In this installment of my series on Dynamic Blocks in AutoCAD, we are going to take a look at how to add the Flip action to a block. The Flip action works just like the Mirror command. I have always wondered why Autodesk chose to name it differently. Just like with the mirror command, we will select the objects to be mirrored, then specify a mirror line.
If you would like to try the same exercise that I use in the demonstration, you can download the exercise drawing file here: Flip.dwg
The lesson is presented in the following video. Step-by-step instructions are also included below.
The drawing contains a counter top. We will add the Flip action to mirror it horizontally and vertically.
Double-click on the Counter Top block, then click <OK> to enter the Block Editor.
First we will add a flip grip to mirror the block vertically.
Select Palette: Block Authoring > Parameters > Flip.
You are prompted to specify the base point of the reflection line.
Select the midpoint of the left-most vertical line.
The flip grip will be located at this point.
You are prompted to specify the endpoint of the reflection line.
Move the crosshairs to the right, locking on to the 0 degree Polar Tracking angle, then select a point in space.
Click to the left of the first point to place the parameter label.
A warning symbol appears next to the grip because an action needs to be associated with the parameter in order to function.
Select the Actions tab in the Block Authoring Palette.
Select Palette: Block Authoring > Actions > Flip.
You are prompted to select a parameter.
Select the Flip state1 parameter that was just created.
You are prompted to select the objects that will be flipped.
Select all objects in the block, then press [Enter] at the keyboard.
Next you will add a flip grip to mirror the block horizontally
Select Palette: Block Authoring > Parameters > Flip.
You are prompted to specify the base point of the reflection line.
Select the midpoint of the top horizontal line.
The flip grip will be located at this point.
You are prompted to specify the endpoint of the reflection line.
Move the crosshairs down, locking on to the 270 degree Polar Tracking angle, then select a point in space.
Using Polar Tracking, click a point vertically below the first point.
Click above the first point to place the parameter label.
A warning symbol appears next to the grip because an action needs to be associated with the parameter in order to function.
Select the Actions tab in the Block Authoring Palette.
Select Palette: Block Authoring > Actions > Flip.
You are prompted to select a parameter.
Select the Flip state2 parameter that was just created.
You are prompted to select the objects that will be flipped.
Select all objects in the block, then press [Enter] at the keyboard.
Select Ribbon: Block Editor > Open/Save > Save Block.
Select Ribbon: Block Editor > Close > Close Block Editor.
Select the Counter Top block.
Select the flip grips to mirror horizontally and vertically.
Once again, a fairly simple process that gives us the ability to quickly modify a block!
I hope you enjoyed this quick lesson. Next time we will look at how to add the ability to rotate a dynamic block.
Between CAD Classes 