Introduction

This chapter describes how to:

• Create and Insert Blocks. Blocks bind entities together to form a single entity. You can insert internal Blocks and external drawings as Blocks into drawings.
• Link BlockAttributes to Blocks. BlockAttributes are entities that let you link labels or variable text information to Blocks.
• Group Entities. EntityGroups are collections of entities (similar to Blocks) that are treated as one. Unlike Blocks, EntityGroups are not designed for repetitive insertions.
• Use References. References attach a separate drawing to the current drawing.
• Edit Components. In-place editing lets you modify the definition of referenced Blocks or externally referenced drawings.

Defining and Inserting Blocks

Blocks bind entities together to form a single entity.

You can insert internal Blocks and external drawings as Blocks into drawings.

This section discusses:

• Defining Blocks
• Inserting Blocks
• Inserting a Block in a Rectangular Pattern
• Redefining the Base Point of a Block
• Saving Blocks to File

Defining Blocks

A Block is a collection of entities bound together as a single entity. After you create a Block, you can insert it whenever you need it in a drawing.

When you use the MakeBlock command, the Block is recognized in the current drawing only. The ExportDrawing command lets you write a Block to an external drawing file for use in any drawing.

To define Blocks:

1. Click Draw > Block > Define (or type MakeBlock).
2. In the dialog box, for Name, type a name for the Block, or select an existing Block to overwrite a Block. Names may have up to 255 characters, and may contain letters, numbers, blank spaces, and special characters such as $, #, _. The name is case-sensitive.
3. For Description, type a Block description.
4. Under Settings, select options:
   • Annotative scaling. Specifies whether annotative scaling is applied when you insert the Block.
   • Orient block to match scale. Specifies that in Viewports Block orientation matches layout Sheet orientation.

     This option is available only if you selected Annotative Scaling for Block insertions.

   • Apply uniform scale. Restricts the Block to a uniform scale when inserting the Block. Otherwise you can specify different X, Y, and Z scaling factors when inserting the Block.
   • Allow block to explode. Lets the Block explode on insertion.
   • Units. Lets you select different units from those in the current drawing.
   • Attach Hyperlink. Lets you specify a hyperlink for the Block.
5. Optionally, select Edit in Block Editor to modify the Block definition or to create a CustomBlock.
6. Under Base Point, set the base point that serves as the insertion point when inserting the Block. It is also the base point for changing the scale and serves as a rotation point during the insertion.

   Do one of the following:

   • Click Select in graphics area to specify the base point of the Block in the drawing.
   • For X, Y, and Z, type coordinate values.
7. Under Block entities:
   1. Click Select in graphics area to specify the entities to form the Block.
   2. Set options:
      • Preserve as separate entities. Leaves the source entities as they are.
      • Convert to block. Replaces the source entities with a Reference of the Block definition.
      • Remove from drawing. Removes the source entities from the drawing.
8. Click OK.

   If you selected an existing Block in Name, you are asked to redefine the Block.

Access

Command: MakeBlock

Menu: Draw > Block > Define

Ribbon: Insert > Block > Define

Tool Palettes: Draw > Make Block

Inserting Blocks

You can insert internal Blocks and external drawings as Blocks into drawings.

Inserting a Block in the drawing creates a Block reference.

You can insert:

• Blocks defined in the active drawing
• Blocks defined in external drawing files

Tip: You can group Blocks in block libraries.

The following tools and methods let you insert Blocks:

• Block Library palette
• Design Resources palette
• Drag and drop drawings from a folder

To insert Blocks:

1. Click Insert > Block (or type InsertBlock).
2. In the dialog box, in Name, select a Block. Click Browse to locate an external drawing.

   The preview area displays the selected Block.

   Note: The sign in the lower right corner of the Preview area identifies the Block:

      Dynamic Block

   CB CustomBlock

3. Under Position, for X, Y, and Z, specify coordinate values, or select Specify later to specify the insertion point on screen after the dialog box closes.
4. Under Scale:
   • For X, Y, and Z, specify the scale factor for each axis.

     – or –

   • Click Specify later to define the Block size during insertion. Specify the Corner option, then define the opposite point of the rectangle where the Block is to fit.

     – or –

   • Click Apply uniform scale, and for X, specify a scale factor. A scale factor of:
     • 1: Inserts the Block at its original size.
     • Less than 1: Reduces the size to the percentage of the original size specified by the factor.
     • Greater than 1: Increases the size.
5. Under Rotate, for Angle, specify a value or select Specify later to set the rotation angle in the graphics area during insertion.
6. Under Block UnitSystem:
   • You cannot edit the Units or Scale. If Scale is unequal to 1.0, then the drawing units differ from the Block units.
   • Select Explode Block to explode the Block into its component entities. A Block loses its characteristics when exploded. You can explode uniform scaled Blocks only.
7. Click OK.

   The Block appears attached to the mouse cursor.

8. Use the Ctrl key to toggle through the available insertion points.
9. Click a point to place the Block.

Access

Command: InsertBlock

Menu: Insert > Block

Ribbon: Insert > Block > Insert

Tool Palettes: Draw > Insert Block

Inserting a Block in a Rectangular Pattern

Use the InsertBlockN command to insert multiple copies of a Block or external drawing in a pattern, arranged in rows and columns.

To insert multiple copies of a Block or drawing in a rectangular pattern:

1. Type InsertBlockN at the command prompt.
2. Type the name of the Block or drawing to insert, or specify the ? option to view the Blocks defined in the current drawing.
3. Type the base point for the insertion.
4. Type the X scale or click in the graphics area to set the opposite corner. Press Enter to confirm 1.0 as scale factor.
5. Type the Y scale. Press Enter to use the value equal to the X scale factor.
6. Type a rotation angle.
7. Type the number of rows to insert.
8. Type the number of columns to insert.
9. Type the distance between the rows and the distance between the columns.
10. – or –
11. Specify a unit cell in the graphics area by two opposite points or type X and Y values.
12. The Block or external drawing appears in a rectangular pattern.

  You cannot explode Blocks inserted with the InsertBlockN command. However, you can edit uniformly scaled Blocks inserted with the InsertBlockN command using the EditComponent command.

Access

Command: InsertBlockN

Modifying the Base Point of a Block

Use the RedefineBasePoint command to set a new insertion base point for all instances of a Block.

Another way to modify the base point of a Block is using the EditBasePoint command in Component editing mode.

Note: For nested Blocks, you can modify only the base point of the parent Block.

To modify the base point of a block:

1. In the graphics area, select a Block instance.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Right-click and click Redefine Block Base Point.
   • Type RedefineBasePoint.

   Rubberband appears between the current base point of the Block and the pointer.

3. Specify the new base point.

   All Block instances in the drawing are updated.

Access

Command: RedefineBasePoint

Saving Blocks to File

You can write entities, a Block, or an entire drawing to a new drawing file.

You can save a Block or entities as a separate drawing file that you can insert into other drawings.

The ExportDrawing command is similar to the MakeBlock command, but is mainly used to export Blocks, not to define them in the drawing.

