AutoCAD tutorial: Use Visibility Parameter and Define Attribute in Block
Study Case: Electrical Symbols
With these two feature, Visibility Feature and Define Attribute, in AutoCAD Dynamic Block feature, it is possible to create one block that can show different objects with different value. For example, I have three type of electrical switch (MCB, LBS, and IS) and when I want to insert particular switch, I could insert a current value freely.
All 12 symbols above is one block!
The Steps…
1. Create the symbols as many as you want, but don’t create the variable value, in this case, the current value. Define Attribute feature will create it later. Select all and click Make Block.
2. Fill the Name. Set the Pick point. Check the Open in block editor to directly edit the block. OK.
3. Make sure the Block Authoring Palettes is showed. Select the Visibility Parameter. Place it near the main symbol.
4. Double click on Visibility Parameter, on the drawing not on the palettes. On Visibility States window, create new visibility states as many as your symbols and rename it to suit each symbol.
5. Before we continue more on Visibility Parameter, lets add Attribute first to each symbol. Click Define Attribute. Each symbol must have unique Tag on Attribute option. OK.
6. Place the Attribute to each symbol, you can copy it to each symbol, double click it and change the Tag and Prompt option to be unique each symbol.
7. Now lets get back to Visibility Parameter. Watch over top-right corner of the window where Visibility toolbar is placed.
8. Click on Visibility Mode, so that, see the command line, BVMODE: 1. Since the visibility state is in MCB1, select all symbols except the MCB1 and click Make Invisible. Change to the other state, for example in LBS2 state only LBS2 symbol which is visible. Click on Make Visible to make object visible in current state. And click Make Invisible to make objects invisible.
9. After all visibility states is defined, move all symbols into one place.
10. Save and close the block editor. Try to reinsert the block. You will be prompted to insert a current value.
11. To change to other symbol, click on the blue triangle. Choose the desired symbol. Double click on the symbol and fill the desired attribute value.
12. To change particular symbol, go to Block Editor. Choose the desired visibility state. Click on Visibility Mode, so that, see the command line, BVMODE: 0. Edit the symbol.
Have fun ^^
Related posts:
- Non Uniform Scale on AutoCAD There is no direct command in AutoCAD to do a...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.