VisibilityState0. Select it, and click rename. Rename it to double swing door (or something you prefer).

Click new to create a new visibility state. Give it name single swing door. And make sure you select the leave visibility of existing objects unchanged in new state. Click OK.

AutoCAD will automatically set the new visibility state as current. If the single swing door is not current, select it and click set current. Click OK to close the dialog.

Now we will hide some lines. Activate make invisible from your ribbon.

Select all the dashed line that showing the door swing. [enter] to accept.

Click visibility mode to see/hide the invisible lines as opaque lines or hidden. You may want to set it as hidden to see applied changes clearly. But sometimes you need to see the invisible objects when you need to change it to visible.

Test your visibility state. Change it from one to another in visibility state list.

If everything is working fine, you can save the block and close the block editor.

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Source: CAD Notes – Dynamic Block Tutorial #5: Controlling Visibility
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: Block, click, door, double swing, down arrow, dynamic block, State, swing door, Visibility, visibility state No Comments »

by CADcaster

How to: Reference Objects to File/URL in AutoCAD

October 16, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

I had this question yesterday. Someone asked if if it’s possible to link an object in AutoCAD to another file. So if he needed to see the components specifications, or 3D model of a certain component from P&ID drawing, he can simply click the link. I said, have you tried using hyperlinks?

Hyperlink maybe not a popular feature in AutoCAD, but it can make some use. You can add hyperlinks to an object. The hyperlinks can be pointed to the manufacturer website, to a word document that contains the installation procedure, or to excel file that contains product specifications.

Adding and Using Hyperlink

Adding a hyperlink is very easy. Activate hyperlink from insert tab, data panel.

AutoCAD will ask you to select object, then you will see this dialog.

In this example I add link to specification document in my local computer. In the real world, you might want to point it to a file on your server. Or a page on website.

Not only website link and local files, you can link to layout or saved view in your model.

You can also link to email address. Maybe you want to link a certain item to vendor contact person for maintenance or something. This can be useful for building maintenance purpose.

Hyperlink Within Block

If you insert and place a block, then insert a hyperlink, it will only attach to an instance of that block. When you insert another block with the same definition, then the new block won’t have the hyperlink. Unless you copy it.

If you want every block links to a certain file/website, you can edit the block and insert hyperlink to the elements. With this method, not only you can define the hyperlink once. You can also insert several links to different elements. Including nested block.

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Source: CAD Notes – How to: Reference Objects to File/URL in AutoCAD
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: AutoCAD, Block, file, Hyperlink, local computer, manufacturer website, paypal, specification document, vendor contact, website No Comments »

by CADcaster

Dynamic Block Tutorial #4: Adding More Actions

September 4, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

Previously, we have created a door. We add some actions so this door can be resized to an available width in our list. But it’s not perfect yet. At least not for our purpose. Now we are going to add more actions so this door can be flipped, and will align automatically to our wall orientation.

Open your file that contain the door block we have created on previous tutorial. Open that block in block editor. We are going to add two flip actions. Let’s just use parameter sets. Parameter sets basically just the same with placing parameters and actions. Only it place them both right away. Sometimes this is harder to control. But flip action is quite simple, so I think this will be safe In block authoring palette, open parameter set tab. Activate flip set.

We are going to add one flip action first. Click first and second point at mid point of our door frame as below. This will allow our door to be flipped vertically.

When we placed the flip action set, the only thing we define is the reflection line. Look at the action button, we have a warning sign on it. It means we haven’t give all the data it’s required. We haven’t define which objects will be affected by this action.

Click on the flip action button, right click. Select action selection set>new selection set from context menu.

When AutoCAD ask you for objects, type ALL [enter]. Do not try to select objects, just type ‘all’ to select all objects. I’ve tried to select by crossed window, and my dynamic block didn’t work as expected. I suspect that there are some objects are not selected. It shows different numbers on how many objects selected.

Try to test your dynamic block, and see if it works fine. Now let’s move on, we are going to add another flip action. Add it so we can flip our door horizontally.

