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Block Commands

About 2 min

Block Commands

Block commands are used to create, manage, and insert block definitions for reusing graphics.

Block Concepts

A block is a collection of objects that can be inserted into a drawing as a single object:

  • Block Definition: A template stored in the drawing
  • Block Reference: An instance of a block definition (a block inserted into the drawing)
  • Modifying a block definition updates all block references

BLOCK - Create Block

Creates a block definition from selected objects.

Command Name: BLOCK
Alias: B

Usage

Command: BLOCK
Block registration
Select objects: <Select objects to include in the block>
Selected n objects.
Specify base point: <Click the insertion base point of the block>
Enter block name: <Enter the block definition name>

Workflow

  1. Select the objects to create as a block
  2. Specify the base point of the block (reference point for insertion)
  3. Enter the block name
  4. The selected objects are replaced with a block reference

Block Name Rules

Cannot contain the following special characters: `\ < > / ? " : ; * | , = ``

Redefine Block

If the entered block name already exists, you will be prompted:

xxx already exists.
Overwrite definition? [Yes(Y)/No(N)] <Y>:

Attribute Text

If the selection set contains text entities, the system will ask whether to convert them to attribute text:

Detected n text entities.
Convert text to attribute text? (Y/N) [N]:

Attribute text allows different values to be entered for each insertion, commonly used for title blocks in drawing frames.

INSERT - Insert Block

Inserts a block definition into the drawing.

Command Name: INSERT
Alias: I

Usage

Command: INSERT
Block insert
Enter block name to insert <last block name>: <Enter block name>
Specify insertion point: <Click insertion location>
Inserted xxx block.

Instructions

  1. Enter the block name to insert (press Enter to use the last block name)
  2. Specify the insertion point location
  3. The block is inserted with default scale (1) and angle (0)

GROUP - Create Group

Creates a group (temporary combination) from selected objects.

Command Name: GROUP
Alias: G

Usage

Command: GROUP
Select objects: <Select objects to group>

Differences Between Groups and Blocks

FeatureGroupBlock
Storage methodTemporary associationBlock definition
EditabilityMembers can be edited directlyMust be exploded before editing
ReusabilityCannot be reusedCan be inserted multiple times
ExplodeEXPLODEEXPLODE

COUNTBLOCK - Count Blocks

Counts the number of uses of a specified block in the drawing.

Command Name: COUNTBLOCK

Usage

Command: COUNTBLOCK
Enter block name: <Enter block name>

Block Best Practices

Block Design Principles

  1. Appropriate base point: Choose a meaningful insertion point (e.g., hinge position of a door)
  2. Appropriate size: Create at actual size or 1:1 scale
  3. Draw at origin: Draw near the origin for easy calculation

Nested Blocks

Blocks can contain references to other blocks, forming nested structures:

  • Same-name block references cannot be nested (will prompt "Same-name block references cannot be nested")
  • Exploding nested blocks requires multiple EXPLODE operations

Block Attributes

Blocks with variable content can be created through attribute text:

  • Convert text to attribute text when creating the block
  • Different attribute values can be entered for each insertion

Script Example

; Create a standard symbol block
LINE
0,0
10,10

LINE
0,10
10,0

BLOCK
<Select both lines>

5,5
X_MARK

; Insert multiple times
INSERT
X_MARK
100,100

INSERT
X_MARK
200,100

INSERT
X_MARK
300,100

Next Steps