Is it possible for a Dynamic Block to have multiple Insertion Points

[TerribleTim]

OK, so I've done some searching on this topic and I think I get it. But help me out here. You can only put one "base point parameter" in a DB and that will be the insertion point of the DB, with no "base point parameter" the insertion point is 0,0. But can you put multiple "points" (draw/point/single point) in the DB and use them as insertion points? And if so, how do you toggle between them on insertion? I know you cn pick an insertion point using the dynamic input pulldown list or whatever, but will the insertion point remain as an active grip after insertion? I would like to have multiple grips that I could just move the whole block with instead of just the one grip at the insertion point. Did any of that make sense?

[gfreddog]

I was just actually wondering the very same thing!

[Chris.N]

the way the Base Point Parameter works is that if you have it included in actions, the manipulation of the block will not take it's geometry further away from the "grip" that acts as the block's insertion point. it forces the "base point" along for the ride during manipulation.

as for the multiple insertion points, DB's use other parameter grips that have "cycling" turned on, and are accessed by tapping the "Ctrl" key prior to placement. However, the actuall "base" of the block does not change along w/ the toggling.

as for the last point. just make a "move" point last during the creation of your DB's and have it affect "all" things in the Block Editor. I know, i know i've said to not include other actions because of odd behavior, but (and this is untried) it should not matter in this case. I hope i'm not wrong, but if i am, just remove all other "actions" from this last move action, and it should work as expected.

[Mr Cory]

OK, so I've done some searching on this topic and I think I get it. But help me out here. You can only put one "base point parameter" in a DB and that will be the insertion point of the DB, with no "base point parameter" the insertion point is 0,0. But can you put multiple "points" (draw/point/single point) in the DB and use them as insertion points? And if so, how do you toggle between them on insertion? I know you cn pick an insertion point using the dynamic input pulldown list or whatever, but will the insertion point remain as an active grip after insertion? I would like to have multiple grips that I could just move the whole block with instead of just the one grip at the insertion point. Did any of that make sense?

If you are a grip man like myself you hate the fact the the dynamic grips dont have all the functions of a regular grip? If that is what you are refereing to then no you can not have more that one grip unless you enable "grips within blocks" Otherwise Chris is spot on!

[TerribleTim]

That kind of answers it for me. I guess what I was looking for is way to insert the block and then be able to grab one grip and move the whole thing to a new location using a grip that is not the base point of the block. The move action is probably the answer. See, I have a handy little drawing title DB that has it's insertion base point set for our detail sheet layout, but I tend to use a different point to line it up for floor plan drawings and was looking for a way to insert it aligned the way I want it. As of now, I have to insert it, then move it. Would be cool if it was just an insert it using otrack and already be aligned. I think the move action will be the answer, I'll let you know.

[TerribleTim]

Yup, that was exactly what I was looking for. I added a point parameter, with a move action associated with it selecting everything for the move action. Now I can grab it and move it from that point or Ctrl to it as an insertion point! Thanks for the help, I learned something new, now I can go home!

[Mr Cory]

An easier and quicker way is to do that, just use an align parameter

[Chris.N]

That kind of answers it for me. I guess what I was looking for is way to insert the block and then be able to grab one grip and move the whole thing to a new location using a grip that is not the base point of the block. The move action is probably the answer. See, I have a handy little drawing title DB that has it's insertion base point set for our detail sheet layout, but I tend to use a different point to line it up for floor plan drawings and was looking for a way to insert it aligned the way I want it. As of now, I have to insert it, then move it. Would be cool if it was just an insert it using otrack and already be aligned. I think the move action will be the answer, I'll let you know.

you... you.... you're still plotting in MODELspace??!? ~thud~

j/k... we only switched to PS using SSM this spring for our civies... tho us archies switched when DB's came out...

[Chris.N]

An easier and quicker way is to do that, just use an align parameter

unless he first copied a reference line to desired location, he'd still have to move again afterwards.

[TerribleTim]

No, we plot in paper space, but we do all drawing and text in model space. Only the title block lives in paper space. Too bad I can't talk the boss into ACAD08 so I could have that handy little "annotation scaling" feature! The move action solved what I was looking for by the way.