About Defining Blocks

About Defining Blocks

You can create blocks by associating objects and giving them a name or by creating a drawing to be used as a block. 

Block Definitions

Whenever you create a block or insert a drawing as a block, all of the block information in the block definition, which includes its geometry, layers, colors, linetypes, and block attribute objects, is stored within the drawing file as non-graphic information. Every block you insert is a block reference to a block definition. Block references are often simply called blocks. 

Blocks can be created and saved in several places: 
  1. Within a drawing file intended for use only within that drawing. 
  2. Within a drawing template file intended for use by any drawing that starts with it. 
  3. As separate drawing files intended to be inserted into other drawings as blocks. 
  4. As multiple blocks within a drawing file intended to serve as a block library drawing to be accessed from other drawings. 
  5. As online block definitions provided by one of several vendors and services. These blocks are often associated with specific parts or products. 

Create a Block within a Drawing

A block definition typically includes the following information: 
  1. The block name. 
  2. Objects that are included. 
  3. A base point that is used for placing the block in a drawing. 
  4. Optionally, block attribute objects used to store data such as the part number, vendor name, service information, and so on. 

Create Drawing Files for Use as Blocks

You can create drawing files for the purpose of inserting them into other drawings as blocks. Individual drawing files are easy to create and manage as the source of block definitions. Related drawings can be stored in a folder as a library of blocks. 
  1. Specify the name of the block
  2. The drawing name serves as the name of the block. 
  3. Specify the base point of the drawing
  4. By default, the WCS (World Coordinate System) origin (0, 0, 0) is used as the base point for drawing files inserted as blocks. You can reset the base point to specify a different base point for insertion using the BASE command. 
  5. Create the objects  
  6. These objects typically include geometric objects, text, and block attribute objects. When you're finished, save the drawing in a folder with other drawings that you intend to use as blocks. 
There are several methods of creating blocks so that they inherit one or more properties such as layers, colors, or linetypes from the current setting. 
Objects in paper space are not included when you insert a drawing as a block. To transfer paper space objects to another drawing, save the objects as a block or save them in a separate drawing file, and then insert the block or drawing file into the other drawing. 

Work with a Block Library Drawing

You can create collections of related blocks with the BLOCK command and store them in a dedicated drawing file called a  block library drawing. You can then insert these blocks individually from any other drawing. If you insert the entire block library drawing file into the current drawing, all of its block definitions are added automatically to the current drawing. 

Create Nested Blocks

Block references that are included in a block definition are called  nested blocks. Using blocks within blocks can simplify the organization of a complex block definition. 

Blocks that try to reference themselves are called  circular references and are not allowed. 

Work with Commercial Blocks

With online access, you can download AutoCAD drawing files from the web sites of commercial vendors and suppliers. This option can save you a significant amount of time creating the blocks yourself, but always check to make sure that these drawings are drawn correctly and to scale. 
Powered by  AutoCAD ®
    • Related Articles

    • About Blocks

      Blocks are compound objects that are commonly used for symbols, parts, detail views, and title blocks.  A block is one or more objects combined to create a single object. The following are some examples of blocks inserted into drawings.  Using blocks ...
    • About Inserting Blocks

      Save time and control the drawing size by inserting references to a set of objects that have been combined to form a block.  Sources of Block Definitions You can insert blocks from these sources:  Blocks defined in the current drawing.  Other drawing ...
    • AutoCAD Keyboard Commands

      Learning how to use AutoCAD keyboard commands can help you work faster and improve your efficiency. This article lists the abbreviated commands that can be used in AutoCAD (Toolbox). Toggle General Features Ctrl+G Toggle Grid Ctrl+E Cycle isometric ...
    • Understanding the Blocks Palette

      Blocks can be inserted into a drawing with the Blocks Palette, the Tool Palettes window, or Design Center, depending on which of these tools best suits the user's needs. This article focuses on the Blocks Palette. To access the Blocks Palette, enter ...
    • About Comparing Differences Between Drawings in AutoCAD

      Compare the current drawing either to a different drawing or compare it to a previous version of your drawing as maintained on a supported cloud account. As your design progresses, it becomes more difficult to remember what was changed from one ...
    • Recent Articles

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1105.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1105.641 Nesting Fix Fig. 1: The fatal error that would occur during processing. There was reportedly an issue that occurred when clients attempted to process a work order using the nesting ...
    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.1025

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.1025. Additions Added new global variable “Remove Stop Dado On Bottom Edge” for wood drawer boxes. Check this option to run the dado through at the bottom of the sub front ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1030.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1030.641 Routing and Profile Fixes Several issues were found with routing and polyline paths: Fig. 1: Horizontal routes off of a part disappearing (left) and appearing correctly (right). When ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1010.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1010.641 Biesse Winstore Fix Several issues with the Biesse Winstore plugin have been resolved: There was an issue that would sometimes occur wherein materials that were intended to stack wound ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1001.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1001.641 HBore Toolfile Fix Fig. 1: The location in the Toolfile UI where the error would occur. There was an issue reported with the functionality of the Horizontal Boring Machine setting in ...