Creating blocks

The BLOCK command groups existing entities into a block using a dialog box.

The -BLOCK command creates blocks from existing entities and prompts you in the command bar.

The BEDIT and BCLOSE commands create or edit blocks in a temporary drawing session.

The WBLOCK command writes blocks and other drawing parts to a separate drawing file (short for "write block").

The PASTEBLOCK command pastes entities from the Clipboard as a block in the current drawing.

The SECTIONPLANETOBLOCK command saves the selected section plane result to a 2D cross section / elevation block or a 3D cutaway section block.

To create a block

  1. Optionally select entities for the block.
  2. Launch the BLOCK command.

    The Block Definition dialog box appears:

  3. Type a name for the new block in the Name field.
  4. Do one of the following to specify the Base Point:
    • Check the Specify On-screen option.

      You will be prompted to specify the base point after clicking the OK button.

    • Click the Pick point button ().

      The Block Definition dialog closes temporarily to let you pick a point in the drawing.

    • Type the coordinates of the base point in the X-, Y- and Z-field.
  5. The number of preselected entities in step 1 is indicated.
    To select the more entities for the new block, do one of the following:
    • Select the entities before starting the BLOCK command.
    • Check the Specify On-screen option.

      You will be prompted to select the entities after clicking the OK button.

    • Click the Select entities button ().

      The Block Definition dialog closes temporarily to let select the entities in the drawing.

  6. Set the block properties:
    • Annotative: creates an annotative block.
    • Match block orientation to layout: if checked, the orientation of an annotative block is preserved in a rotated viewport.
    • Scale uniformly: if checked, the X-, Y- and Z-scaling cannot be set differently.
    • Allow exploding: if not checked, prevents the block from being exploded.
    • Block unit: sets the insertion unit for the block (see also: Inserting Blocks).
  7. Set the behavior of the selected entities after the block is created:
    • Retain: The selected entities remain in the drawing.
    • Convert to block: The selected entities are replaced by the newly created block.
    • Delete: The selected entities are deleted.
  8. Click the OK button to create the block.
Note:
  • If the Delete option in step 6 was set, the OOPS command brings back the erased block entities.
  • If you type a name of an existing block in step 3, you will be prompted to overwrite the existing block definition. Existing block instances will be replaced with the new block definition.

To save a block to a separate file

  1. Optionally select entities for the block.
  2. Launch the WBLOCK command.

    The Write Block to File dialog box opens.

  3. Click the browse button next to the Name and path field.

    The Save Block dialog box is displayed.

  4. Select a folder and type a name in the File name field, then click the Save button.

    The Save Block dialog closes.

  5. Insert units: sets the value of the INSUNITS system variable for the block file.

    By default this is the INSUNITS value of the source drawing.

  6. The number of preselected entities in step 1 is indicated.

    To select the more entities for the new block, do one of the following:

    • Click the Block radio button, then select a block from the drop-down list.
    • Click the Entire Drawing radio button, to select all the entities in the model space of the current drawing.
    • Click the Entities radio button, then click the Select Entities button.

      The Write Block to File dialog temporarily closes to let you select entities in the drawing.

      Right click to stop selecting entities.

  7. Click the Pick point button () to define the Base point of the new drawing

    or

    Type the coordinates of the base point in the X-, Y- and Z-field.

  8. Set the behavior of the selected entities after the block is created:
    • Retain: The selected entities remain in the drawing.
    • Convert to block: The selected entities are replaced by the newly created block.
    • Delete: The selected entities are deleted.
  9. Click the OK button to create the drawing file.
Note: If the Delete option in step 7 was set, the OOPS command brings back the erased block entities.