ENGT 122 CAD I

Chapter 14 - Blocks
 Whats a Block?
Block - A group of objects combined to create a
single object.

Can be named and saved for later retrieval (BLOCK).

Can be repeatedly inserted into a drawing at any

time (INSERT).

Comprised of any number of objects, but treated as

a single object that can be easily moved, rotated,
scaled, and copied.
 Whats a Block?

Individual objects comprising a block can be

recovered using the EXPLODE command.

An inserted Block is referred to as a Block

Reference.

Once created, a block can be modified (redefined),

and all inserted block references will update
accordingly.

Blocks can be nested within another block.

 Some Advantages of Blocks

Allows a previously created drawing or portion of a

drawing to be reused in the same drawing or another
drawing without recreating it.

Allows extensive libraries of symbols and parts to be

created, stored, and accessed at any time.
Reduces drawing time.

Assures standardized symbol conventions and part

dimensions within the organization.

 Some Advantages of Blocks

Greatly simplifies drawing changes.

Example: an assembly has 150 similar bolts. If
the bolt specification changes, the block
definition can be easily edited and the assembly
will update to reflect the change on all bolts.

Greatly reduces drawing file size. The objects

comprising a block are only stored once, during
definition of the block. Each block insertion is
merely a reference to the original block definition
(ex: 500 block insertions of a bolt require little
more storage requirements than a single bolt).
 Block Example:
Standardized electrical symbol library can be
created from Block entities and later used to
create circuit diagrams.
 DEMO 1:

Load file Demo1.dwg.

Show example of electrical symbol Block
insertion
 Learning Objectives
Create blocks with the BLOCK command.
Insert blocks with the INSERT command.

Split a block into individual objects using the

EXPLODE command.
Learn to redefine a block.

Create drawing files using the WBLOCK

command.
Redefine the insertion base point for a drawing.

Rename blocks and purge unused blocks.

 Creating Blocks
Step 1: Create the objects to be grouped in the block
using AutoCAD drawing commands, but note;
When inserted, each entity in the block will retain the
properties of the layer it was created in or inherit the
properties of the current layer according to table below:
If you want objects in a Create objects on Create objects with
block to: these layers these properties
Retain original properties
Any but 0 (zero) Any but BYBLOCK
and layer when inserted
Inherit properties and
layer from the layer 0 (zero) BYLAYER
current during insert
Retain original layer but
Layer you want
inherit specific individual
inserted block to BYBLOCK
properties according to
be placed on
current property settings
 Creating Blocks
Step 2: Make sure the objects to be placed in the block
are visible. Then, issue the Make Block Command using
command line, drop down menu, or toolbar.
Command: BLOCK

All methods
bring up Block
Definition
dialog box.

Draw Toolbar
Block Definition Dialog Box
 DEMO 2:

Open file Demo2.dwg.

Create some geometry.

Demonstrate Make Block Commands and

Block Definition dialog box;

BLOCK
 Exercise 1:
Start a new drawing using an English template.
Set the current layer to Layer 0 and then create the
simplified bolt shown (without dimensions). When
inserted, this block will inherit the properties of
whichever layer is current.
Using the bolt geometry, create a

block named BOLT.

The base point should be at the

location indicated.
Use the Delete option for

the selected objects. Base Point

at midpoint
Save your file as Ex1.dwg.

You will need it later.

 Inserting Blocks
Step 3 Once created, the block is stored locally in
the current drawing file.
To insert a copy of the block, the INSERT command

can be used.
Set the current layer and/or adjust settings in the
Properties toolbar before using INSERT;
Each block object will be placed on the current layer.

All block objects created on Layer 0 will inherit

properties from the current layer.

All block objects created with Properties set to
BYBLOCK will inherit specific individual properties
according to current property settings.
 Inserting Blocks

A Block is inserted using the

INSERT command;
Command: INSERT

Insert dialog box appears

Draw
Toolbar:
Insert Block
 Inserting Blocks
Insert dialog box allows;
A predefined block to be inserted, or

A drawing file to be inserted as a block.

 DEMO 3:

Show the INSERT command using block

made in Demo 2. Illustrate inserting;
A predefined block

An external file Demo3.dwg (title

block) as a block.
 Exercise 2A:
Use the same drawing file from Exercise 1 (Ex1.dwg)
and create the geometry shown using a new layer
called JOINT with color = Magenta (no dimensions).
Then create a new layer called BOLTBLOCK using

color = Green, linetype = continuous, linewight = 0.7.

