• AutoCAD

Block creation in AutoCAD

Automation is the future and AutoCAD does it best. Automate those repetitive objects by creating blocks from your previous work.


00:03

In AutoCAD, you can combine one or more objects to create a single object.

00:09

These compound objects are known as blocks.

00:13

Commonly used for symbols, parts, detail views,

00:16

and title blocks, blocks ensure consistency between identical copies of objects.

00:23

When creating blocks, it’s easiest to work with objects that already exist in a drawing.

00:28

Open a drawing that has several individual objects already in place, such as arcs and lines.

00:34

In this example, a desk is made of individual lines and polylines.

00:39

You can convert this desk into a single block, making it much easier to copy, rotate, and move.

00:45

To do so, from the Insert ribbon, Block Definition panel, select Create Block.

00:51

In the Block Definition dialog, Name field, enter a unique name for the block, such as “Large desk”.

00:58

Then, define a base point.

01:00

A base point is used for placing the block in a drawing.

01:04

From the Base point group, select Pick point.

01:07

In the drawing area, specify an insertion base point, such as the corner of the desk.

01:12

Once you specify the base point, the Block Definition dialog opens again.

01:17

Notice that in the Base point group box, the X, Y, and Z coordinates are assigned values.

01:23

Next, specify the objects included in the block.

01:27

From the Objects group box, click Select objects.

01:32

Then, in the drawing area, use a window selection to select the objects.

01:36

Note that you can use any selection tool to make this selection.

01:41

Once the objects are selected, right-click, or from your keyboard, press ENTER to confirm the selection.

01:47

The dialog appears again, this time, containing the preview of the block to be created.

01:53

Back in the Objects group box, you can specify what to do with the original objects you selected.

01:58

You can retain the objects, which keeps the objects in their original form,

02:03

convert the objects to a block, or delete the objects from the drawing.

02:08

Deleting the original objects from the drawing maintains the block of objects,

02:13

but the individual objects, such as lines and polylines, will be deleted.

02:18

Select Delete.

02:20

In the Settings group box of the Block Definition dialog, you can specify the insertion units for the block reference.

02:27

The hyperlink option associates a hyperlink with the block definition.

02:32

Under Behavior , you can specify whether the block is annotative, which automates scaling.

02:37

This is useful for objects that are symbols, such as labels.

02:41

You can also specify whether the block scales uniformly and whether you want to be able to explode the block.

02:47

Not allowing the block to explode will ensure the preservation of the block,

02:51

as it will not be able to be converted to its original, individual parts.

02:56

Click OK.

02:58

The individual objects are deleted from the drawing area and are ready to be inserted as a singular, repeatable block.

03:06

Blocks are an excellent way to streamline and standardize workflows.

03:12

When editing or redefining block definitions, all referenced blocks in the drawing update automatically.

03:19

Plus, working with block references reduces the file size of the drawing, when compared to object geometry duplication.

Video transcript

00:03

In AutoCAD, you can combine one or more objects to create a single object.

00:09

These compound objects are known as blocks.

00:13

Commonly used for symbols, parts, detail views,

00:16

and title blocks, blocks ensure consistency between identical copies of objects.

00:23

When creating blocks, it’s easiest to work with objects that already exist in a drawing.

00:28

Open a drawing that has several individual objects already in place, such as arcs and lines.

00:34

In this example, a desk is made of individual lines and polylines.

00:39

You can convert this desk into a single block, making it much easier to copy, rotate, and move.

00:45

To do so, from the Insert ribbon, Block Definition panel, select Create Block.

00:51

In the Block Definition dialog, Name field, enter a unique name for the block, such as “Large desk”.

00:58

Then, define a base point.

01:00

A base point is used for placing the block in a drawing.

01:04

From the Base point group, select Pick point.

01:07

In the drawing area, specify an insertion base point, such as the corner of the desk.

01:12

Once you specify the base point, the Block Definition dialog opens again.

01:17

Notice that in the Base point group box, the X, Y, and Z coordinates are assigned values.

01:23

Next, specify the objects included in the block.

01:27

From the Objects group box, click Select objects.

01:32

Then, in the drawing area, use a window selection to select the objects.

01:36

Note that you can use any selection tool to make this selection.

01:41

Once the objects are selected, right-click, or from your keyboard, press ENTER to confirm the selection.

01:47

The dialog appears again, this time, containing the preview of the block to be created.

01:53

Back in the Objects group box, you can specify what to do with the original objects you selected.

01:58

You can retain the objects, which keeps the objects in their original form,

02:03

convert the objects to a block, or delete the objects from the drawing.

02:08

Deleting the original objects from the drawing maintains the block of objects,

02:13

but the individual objects, such as lines and polylines, will be deleted.

02:18

Select Delete.

02:20

In the Settings group box of the Block Definition dialog, you can specify the insertion units for the block reference.

02:27

The hyperlink option associates a hyperlink with the block definition.

02:32

Under Behavior , you can specify whether the block is annotative, which automates scaling.

02:37

This is useful for objects that are symbols, such as labels.

02:41

You can also specify whether the block scales uniformly and whether you want to be able to explode the block.

02:47

Not allowing the block to explode will ensure the preservation of the block,

02:51

as it will not be able to be converted to its original, individual parts.

02:56

Click OK.

02:58

The individual objects are deleted from the drawing area and are ready to be inserted as a singular, repeatable block.

03:06

Blocks are an excellent way to streamline and standardize workflows.

03:12

When editing or redefining block definitions, all referenced blocks in the drawing update automatically.

03:19

Plus, working with block references reduces the file size of the drawing, when compared to object geometry duplication.

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