To save Blocks to file:

1. Click File > Export > Export Drawing (or type ExportDrawing).
2. In the dialog box, under Source, select a source to write to file:
   • Block. Lets you select an existing Block in the drawing to write to file.
   • All entities. Writes the entire drawing to file.
   • Selected entities. Writes the entities you select to file.
3. Under Block UnitSystem, in UnitSystem, select the units to use for automatic scaling when the file is inserted in a drawing that uses different units (see the UnitSystem command, Block units format option).
4. Under Entities:
   1. Click Specify entities  and select entities in the graphics area to make up the Block.
   2. Select an option:
      • Convert to Block. Replaces the source entities with a Reference of the Block definition.
      • Do not convert to Block. Leaves the source entities in the drawing as they are.
      • Delete. Removes the source entities from the drawing.
5. Under Insertion point, for X, Y, and Z, type coordinate values or click Specify in graphics area  to specify an insertion base point in the graphics area.

   The insertion base point is also used as the base for changing the Block’s scale and rotation.

6. Under Destination, select a file name and path where the Block or entities are saved, or click Browse to locate a destination folder and type a File name.
7. Click OK.

Access

Command: ExportDrawing

Menu: File > Export > Export Drawing

Ribbon: Insert > Block Definition > Export Drawing

Working with BlockAttributes

You can attach attributes to Blocks to provide information about the Block. For instance, if you use a Block to represent a stove, you might use attributes such as symbol number, room number, and comment (gas or electrical, for example).

The following topics help you work with BlockAttributes:

• Defining BlockAttributes
• Editing BlockAttribute Definitions
• Editing BlockAttributes
• Applying Extended Editing of BlockAttributes
• Editing BlockAttribute Values In-place
• Using the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting Pop-up Toolbar
• Displaying BlockAttributes
• Updating BlockAttributes
• Managing BlockAttribute Properties and Settings
• Extracting BlockAttributes to a Text File
• Creating Template Files for BlockAttribute Extractions
• Exporting BlockAttributes Values
• Exporting BlockAttribute Values Including Block Positions

Defining BlockAttributes

BlockAttribute definitions let you attach variable or constant text to Blocks. When you insert a Block containing BlockAttributes, you are prompted to specify values for each BlockAttribute (unless the value is defined with a constant value).

You can define BlockAttributes as singleline or multiline objects.

You can edit BlockAttributes of Block references later with the EditBlockAttribute command. You can edit the name, request, and value with the EditAnnotation command.

To define BlockAttributes:

1. Click Draw > Block > Define Block Attributes (or type MakeBlockAttribute).
2. In the dialog box, under Display, type options.
   • Name. Defines the BlockAttribute name. It may have any number of characters. Blanks are not allowed.
   • Caption. Displays text at the command window during Block insertion. It may have up to 256 characters. Characters such as blanks, underscores and dollar signs are allowed. You may omit the request if the Block uses a constant BlockAttribute value. For example, when you specify “Enter norm term” as a request, a typical answer would be “Schedule 40 steel pipe” as the value.
   • Default value. Displays the visible component of the BlockAttribute in the drawing. It may have up to 256 characters and may be a constant or variable. Characters such as blanks, underscores and dollar signs are allowed.
     • If you define a singleline BlockAttribute, you can apply Fields in default value specifications.

       Click Field  to insert a Field.

     • If you define a multiline BlockAttribute, you cannot specify a default value in the input field.

       Click Open Multiline Editor  to define default text in the graphics area using the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting pop-up toolbar. The editor settings (editing in-place or in a dialog box) specified for Notes with the NoteOptions command also apply for multiline BlockAttribute definitions.

3. Under Text settings, set:
   • TextStyle. Sets the TextStyle. You can create new TextStyles with the TextStyle command.
   • Justification. Sets the position and alignment of the BlockAttribute text in relation to the insertion point.
   • Annotative scaling. Specifies whether annotative scaling is applied when inserting Blocks with the BlockAttribute you define. If the Block that contains the BlockAttribute is defined as an annotative entity, the BlockAttribute follows the Block orientation.
   • Height. Defines the text size. To specify the text height on screen, click Select in graphics area .
   • Rotation. Specifies the BlockAttribute insertion angle. Type a value between 0° and 360°. To specify the rotation on screen, click Select in graphics area .
   • Width. Defines for multiline BlockAttributes the maximum width of text lines before wrapping to the next line. Set the value to 0.00 to have no restriction on the text line length. To specify the width on screen, click Select in graphics area . This option is available only if you selected the Multiline option (see below).
4. Under Insertion point:

   Do one of the following:

   • Type X, Y, and Z coordinate values.
   • Select Specify later to specify the insertion point on screen after the dialog box closes.
   • Click Select in graphics area  to immediately specify the insertion point.
5. Under Behavior, select:
   • Fixed. Allows you to switch between constant and variable BlockAttribute values. When selected, the text in Default value is a constant BlockAttribute value in the drawing. You cannot insert variable data. When cleared, you are prompted to insert a variable BlockAttribute value.
   • Hidden. Controls the visibility of the BlockAttribute value in Block references. When selected, the value does not display during insertion in the drawing. Use this if the BlockAttribute contains information to analyze later that does not have to be displayed on the drawing. This option is also helpful when there are so many BlockAttributes that the drawing is unclear and confusing. To temporarily display hidden BlockAttributes use the DisplayBlockAttributes command.
   • Predefined. Lets you create BlockAttributes that accept their default values. When selected, values are not requested. The option lets you edit values after insertion with the editing commands.
   • Validate. Prompts you for verification that the BlockAttribute value is correct when inserting a Block.
   • Multilines. Specifies whether the BlockAttribute is singleline or multiline. For multiline BlockAttributes, specify the maximum width of text lines (see the Width option above). You cannot specify a default value for multiline BlockAttributes (see the Default value option above).
6. Set additional options:
   • Lock in Block. Determines whether the BlockAttribute within the Block reference is locked. When unlocked, you can move the BlockAttribute with EntityGrips.
   • Position below last definition. Lets you align the current BlockAttribute definition below the previous one.

     This option is available during creation of BlockAttribute definitions only if the previous definition was a singleline BlockAttribute definition.

Access

Command: MakeBlockAttribute

Menu: Draw > Block > Define Block Attributes

Ribbon: Insert > Block Definition > Define Block Attribute

Tool Palettes: Draw > Define Block Attribute

Editing BlockAttribute Definitions

You can modify parameters of the selected BlockAttribute definition and the location, text options, and attribute modes.

To edit BlockAttribute definitions:

1. Type EditBlockAttributeDefinition.
2. In the graphics area, select a BlockAttribute definition.
3. In the Block Attribute Definition dialog box, set options.

  The command makes it easy to create several similar BlockAttribute definitions. You can copy a master BlockAttribute definition, then edit the Name and Caption parameters in the Block Attribute Definition dialog box.

Access

Command: EditBlockAttributeDefinition

Editing BlockAttributes

Use the EditBlockAttribute command to modify the BlockAttribute values of inserted Blocks.

To modify BlockAttribute properties such as Layer and TextStyle, use the EditXBlockAttribute command.

To modify BlockAttribute properties such as the insertion point, height, and TextStyle, use the -EditBlockAttribute command.

You cannot edit BlockAttribute values on locked Layers.

