AutoCAD 2008 User's
Guide > Create and Modify
Objects > Create and Use
Blocks (Symbols) > Add Dynamic Behavior
to Blocks > Add Dynamic Elements
to Blocks > Use Actions with
Dynamic Blocks >
Use a Scale Action in a Dynamic Block
In a dynamic block reference, a scale action behaves similar to the SCALE command.
The scale action is similar to the SCALE command. In a dynamic block reference, a scale action causes the block's selection set to scale when the associated parameter is edited by moving grips or by using the Properties palette.
In a dynamic block definition, you associate a scale action with an entire parameter, not a key point on the parameter. You can associate a scale action with any of the following parameters:
After associating a scale action with a parameter, you associate the action with a selection set of geometry.
Specify the Type of Base Point for a Scale Action
The scale action has a property called Base Type. With this property, you specify whether the base point for the scale factor is dependent or independent.
If the base type is dependent, the objects in the selection set scale relative to the base point of the parameter with which the scale action is associated. In the following example, a scale action is associated with an XY parameter. The scale action base type is dependent. The base point of the XY parameter is located at the lower left corner of the rectangle. When the custom grip is used to scale the block, it scales relative to the lower-left corner of the rectangle.
If the base type is independent (shown in the Block Editor as an X marker), you specify a base point independent of the parameter with which the scale action is associated. The objects in the selection set will scale relative to this independent base point you specify. In the following example, a scale action is associated with an XY parameter. The scale action base type is independent. The independent base point is located at the center of the circle. When the custom grip is used to scale the block, it scales relative to the center of the circle.
Specify the Scale Type Property for a Scale Action
When a scale action is associated with an XY parameter, the scale action has an override property called Scale Type. This property specifies whether the scale factor applied is the parameter's X distance, Y distance, or X and Y coordinate value distance from the parameter's base point.
For example, you specify X Distance as the Scale Type for a scale action in a dynamic block definition. In a drawing, when you edit the block reference by dragging a grip on the XY parameter only along the Y axis, the associated geometry does not scale.
