Block

Insert a block into a drawing.

A block is a pre-defined and named group of entities, which you load from another drawing and insert into the current drawing.

This function allows you to select the block, specify the angle and scale, and also rotate the block, before inserting it.

Procedure

To insert a block into a drawing:

1. Select Insert ► Block or click the icon in the Insert toolbar.

The following message displays if no blocks have been loaded to the current drawing. Click Yes to view the Block Manager. Here you can load blocks by clicking Load.

2. If blocks are already loaded in the drawing, or you have loaded the required blocks, you are prompted to:

3. Select the block you want to use from the list of loaded blocks.

Alternatively, click to search for more blocks. In the Select Block window, you can load more blocks as required.

4. Select the required block. The block is displayed with the cursor positioned at the base point (hook point).

5. Position the block and then press [Enter] or click to insert it.

6. The block is inserted and the function repeats. When the block has been inserted, you can configure various settings.

Angle

1. In the Angle field, type the angle you require the block rotated at. Then press [Enter] or click Enter.

2. The block is rotated and you can insert it.

Scale

1. In the Scale text box, type the scale you require the block to be resized to. Then press [Enter] or click Enter.

2. The block is scaled and you can insert it.

Mirror

1. The block can be mirrored horizontally or vertically by clicking on the respective mirror icons.

2. The example below shows the bolt mirrored vertically.

Modify

The Modify option allows you to scale and rotate the block after you have inserted it.

1. Insert the block and you are prompted to:

2. Press [Enter] or click on the point about which to scale the block.

3. You are prompted to:

4. Press [Enter] or click on the point to scale.

5. You are prompted to:

You can now drag the cursor and enter the position or enter the scale in the text boxes.

6. You are prompted to:

7. You can now select to rotate the block using the cursor or keyboard by inputting an angle in the text box.

8. Select the method of rotation and indicate the point about which to rotate the block.

9. The block is rotated.

Explode

The entities in a block are all grouped together.

1. Select the Explode checkbox.

2. The block is inserted as normal. The grouped entities are exploded so that each entity can be selected.

Snip

This option creates a snip box around the block. The snip box is rectangular to the extremities of the block.

Valid entities in the drawing that lie inside the rectangular extremities of the block will be removed.

1. You are prompted to:

2. The block is inserted. The entities falling inside a rectangle formed by the block extremities will be removed.

Align

This option allows you to snap a block aligned to or perpendicular to another object.

1. You are prompted to:

2. Position the block and then press [Enter] or click to insert it.

3. You are prompted to:

Indicate line to align rotation to, near the end you want to rotate towards

4. Click or press [Enter] near the line you would like the block aligned to, and in the direction you would like the block to rotate.

5. The block is aligned and inserted.

5. Right-click and select Quit to end the function. Alternatively, press [Esc].