To edit BlockAttributes:

1. Type EditBlockAttribute, then select a Block reference in the graphics area.
2. In the dialog box, select an item in Value. You cannot edit BlockAttribute values on locked Layers.
3. Edit the value:
   • If the BlockAttribute is a single-line BlockAttribute, type a new Value.
   • If the BlockAttribute is a multiline BlockAttribute, click Open Multiline Editor  to edit the text in the graphics area using the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting pop-up toolbar. The editor settings (editing in-place or in a dialog box) specified for Notes with the NoteOptions command also apply for multiline BlockAttributes.
4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 as needed for other BlockAttributes.
5. Click OK.

  Note: Assuming that a BlockAttribute is not defined as locked in Block, you can modify the insertion point of a BlockAttribute by selecting its EntityGrip and drag it to a new location.

Access

Command: EditBlockAttribute

Applying Extended Editing of BlockAttributes

Use the EditXBlockAttribute command to modify the BlockAttribute values and properties of inserted Blocks.

Property changes include Layer, TextStyle, and other settings.

You cannot edit BlockAttribute values on locked Layers.

To apply extended editing of BlockAttributes:

1. Do one of the following:
   • Double-click a Block with BlockAttributes.
   • Type EditXBlockAttribute, then select a Block reference with BlockAttributes in the graphics area.
2. In the dialog box, select an item in Value.
3. Edit the value:
   • If the BlockAttribute is a singleline BlockAttribute, type a new Value.
   • If the BlockAttribute is a multiline BlockAttribute, click Open Multiline Editor  to edit the text in the graphics area using the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting pop-up toolbar.

     Note: The editor settings (editing in-place or in a dialog box) specified for Notes with the NoteOptions command also apply for multiline BlockAttributes.

   • Select Change attribute value to all instances to overwrite the value of the BlockAttribute in all instances of the Block in the drawing. Use caution with this option as it potentially replaces all previous BlockAttribute edits.
4. Edit properties:
   • Under Properties, change the Layer, LineStyle, LineColor, LineWeight, and PrintStyle of the BlockAttribute.

     Note: LineStyles and LineWeights become visible only if the TextStyle of the BlockAttribute is based on a SHX font, not a TrueType font.

   • Under Text options, modify the TextStyle, Justification, Spacing, Height, Rotation, and Width of the BlockAttribute text.

     If the TextStyle supports the corresponding options, specify whether to generate the text Backwards or Upside down, and whether the text uses Annotative scaling.

   • Under Apply changes select To all instances, to update the properties and text settings for all instances of Blocks in the drawing.

   Click Hide/Show Properties  to collapse or expand the properties area of the dialog box.

5. Click Apply for intermediate updates of your changes.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 for other BlockAttributes.
7. Click OK.

  Note: You can modify the insertion point of a BlockAttribute by selecting its EGrip and dragging it to a new location (as long as the BlockAttribute is not locked).

Access

Command: EditXBlockAttribute

Tool Palettes: Modify > Edit Single Attribute

Editing BlockAttribute Values In-place

Use the EditIpBlockAttribute command to edit the values of BlockAttributes in-place.

To edit BlockAttribute values:

1. Type EditIpBlockAttribute at the command prompt.
2. In the graphics area, specify a BlockAttribute.
3. Edit the BlockAttribute value in place:
   • If the selected entity is a singleline BlockAttribute, the SimpleNote Formatting pop-up toolbar displays.
   • If the selected entity is a multiline BlockAttribute, the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting pop-up toolbar displays.
4. Click OK .

Access

Command: EditIpBlockAttribute

Using the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting Pop-up Toolbar

Use the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting pop-up toolbar to edit and format multiline BlockAttributes and multiline BlockAttributes definitions.

To open the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting pop-up toolbar:

• When you type a multiline BlockAttribute definition or a multiline BlockAttribute, right-click and click Editor Settings > Show Toolbar.

To format BlockAttributes using the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting pop-up toolbar:

• As you type and edit, specify toolbar options as needed:

1. Undo . Removes the previous text editing or formatting.
2. Redo . Restores the state prior to issuing Undo.
3. Underline . Specifies underline formatting for subsequent or selected text.
4. Overline . Specifies overline formatting for subsequent or selected text.
5. Ruler. Displays a ruler at the top of the text box.
6. Insert Field . Inserts a Field at the cursor position.
7. Other Options . From the menu, select an option:
   • Find and Replace. Lets you search for text strings and replace text strings.
   • AutoCAPS. Creates new text with uppercase characters. To alter the case of existing text, highlight the text, then right-click, and click Change Case. AutoCAPS does not affect existing text.
   • Editor Settings. Specify options:
     • Always display as WYSIWYG. Controls text display when you edit text. When selected, text is displayed with the size and insertion angle as defined. When cleared, text that is very small, very large, or rotated and difficult to read is displayed at a legible size and horizontally oriented so you can read it easily.
     • Show Toolbar. Shows or hides the Note Formatting pop-up toolbar.
     • Opaque Background. Shows or hides opaque background.
     • Show Ruler. Shows or hides the ruler.
     • Text Highlight Color. Specifies the background color when text is selected.
   • Background Mask. Specifies an opaque background color behind the multiline BlockAttribute.
8. Help . Displays this help topic.
9. OK . Finishes multiline BlockAttribute editing.

  Note: Use the NoteOptions command to specify whether you want to edit Notes in place or in a dialog box. The settings for Notes apply also for multiline BlockAttribute definitions.

To use shortcut menu options:

• As you type and edit, right-click and select options as needed:
  • Text Import. Inserts text from an ASCII text file (.txt) or Rich Text Format file (.rtf).
  • Change Case. Changes selected text to Uppercase or Lowercase.
  • Remove Formatting. Lets you Remove Character Formatting, Remove Paragraph Formatting, or Remove All Formatting from the selected text.
  • Paste Special. Lets you Paste without Character Formatting, Paste without Paragraph Formatting, or Paste without Any Formatting from the clipboard. To paste text from the clipboard with formatting, click Paste on the shortcut menu.

  Note: Other options on the shortcut menu are available on the Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting pop-up toolbar, many of them are available on the Other Options menu (see above).

Displaying BlockAttributes

You can control the display of BlockAttributes in a drawing.

To display BlockAttributes:

1. Click View > Display > Block Attribute (or type DisplayBlockAttributes).
2. Specify an option:
   • Normal: Displays based on the BlockAttribute definition.
   • On: Displays all BlockAttributes.
   • Off: Hides all BlockAttributes.

Access

Command: DisplayBlockAttributes

Menu: View > Display > Block Attribute

Updating BlockAttributes

Use the UpdateBlockAttributes command to update all instances of Blocks with new or modified BlockAttributes.

You can change or add BlockAttributes to an existing Block definition by redefining the Block with the MakeBlock command.

Another way to modify the definition and properties of BlockAttributes is with the EditComponent command.

Both commands update the geometry of all instances of the redefined Block, but they do not automatically update the BlockAttributes that have been modified.

To update BlockAttributes:

1. Type UpdateBlockAttributes at the command prompt.
2. Specify an option:
   • ? to list: View a list of all Blocks with BlockAttributes defined in the drawing.
   • Name: Specify the name of the Block to update.
   • Select: Specify a Block with BlockAttributes in the grapfics area, then confirm the update.

   If you specified a Block, all BlockAttributes in the drawing are rebuilt.

Access

Command: UpdateBlockAttributes

Managing BlockAttribute Properties and Settings

Use the BlockAttributeManager command to edit the BlockAttribute properties and settings in Block definitions.