Just like before, add all objects to be flipped. Test it. You will see that our insertion point is shifted. There is no way to eliminate this error by using parameters and action only. At least there’s no way that I know. Even in door sample from Autodesk, they can’t keep the insertion point at it’s place. We can use dimension and geometric constraints in AutoCAD 2010 (or newer), but not with parameter and actions. I will write about parametric constraints later, after we finish our plan.

However, we can minimize this impact. I hate to move my door after I placed it. So I add one more stretch action to our linear parameter. I add the stretch frame outside the flip parameter. I want this parameter also stretched when my door is resized.

I also change the distance multiplier to 0.5. Changing this value will keep my flip action at midpoint of my door width. (Door width changes)/2.

Save it, and test it. When we stretch it first, then flip it horizontally, then the insertion point will remain at it’s position. But if we stretch it at this position, then the insertion point will be shifted. At least this is better.

The last parameter we will add is alignment. Alignment don’t need action. We just add this parameter, and it will work.

This is our finished door.

Save it, close block editor. Try to place some wall, vertical, horizontal, and angled wall. Try our door to these walls

I hope you like this trick.

Source: CAD Notes – Dynamic Block Tutorial #4: Adding More Actions
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: Action, action selection, Block, button right, door, dynamic block, insertion point, parameter, parameter sets, point No Comments »

by CADcaster

Dynamic Block Tutorial #3: Creating Door

August 31, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

This is the last object we are going to create using dynamic block. We are going to create a door. Basically it’s not that different with what we did before. But this time, we are going to learn about action properties. We are going to use wipeout as well.

Now, open your previous tutorial file. We are going to create all of our blocks in a single file. This file will be our block library. Don’t loose it until we finish our tutorial.

Creating the Geometry

Create a new layer: A-Door, with color: blue, and lineweight: 0.09 mm. Set this layer as current layer.

Draw a 50×150 rectangle as the door frame. Copy it to it’s right with 700mm distance. Draw a rectangle 30×650 as door panel. Then draw an arc for swing symbol to complete it.

The last thing we are going to add is a wipeout. Activate it, and draw a rectangle wipeout that covers the whole door width.

You will see the door frames are covered by the wipeout. Select the wipeout, right click, then from context menu select draw order>send to back.

Why do we use wipeout? We are going to host our door to a wall. We don’t want to trim or modify our wall after door placement. And modifying the wall length will be reported incorrectly. So we add wipeout to cover our wall later. We will try this at the end

Now as usual, create a block from this object. Give it name ‘Single Door’. You can define insertion point wherever you think appropriate. Open your block in block editor.

Adding Parameters and Action

We are still using linear parameter. Add a linear parameter as below.

Delete the left arrow. Or you can change ‘number of grips value’ to 1 in properties palette.

There are 3 action we need to add, based to this parameter:

1. Add a stretch action to stretch our door width. Similar to what we do with adding action to wall. This time we only need to create a small rectangle to include the right door frame and the wipeout.

2. Add scale action to resize the arc door swing symbol. This action is very simple to add. Just select the parameter, then select the arc. [ENTER] to finish.

3. Add another stretch action for resizing the door panel. Only select the door panel when this action ask you to select object.

Parameter and Action Properties

Placing those action is easy I believe. But we are not finish yet. We are going to limit the door size. We will change some parameter properties just like we did when we create column. Select the parameter. Change the Dist type to ‘List’ and click the … button to input distance value list.

Don’t forget to change this parameter name to something like ‘width’ or ‘door width’.

*You may want to use Increment. But since the last time we used it, I think it will be better to use list now.

Add more values to define your door width.

The last one, is changing an action properties. Not only parameter has properties! Remember the stretch action for the door panel? Where do you think the door panel will be stretch? Horizontally!

We need to change a property to override this behavior. Select this action, open your palette property. Under overrides category, change the angle offset to 90 degrees.

This will override the stretch action, it will stretch the door panel vertically even the parameter is stre
tch horizontally.

Ok, we are done! Save block, and close block editor.

