Topic: Change default scale for blocks

[VerticalMojo]

For this particular dwg I have to change the scale of all the blocks, but I have to enter in the scale every time. Is there a way to change the default scale to something other than "1"?

Thanks....

Edited: Correction.   I mean "1"  

[M-dub]

Not sure right now, but here's a routine that might help you out sometime anyway...Multiple Scale
(scales the selected entities using their insertion points as the base point)
http://theswamp.org/lilly.pond/M-dub/mscale.zip

[pmvliet]

I don't know how to actually do it but, there are block insertion routines that I have seen that will look at the dimscale variable for the scale to insert the block.

I would think you could use something similar where Autocad will look somewhere for the value...

Pieter
(needing to learn lsp, vba or other things...)

[Kerry]

..... something other than 0?

Say what ??

[VerticalMojo]

Correction.   I mean "1"  

Thanks Kerry

[Kerry]

My pleasure

I'll make a deal with you :

If you write a specification for what you want to do, I will code it.

regards.Kerry

Addendum : If the specification is ambigious or incomplete you are expected to send a bottle of Marks favourite imbibing fluid to him.

[Keith™]

Hmmm... that looks like a reactor waiting to happen ....

[drizzt]

I use a match scale routine. If I knew how to upload I would.

[David Bethel]

I use this most of the time for preset scale inserts.  -David

Code: [Select]


;=======================================================================
;    INSCALE.Lsp                                    Mar 14, 2002
;    INSERT BASED ON A SET SCALE FACTOR
;================== Start Program ======================================
(princ "\nCopyright (C) 2003, Fabricated Designs, Inc.")
(princ "\nLoading INSCALE v2.1 ")
(setq ins_ nil lsp_file "INSCALE")

;================== Macros =============================================
(defun PDot ()(princ "."))

(PDot);++++++++++++ Set Modes & Error ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(defun ins_smd ()
 (SetUndo)
 (setq oldlay (getvar "CLAYER")
       olderr *error*
      *error* (lambda (e)
                (while (> (getvar "CMDACTIVE") 0)
                       (command))
                (and (/= e "quit / exit abort")
                     (princ (strcat "\nError: *** " e " *** ")))
                (and (= (logand (getvar "UNDOCTL") 8) 8)
                     (command "_.UNDO" "_END" "_.U"))
                (ins_rmd))
       ins_var '(("CMDECHO"   . 0) ("MENUECHO"   . 0)
                ("MENUCTL"   . 0) ("MACROTRACE" . 0)
                ("OSMODE"    . 0) ("SORTENTS"   . 119)
                ("MODEMACRO" . ".")
                ("BLIPMODE"  . 0) ("EXPERT"     . 0)
                ("SNAPMODE"  . 1) ("PLINEWID"   . 0)
                ("ORTHOMODE" . 1) ("GRIDMODE"   . 0)
                ("ELEVATION" . 0) ("THICKNESS"  . 0)
                ("FILEDIA"   . 0) ("FILLMODE"   . 0)
                ("SPLFRAME"  . 0) ("UNITMODE"   . 0)
                ("TEXTEVAL"  . 0) ("ATTDIA"     . 0)
                ("ATTREQ"    . 1)
                ("ATTMODE"   . 1) ("UCSICON"    . 1)
                ("HIGHLIGHT" . 1) ("REGENMODE"  . 1)
                ("COORDS"    . 2) ("DRAGMODE"   . 2)
                ("CECOLOR"   . "BYLAYER")
                ("CELTYPE"   . "BYLAYER")))
 (foreach v ins_var
   (and (getvar (car v))
        (setq ins_rst (cons (cons (car v) (getvar (car v))) ins_rst))
        (setvar (car v) (cdr v))))
 (princ (strcat (getvar "PLATFORM") " Release " (ver)
        " -  Scale Inserts ....\n"))
 (princ))

(PDot);++++++++++++ Return Modes & Error +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(defun ins_rmd ()
  (SetLayer oldlay)
  (setq *error* olderr)
  (foreach v ins_rst (setvar (car v) (cdr v)))
  (command "_.UNDO" "_END")
  (prin1))

(PDot);++++++++++++ Set And Start An Undo Group ++++++++++++++++++++++++
(defun SetUndo ()
 (and (zerop (getvar "UNDOCTL"))
      (command "_.UNDO" "_ALL"))
 (and (= (logand (getvar "UNDOCTL") 2) 2)
      (command "_.UNDO" "_CONTROL" "_ALL"))
 (and (= (logand (getvar "UNDOCTL") 8) 8)
      (command "_.UNDO" "_END"))
 (command "_.UNDO" "_GROUP"))

(PDot);++++++++++++ Make Layer Current +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(defun SetLayer (name / ldef flag)
  (command "_.LAYER")
  (if (not (tblsearch "LAYER" name))
      (command "_Make" name)
      (progn
        (setq ldef (tblsearch "LAYER" name)
              flag (cdr (assoc 70 ldef)))
        (and (= (logand flag  1)  1)
             (command "_Thaw" name))
        (and (minusp (cdr (assoc 62 ldef)))
             (command "_On" name))
        (and (= (logand flag  4)  4)
             (command "_Unlock" name))
        (and (= (logand flag 16) 16)
             (princ "\nCannot Set To XRef Dependent Layer")
             (quit))
        (command "_Set" name)))
  (command "")
  name)