You can also:

• Change the order in which you are prompted for BlockAttribute values when you insert a Block
• Synchronize all instances of Blocks based on settings in the Block Attribute Manager
• Delete BlockAttributes from Blocks

To manage BlockAttribute properties and settings:

1. Do one of the following:
   • On the ribbon, click Insert > Block > BlockAttribute Manager.
   • On the menu, click Modify > Entity > BlockAttribute Manager.
   • Type BlockAttributeManager.
2. In the dialog box:
   • Select a Block name from the drop-down list.

     – or –

   • Click Specify Block  to specify a Block in the graphics area.

   The BlockAttributes list displays the names of all BlockAttributes contained in the specified Block.

   One of the BlockAttributes is marked as activated in the list. Click a list item to select another BlockAttribute.

   Click Show Display Options  to expand the dialog box to show display options for the BlockAttributes list.

3. Set preferences for changes in the drawing, apply functions to the selected BlockAttribute, and set display options for the list:
   • Apply changes to existing references. Updates all existing instances in the drawing with the changes specified for the selected BlockAttribute. If cleared, only new instances of the selected Block are updated.
   • Emphasize duplicate tags. Blocks may have several BlockAttributes with the same name. When selected, duplicate BlockAttribute names are highlighted in the list.
   • Sync. Updates the BlockAttributes in all instances of the selected Block with the defined settings. This does not affect any values assigned to BlockAttributes of Block instances in the drawing.
   • Move Up / Move Down. Moves the selected BlockAttribute up and down in prompt sequence.
   • Edit. Displays a dialog box which lets you change the selected BlockAttribute in all aspects (see below).
   • Delete. Removes the selected BlockAttribute from the Block definition. You cannot delete a BlockAttribute that is the only one in the selected Block.
   • Display Options. Determines the items to show in columns in the BlockAttributes list.
     • Select or clear the characteristics and properties such as Caption, Value, Behavior, text settings, and other properties.
     • Select All. Displays all characteristics of the BlockAttributes.
     • Remove All. Clears the list (only the BlockAttribute names appear in the list).
4. Click Edit to edit the characteristics and properties of the selected BlockAttribute.

   Note: You can also double-click a row in the BlockAttributes list to open the Edit BlockAttribute Options dialog box for the specified BlockAttribute.

5. In the dialog box, select a tab and edit:
   • BlockAttribute Settings tab. Lets you modify the basic BlockAttribute characteristics: Name, Caption, Value, and Behavior settings.

     The Behavior characteristics are the same as those that you specify when defining BlockAttributes (see Defining BlockAttributes):

     • Fixed. Allows you to switch between constant and variable BlockAttribute values. When selected, the text in Default value is a constant BlockAttribute value in the drawing. You cannot insert variable data. When cleared, you are prompted to insert a variable BlockAttribute value.
     • Hidden. Controls the visibility of the BlockAttribute value in Block references. When selected, the value does not display during insertion in the drawing. Use this if the BlockAttribute contains information to analyze later that does not have to be displayed on the drawing. This option is also helpful when there are so many BlockAttributes that the drawing is unclear and confusing. To temporarily display hidden BlockAttributes use the DisplayBlockAttributes command.
     • Predefined. Lets you create BlockAttributes that accept their default values. When selected, values are not requested. The option lets you edit values after insertion with the editing commands.
     • Validate. Prompts you for verification that the BlockAttribute value is correct when inserting a Block.
     • Multilines. Specifies whether the BlockAttribute is singleline or multiline. For multiline BlockAttributes, specify the maximum width of text lines (see the Width option above). You cannot specify a default value for multiline BlockAttributes (see the Default value option above).
   • Text Settings tab. Lets you modify text properties of the BlockAttribute such as TextStyle, justification, spacing, inclination angle, text height, and rotation angle.
   • Properties tab. Lets you modify general properties of the BlockAttribute such as Layer, LineStyle, LineColor, LineWeight, and PrintStyle.
6. Click OK to close the Edit Options dialog box.
7. Click Apply to apply the changes.

   The dialog box stays open to allow changes for other BlockAttributes.

   – or –

   Click OK.

Access

Command: BlockAttributeManager

Menu: Modify > Entity > BlockAttribute Manager

Ribbon: Insert > Block > Attributes > BlockAttribute Manager

Tool Palettes: Modify > Attributes Manager

Extracting BlockAttributes to a Text File

The ExtractBlockAttribute command lets you extract BlockAttribute values to text files of various formats.

Template files define the data to extract.

You can examine the extracted data using spreadsheet software or other applications.

To extract BlockAttributes to a text file:

1. Type ExtractBlockAttribute at the command prompt.
2. In the dialog box, for Template, type a template name to define the data to extract. Click  to browse for a file.

   See Creating Template Files for BlockAttribute Extractions for information about the file syntax.

3. Click Select Entities to specify the entities for extracting BlockAttribute data.

   The dialog box closes temporarily.

4. In the graphics area, select Blocks with BlockAttributes and press Enter.
5. In the dialog box, for Output, type the location and name of the output file. Click  to select a file name.
6. In Format, select the file format to use when writing the BlockAttributes information:
   • Comma Delimited File (CDF). Commas separate the fields of each BlockAttribute record. Strings are enclosed by single quotation marks.
   • Space Delimited File (SDF). Spaces separate the fields of each BlockAttribute record. Strings are enclosed by single quotation marks.
7. Click OK.

Creating Template Files for BlockAttribute Extractions

Template files for BlockAttribute extractions define the data fields to extract and control the format in which they appear.

Use an ASCII text editor to create a template file for BlockAttribute Extractions.

Each line in the template file:

• Specifies the BlockAttributes and the Block properties to extract.
• Must use a specific syntax described below.
• Becomes a column in the resulting output file (see example).

You must include at least one BlockAttribute name in a template file.

File Syntax

Each line in the template file uses the following syntax:

field_name [space(s)] output_format

Valid field names are shown in the Extraction Field Names table below.

One or more spaces separate field_name and output_format. Use spaces, no tabs. End each line by pressing Enter, including the last line.

The output format uses the following syntax:

Twwwppp

The data type (T) can be:

C	Indicates a character string field.
N	Indicates a numeric field.

The next two portions of the output format use three digits:

www	Width	Specifies the width of the field as a number of characters.
ppp	Precision	Specifies the number of decimal places for numeric fields. For character integer fields, specify 000.

For example,

• Use N006002 for a numeric value up to 999.99. N stands for numeric data, 006 means that there is space for up to six digits, including the decimal point, and 002 specifies the precision of two decimal places.
• Use C025000 for a string field with a maximum length of 25 characters. Always specify 000 as the last three format digits for character fields.

Table: Extraction Field Names

You can extract:

• The value of BlockAttributes of Blocks inserted into the drawing.
• Predefined properties of the Block to which the BlockAttribute belongs.

