Inserts blocks into the current drawing through a dialog box, and then prompts for attribute values, if any; also inserts entire DWG and DXF files as blocks into the drawing.
Accessing the Command
command bar: insert
aliases: i, ddinsert
menu bar: Insert | Insert Block
ribbon: Insert | Blocks
toolbar: Insert |
Quad: Insert
: Insert
Displays a dialog box:
Enter options, and then click OK.
If the block contains attributes, then you are prompted to enter values for the attributes in the command bar or through a dialog box -- depending on the value of the the value of the ATTDIA (attribute dialog) variable.
Command Options
Option |
Description |
Name |
Specifies the name of the block, whose definition exists in the drawing, or is a DWG or DFX file on the computer or network: To choose a block in the drawing:
Blocks are created with the Block command. |
Browse |
Selects a DWG or DXF file from your computer or network:
|
Path |
Reports the path to the block, if the block was opened from a DWG or DXF file. |
Insertion Point |
Specifies the insertion point of the block in the drawing. Insertion points are typically chosen at the lower-left corner of the block, in the center of the block, or at entity in the block that represents a connection point. |
Specify On-screen |
Toggles where you specify the insertion coordinates:
Insertion point - (specify the x,y or x,y,z coordinates of the block's lower left corner) |
X |
Specify the X-, Y- and Z- coordinates of the block's insertion point. The Z coordinate is typically left at 0 for 2D blocks. |
Scale |
Scales the block:
|
Specify On-screen |
Toggles where you specify the scale factors:
Scale factor - (specify the scale factor.) |
X |
Defines the scaling of the block:
|
Uniform Scale |
Toggles whether or not the same scale factor is used for all axes:
|
Rotation Angle |
Specifies the rotation angle of the block about its insertion point, starting with the x-axis as 0 degrees:
|
Specify On-screen |
Toggles where you specify the rotation angle:
Rotation angle - (specify the angle.) |
Explode |
Toggles whether the block is inserted exploded:
|
Block Unit |
Controls the automatic scaling of the block with respect to the INSUNITS system variable of the current drawing. |
Unit |
Shows the INSUNITS setting of the inserted block or drawing. |
Factor |
Shows the calculated scaling factor with respect to the INSUNITS setting of the inserted block (or drawing) and the current drawing. |
Attribute Options |
Description |
ATTDIA = on |
When the block contains attributes, the program prompts you to enter values for each attribute. Whether it displays a dialog box or prompts you at the command line depends on the AttDia variable. When AttDia=on, displays a dialog box:
To accept the default value for all attributes, simply click OK. |
ATTDIA = OFF |
When AttDia=off (default), the program prompts you in the command bar: Attribute Prompt <default value> - (Type a new value at the command prompt, or else press Enter to accept the default value.) |
Grips Editing
Blocks can be edited directly through grips:
-
Select the block. Notice that it has one grip located at the insertion point.
-
Drag the grip to move the block.
Procedures
- General procedure to insert a block
- To insert a block
- To insert a block using the Drawing Explorer
- To insert a block aligned with an entity
- Placing blocks with attributes
Related Commands
AttDef - defines attributes through a dialog box.
-AttDef - defines attributes through the command bar.
AttRedef - redefines a block and updates associated attributes.
AttSync - synchronizes attribute definitions in all block references of a specified block definition.
BattMan - manages the attributes of a block definition.
Block and -Block - create blocks from attribute definitions and entities.
EAttEdit - edits attribute values and most properties.
Explode - reduces attributes to tags.
Field - inserts a field in a multiline text, table cell or attribute.
-Insert - insert blocks and prompts for attribute values through the command bar.
InsertAligned - inserts blocks repeatedly, and inserts mirrored blocks.
MInsert - inserts a block as a rectangular array
PasteBlock - pastes entities from the Clipboard as blocks.
Pdfattach - inserts a PDF file as an underlay into the current drawing; displays dialog boxes.
-PdfAttach - inserts a PDF file as an underlay into the current drawing; displays prompts in the command bar.
PdfImport - imports a pdf and converts the content to dwg entities.
Properties - edits attribute values and properties.
RefEdit - edits blocks and attributes in-place.
ResetBlock - resets dynamic blocks to default values.
WBlock - writes blocks and other drawing parts to files on disk.
XAttach - attaches externally-referenced drawings through a dialog box.