Changing Symbol Sizes

OK now pay attention.

Suppose you have V7 and put up the Architectural Sampler library. Now drag the
Tree Elev symbol onto the page.

Dimension it vertically. Suppose it comes out 7'.

The objective is to change the size to any dimension and have the dimension follow
it (of course).

So you drag-select both, start moving the right top corner handle out and type R,
click the Relative icon. Input what you want, say 1'. Or use the Absolute icon. Or
Explode the symbol. Or use any old handle, input X and Y values.

Huh? Once in a while it works, then it's just nutty.

I'm trying to get my wife to use this program for landscaping and what she needs
to do is quickly change the size of various symbols to the absolute values she
wants, and to vary them to see whatevertheheck it is that landscapers want to see.

It doesn't seem that the relative coordinate dialog box has what she needs.

I'm getting dissed!

Any thoughts on a reliable way to do this using AS?

H

 

Dimensioning trees....??? I am obviously not paying attention....!!!!

In your "long and eventful life", haven't you learnt trees grow....why would
you even consider teaching your wife such a time-wasting concept.

Or is there some kind of wierd & wacky marketing ploy you have
invented....???

I want in.....!!!!

http://users.bigpond.net.au/cavedrawings

 

Oh, another thing that could mess up using R when dragging a corner is the
constraint check box. If you do not uncheck it first (or hold down the
shift key while clicking OK) only one of the x, y dimensions will take
effect (the x I think).

Rod

 

Very nifty, Rod. And I have done similar things, like draw a circle and expand the
symbol to the circumference, also thought of drawing the box. My wife spotted the
EditEntities icon and tried that.

The issue is she's not a cad person and requires a simple straightforward way to
do this. Select, type in new dimensions (maybe with R) and bingo.

Landscapers need to continually change sizes of vegetation, something about
watching it grow, or seasons, some such things I don't really connect to. But she
needs to do it quickly without calculation. I've been touting this program for her
for years, and when she finally comes to use it, ker-FLOOEY!

I had forgotten about the BasePoint notion. I'll try that out.

Thanks greatly.

H

 

AHHHH, GOOD ONE!

Dang. I should have thought of that right off the bat.

<going back to Paul's book, if I can stand it>

But I'm thinking the BasePpoint notion may be the right way.

Can't try it right now, new roof going on the house and it's too noisy to think.
Back later this evening and try it all out.

I'll post back here on results with a typically wordy response, filled with sound
and fury, signifying almost nothing, to coin a fraze.

Thanks again.

Harvey

 

DANG! This isn't working out too well.

I looked at Rod's drawings. Although neat, they don't give the flexibility that's
needed here, just look at the scaling factor. They're for the CAD person. My lady
ain't a CAD person. I guess I should be grateful for that.

Let's suppose you choose TreeElev from the Architectural Sampler library, drag the
baby in the drawing. Dimension it for giggles, just so you know what it is.

Select the symbol, NOT the dimensions, r-click and choose Entities>Symbols and
input the Origin at 0' 0" and the Scale X and Y at 1. Now increase both dims by
one foot (a whole bunch of millimeters for the Ozmaniacs) using a corner handle
and R. Or any handle for that matter.

WTF, it's totally unusable! This program does flip-flops on symbols unless one
really knows what the programmers had in mind.

I thought fer sure that Rod was right about selecting both the dimensions and the
symbol being the problem, but it ain't. At least not for me.

Let's work on this baby a bit if you have the time. I'd like to know what's what
so I don't get more static from my spouse than I really need.

It's not terminal for our relationship (married 35 years, too late for anything to
get in the way) but it would be nice if I could be a hero JUST ONCE!

H

 

Here's how we're working this one out. It's not elegant, but it does the job as a
workaround.

Like Rod Hulbert mentioned, the only way I've found to do this easily (so far) is
to place a Rectangle or Circle somewhere on the page with the appropriate dims,
and inscribe the landscape symbol inside it, ON CENTER. Then expand the symbol to
the edge of the rectangle or circle with a snap.

The important thing here is to move the Symbol base point to the center. At least
for landscape work. That way, the Symbol expands or contracts evenly on all sides.

This means that I have to redo all the Landscape Symbols and save them back with
the right base point. PITA!

Not so nice, but I save a bit of face.

And thanks to anyone who tried this, especially Rod.

I'll come back later and attach the Landscape Symbol library as a zip after it's
all cleaned up. Youse guys can dl it if you're interested. There's nice CAD art
included; not from me, rather from an architect.

Always check for viruses (viri actually) before you open or deal with any file.
This one isn't an exe file but there's no telling.

Forewarned is forearmed.

H

 

Gidday Harvey

I always make trees 1000mm or 1m or in your measures 1.25 cubits. Then it's
easy to rescale them to any size.

Also I always stay with eucalypt's, pine trees leave a mess on my drawings.

PJ

 

Harvey

You might try just using the Center About Point function. Either right
click on the about point or use a custom menu.
This would save halving to redo a lot of symbols. I assume you are using the
Expand about Here check where appropriate?
This type of thing Is about the only place where this actualy works.

By the way the Entity Enquire is a lot faster than dimensioning unless you
need the permanent display.

Rod