Use the following extraction field names and format specifications to extract relevant data:

Field Name	Format	Extracts
BlockAttribute name	Cwww000, or Nwwwppp	BlockAttribute value
BL:NAME	Cwww000	Block name
BL:X	Nwwwppp	X coordinate of Block insertion point
BL:Y	Nwwwppp	Y coordinate of Block insertion point
BL:Z	Nwwwppp	Z coordinate of Block insertion point
BL:ORIENT	Nwwwppp	Block rotation angle
BL:XSCALE	Nwwwppp	X scale factor for Block
BL:YSCALE	Nwwwppp	Y scale factor for Block
BL:ZSCALE	Nwwwppp	Z scale factor for Block
BL:XEXTRUDE	Nwwwppp	Block extrusion in X direction
BL:YEXTRUDE	Nwwwppp	Block extrusion in Y direction
BL:ZEXTRUDE	Nwwwppp	Block extrusion in Z direction
BL:LAYER	Cwww000	Block insertion Layer name
BL:HANDLE	Cwww000	Block handle
BL:NUMBER	Nwww000	Block counter
BL:LEVEL	Nwww000	Block nesting level

Example

Template file:

BUILDINGTYPE C030000
ZONENAME     C025000
ACTIVITY     C020000
HVACSYSTEM   C025000
AREA         N006002
HEIGHT       N004002
BL:NAME      C012000
BL:NUMBER    N002000

Output file (.cdf format):

‘Workshops/maintenance depot’,’Z0/09 Staff Room’,’Eating/drinking area’,’Underfloor Heating’,31.79,2.55,’ZONE’,1
‘Workshops/maintenance depot’,’Z0/14 Plant Room’,’Plant room’,’Zone without HVAC system’,15.84,4.10,’ZONE’,2
‘Warehouse and storage’,’ZO/11 Lobby’,’Storage area’,’Space Heating’,53.26,4.10,’ZONE’,3
…

Access

Command: ExtractBlockAttribute

Exporting BlockAttribute Values

The BlockAttributeOutput command lets you save BlockAttribute values of specified Blocks to text files to examine and evaluate the data using spreadsheet software or other applications.

If you want to include the position of the evaluated Blocks in resulting text files, use the BlockAttributePositionOutput command.

The exported file is a Tab delimited text file.

The output file contains these columns:

• Block handle column, which contains the unique identifiers of the Block entities in the drawing
• Block name column
• distinct columns for each BlockAttribute definition detected in the specified Blocks.

The first row contains column headers including the BlockAttribute definition names.

To export BlockAttribute values to text files:

1. Type BlockAttributeOutput at the command prompt.
2. In the graphics area, select Blocks with BlockAttibutes. It is recommended to select Blocks using the same kind of BlockAttribute structure.
3. Press Enter.
4. In the Output file dialog box, specify the location and file name of the .txt file.
5. Click Save.

Access

Command: BlockAttributeOutput

Exporting BlockAttribute Values Including Block Positions

The BlockAttributePositionOutput command lets you save BlockAttribute values of specified Blocks including the Block positions to text files to examine and evaluate the data using spreadsheet software or other applications.

The command is similar to the BlockAttributeOutput command, but unlike this command the XYZ coordinates of the Block insertion points in the drawing are included in the output.

The exported file is a tab delimited text file.

The output file contains these columns:

• Block handle column, which contains the unique identifiers of the Block entities in the drawing
• Block name column
• Separate columns for the X, Y, and Z coordinates
• Columns for each BlockAttribute definition in the specified Blocks

The first row contains column headers including the BlockAttribute definition names.

To export BlockAttribute values including Block positions:

1. Type BlockAttributePositionOutput at the command prompt.
2. In the graphics area, select Blocks with BlockAttributes.

   It is recommended to select Blocks using the same kind of BlockAttribute structure.

3. Press Enter.
4. In the Output file dialog box, specify the location and file name of the .txt file.
5. Click Save.

Access

Command: BlockAttributePositionOutput

Working with EntityGroups

You can combine drawing entities into EntityGroups.

Grouping entities lets you manipulate all entities within the group in a single operation (moving, rotating, mirroring, or scaling, for example). However, you can still edit individual entities in a EntityGroup (intersecting or stretching, for example).

Grouping entities lets you manipulate all entities within the group in a single operation (moving, rotating, mirroring, or scaling, for example). However, you can still edit individual entities in a EntityGroup (intersecting or stretching, for example) by changing the EntityGroup display mode.

You can add or remove entities from an EntityGroup any time.

Entities can be members of more than one EntityGroup. EntityGroups can be contained in other EntityGroups.

The differences between Blocks and EntityGroups are:

• A Block has its own insertion point. An EntityGroup has none.
• A Block can occur multiple times in the drawing. If a Block is redefined, all of its occurrences update. EntityGroups do not behave the same way.
• You can copy groups. An EntityGroup that originates from another EntityGroup that has been copied is a separate union of entities. Each Block has a unique name, but not its references.

You can create unnamed or named EntityGroups.

These topics discuss the commands to create and manage EntityGroups:

• Grouping Entities Quickly
• Ungrouping EntityGroups
• Editing EntityGroups
• Creating and Managing EntityGroups
• Setting Options for EntityGroup Selection

Grouping Entities Quickly

Use the QuickGroup command to quickly create EntityGroups.

To group entities quickly:

1. In the graphics area, specify the entities to group.
2. Right-click, then click Entity Group > Quick Group (or type QuickGroup).

   An unnamed EntityGroup is created.

To group entities quickly without preselected entities:

1. Click Tools > Entity Group > Quick Group (or type QuickGroup).
2. Specify options:
   • Name: Lets you name the EntityGroup. Names may contain letters, numbers, and special characters such as $, #, _. The name is not case-sensitive. Type ? to view existing EntityGroup names.
   • Description: Lets you type a short description about the EntityGroup.
3. Specify the entities to group.
4. Press Enter.

   A named or unnamed EntityGroup is created.

  Note: To ungroup EntityGroups, use the QuickUngroup command. To edit EntityGroups, use the EditEntityGroup command. To hightlight EntityGroups and to manage EntityGroups, use the Group command.

Access

Command: QuickGroup

Menu: Tools > Entity Group > Quick Group

Ungrouping EntityGroups Quickly

Use the QuickUngroup command to quickly ungroup EntityGroups.

To ungroup EntityGroups quickly:

1. In the graphics area, specify an entity that belongs to the EntityGroup to ungroup.
2. Right-click, then click Entity Group > Quick Ungroup (or type QuickUngroup).

   The EntityGroup is removed.

To ungroup EntityGroups quickly without preselected entities:

1. Click Tools > Entity Group > Quick Ungroup (or type QuickUngroup).
2. Specify an entity that belongs to the EntityGroup to ungroup.

   – or –

   Specify the Name option, then type the name of the EntityGroup to ungroup. Type ? to view existing group names.

  Note: The QuickUngroup command leads to the same result as the Delete option of the Group command. To hightlight EntityGroups, use the Group command.

Access

Command: QuickUngroup

Menu: Tools > Entity Group > Quick Ungroup

Editing EntityGroups

Use the EditEntityGroup command to add and remove entities to or from EntityGroups, or to rename EntityGroups.

To edit EntityGroups:

1. Click Tools > Entity Group > Edit Entity Group (or type EditEntityGroup).
2. Specify an entity that belongs to the EntityGroup to edit.

   – or –

   Specify the Name option, then type the name of the EntityGroup to edit. Type ? to view existing EntityGroup names.

3. Specify options:
   • Add entities: Specifies entities to add to the EntityGroup.
   • Remove entities: Specifies entities to remove from the EntityGroup.
   • Rename: Specifies a new name for the EntityGroup. Type ? to view existing EntityGroup names.
4. Press Enter.

