Using Blockify



The Blockify tool enables you to automatically convert repetitive sets of entities to block definitions. Select a set of 2D entities or 3D solids and BricsCAD searches the drawing for identical sets of entities and automatically replaces them by block references.

For more information about this command, visit the BLOCKIFY Command Reference article.

Blockify from a selected input

  1. Launch the BLOCKIFY command.

    You are prompted: Select source entities or [match Equal solids/match existing Blocks/Settings/selection options (?)] <match Equal solids>:

  2. Select the entities you want to convert into a block and press Enter.

    Entities selected: xx

    You are prompted: Select source entities or [Settings/selection options (?)]:

  3. Select more entities or press Enter or right click to stop selecting.

    You are prompted: Select block insertion point or [use Default point] <use Default point>:

  4. Identify the insertion point for the block.

    You are prompted: Select search space or [Entire drawing/selection options (?)] <Entire drawing>:

  5. Press Enter or right click to search the entire drawing.

    You are prompted: Specify block name or <ENTER to use default name>:

  6. Type a name for the block, then press Enter.

    BricsCAD reports:

    Duration of finding similar groups: x.xx sec

    Number of block inserts: xx

Note: Depending on the value of the BLOCKIFYMODE system variable, some prompts are suppressed and defaults are used for the insertion point, search space and/or block name.

Existing block definitions

One of the aims of the BLOCKIFY command is to automatically add and improve the structure of a model. If the model already contains block definitions, the existing block definitions are checked.

  • Use a selected input set of entities: When one of the existing block definitions matches the BLOCKIFY input set, no definition will be created. All instances of the input will be replaced by block references to the existing block definition.
  • Match existing blocks: The entire drawing, or selection set, is searched for matching geometry in existing block definitions. As such, repeated geometry corresponding to a block definition is replaced by block references to existing definition(s). This option allows to recreate block instances that were exploded accidentally.

Combining duplicate block definitions

Identical block definitions can be combined into a single one and optionally purge the duplicate using the OVERKILL command.
  1. Launch the OVERKILL command.

    You are prompted: Select entities or [Combine duplicate block definitions/selection options (?)]:

  2. Choose the Combine duplicate block definitions option.

    The Combine duplicate block definitions dialog box appears.

  3. (option) Select the properties to ignore.
  4. (option) Tick the Purge duplicate block definitions option.
  5. Click the OK button.

    BricsCAD reports:

    • Number of duplicate block definitions found
    • Names of duplicate block definitions
    • Purged block definitions