Inserting blocks

The INSERT command lets you insert blocks through a dialog box.

The -INSERT command inserts blocks by prompting in the Command line. BricsCAD searches the block name in the block definitions in the current drawing. If the block is not found in the current drawing, the paths defined by the SRCHPATH system variable are searched. If the block is not found there either, BricsCAD responds 'Could not find file <blockname>'.

The INSERTALIGNED command inserts a block entity, with easy alignment on existing entities. The INSERTALIGNED command is similar to the INSERT command, but during the placement the block dynamically aligns with existing lines, polylines, arcs or circles. The block aligns with the entity to which the cursor snaps. If no entity is snapped, the block is aligned with the X-axis of the WCS.

The MINSERT command inserts a block as a rectangular array; combines the -INSERT and ARRAY commands (short for "multiple insertion").

You can choose to select an existing block definition or to insert an entire drawing as a block. When you insert a drawing, a new block definition is created in the current drawing. If you change the original drawing file, those changes have no effect on the current drawing unless you redefine the block by reinserting the changed drawing. When a block is inserted in a drawing, it is treated as a single entity.

Note:
  • When inserting a drawing as a block the origin is defined by the INSBASE system variable of the inserted drawing. The variable is set by the BASE command.
  • If a block contains attributes, you will be prompted to fill out the text for each attribute in the Command line.
  • If the DRAGOPEN system variable is set to zero (OFF), drawings can be inserted as a block by dragging them from the Windows Explorer dialog into the current drawing; if DRAGOPEN = 1 (ON), the drawing will be opened instead.
  • The INSUNITS and INSUNITSSCALING system variables control the automatic scaling when inserting blocks or attaching Xrefs when the value of INSUNITS is different in the block or Xref and the target drawing.
  • If the value of INSUNITS in the source drawing is 0 (Unspecified), the value of the INSUNITSDEFSOURCE system variable is used instead.
  • If the value of INSUNITS in the target drawing is 0 (Unspecified), the value of the INSUNITSDEFTARGET system variable is used instead.
  • The values of INSUNITSDEFSOURCE and INSUNITSDEFTARGET are saved in the registry and therefore apply to all drawings in which the value of the INSUNITS system variable is not specified (unitless).
  • When you type the name of a block at the ‘Block to insert:’ prompt, BricsCAD will look up the block in the block definitions in the current drawing. If the block is not found there, the paths defined by the SRCHPATH system variable are searched. If the block is not found there either, BricsCAD responds 'Could not find file <blockname>'.
In the Insert Block dialog box:
  • The Unit field under Block Unit is set by the INSUNITS system variable in the source drawing or the Block Unit property of a block definition (see Creating Blocks).
  • The Factor field expresses the relation between the value of the INSUNITS variable in the source drawing and the target drawing. E.g. if INSUNITS is Millimeters in the source and Centimeters in the target, the value of the Factor field is 0.1 and if INSUNITS is Millimeters in the source and in the target, the value of the Factor field is 1.

Using the INSERT command

  1. Launch the INSERT command.

    The Insert Block dialog box appears.

  2. Do one of the following:
    • Select an existing block definition in the Name list.

      The name of the selected block is displayed in the Name field.

    • Click the Browse button and select a drawing file.

      The path field shows the location of the selected drawing.

  3. (option) Check the User reference curves for insert option.
  4. Set the Insertion Point, Scale and Rotation modes.

    The options are:

    • Specify the settings in the Insert Block dialog.
    • Specify On-screen: You will be prompted during the insertion process.
  5. (option) Check the Explode option to explode the block upon insertion.
  6. Click the OK button.

    You will be prompted in accordance with the selected options.

To insert a block using the Drawing Explorer dialog box

Inserting blocks from the current drawing.

  1. Launch the EXPBLOCKS command.

    The Drawing Explorer – Blocks dialog box appears.

  2. (option) Set the view mode: Detail or Icon.
  3. (option) Select a block, then right click and choose Options… in the context menu.

    The Drawing Explorer Options dialog box appears.

    Set the insertion options, then click the OK button.

  4. Double click the block icon or the number when in Detail View mode.

    The Drawing Explorer dialog closes to let you insert the block in the drawing.

  5. Specify the insertion point.
    • Depending on the current insertion options, you are prompted to specify the scale and/or rotation.
    • When the Align option is selected, you must specify the position of the block with respect to the selected linear entity.

      You are prompted: Enter block mirroring control point:

    The Drawing Explorer dialog box reopens.

Inserting blocks from another drawing.
  1. Open the Drawings Explorer dialog box.
  2. In the Drawings pane, click the Folders tab.
  3. (option) If no folder are available yet in the Local Folders tree, or if you want to add a folder, click the Add local folder… button.

    The Choose a folder dialog box appears.

    Browse to the folder you want to add, then click the Select Folder button.

    The folder and its subfolders are added in the Local Folders tree.

  4. Select a drawing in the Local Folders tree.
  5. Expand the drawing, then select Blocks.

    All blocks in the selected drawing are displayed in the Blocks pane.

  6. Proceed from step 2 in the previous procedure.

To insert a block aligned with an entity

  1. Make sure the appropriate Entity Snaps are active.
  2. Launch the INSERTALIGNED command.

    You are prompted: Block to insert (~ to open file dialog) or [? to list blocks in drawing] <current block>:

  3. Do one of the following:
    • Press Enter to accept the currently selected block.
    • Type the name of the block to insert.
    • Press the ? key to see a list of available blocks.

    You are prompted: Insertion point for block or [Scale/X scale/Y scale/Z scale/Multiple blocks]:

  4. (option) Choose the Multiple blocks option or specify a fixed scale.
  5. Specify a point.

    The block displays the selected entity snap point, aligned with the linear entity.

    You are prompted: Enter block mirroring control point:

  6. Move the cursor to select the desired position, then click to insert the block.
Note: The block is aligned as follows:

The block is rotated so that its local Z-axis is parallel with the Z-axis of the active UCS, and its local X-axis should be parallel with the tangent to the entity at the position of the snap point. When you click a point on an entity, the block is aligned with the entity. Then, by moving the mouse pointer around the insertion point, you can choose how the block should be mirrored. The origin point of the block lies on the entity.

To insert multiple instances of a block in a rectangular array

  1. Launch the MINSERT command.

    You are prompted: Block to insert (~ to open file dialog) or [? to list blocks in drawing] <current block>:

  2. Do one of the following:
    • Press Enter to accept the currently selected block.
    • Type the name of the block to insert.
    • Press the ? key to see a list of available blocks.

    You are prompted: Insertion point for block or [Scale/X scale/Y scale/Z scale/Multiple blocks]:

  3. (option) Choose the Multiple blocks option or specify a fixed scale.
  4. Specify a point.

    You are prompted: Rotation angle for block <0°0'0">:

  5. Press Enter to accept the default rotation angle or specify an angle.

    You are prompted: Number of rows in the array <1>:

  6. Specify a number.

    You are prompted: Number of columns <1>:

  7. Specify a number.

    You are prompted: Vertical distance between rows, or spacing rectangle:

  8. Do one of the following:
    • Specify a value.

      You are prompted: Horizontal distance between columns:

      Specify a value.

    • Click two point to specify a rectangle, which sets the horizontal and vertical spacing distances.

    The block is inserted as a Minsert Block entity.

Note:
  • When you choose Multiple blocks in step 3, you are prompted to create multiple instances of the block array.
  • It is not possible to explode a MInsert Block entity.
  • You can edit the properties of a MInsert Block entity in the Properties panel.