  Note: To hightlight EntityGroups and to manage EntityGroups, use the Group command.

Access

Command: EditEntityGroup

Menu: Tools > Entity Group > Edit Entity Group

Creating and Managing EntityGroups

Use the EntityGroup command to create and manage EntityGroups.

To create EntityGroups:

1. Type EntityGroup at the command prompt.
2. In the dialog box, click New.
3. Click Select Entities, then select entities in the graphics area to include in the EntityGroup.
4. Press Enter when you finish specifying entities.
5. Type a Name. Names may contain letters, numbers, and special characters such as $, #, _. The name is not case-sensitive.
6. Type a Description.
7. Select options:
   • Treat entities as SelectionSet: Selects the entire EntityGroup when you select one entity in the group (except those on frozen or locked Layers).
   • Unnamed: Creates an anonymous EntityGroup.
8. Click OK twice.

To edit EntityGroups:

1. Type EntityGroup.
2. In the dialog box, select an EntityGroup Name.
3. Click Edit.
4. Edit the group as necessary:
   • Add entities: Click Add Entities, then select entities in the graphics area to add to the EntityGroup.
   • Remove entities: Click Remove Entities, then select entities in the graphics area to remove from the EntityGroup.
   • Rename the group: Edit the Name.
   • Change the description: Edit the Description.
   • Change the selectable mode: Select or clear Treat entities as SelectionSet.
5. Click OK twice.

To delete EntityGroups:

1. Type EntityGroup.
2. In the dialog box, select an EntityGroup Name.
3. Click Delete.

To highlight an EntityGroup:

1. Type EntityGroup.
2. In the dialog box, select an EntityGroup Name.
3. Click Highlight.

   The entities of the EntityGroup are highlighted in the graphics area.

  Note: As alternatives, use the QuickGroup command to create EntityGroups, the QuickUngroup command to delete EntityGroups, and the EditEntityGroup command to edit EntityGroups.

Access

Command: EntityGroup

Setting Options for EntityGroup Selection

Use the EntityGroupDisplayMode command to control which EntityGrips are displayed for an EntityGroup selection.

You can edit all entities of the EntityGroups in a single operation, using one EntityGrip, or you can edit individual entities within an EntityGroup, using their EntityGrips.

To set options for EntityGroup selection:

1. Type EntityGroupDisplayMode at the command prompt.
2. Specify an option:
   • All entities. Displays all EntityGrips on all entities of the specified EntityGroup. You can modify each entity using its EntityGrips.
   • Bounding box. Displays only one central EntityGrip for the entire EntityGroup, and a bounding box.
   • Egroup. Displays only one central EntityGrip for the entire EntityGroup.

Access

Command: EntityGroupDisplayMode

Working with Referenced Drawings and Images

You can attach drawings or raster images (such as digital photographs or scanned maps) as References to the current drawing. You can attach References to multiple drawings at the same time. Conversely, you can attach multiple drawings or images as References to a single drawing.

Use Referenced drawings to:

• Create assembly drawings from different files.
• Insert detail drawings into finished drawings.
• Temporarily reference another drawing in the current drawing.

Referenced drawings are helpful when you have several people working on multiple drawings in a network. Using Referenced drawings ensures that the latest version of a Referenced drawing displays in the current drawing.

Another advantage is that within the current drawing only a link to a Referenced drawing is stored – not all of the information from the Referenced file.

In several situations, using Referenced drawings is more convenient and applicable than inserting Blocks into drawings.

This section discusses:

• Referencing Drawings – Basics
• Using the References Palette
• Hiding the References Palette
• Attaching Drawings as References
• Clipping References and Blocks
• Opening Referenced Drawings
• Detaching Referenced Drawings
• Working with Image Files

Referencing Drawings – Basics

Differences between References and Block insertions

Referenced drawings are similar to Block insertions, but the differences are that:

• Referencing a drawing establishes a link to another drawing file, but it does not become a permanent part of the current drawing, keeping the file size smaller.
• You can move, scale, rotate, and copy Referenced drawings. You cannot explode a Reference as you can with Blocks.

Dependent symbol names

When attaching drawing files, Layers, LineStyles, TextStyles, DimensionStyles, Block definitions, and other symbols are loaded into the drawing.

The following scheme is used to name dependent symbols in the drawing:

Logical_Reference_Name| Dependent_Symbol_Name

For example, the layer names of a Referenced drawing with the name SHAFT are listed as:

SHAFT|CONSTRUCTION

SHAFT|DETAILS

SHAFT|DIMENSION

Other dependent symbols like LineStyles or Blocks use the same naming convention.

You cannot redefine or rename dependent symbols. Also, you cannot insert dependent Blocks and you cannot make a dependent Layer the current Layer.

The dependent symbol conventions allow you to control the visibility as well as the LineColors and LineStyles of Referenced drawings. The Layers Manager dialog box displays the names of the dependent Layers and you can apply various options.

The logical name prefix makes it easy to distinguish the dependent Layers from the Layers originally defined in the drawing.

Updating References from the current drawing

All Referenced drawings update automatically when you open a drawing. If one or more externally referenced files are missing or cannot be loaded because they are corrupted a pop-up alert appears.

The software periodically checks whether the attached referenced drawings have changed since the last time the referenced drawings were loaded.

When you open a drawing that contains one or more externally referenced files the External Reference icon () appears in the status bar.

By default, if a referenced drawing is changed, an alert symbol appears and a balloon message displays at the External Reference icon () in the status bar. Clicking the links in the message reloads the changed referenced drawings. If you close the message without reloading the referenced drawings, the alert symbol remains.

You can display at any time the latest version of Referenced drawings used in your drawing using the Reload All tool from the References palette. Alternatively, use the options from the External References icon context menu to reload all changed files.

You can control the notification display from the Options dialog box: System Options > General > Reference notification.

Removing References from the current drawing

You should not remove Referenced drawings from the current drawing with the Delete command because it does not delete the dependent symbols from the drawing.

To remove References:

1. If the References palette is not displayed, click Tools > References (or type References).
2. Right-click the Referenced file on the list and click Detach.

   The Reference disappears and the link is removed.

You can also use the Detach option of the -References command.

Using the References Palette

The References command accesses the References palette which manages Referenced drawings or image files. When you open a drawing with Referenced files, the References display in the current states. When collaborating over a network, you might need to update the References. The program reloads the specified drawings in the most recently saved states.

After you attach drawings as References you can manage them with the References palette.

This topic discusses:

• Attaching and Updating Drawings as References
• Managing References

Attaching and Updating Drawings as References

To attach drawings using the References palette:

1. Click Tools > References (or type References).
2. Click Attach Drawing.

   If Attach Drawing does not display, click the arrow next to Attach Image and click Attach Drawing.

3. In the dialog box, browse to a drawing and click Open.
4. Set options in the Attach Reference: Drawing dialog box. See Attaching Drawings as References.

To attach images using the References palette:

1. Click Tools > References.
2. Click Attach Image.

   If Attach Image does not display, click the arrow next to Attach Drawing and click Attach Image.

3. In the dialog box, browse to an image and click Open.
4. Set options in the Attach Reference: Image dialog box. See Attaching Image Files.

To update References:

1. Click Tools > References.
2. Click Refresh to redraw the References.

   If Refresh does not display, click the arrow next to Reload All and click Refresh.

