Explore Blocks

Toolbar: Settings > Explore Blocks ()

Menu: Settings > Explore Blocks

Keyboard: EXPBLOCKS

Alias: XB, XR, BMAKE

Experience Level: Intermediate

Displays the IntelliCAD Explorer with the Block Name list displayed. You can view, create, copy, or edit blocks in the IntelliCAD Explorer. A small picture of each block in the drawing appears in the right pane. Click the Details tool () to see information about the number of block references, the insertion point, and externally referenced drawings.

Blocks represent a special type of entity that, once saved, can be inserted and manipulated in the drawing as a single entity. A block can consist of visible entities such as lines, arcs, and circles as well as visible or invisible data called attributes. You can use attributes to track things such as part numbers and prices and to export attribute information to an external database. You can also track the number of parts by counting the number of times a block has been inserted into the drawing. Blocks are stored as part of the drawing file.

External references have similar uses to blocks. Using external references, you can attach entire drawings to your current drawing. Unlike a block, however, an external reference does not become part of the current drawing (unless you first convert it to a regular block; see External Reference for more information).

You can edit the path of an externally referenced drawing by single-clicking on the path name. You can then browse to the file that you want to use to replace the externally referenced drawing. The IntelliCAD Explorer automatically updates the path name, and the new externally referenced drawing appears in your drawing.

You can save blocks in the IntelliCAD Explorer. You can also use the IntelliCAD Explorer to manage and insert copies of blocks. The IntelliCAD Explorer lists the names of all blocks contained in the current drawing, along with other information about each block or external reference.

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Block

Exploring Coordinate Systems

Exploring Dimension Styles

Exploring Layers

Exploring Linetypes

Exploring Text Styles

Exploring Views

Explorer

Inserting

Inserting Block

Saving Block

How do I...

Attach a drawing as an external reference

Create a block

Insert a block

Insert a drawing as a block

Save a block as a separate drawing file