Section 5. Blocks and Block Libraries. Objectives: Use the WBLOCK command Create a block library Insert Blocks. Drawing Assignments:

Transcription

1 Section 5 Blocks and Block Libraries Objectives: Use the WBLOCK command Create a block library Insert Blocks Drawing Assignments: Block Library Landscaping Plan 24 th & C Street

2 Blocks A block is one or more objects combined to create a single, named object. Whenever you create a block or insert a drawing as a block, all block information (including geometry, layers, colors, and linetypes) is stored in a behind-the-scenes table of definitions. One of the strengths of using the AutoCAD software is that as you draw symbols (such as electrical switches, furniture, plants, or doors and windows) you can save them in a block library that can be used to populate new drawings in the future, saving time and creating consistency in your work. A block can be composed of objects drawn on several layers with various colors, linetypes, and lineweight properties. Although a block is always inserted on the current layer, the block reference preserves information about the original layer, color, and linetype properties of the objects that are contained in the block. Any block created on layer 0 will assume the characteristics of the layer which it is inserted. This is very important when creating your own blocks. Creating a block The BLOCK command creates a block definition from selected objects. Any block made using this command is stored in the current drawing as a block. The dialog box is shown below: Using the dialog box shown, you can name the block, select the objects to be included in the block, specify an insertion point for the block, and add any description necessary for the block.

3 Using the Write Block Command The WBLOCK command saves selected objects or converts a block to a new drawing file. The Write Block dialog box provides a convenient method for saving part of the current drawing to a different drawing file, or saving a specified block definition as a separate drawing file. After you choose the items to be included in the block, select the base point of the block, you can choose where the block will be saved (as a new drawing) by typing in the file name and path or choosing the ellipsis button next to the file name field. You do not need to add the.dwg extension to the name, as it will be automatically added when you click OK.

4 Inserting a block The INSERT command specifies the name and position of the block or drawing to insert. The block that is being inserted can either be a block in the current drawing or a drawing file separate from the current drawing. When one drawing is inserted into another drawing, it is inserted as a block. The Name field will drop-down to show all blocks saved in the current drawing. If you click on the Browse button, you can select any drawing to be inserted as a block. Inserting a block from a tool palette Tool palettes are used to organize tools that range from blocks to commands to hatch patterns, and are displayed as part of the Tool Palettes window (TOOLPALETTES command or CTRL + 3). Once the tool palettes are open, you can select a tab in the tool palettes containing the objects you want to use and then click the specific object you want to add. The object appears at the cursor, ready for you to

5 select a location. The symbols you choose are blocks and behave just as the blocks inserted using the Insert command. Block Library Follow the instructions below to create a library of blocks to be used in future drawings. Attributes: 1. Use Microsoft Explorer to create a new folder on your network drive called Landscaping Blocks. 2. Begin a new drawing using the acad.dwt drawing template. 3. Change the units as needed. 4. Draw each of the following symbols on layer 0 and use the WBLOCK command to save each as a new drawing on your network drive in the newly created block library (in the new folder called Landscaping Blocks). 5. Be sure to place the base point as indicated on each tree. 6. Each tree is approximately 10 feet in diameter. Do NOT include the text or dimensions for the objects. If a dimension is not given for a feature of the object, use your best judgment to estimate the correct size. 7. Be sure to include the attributes shown in the table below in each block. Make sure that the attributes are invisible and constant. 8. The blocks will be inserted in the next drawing. Diameter Height Foliage Bradford Pear Deciduous Chinese Pistache Evergreen Buckeye Deciduous Deodar Cedar Evergreen Magnolia Evergreen Podocarpus Evergreen

6 24 th & C Street Landscaping Plan Open the x-ref drawing completed in section 4. Place the blocks as indicated in model space on the L-PLNT-TREE layer. Use your judgment to place the trees in the areas shown. When you have completed the above step, copy all of the blocks to an unused area of the drawing. Switch to paper space. Use the Change Space (CHSPACE) command to move the blocks from model space to paper space. Arrange the blocks as shown to create a legend. The placement and spacing of the blocks is up to you. So that these blocks will NOT be as blocks in later assignments, explode the blocks. Reassociate the exploded blocks to the Trees Layer. Use the GROUP command to collect the objects into groups. Be sure to add names for each group (use the name of the tree). Plot the completed drawing from paper space at a scale of 1:1.