(PDot);************ Main Program ***************************************
(defun ins_ (/ olderr oldlay ins_var ins_rst def nsc lb bn)
  (ins_smd)
  (setq def (getvar "USERR5"))
  (initget 2)
  (setq nsc (getreal (strcat "\nInsert Scale <" (rtos def 2 (max 2 (getvar "LUPREC"))) ">:  ")))
  (and (not nsc)
       (setq nsc def))
  (setvar "USERR5" nsc)
  (setq lb (getvar "INSNAME"))
  (while (or (not bn)
             (not (snvalid bn))
             (not (or (tblsearch "BLOCK" bn)
                      (findfile (strcat bn ".DWG")))))
         (setq bn (getstring (strcat "\nInsert <" lb">:   ")))
         (if (= bn "")
             (setq bn lb)))
  (SetLayer "0")
  (command "_.UCS" "_World")
  (command "_.INSERT" bn)
  (princ "\nInsert Point:   ")
  (command pause)
  (command nsc nsc)
  (princ "\nRotation Angle <0>:  ")
  (command pause)
  (while (> (getvar "CMDACTIVE") 0)
         (command ""))
;  (*break*)
  (ins_rmd))

(PDot);************ Load Program ***************************************
(defun C:INSCALE () (ins_))
(if ins_ (princ "\nINSCALE Loaded\n"))
(prin1)
;|================== End Program =======================================


[laura]

This may over-simplifying the problem, but could you select the blocks and use properties to change the scale factor?  Of course this would only work if you can identify all the blocks and the new scale would be the same for all of them.

[Slim©]

This may over-simplifying the problem, but could you select the blocks and use properties to change the scale factor?  Of course this would only work if you can identify all the blocks and the new scale would be the same for all of them.

You can select all the blocks, using the "FILLTER: command.

[VerticalMojo]

This may over-simplifying the problem, but could you select the blocks and use properties to change the scale factor?  Of course this would only work if you can identify all the blocks and the new scale would be the same for all of them.

You can select all the blocks, using the "FILLTER: command.

I like the filter command.... For some reason my A-cad (LT) doesn't have a Icon for it..... Oh my, guess its gonna get one of my custom deranged smileys....


Well, We use the design center to drag and drop our blocks (I tried to push blockwerks but that was like hitting a brick wall). So, I guess wut Im trying to say is if I had a drawing that was done at a 1/4"=1'-0" I could arrange AutoCAD to set the scale to 48 by default. This way I can drag them into the drawing and put them in there place without messing with the scale. If not I would double click on the thumbnail to show the insert menu, change the scale to 48, and insert the block.... and this would be repeated for all blocks or just make a set of blocks that are already at a a scale of 48... UGH over 500 of'em.  I could change the scale by selecting all the block (with the filter command) then properties, but then you wouldn't have the blocks in the right position..... Guess I'm trying to customize LT waaaaaay to much. I think I'm ready for the Full Blown Version for work!!!!

BTW, I'm have access to FULL A-cad @ home so LISP routines are WeLcOmE! Only problem is that @ work others (including myself) would not be able to use the routine.., but I'll be able to try them when I get home....

Thanx for the input guys (and gals)

[Slim©]

Aren't there some add-on programs to AutoCAD Lite that will allow you to run Lisp?  

[VerticalMojo]

Yes I believe there is..... but we are basic, so I have to learn to get it done without third party help...  

[VerticalMojo]

David D Bethel,
That is kinda what Im looking for..... but the problem is that I need to drag and drop them from design center. The time it would take for me to look up the name of the block, make sure its loaded will take up to much time..... but thanks, I may be able to use that for something else!

Kerry,
Maybe a code for this.....

Ask user to specify a scale: 4,8,12,16,24,32,48,64,96,128,192......

From then on, every time they drag a block in it would be brought in that scale with-out using the "insert" pop up menu.....

Is this possible??

Thanks!

[laura]

So, I guess wut Im trying to say is if I had a drawing that was done at a 1/4"=1'-0" I could arrange AutoCAD to set the scale to 48 by default.

Gotcha.  See, thought it was too simple........

[Andrew H]

Put them onto your Tool Pallette then right click (still on the TP) and change the properties, put the scale you want and insert away. If you need the same block at different scales, put it on the TP that many times and change the scale as needed.

[VerticalMojo]

Put them onto your Tool Pallette then right click (still on the TP) and change the properties, put the scale you want and insert away. If you need the same block at different scales, put it on the TP that many times and change the scale as needed.

Andrew, what version are you using? remember im on Acad [tear] LT [/tear] 2k

[Andrew H]

I am sorry I thought you said 2k4. If 2k then ignore my post.

[VerticalMojo]

@ least I know how easy it is with 2k4!!! If thats the case Im really missing out

[Andrew H]

If you think you're missing out on 2k4 wait til you see 2k5, has very nice creature conforts.

[VerticalMojo]

In all our dwgs I can drag a block from DC and it will be 1:1

I just received a dwg that when I drag the same block from DC it comes in the wrong scale.

I cant figure how or why its doing this..... Am I forgetting something?

[Andrew H]

Did you check the units of the drawings you're bring them into?

[MikePerry]

Hi

Check out the following Technical Documents on the Autodesk web site under the Knowledge Base section -

ID: TS30666 - Set drawing units for inserted blocks and images

ID: TS20081 - Using the Insert Units option for blocks inserted from AutoCAD® DesignCenter™

Have a good one, Mike

[VerticalMojo]

ah Yes... the INSUNITS variable. problem solved.