One more thing. We still can see our wipeout frame. Let’s turn it off. Activate wipeout, then type F [ENTER] to activate frame option. Type OFF [ENTER] to turn it off.

Command: WIPEOUT
Specify first point or [Frames/Polyline] <Polyline>: F
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <ON>: OFF
Regenerating model.

Try to stretch your door and don’t forget to try placing your door at walls!

*Notes:

If you can’t see the wipeout covering your wall, select your wall and change the drawing order: send it to back.
You might want to add flip actions so you don’t need to mirror it.

Source: CAD Notes – Dynamic Block Tutorial #3: Creating Door
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: Action, Block, block library, Don, door, dynamic block, F Enter, insertion point, left arrow, parameter, wipeout No Comments »

by CADcaster

Dynamic Block Tutorial #2: Creating Column

August 26, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

Let’s continue our dynamic block tutorial. We have created a basic dynamic block tutorial by adding one stretch action to our wall block. We will discuss further about parameter properties in this post.

Now let’s talk about what we want to achieve. We want one block that contain several column size. But column size is not supposed to be modified by freely stretching it. We have to limit the column minimum and maximum size. And we also have to set the increment value for this size, so the changes can be predictable.

If you’re not familiar with dynamic block, you should read this tutorial first. Basically we are doing the same thing, but there are some properties we are going to change. As we did when we create wall, we have to add some layers. Let’s add these layers:

A-Column, color:green, lineweight: 0.20
A-Column-Pattern, color:8, lineweight: 0.00
A-Column-Structure, color:9, lineweight: 0.09

Let’s create our column. Set layer A-Column as current layer. Draw a rectangle with size 400x400mm. Change your current layer with A-Column Structure, then offset your rectangle by 20mm. Remember to set the offset object layer to current. So this operation will create a new object on current layer. Offset it to the inside of the existing rectangle.

Command:
OFFSET
Current settings: Erase source=No Layer=Source OFFSETGAPTYPE=0
Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <20.0000>: l
Enter layer option for offset objects [Current/Source] <Source>: C
Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <20.0000>:
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:
Specify point on side to offset or [Exit/Multiple/Undo] <Exit>:
Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>:

The last one, set your current layer to A-Column-Pattern. Fill the inner rectangle with concrete hatch.

Create a block from these objects. Make sure the insertion point is the column center.

Give the block name ‘Rectangular Column’. After you finish defining the block, open block editor and edit it.

Similar to what we did in creating wall, we have to add parameters. This time we need to modify the column length and width, so we need to place 2 parameters.

Select the Distance1 parameter, then open properties palette.

Change the parameter name to ‘width’.
Change the distance type to increment.
Set the distance increment to 100
Set the distance minimum to 150
Set the distance maximum to 600
Under Misc category, change the base location to Midpoint.

Do the same thing to Distance2.

I think you already know what to do next: add the stretch action. But this time you add it to the both sides. Refer to the dynamic block #1 tutorial.

After you finish, close dynamic block editor. Try your block!

You should see some thick mark every 100mm between 150 and 600. Oops, my bad! You can’t create 150mm width column because we set the increment to 100! The minimum width you can achieve is 200. You have to change the increment to 50 to get it.

We also changed the base location to midpoint. So when we stretch it, it will be stretched both way. Not so difficult creating dynamic block, isn’t it?

Source: CAD Notes – Dynamic Block Tutorial #2: Creating Column
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: Block, C Specify, column, column color, column pattern, distance, dynamic block, Exit, increment value, inner rectangle, layer No Comments »

by CADcaster

Dynamic Block Tutorial #1: Creating Wall

August 20, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

How long does it take to draw a simple floor plan with AutoCAD? Let’s say a typical rent office plan, not much walls to be drawn, plenty of open spaces. What if I say only need a few minutes? Includes annotation, door schedule, column schedule, and wall schedule? Drawing, not designing.

The secret is prepare your template, create some reusable content definitions, some customization, use the proper tools, then you are ready to rock! I will post several tutorials to prepare them, and will close this series with using all of them in creating our plan! First topic is about creating dynamic blocks, in this post, we will create wall definition.

