To Create a Customized Scale Bar

To use this procedure, you should be familiar with the AutoCAD Block Editor, the Block Authoring palettes, and AutoCAD attribute definitions.

To create a custom scale bar

  1. Create an AutoCAD block containing the graphical representation of the scale bar.

    Use the Block Editor to create the scale bar block.

    • Type BE at the command line to open the Block Editor.
    • Specify a name for the scale bar block.
    • Use the pline command to draw the horizontal line for the scale bar.

      Allow for divisions that are equal to the measurement you will use for the scale. For example, if the map will be in a scale of one inch to one mile, each division should be one inch long. The pline for the horizontal line might be exactly two inches to allow for two one-inch divisions.

    • Add vertical lines for each division.
    • Add any other desired decorations or divisions.
  2. Assign attributes to the scale bar divisions.

    Define the vertical lines that represent the increments of the scale as scale bar divisions. In order for the scale bar to recognize these divisions, you must assign specific tags to them using the Attribute Definition option. When you insert the scale bar, each division will display the distance it represents. For example, if your scale ratio is 1:10,000, and your increment is inches, the inch division will display 10,000.

    • In the Block Editor, select the first division on the scale bar (not the zero point).
    • Click Action Parameters panelAttribute Definition.
    • In the Edit Attribute Definition dialog box, enter a Tag value for the selected division.

      The Tag must use the syntax Map.ScaleBar.Division.Labelx. For example, the value for the first division can be Map.ScaleBar.Division.Label1.

    • When you click OK, A ghosted image of the attribute appears at your cursor. Drag it to the area above the relevant division line.
    • Repeat this step for each division of the scale bar.

      You can include fractional divisions, such as Map.ScaleBar.Division.Label0.5.

  3. Optionally, display a zero over the left-most division line.
    • Type text to enter a static text value.
    • Click the location for the text.
    • Type 0 and click outside the text object.
    • Select and drag the text object over the zero division line.
  4. Specify the division length.

    Without specifying the length of each division, AutoCAD Map 3D toolset cannot calculate the ratio between the viewport and the scale bar.

    • In the Block Editor, click Action Parameters panelLinear.

      This option is also available on the Block Authoring palette.

    • Draw the linear parameter between two divisions.

      It does not matter which two you select, as long as they are major divisions and not fractional divisions.

    • Right-click the resulting parameter and click Properties.

      You can also type PROPERTIES at the Command prompt.

    • In the Properties palette, under Property Labels, change the Distance Name to Map.ScaleBar.Division.Length.

      AutoCAD Map 3D toolset uses this parameter to calculate the ratio between the viewport scale and the scale bar.

    • To avoid displaying this property, under Misc in the Properties palette, change Show Properties to No.
    • To avoid displaying the grips for this property, change Number of Grips to 0.
  5. Set the units for block.
    • With the Properties palette still displayed, press Esc until nothing is selected.
    • Under Block in the Properties palette, specify the units used for the scale bar.

      For example, if the scale will be one inch: one mile, specify inches as the unit.

  6. Optionally, display a label for the units used in the map.

    You can display a label that specifies the unit of measurement used in the map, for example, feet or meters. The actual units display when you add the scale bar to a map whose units are set.

    • In the Block Editor, click Action Parameters panelAttribute Definition.
    • In the Edit Attribute Definition dialog box, enter the Tag value Map.ScaleBar.Units.Label.

      You can specify the text style, size, and other parameters if desired. Then click OK. A ghosted image of the label appears at your cursor position.

    • Click to position the label wherever you want it to appear, relative to the scale bar.
  7. Optionally, display a label for the scale ratio.

    Scale ratio is an absolute scale value that does not specify units. It represents the relationship (a ratio) between a length measurement on paper and its corresponding distance on the ground, for example, 1:10000. When you insert the scale bar in a display map, it will display the current scale ratio.

    • In the Block Editor, click Action Parameters panelAttribute Definition.
    • In the Edit Attribute Definition dialog box, enter the Tag value Map.ScaleBar.ScaleRatio.

      You can specify the text style, size, and other parameters if desired. Then click OK. A ghosted image of the label appears at your cursor position.

    • Click to position the label wherever you want it to appear, relative to the scale bar.
  8. Resize the scale bar block proportionally for a particular plot.

    Use the Scale option to control the size of entities within the scale bar block. You can adjust the scale of the scale bar block to show a specific division length for plot paper.

    • In the Block Authoring Palette, select Scale.
    • Select the Map.ScaleBar.Division.Length parameter.
    • When prompted to select the objects to control, select all entities in the block.

      The action will scale all graphics and text in the scale bar block.

  9. Save the block and close the Block Editor.

    You can load your custom block when you insert a scale bar. The parameters and attributes are interpreted when you insert the scale bar. They are replaced with actual values. You can adjust the scale bar using the Properties palette or the Scale Bar Properties dialog box.

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