BLOCKCONVERT command

Converts an AutoCAD® Dynamic Block into a BricsCAD Parametric Block.

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Alias: PBLOCKASSIST, PARAMETRICBLOCKASSIST

Description

Converts AutoCAD® Dynamic Blocks into BricsCAD Parametric Blocks. When the command is launched, the Block Convert dialog box displays.

Method

In most common cases, the following dynamic block features are supported for conversion: visibility actions, one-grip stretch and one-grip move actions, chained actions, flip action, rotate action, array action, alignment action parameter, lookup action, with history-dependent actions, linear parameters with two grip points, one of which is not used, and block table feature.

Note: The history of the dynamic blocks will be lost during the conversion to parametric blocks. A warning message about the possible different look of converted block references will be displayed.

Each AutoCAD® Dynamic Block feature is reconstructed to one or several BricsCAD Parametric Block features: visibility states, parametric move operation, parametric stretch operation, linked behavior of parametric move and stretch operations, parametric rotate operation, parametric flip operation, reference curves, design tables, parameter formulas, and associative arrays.

Once the Block Convert dialog box is displayed, all AutoCAD® Dynamic Blocks of the current drawing are listed. Tick all blocks to convert and specify conversion details (location, suffix).

Preselect dynamic block references by selecting the blocks before launching the BLOCKCONVERT command. The dynamic block definitions behind the selected references will be automatically selected in the Block Convert dialog box, and the option to convert references will be automatically toggled.

The Block Convert dialog box allows you to select the AutoCAD® Dynamic Blocks in the current drawing to be converted to BricsCAD Parametric Blocks.

  1. List of blocks
  2. Preview
  3. Details for
  4. Output options
  5. Block name suffix
List of blocks
All AutoCAD® Dynamic blocks that are present in the current drawing are listed here. Individually check the blocks you want to convert to BricsCAD Parametric Blocks or check all by ticking the Select all option.
Note: Blocks that cannot be converted or can be partially converted are marked with a red or yellow warning sign respectively.
Preview
Displays a preview of the currently selected block in the list.
Details for
Displays information on whether the selected block can be converted or not. If the block cannot be converted, the features that are not supported are listed.
Some blocks can be converted with partial loss of information. In this case warning messages are shown in the details section.
Output options
Convert blocks to this file
Converts the dynamic blocks into the parametric blocks inside the current file.
Replace block references
If checked, all references to the selected dynamic blocks will be replaced with references to parametric blocks. All parameter values will be preserved.
Note: This option is only available if the Export blocks to individual files in folder option is not checked.
Export blocks to individual files in folder
Check this box to export the converted blocks to the specified folder. Exporting blocks to the default C:\ProgramData\Bricsys\Components folder makes blocks accessible through the Library panel. Click the Browse... button that opens the Select a folder for saving exported blocks to specify a different folder.
Block name suffix
Allows you to modify the default block name suffix. The last used name for suffix is remembered.