Set the current layer to Layer BOLTBLOCK.
 Exercise 2B:
Use the INSERT command to insert 3 copies of your
block named BOLT as shown below.
Notice the blocks inherit the properties of the

current layer (BOLTBLOCK ). Why?

Save your file as Ex2.dwg. You will need this later.
 Editing Block Definitions
A bock is treated as a single object, but is comprised
of multiple objects.
To make a change in a block, it must first be
Exploded to divide it into its components.
Use the INSERT command
with the Explode option to
insert the block in an
exploded state, or
Or use the EXPLODE

command on a previously
inserted block.

Command: EXPLODE
DDMenu: Modify > Explode
Modify Toolbar: Explode
 Editing Block Definitions
Once in the exploded state, the individual objects
comprising the block can be edited and modified.
After making the required changes, the block can be

Redefined as follows;
Reissue the BLOCK command.

Reselect the objects comprising the block.

Provide the original block name AutoCAD will

issue a warning, Block is already defined, Do you

want to redefine it? Select YES.
The block is now redefined and incorporates the
changes you made. All blocks inserted previously with
this name will update accordingly! Wowee!
 DEMO 4:

Open Demo4.dwg.
Insert an exploded version of diode.

Redefine diode and view update.

Insert a non-exploded version of resistor.

Use EXPLODE to explode resistor.

Redefine resistor and view update.

 Exercise 3A:
If not currently open, reopen drawing Ex2.dwg which
you saved in the previous exercise.
Away from the existing objects, insert a copy of your
block named BOLT using the Explode option.
Use STRETCH to increase the length of the exploded

bolt by 2.
Then Set the current layer to layer 0 and add some
simple threads using COPY or ARRAY.

Exploded
Bolt block
 Exercise 3B:
Use the modified bolt geometry to redefine your
block called BOLT. Use the Retain option for
selected objects, and use the same base point as
previously.
Respond YES to the message Bolt already defined,

do you want to redefine it?

Your bolts should all update by increasing in length.

Base Point
at midpoint
End Lesson 30
 Block Layers

Review of Layers as pertaining to blocks:

If you want objects in a Create objects Create objects with

block to: on these layers these properties
Retain original properties
Any but 0 (zero) Any but BYBLOCK
and layer when inserted
Inherit properties and
layer from the layer 0 (zero) BYLAYER
current during insert
Retain original layer but
Layer you want
inherit specific individual
inserted block to BYBLOCK
properties according to
be placed on
current property settings
 DEMO 5:

Open file Demo5.dwg.

Show how object creation layer affects
block insert properties and layer.
 Nested Blocks

Nested Block If the BLOCK command is issued

to create a block, and another block is selected as
one of the objects, a nested block is formed (one
within another).

The depth of nesting is unlimited.

 DEMO 6:

Load Demo6.dwg.
Show Nested block.

Create a small circuit using existing

blocks.
Convert circuit into a larger block with
nesting.
 WBLOCKS
Blocks are stored locally in the drawing file they
were created in and are not directly accessible in
other drawings.
The WBLOCK command (called Write Block)

overcomes this deficiency.

Any drawing file can be inserted as a block.

WBLOCK glorified save command that creates

a drawing file from a portion of your current file.

selected objects

predefined block

or the entire drawing

These new drawing files can then be inserted as

blocks in any other drawing file.
 WBLOCKS
To Create a WBLOCK:
Command: WBLOCK Displays Write Block

dialog box.
 DEMO 7:

Load file Demo7.dwg.

Show the WBLOCK command using;

A predefined block

Entire drawing

Selected objects

Show WBLOCK insert.

 Exercise 4A:
Open a new drawing.
Create a layer called BLOCKS (any color & line type).

Make layer BLOCKS current, then set the Properties

Control for color, linetype, and lineweight to BYBLOCK.

Create the objects shown below without dimensions.
 Exercise 4B:
Create a Wblock named SmallBolt using the geometry
and base point indicated. Save it where you can find it!
Create a Wblock named BigBolt using the geometry and

base point indicated. Save it where you can find it!

Create a Wblock named nut using the geometry and

base point indicated. Save it where you can find it!

Save your file.

