The last thing I want to discuss is how to create a block in AutoCAD quickly and easily. First, press CTRL+SHIFT+C on the keyboard and then adjust the cursor to the “insertion point” where you want the block to be defined. Then, select the objects from which you want to create a block and press ENTER. Creating blocks in AutoCAD is very easy.
First you must draw all the parts that will form your block. Remember to draw all the objects on layer “0”. When you are ready to create the block, select the Create button from the Block section of the Insert tab of the ribbon menu. Now navigate to the drawing and select blocks and you'll have your full list of drawing blocks in the palette.
You can drag and drop these blocks to include them in the current drawing. Now that you're in the block editor, you can edit the objects in the block or, in this exercise, add a dynamic interaction to the block. What you have done is select the location of the parameter and then set the radius of the parameter (in this case, you will have a “grip” to rotate it) and, finally, the default setting of the parameter: 0° means that the block will look the way you drew it when you inserted it. These blocks can be stored in a separate folder and even on a network so that all writers have access to them.
Because there is only one block in the drawing, its name is shown (in some drawings, you may have a long list of block names to choose from). This is why many organizations prefer their own set of standard blocks that can be used and reused according to their own requirements. Next, we'll discuss different ways to create a block, as well as some tips for getting the blocks to do what you want. You can create two blocks, each with its own layer properties, or you can take advantage of some really interesting functionality in AutoCAD.
Blocks also help maintain consistency in project drawings. By using the same set of blocks, you can avoid a lot of confusion between the different members working on a project. AutoCAD has a small library of some standard blocks that you can use in your drawings. This block library can be accessed from the Design Center palette.
Run the same Lock command that you used last time, only this time make sure that the Open in Block Editor box is checked. For example, if you use blocks to create windows on a floor plan and after adding the windows, you decide to modify the window type. Now that you know how useful a block is, you should know that there are times when you need to break down a block. When you have selected the name of a block, basically select OK, and the block will appear in your spotlight and you can choose the point in the drawing where you want to place it.
Regardless of the layer where the block is located, none of the AutoCAD objects will look the same as the block properties.