3. Click Reload All to update the References with subsequent modifications made to the external file.

   If Reload All does not display, click the arrow next to Refresh and click Reload All.

^ Top of Page

Managing References

To open referenced drawings:

You can modify a drawing that is referenced in a drawing.

• In the References palette, right-click a Reference and click Open.

  The drawing opens in another drawing window. When you edit the drawing your modifications are reflected in the drawings where they are attached as References.

To unload References:

• In the References palette, right-click a Reference and click Unload.

  The Reference you unloaded is no longer visible in the drawing, but the link to the file is maintained. To redisplay an unloaded Reference, specify the Reload option.

To reload References:

• In the References palette, right-click a Reference and click Reload.

  Drawings that contain referenced drawings are displayed in their current states. When working on a project in a workgroup, you might need to update References while you work on a drawing. The option reloads the specified drawing in the form in which it was most recently saved.

  Note: The notification area of the status bar displays a balloon to indicate that an external reference drawing has changed and needs reloading.

To detach References:

• In the References palette, right-click a Reference and click Detach.

  The referenced drawing is removed from the current drawing, which erases dependent symbols such as Layer, LineStyle, and Block definitions from the drawing file.

  Note: Although you can erase References with the Delete command, specify the Detach option to remove the dependent symbols from the drawing file, as well.

To bind References permanently:

The Bind option makes a referenced drawing a permanent part of a drawing, for example, if you want to email a drawing or archive a finalized drawing. Bind the referenced drawing to the current drawing to avoid including an assembly of drawings in an archive or email.

1. In the References palette, right-click a Reference and click Bind.
2. In the dialog box, specify the Bind Type:
   • Bind. Converts the Reference into a Block and uses unique symbol names for Layers and style definitions in the drawing using the blockname$n$symbolname syntax.
   • Insert. Detaches the Reference and inserts the referenced drawing as a Block.

   See Using the Insert Reference – Bind Type dialog box.

3. Click OK.

To change the Reference type:

1. In the References palette, select a Reference.
2. In the File information area, select the Reference Type:
   • Attach. Creates a link to a drawing and references it in the current drawing. The attached drawing is the most recently saved version. The Attach option includes the external drawing.
   • Overlay. Creates a link to a drawing and references it in the current drawing. The Overlay option does not include the external drawing.

To reset the path to a Reference:

Occasionally, the location of a referenced drawing changes or a referenced file is renamed. The Path option reestablishes the path to the Reference, reattaches a renamed Reference file, or replaces a Reference file with another file.

1. In the References palette, select a Reference.
2. In the File information area, click Browse  behind the Found in path box that contains the path and name of the Reference whose path needs updating.
3. Navigate to the new location and select the Reference file, then click Open.

To change the saved path specification for a Reference:

You can modify the path specifications for References. The specifications are saved in the drawing.

1. In the References palette, right-click a Reference (drawing or image) and click Path.
2. Specify an option:
   • Make absolute. Changes the relative path of the Reference to an absolute path.
   • Make relative. Changes the absolute path of the Reference to a relative path.
   • Remove path. Removes the path specification for the Reference. Use this option only, if the Reference is located in the same folder as the drawing.

   In the File information area, in Saved path, the path specification changes accordingly.

^ Top of Page

Access

Command: References

Menu: Tools > References

Hiding the References Palette

Use the HideReferences command to close the References palette.

To hide the References palette:

• Click Tools > References (or type HideReferences).

Access

Command: HideReferences

Attaching Drawings as References

You can attach an external drawing to the current drawing. This creates a link between the external drawing and the current drawing.

The software periodically checks whether the attached referenced drawings have changed since the last time the referenced drawings were loaded.

When you open a drawing that has one or more externally referenced files, the External Reference icon () appears in the status bar. Clicking the External Reference icon displays the References palette.

To attach drawings as References:

1. Click Insert > Reference Drawing (or type AttachDrawing).
2. In the dialog box, select a drawing to attach, and click Open.
3. In the Attach Reference: Drawing dialog box, Name displays the name of the file you selected, or you can select a previously attached drawing. Click Browse to select a different drawing.
4. Specify File information:
   • Path type: Specifies how to display the path to the drawing.
     • Full: Shows the complete path to the drawing.
     • None: Shows only the file name.
     • Relative: Shows the relative path to the drawing. If both drawings are in the same folder, only the file name of the drawing is displayed.
   • Reference type: Indicates whether to include the Referenced drawing when the current drawing is attached to another drawing.
     • Attachment: Includes the Referenced drawing.
     • Overlay: Does not include the Referenced drawing.
5. Specify the Insertion point:
   • Specify later: Lets you specify the insertion point in the graphics area after the dialog box closes.
   • X, Y, Z: Specifies the X, Y, and Z coordinates for the drawing location.
6. Specify the Scale:
   • Specify later: Lets you specify the scale in the graphics area after the dialog box closes.
   • X, Y, Z: Specifies the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each axis independently.
   • Lock aspect ratio: Lets you enter the X axis and fixes the other coordinates.
7. Specify the Rotation:
   • Specify later: Lets you specify the angle in the graphics area after the dialog box closes.
   • Angle: Sets the angle of rotation for the drawing.
8. Verify Block units information (read-only):
   • Units: Shows the unit system of the specified drawing.
   • Scale: Shows the scale factor of the specified drawing.
9. Click OK.

Access

Command: AttachDrawing

Menu: Insert > Reference Drawing

Tool Palettes: Draw > Attach Drawing

Ribbon: Insert > Reference > Attach > Drawing

Clipping References and Blocks

You can display only part of a Reference (a Referenced drawing file) or a Block. The entity is clipped at a boundary you create or specify.

You can create one clipping boundary per Reference or Block. The clipping boundary can be a polyline, a rectangle, or a polygon. Changing the boundary does not modify the entities in the Referenced drawing file.

If you select a Reference and the ribbon is active, the Reference contextual tab appears. The contextual tab groups frequently used options and tools for working with References.

To clip References or Blocks:

1. Specify the References or Blocks to which you want to apply a clipping boundary, and press Enter.
2. Click Modify > Clip > Reference (or type ClipReference).
3. On the ribbon, click Reference > Manage References > Clip.
4. Specify an option:
   • Boundary: Creates a new clipping boundary. If a clipping boundary already exists for the Reference or Block, you are prompted to delete the old boundary. Specify options:
     • Invert clip: Lets you invert the display of the clipping boundary. Use the option to display the entities outside the boundary or to return to the previous mode.
     • Polygonal: Lets you define an irregular polygonal shape as clipping boundary by specifying points.
     • Rectangular: Lets you define a rectangular clipping boundary by specifying two opposite points.
     • Select polyline: Lets you select an existing PolyLine to serve as clipping boundary. Arc segments are decurved.
   • Clip depth (used for 3D clipped References or Blocks): Sets the front and back planes parallel to the clipping boundary. You select the planes by specifying clip points. Use inferencing to select geometry. Specify options:
     • Distance: Uses specified distances from the clipping boundary to create the front and back planes.
     • Remove: Removes the clipping planes.
   • Delete: Removes the clipping boundary.
   • Off: Turns the clipping boundary off to display the Reference or Block entirely. The clipping boundary is retained so you can activate it again.
   • On: Turns the clipping boundary on to display only the portion of the Reference or Block inside the clipping boundary.
   • Polyline: Creates a PolyLine from the clipping boundary you created before (using the Rectangle and Polygonal options).

