Insert Block dialog box

The Insert Block dialog box allows you to insert parametric blocks into the current drawing. You can also insert entire DWG and DXF files as blocks into the drawing.

Note: If the block contains attributes, then you are prompted to enter values for the attributes in the Command line or through Edit Attributes dialog box, depending on the value of the ATTDIA system variable.
  1. Name
  2. Browse
  3. Path
  4. Insert external reference
  5. Insertion Point
  6. Scale
  7. Rotation
  8. Block unit
  9. Advanced settings

Name

Specifies the name of the block, whose definition exists in the drawing, or is a DWG or DXF file on the computer or network.

Browse

Selects a DWG or DXF file from your computer or network. Opens the Select Drawing File dialog box.

Path

Displays the path to the block, if the block was opened from a DWG or DXF file.

Insert external reference

Toggles whether the block is inserted as a local or external reference.

Insertion Point

Specifies the insertion point of the block in the drawing.

Scale

Scales the block:

  • X, Y, Z: Defines the scaling of the block:
    • X specifies the scale factor along the x axis. Enter a negative value to mirror the block about the y axis.
    • Y specifies the scale factor along the y axis. Enter a negative value to mirror the block about the x axis.
    • Z specifies the scale factor along the z axis.
  • Uniform Scale: Toggles whether the same scale factor is used for all axes.
Note:
  • Values larger than 1 make the block larger.
  • 1 inserts the block at actual size.
  • Values smaller than 1 make the block smaller.
  • Values less than zero flip the block, like mirroring it.

Rotation

Specifies the rotation angle of the block about its insertion point, starting with the x-axis as 0 degrees.

Note: Positive angles rotate the block counter-clockwise and negative angles rotate the block clockwise.

Block unit

Controls the automatic scaling of the block with respect to the INSUNITS system variable of the current drawing.

Advanced settings

Displays the available advanced settings.

Show dynamic dimensions
Toggles whether to show in the drawing dynamic dimensions.
Insert Sheet Metal Form Feature
Toggles whether to insert sheet metal form feature. The Insert Sheet Metal Form Feature option is available only if the Model Space contains SM flanges.
Insert BIM Component
Toggles whether to insert BIM Components.
Note: The Insert BIM Component option is available only if the Model Space contains BIM entities.
Explode
Toggles whether to insert the exploded block.
Insert as anchor
Anchors a block to a face of a solid. This anchor links the block to the face. The block will stay on the face when the host solid is moved or edited.

Command line options

Edit inserted entity
Enables you to change the parameter expressions for the inserted entity. Continue editing individual parameters until you press FINISH to end the option. This option is also available in the Hot Key Assistant.
Enter the parameter name or press ENTER to continue
Specifies the name of the parameter.
Enter expression
Specifies the expression for the parameter.
FINISH
Finishes the editing of individual parameters.
SMART insert
Enables you to connect a Piping standard part to an existing Piping standard part. It automatically creates appropriate 3D constraints between the two parts and copies expressions for the parameters of the existing part to the new part. This option is also available in the Hot Key Assistant.
Rotate component
Allows you to change the rotation angle for the inserted entity.
set Base point
Allows you to change the base point for the inserted entity.
Note: By default is <0,0,0>.
Flip
Allows you to flip the direction for the inserted entity.
Multiple
Enables you to insert multiple copies of the same entity by specifying an insertion point for each instance or creating an Array.
Note: Continue inserting entities until you press Enter to end the command.
Array
Enables you to create an associative array of the inserted entity by specifying the base point, distance between columns, distance between rows and end point of the array.
Direction
Allows you to select an existing axial entity to define the direction.
2Points
Selects two points to define the direction.
Xaxis
Selects the X axis as direction.
Yaxis
Selects the Y axis as direction.
Single row
Distributes entity copies into a single row.
Rectangular
Distributes entity copies into any number of rows.
Columns
Specifies the number of the columns.
Rows
Specifies the number of the rows.
Placement
Sets the distance between the entities.
Accept
Accepts the resulting array.
Scale
Allows you to scales the inserted block.
X scale
Allows you to scales the inserted block on X axis.
Y scale
Allows you to scales the inserted block on X axis.
Z scale
Allows you to scales the inserted block on X axis.
Name
Allows you to change the instance name for the inserted entity.
insertion Type
Specifies the insertion type.
Local
Inserts the block as local component.
External
Inserts the block as external reference.
Change target 3d solids
Allows you to apply the inserted entity to existing 3D solids in the current drawing.
Select target 3D solids
Selects the target 3D solids.
Select all affected 3d solids
All solids intersecting or touching solids in the BC_SUBTRACT and BC_UNITE layers of the inserted entity are affected.
Clear
Clears the selection set to ensure no solids are affected by the inserted entity.