Add Action Parameters to Dynamic Blocks

Add Action Parameters to Dynamic Blocks

Add a Point Parameter

 

Create and Modify Objects > Create and Use Blocks (Symbols) > Add Dynamic Behavior to Blocks > Add Actions and Parameters to Dynamic Blocks > Add Action Parameters to Dynamic Blocks > 

Overview of Using Action Parameters

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Concept

Quick Reference

You can use parameters in block references to specify

• Positions
• Distances
• Angles

When you add a parameter to a block definition, custom grips and properties are automatically added to the block. You use these custom grips and properties to manipulate the block reference in the drawing.

When you add a parameter to a dynamic block definition, grips are added to key points of the parameter. Key points are the parts of a parameter that you use to manipulate the block reference. For example, a linear parameter has key points at its base point and end point. You can manipulate the parameter distance from either key point.

The type of parameter that you add to a dynamic block determines the type of grips that are added. Each type of parameter supports only certain types of actions.

For example, a block of a chair can contain an Angle property that defines a rotation parameter. The rotation parameter defines the axis on which the chair can be rotated as you edit.

If you add a point parameter to a dynamic block definition, the point parameter defines two custom properties for the block reference: Position X and Position Y (relative to the base point of the block reference.)

A dynamic block definition must contain at least one parameter. When a parameter is added to a dynamic block definition, grips associated with key points of the parameter are automatically added. You must then add an action to the block definition and associate the action with a parameter.

In a drawing, you use a grip or custom property in the Properties palette to manipulate the block reference. When you manipulate the block reference in a drawing, by moving a grip or changing the value of a custom property in the Properties palette, you change the value of the parameter that defines that custom property in the block. When you change the value of the parameter, it drives the action that is associated with that parameter, which changes the geometry (or a property) of the dynamic block reference.

Parameters also define and constrain values that affect the dynamic block reference's behavior in a drawing. Some parameters can have a fixed set of values, minimum and maximum values, or increment values. For example, a linear parameter used in a window block may have the following fixed set of values: 10, 20, 30, and 40. When the block reference is inserted in a drawing, you can only change the window to one of these values. Adding a value set to a parameter allows you to limit how the block reference is manipulated in a drawing. For more information about parameter value sets, see Specify Value Sets for Dynamic Blocks.

You can also extract parameter values through the Attribute Extraction wizard or through an attribute extraction template file.