Defining Blocks

You can group objects to create block definitions in the current drawing, or you can save the block as a separate drawing file. When you define a block, you specify the base point, the objects to group, and whether to retain or delete the objects or convert them to a block in the current drawing. You can also enter a text description and specify an icon used to help identify the block definition in AutoCAD DesignCenter. Block definitions are one of many nongraphical objects saved in a drawing.

NOTE You cannot use DIRECT, LIGHT, AVE_RENDER, RM_SDB, SH_SPOT, and OVERHEAD as valid block names.

To create a block definition

1. From the Draw menu, choose Block Make.
2. In the Block Definition dialog box, enter a name for the block.
3. Under Objects, choose the Select Objects button to use the pointing device to select objects for the block definition. The dialog box closes temporarily while you select objects for the block. Press ENTER when you are done selecting blocks. The dialog box reopens.
4. If you want to create a selection set, use the Quick Select button to create or define a filter for your selection set. See “Filtering Selection Sets.”
5. Under Objects, specify whether to retain, convert to a block, or delete the selected objects.
   Retain: Keeps selected objects in the current drawing, in their original state.
   Convert to Block: Replaces selected objects with an instance of the block.
   Delete: Removes selected objects after the block is defined.
6. Under Base Point, enter the coordinate values for the insertion base point or choose the Specify Insertion Base Point button to use the pointing device.
7. Under Description, enter text to help identify the block for easy retrieval.
8. Under Icon, specify whether to create an icon from the block definition.
   Do not include an icon: Omits preview image from block definition.
   Create icon from block geometry: Saves preview image with the block definition.
9. Choose OK.

The block definition is saved in the current drawing.

Command line BLOCK
Related –BLOCK creates block definitions on the command line.

NOTE: To generate preview images for blocks you created with Release 14 or earlier, use the BLOCKICON command. The command works on your current open drawing and prompts you for the names of blocks that you want updated with preview images. For information about preview images (or block icons), see BLOCKICON.

To save a block or object as a separate drawing file

1. At the Command prompt, enter wblock.
2. In the Write Block dialog box, specify a block or an object to write out as a file.
   Block: Specifies a block to save as a file.
   Entire Drawing: Selects current drawing as a block.
   Object: Specifies objects to be saved as a file.
3. Under Block, select a name from the list to save as a file.
4. Under Base Point, use the Pick Point button to define the base point.
5. Under Objects, use the Select objects button to select the object for the block file.
6. Enter a name for the new file. If a block is selected, WBLOCK automatically uses that block’s name for the new file.
7. In the Insert Units list, select an insert unit to use in AutoCAD DesignCenter.
8. Choose OK.

The block definition is saved as a drawing file.

Command line WBLOCK