Expert: Bob - 9/30/2006

Question
Ah! OK, I have 2.61GB of RAM, the video is Intel chipset8291SG/GV/910GLExpress Chipset Family (I also have a Radeon 9250 tv card, but I don't think that would have anything to do with it), and a Pentium 4, 3.0GHz processor. You've started me thinking because there are some URLs I go to that my video card can't handle. When I go to one with black background my whole screen goes black and I have to do a Ctrl-Alt-Del to kill the browser. It could be a problem with my system which is what you are saying I think.

I am trying to make a bunch of dynamic blocks for a friend of mine who renovates kitchens and uses AutoCad to draw the plans. There are different types of cabinets (double, etc.) and it would be nice if he could drop them into elevations and be able to size them automatically. AND I am just inquisitive and want to know how to do it.

I wish I could find the "stretch divider" action I see in the pre-made window elevation in the toolpalette under the architectural tab. I've spent a lot of time looking and figure maybe they just don't offer it in my edition.

My email is jamesrday@hotmail.com and SURE you can come over here and work on it!  :-)   (Lucky I live Hawaii as they say here.)

Aloha and thanks for your time. Sorry to be so long-winded,
Jim


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Followup To

Question -
Sorry. I can see I wasn't very good at stating the problem and parameters.
1. My operating system is WindowsXP Home. My AutoCad is 2006. I modify a self-made block. For example a sliding window (basically a large rectangle with two smaller rectangles inside.) I want to stretch it equally so the 'post' in the middle stays the same and the two smaller rectangles stretch sideways. For example a 6' wide window with two 3' panels (they overlap at the meeting vertical.) I might like to end up with an 8' foot wide window with two 4' panels. When I get done with my feeble attempt, I usually end up with a 8' window with a 3' and a 5' panel. The crash happens after I save the dynamic block and then grab the OTB grip and type in my new width...
The toolpalette has a window like this already made (I was trying to make my own), but they have a thing called a 'stretch divider' that I can't find on my 2006 version? (but then again, it's on the toolpalette.) ?

Aloha,
Jim  :-/


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Followup To

Question -
Hi,
I am running into problems with dynamic blocks in AutoCad 2006.
1. When I make a dynamic block, sometimes when I try to perform the function after saving and closing the block editor, it shuts AutoCad down...
2. I'm trying to figure out how to stretch a sliding window. It has two panes of glass. Stretching both panes the same amount is necessary but I can't figure out how to do it. All my efforts thus far have just stretched one part width wise.
I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have.
Thanks,
Jim

Answer -
Hi -- I am  needing to brush up on Dynamic Blocks myself.
1-- no point mentioning crashes without describing your system. I am not clear what you mean by "performing the function" - do you mean using dynamic features of a block? Do you get crashes on the OTB dynamic blocks?
2--  speaking of OTB dyanamic blocks -- did you make the window from scratch or modify the one in the Dynamic blocks palettes? (I presume you save your own into new palettes)-- and I think the term is "apply stretch action to", not "stretch", if you mean what you do in creating ---in AutoCAD goobletygook.

BOB

Answer -
Hi -
1-- by describing your system" -- I meant to include the processor, memory, and video card. You described your OS.
2-- I will send you some Dynamic Blocks tutorials if you send me your email address. Perhaps in a day or two I will be able to figure it out for you, but I am really busy. I still do not know why you wanted to make one of the more difficult premade blocks yourself -- didn't like the styles?
3-- if you are that interested in being able to stretch windows, I scratch my head to figure why you are not using Autodesk Architectural Desktop or Revit?
Aloha back! -- Can I come over and work on this with you in Hawaii?

BOB


Answer
Hey, Jim --
1-- yes, you may need to mess with video settings, or?? If AutoCAD crashes, it is almost always you, lol.
2--for really making cabinets, there is lots of proprietary software.
3--for doing elevations of cabinets one is going to buy and hang, I would say that dynamic blocks might be available for free by asking in the AutoCAD chats.
HOWEVER, you would leave off the hardware and trims anyway, so you did not have to make a zillion blocks,
THEREFORE:
EASIER: Make a block of a 24" cabinet, and increase the X scale value of each instance to 9/8 for 27", 5/4 for 30"-- and so on.
BETTER: After doing the above, explode each, and reblock as cabinet 27, cabinet 30, etc. (save them on proper layer in a drawing in your template files or blocks folder) and drag into a tool palette. you do not have to make the cabinet layer current to insert correctly.

I would save the dynamic for when it is really needed -- if you want to include several front design variations, I can see that, but otherwise, call it showboating, and have fun.

BOB