Block

Toolbar: Tools > Create Block ()

Menu: Tools > Create Block

Keyboard: BLOCK

Alias: -B

Experience Level: Intermediate

Forms a single compound entity from a group of entities.

 

  1. Specify the insertion point for the block.
  2. Select the first entity you want included in the block.
  3. Select the second entity you want included in the block.
  4. The block, when inserted into your drawing.

Name for new block, or ? to list existing blocks: Enter the name of the block that you are creating. You can name the new block using any alphanumeric characters, including a dollar sign ($), hyphen (-), and underscore (_), up to a maximum of 31 characters. To view a list of blocks in the drawing, choose ?.

If you enter the name of an existing block, the following message prompts whether you want to redefine the block: "The block already exists. Do you want to redefine it?" If you choose N, the Block command ends. If you choose Y, the Block command continues with the following prompts.

Insertion point for new block: Specify an insertion point, which is the base point for the block when it is inserted.

Select entities for block: Select the entities that you want included in the block. The entities you select disappear from the drawing.

To retrieve the deleted entities, type UNDELETE. The entities are replaced in the drawing.

With blocks, you can combine numerous entities into a single entity and then reuse it, inserting multiple copies. When you select entities for a block, they are removed from the drawing and become part of the block you create. You can insert the block into other drawings with the Insert command.

The block you create using the Block command exists only in the drawing in which you created it. You can use the IntelliCAD® Explorer to copy the block to other open drawings or to save the block to a disk.

To list existing blocks

Choose ?.

Block(s) to list <* for all>: Enter *. A list of the blocks defined in your drawing is displayed in the Prompt History window in four categories:

User Blocks: Blocks that you created.

External References: Externally referenced drawings placed by the External Reference command.

Dependent Blocks: Blocks found in the externally referenced drawings.

Unnamed Blocks: Blocks created by the program, such as hatch patterns.

To redefine a block

When you are prompted for the name of the block, enter the name of the block you want to redefine. At the prompt, choose Yes to redefine the block. Continue as if you are defining a new block. The new block replaces the block of the same name.

Tell me about ...

Explore Blocks

Insert

Insert Block

Save Block

How do I ...

Create a block

Insert a drawing as a block

Insert a block

Insert an entire drawing into the current drawing

Save a block as a separate drawing file