AutoCAD

AutoCAD 2012
2012
and
and
AutoCAD
AutoCAD LT
LT 2012
2012
Essentials
Essentials
By Scott Onstott
Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Defining Blocks

All blocks must be named

Blocks have a base point and a block
unit
You can choose if youd like to retain,
delete, or convert the defining geometry
into a block reference when you click
OK.
You can keep blocks from being
exploded by deselecting Allow
Exploding (this can be reversed by
using PROPERTIES in the block editor)

Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Block Units

The scale a block is inserted at depends

upon the block units defined using the
BLOCK command AND the Insertion
Scale set using the UNITS command
Blocks that are defined in millimeters will
be automatically scaled when inserted
into drawings defined with inches as the
insertion scale, for example.

Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Duplicating Block References

You can insert multiple block references

using the INSERT command
You can also duplicate block references
using COPY, MIRROR, and/or ARRAY
There is no functional difference between
block references added using the above two
methods
All block references are linked to the same
definition by name (Chair, Desk, etc)

Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Inserting Blocks On-Screen

You can specify the insertion point, rotation

and scale of inserted blocks using the dialog
box or interactively on-screen
When specifying parameters on-screen, you
can use a negative scale factor to effectively
mirror the block reference geometry as
compared to its block definition geometry.
It is possible to pre-explode blocks upon
insertion (often done with entire drawings, aka
global blocks).

Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Editing Blocks In-Place

Right click an existing block reference and

choose Edit Block In-Place from the shortcut
menu
Alternatively type REFEDIT and select the
block name from a list to enter in-place
editing mode
All other references disappear when you are
using in-place editing mode
When you are done making in-place changes
to a block, click Save Changes on the
temporary panel or type REFCLOSE

Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Understanding Floating Properties

There are two floating properties: ByLayer and

ByBlock
You must assign objects in a block definition to layer
0 if you want to also use ByLayer for the objects
color, linetype, and lineweight properties
Blocks created on layer 0 that have ByLayer
properties inherit the layer and object properties of
the layer they are inserted upon.
Objects in block definitions that are assigned
ByBlock properties have all the advantages of
ByLayer PLUS the ability to receive explicit object
properties as block references.
Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Using the Block Editor

Launch the block editor by typing

BEDIT
Alternatively right click a block
reference and choose Block Editor
The block editor replaces the
drawing so you can focus on
designing the block definition
You have access to geometric and
dimensional constraints, and the
authoring palettes in the block
editor
You can create dynamic blocks
here
Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Using Groups

Groups are less formal than blocks, not requiring names or base points
Groups can contain objects, block, or other groups
Groups are often used for temporary organizations of objects for easy
selection and manipulation

Ch 7: Organizing Objects

Group Tools

Click the Group button to create a group

The ability to select the group or its
constituent elements can be toggled by
clicking the bottom tool in the Groups panel
You can add or remove objects from a
particular group using the GROUPEDIT
command
Groups cannot be exploded; use UNGROUP
instead
Access the legacy Group dialog box with the
CLASSICGROUP command

Ch 7: Organizing Objects