Creating the Wall

Create a new file. Use acadiso.dwt as template. Sorry if you use imperial units, you might want to try use the same unit as I do, or use imperial by converting it.

Lets create 3 layers:

A-Wall, set the color to red, lineweight to 1.5
A-Wall-Structure, set the color to 9, lineweight to 0.09
A-Wall-Pattern, set the color to 8, lineweight to 0.00

For your information, if you are not familiar with lineweight 0.00, setting it to 0.00 will plot the geometry using the lineweight as thin as your plotter can support.

Why we created 3 layers? We separate the structure and hatches so we can represent our drawing in different details. When we represent it in relatively large scale drawing, we can show all of them. But when we use very small scales, we will hide some details i our drawing. Yes, if you are Revit user, I’m imitating Revit detail level

Let’s start drawing our object. Activate layer A-Wall. Draw a rectangle with size 500×150 like below. Then draw rectangle 500×110 inside it on layer A-Wall-Pattern. After that, add a brick pattern on layer A-Wall-Structure. I use ANSI32 with scale 8 for this drawing. Make sure the pattern is associated!

Defining Block

After creating the wall geometry, let’s create a block from it.

Select your wall as the block objects, and pick insertion point as shown below. Give your block name ‘brickwall’.

First step is done. You’ve created a reusable content for wall object, next we will add some intelligence to our object.

Add some Action

I want my wall can be stretched so it can fit wherever I place it. This is a very simple dynamic block, but I think it’s perfect practice if you never created a dynamic block. To add actions to your block, you have to open it in block editor.

Select your block, right click, and select Block Editor from context menu. This will bring you to block editor interface. Let’s take a look to Block Authoring Palette.

It has three palette: parameters, actions, and parameter sets. Placing parameters is how you specify which parts of your objects to be references, and provide the information to actions you will add later.

Open your parameter palette, then activate linear parameter. Place the linear parameter like below. It’s similar to placing dimension!

See the arrow on both side. We only need this wall stretched on the right side only, so we don’t need the left arrow. Select the left arrow, and delete it.

Open properties palette, it’s on view tab. Or you can simply type CH [enter] for command line freaks.

Select your parameter, change the distance label to ‘Length’.

We will use this label to create our wall schedule later. If you don’t change it, then you will have the default value ‘distance’ as column header.

Now we have finished placing our parameter. Now the block know we want to do something with the distance with the referenced points. There are several action can use linear parameter, but now we want to use stretch.

Open the action palette. Activate stretch action.

Select parameter:
Select the linear parameter you’ve placed before.

Specify
parameter point to associate with action or enter [sTart point/Second point] <Second>:

Select the right point of our parameter, we want the wall stretched to this side.

Specify first corner of stretch frame or [CPolygon]:

This time you will have to define the stretch frame. Same with when you are doing stretch, only this time you predefine it.

Specify objects to stretch

We want all of our objects to stretch, so select them all.

Specify action location or [Multiplier/Offset]:

Place the action location. You can place it anywhere, it’s just a symbol. But the better place is near your action, so if anybody want to modify it later can find it easily.

Close your block editor. When AutoCAD ask you to save your block, save it. You are done!

Test your block, see if it works perfectly. stretch it to lengthen and shorten it.

Next week, we will create another dynamic block. We will create multiple size of column inside a block. We will also use the column in our complete plan I promised you earlier.

Source: CAD Notes – Dynamic Block Tutorial #1: Creating Wall
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: Action, Block, brick pattern, detail level, imperial units, parameter, reusable content, Select, wall, wall structure No Comments »

by CADcaster

Block vs XREF

August 20, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

“Why would I use reference file? I can use blocks to manage my typical design…”
True, some people use blocks to draw typical designs. When they need to change the design, they can simply edit one block definition, and all blocks using the same definition will be updated. I saw an architect use blocks to create a site plan. Each building is defined as a block. I consider he is lucky his file is not corrupt with such a complex objects.