Base Point
at midpoint Base Point
at midpoint
Wblock named
SmallBolt
WBlock named
WBlock named Nut BigBolt

Base Point
 Exercise 4C:
Open a new drawing file and create the geometry
shown below (without dimensions).
Create a new layer called BOLT (any color & line type).

Make BOLT the current layer.

 Exercise 4D:
Set your Properties Controls as
shown below. Use INSERT to
Insert block SmallBolt shown in
green

Adjust Property controls as

shown below and Use INSERT
to Insert block Bigbolt shown in
yellow.

Adjust Property controls as

shown below and Use INSERT
to Insert two blocks nut shown
in red.
 Defining Base Points
When a drawing file (i.e. WBLOCK created by Entire
Drawing option) is used for block insertion, the base
point defaults to the drawing origin.

If the file is frequently used as a block, its desirable to

reset the base point to a specific location.

BASE command accomplishes this.

Open the drawing file to be used as a block.

Issue the BASE command;

Command: BASE
DDMenu: Draw > Block > Base
Select a new base point and resave the file.
 DEMO 8:

Open file Demo8A.dwg and show contents.

Then close it.
Open file Demo8B.dwg and Insert

Demo8A.dwg as a block with original BASE.

Edit the BASE in Demo8A.dwg using the
BASE command, then save it.
Insert Demo8A.dwg as a block with new

BASE.
 Editing WBlock Definitions

Redefining an externally referenced block (one from

another file) will update the block locally but not in
the source file.

WBLOCKS and Drawing files used as blocks should

be edited directly in the source file and re-saved.
 Renaming Blocks
A block can be renamed using the RENAME command:
Command: RENAME
DDMenu: Format > Rename
Rename dialog box
displays.
Select the name to
change.
Enter a new name and

pick the Rename To

button.
Select OK.

Rename can be used for

other entities too.

 DEMO 9:

Open Demo9.dwg.
Rename some of the blocks.

RENAME can be used for other entities.

 Deleting Unused Blocks
To remove unused blocks from the drawing use the
PURGE command.
DDMenu: File > Drawing Utilities > Purge
Command: PURGE
Purge dialog box displays.
Expand the tree labeled Blocks.

Only unused blocks will be

visible.
Non-purgable items can be

viewed by selecting view items PURGE can be

you cannot purge. used for other
entities too!
Nested blocks can be purged by
selecting Purge nested items.
 DEMO 10:

Open Demo10.dwg.
Delete all blocks then insert a couple blocks.

Show the PURGE command.

PURGE can be used for other entities.

 Exercise 5:
Create the objects shown. Then generate a block for
each using the name indicated and the Delete option.
Insert a copy of each block.

Rename the blocks as follows:

CIRCLEROUND; RECTANGLEBOX; HEXPOLYGON

Try to PURGE the blocks.

Delete the inserted blocks, then try PURGE again.

Block: CIRCLE Block: HEX

Block: RECTANGLE
End Lesson 31
End Lesson 32
The End
RETIRED
MATERIAL
 Creating Blocks
Step 1: Create the objects to be grouped in the block
using AutoCAD drawing commands, but note;
When inserted, each entity in the block will retain the
properties of the layer it was created in or inherit the
properties of the current layer according to table below:
If you want objects in a Create objects on Create objects with
block to: these layers these properties
Retain original properties
Any but 0 (zero) Any but BYBLOCK
and layer when inserted
Inherit properties and
layer from the layer 0 (zero) BYLAYER
current during insert
Retain original layer but
Layer you want
inherit specific individual
inserted block to BYBLOCK
properties according to
be placed on
current property settings
 Inserting Blocks
Affect of Scale Factor:
Block can be mirrored during insertion by using a
negative scale factor.
If X-Scale negative mirrors about Y-axis.

If Y-Scale negative mirrors about X-axis.

Basepoint
 Nested Blocks
Nested Block If the BLOCK command is issued
to create a block, and another block is selected as
one of the objects, a nested block is formed (one
within another).
The depth of nesting is unlimited.

Special rules for how layers, colors, and linetypes

are affected in a nested block:
If an inner block has objects on Layer 0, or
objects with linetype or color specified
BYBLOCK, the objects acquire the properties of
the first fixed layer encountered in a higher
level nest.
If no fixed layers are found, the Layer 0 and
BYBLOCK objects acquire color = white, linetype
= continuous, line weight = default.