XREF on the other hand, harder to manage for them. Many times some files are left behind. And people who receive their files might not be familiar with XREF. Blocks and XREF are two different animals. So when you should use blocks, and when you should use reference files?

Let’s take a look at AutoCAD tool palettes. Autodesk provide us several block samples there. And don’t forget to look at several samples in design center files.

They contain several objects and symbols that we can use. In other word: it’s a library. We use blocks as reusable contents. Let’s say you have furniture blocks. It’s your library, and you can use it over and over again in your other drawings.

Let’s imagine it in the real world. You’ve placed a table in a room. When you don’t feel it’s appropriate, you don’t modify the table. You replace it with other type of table. That’s how blocks supposed to work. This become obvious when I started to learn MicroStation. You can’t modify placed cells (they call block in MicroStation with cell), but you have to replace them with other cell definition. You can do the same in AutoCAD now, with an express tool command: BLOCKREPLACE.

Blocks in AutoCAD become more and more useful. Now you can create a report based on blocks you use in a drawing. You can use Data Extraction to do this. Let’s say you draw electrical schematic drawings. You can have circuits, lights, buttons, fuses, etc blocks as electrical symbol library. The symbols can have attributes that contain the components code, serial number, and all other data you required. Of course, they have to match the real components on the market. You don’t change it and create your own type to match your design. Some major companies already have default block definitions on their server. Only some people are able to modify and responsible for the blocks: the CAD manager. All other cad users can access and use them in their design. That’s how blocks are supposed to work.

What about reference file (XREF)? Do you know how people used to collaborate in the old days? They use transparent paper and place it over other engineers drawing. When the architect has finished the drawing, the structural engineer use it as an overlay, and create their own drawing on the transparent paper. And so do the MEP engineers. I believe it’s the same concept.

The design can change, and the others can refer the design changes by comparing their drawing with the same way. Now, blocks and XREFs begins to look different, aren’t they? What is similar to blocks in ancient way of drawing? You can dry transfer the graphical elements, the sample of one brand I know is Letraset. It was your reusable content before people use computers to draw.

So what is the advantage of using XREF? Using XREF means we work with multiple files. We all know that when a file is opened, then no other user can open the same file (except as read only). When you use multiple files, it means multiple users can open each file and work concurrently on the same project. They can refer to other drawings as an overlay, and able to track changes easily.

Separate your design to multiple files also will keep your files simple. Simple means less trouble. If you have a very complex drawing, with a lot of nested blocks, your file can easily get corrupted.

Now let’s go further. If you are familiar with setting permission on a network, you should know that we can set different permission on a folder. The MEP engineers can use architects drawings as overlay, but can’t modify them. And vice versa. This is a good practice to manage and protect your data. If you want advanced data management, you can consider using Vault.

So what about sending the files? We don’t want some files are left behind, or the recipient confused where they should put the files. You can simply use eTransmit. You won’t leave any file by using it.

Do you want to share how you use blocks and reference files?

Source: CAD Notes – Block vs XREF
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: Block, Design, electrical symbol, express tool, file, Reference, schematic drawings, tool palettes, typical designs, Xref No Comments »

by CADcaster

How to: Modify Objects With Non-Uniform Scale

August 7, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

I drew this image using AutoCAD. Just using simple drafting tools. I haven’t met Revit at that time. If you see the area in red circle, you can see that it is scaled on X axis, but the scale on Y axis is not affected. Or may be you think I drew all of the baluster at the location manually? No, I use non-uniform scale. Only scale it on X axis, but ignore the scaling on Y axis. How to do this?

I know MicroStation can do this with scale tool directly, but in AutoCAD there is a workaround we should do.

First of all, I create a block to define the baluster . Then I insert the block. In the block dialog box, I turn off the uniform scale check box, left the X scale to 1, and change the Y scale a bit. I repeat this several times until all of them placed. I may have to do trial and error several times to get it the right size. Well, we can do it easily in Revit or AutoCAD Architecture. But obviously not in 2D drafting!