Access

Command: ClipReference

Menu: Modify > Clip > Reference

Ribbon: Insert > Reference > Clip > Reference

Contextual Ribbon: Reference > Clip

Opening Referenced Drawings

You can modify a drawing that is referenced in your drawing.

To open Referenced drawings:

1. Specify a Referenced drawing.
2. Click Tools > Open Reference (or type OpenReference).
3. On the ribbon, click Reference > Manage References > Open.

4. The drawing opens in another drawing window. When you edit the drawing your modifications are reflected in the drawings where it is attached as a Reference.

Access

Command: OpenReference

Menu: Tools > Open Reference

Contextual Ribbon: Reference > Open Reference

Detaching Referenced Drawings

The DetachDrawing command lets you detach Referenced drawings that were attached to the current drawing with the AttachDrawing command.

To detach Referenced drawings:

1. Type DetachDrawing at the command prompt.
2. Type the name of the drawing to detach.

  The names of the References attached to the drawing are listed in the References palette.

Access

Command: DetachDrawing

Working with Image Files

You can attach raster images (such as digital photographs or scanned maps) as References to the current drawing.

In practice, there are many situations when you have to add images in your drawings:

• Add a logo to a drawing title block
• Place a map behind the drawing
• Include aerial photographs
• Adding watermarks

The software provides tools and options to attach and detach images to your drawings and modify their scale and appearance. Additionally, you can clip images to a specified boundary and control image display properties.

Some of the supported file types are .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, and .tiff.

Images are not part of the drawing. The names of the images attached to the drawing are listed in the References palette.

The Properties palette lets you change several display properties of images that you attached to the drawing. You can:

• Adjust brightness to darken or lighten an image
• Adjust contrast to make an image easier to read
• Adjust fade and background transparency to see the drawing entities over images

If you select an image and the ribbon is active, the Image Selection contextual tab appears. The contextual tab groups options and tools for clipping and changing display properties.

This section discusses:

• Attaching Image Files as References
• Clipping Referenced Images
• Detaching Referenced Images
• Modifying Display Properties of Images

Attaching Image Files as References

You can attach an image to a drawing. Some of the supported file types are .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, and .tiff.

The names of the images attached to the drawing are listed in the References palette.

To attach image files as references:

Tip: Create a new layer for the image to attach. You can display or hide the image by turning the layer on or off.

1. Click Insert > Reference Image (or type AttachImage).
2. In the dialog box, select an image to attach, and click Open.
3. In the Attach Reference: Image dialog box, Name displays the name of the file you selected, or you can select a previously attached image. Click Browse to select a different image.
4. Specify File information:
   • Path type: Specifies how to display the path to the image.
     • Full: Shows the complete path to the image.
     • None: Shows only the file name.
     • Relative: Shows the relative path to the image. If both drawing and image are in the same folder, only the file name of the image is displayed.
5. Specify the Insertion point:
   • Specify later: Lets you specify the insertion point in the graphics area after the dialog box closes.
   • X, Y, Z: Specifies the X, Y, and Z coordinates for the image location.
6. Specify the Scale:
   • Specify later: Lets you specify the scale in the graphics area after the dialog box closes.
   • Scale factor: Specifies the image scale.
7. Specify the Rotation:
   • Specify later: Lets you specify the angle in the graphics area after the dialog box closes.
   • Angle: Sets the angle of rotation for the image.
8. Click OK.

Access

Command: AttachImage

Menu: Insert > Reference Image

Ribbon: Insert > Reference > (Flyout) Attach

Tool Palettes: Draw > Attach Image

Clipping Referenced Images

You can display only part of a referenced image. The image is clipped at a boundary you create or specify.

You can create one clipping boundary per referenced image. The clipping boundary can be a polyline, a rectangle, or a polygon.

If you select an image and the ribbon is active, the Image Selection contextual tab appears. The contextual tab groups options and tools for creating and deleting clipping boundaries.

To clip referenced images using the ClipImage command:

1. Click Modify > Clip > Image (or type ClipImage).
2. Specify the referenced image to which you want to apply a clipping boundary.
3. Specify an option:
   • Create Boundary: Creates a new clipping boundary. If a clipping boundary already exists for the referenced image, you are prompted to delete the old boundary. Specify options:
     • Polygonal: Lets you define an irregular polygonal shape as clipping boundary by specifying points.
     • Rectangular: Lets you define a rectangular clipping boundary by specifying two opposite points.
     • Select polyline: Lets you select an existing PolyLine to serve as clipping boundary. Arc segments are decurved.
   • Delete: Removes the clipping boundary.
   • Off: Turns the clipping boundary off to display the referenced image entirely. The clipping boundary is retained so you can activate it again.
   • On: Turns the clipping boundary on to display only the portion of the referenced image inside the clipping boundary.

Access

Command: ClipImage

Menu: Modify > Clip > Image

Detaching Referenced Images

The DetachImage command lets you detach Referenced images that were attached to the current drawing with the AttachImage command.

To detach Referenced images:

1. Type DetachImage at the command prompt.
2. Type the name of the image you want to detach.

  The names of the images attached to the drawing are listed in the References palette.

Access

Command: DetachImage

Using PDF Files as Underlays

You can attach one or more pages of PDF (Portable Document Format) documents to drawings as underlays.

When you attach a PDF file as an underlay, the software links the file as a reference to the current drawing.

If an attached PDF is organized in layers, you can control the visibility of the layers.

You can clip a PDF underlay to display only part of a PDF document.

The names of PDF underlays are listed in the References palette which lets you manage them.

If you select a PDF underlay in the graphics area and the ribbon is active, the PDF Underlay contextual tab appears. The contextual tab groups options and tools for clipping and changing PDF underlay display properties.

This chapter discusses:

• Attaching PDF Files as Underlays
• Controlling the Visibility of PDF Underlay Layers
• Clipping PDF Underlays
• Detaching PDF Underlays
• Setting PDF Underlay Options
• Managing PDF Underlays from the References Palette

Attaching PDF Files as Underlays

Use the AttachPDF command to attach pages of a PDF document to a drawing.

The command links the specified file as a reference to the current drawing.

To attach PDF files as Underlays:

1. Click Insert > PDF Underlay (or type AttachPDF).
2. Type AttachPDF at the command prompt.
3. In the dialog box, select a PDF file to attach and click Open.
4. In the dialog box, select a PDF file to attach and click Attach.
5. In the Attach Reference: PDF Underlay dialog box, Name displays the name of the file you selected, or you can select a previously attached PDF file. Click Browse to select a different PDF file.
6. In File information, specify the Path type:
   • Full: Shows the complete path to the PDF file.
   • None: Shows only the PDF file name.
   • Relative: Shows the relative path to the PDF file. If the drawing and PDF file are in the same folder, only the file name of the image is displayed.
7. If the PDF file contains multiple pages, select the pages of the PDF file to insert.
8. Under Position, for X, Y, and Z, type coordinate values, or select Specify later to specify the insertion point on screen after closing the dialog box.
9. Under Rotation, for Angle, type a value or select Specify later to set the rotation angle in the graphics area during insertion.
10. Under Scale, type a scale factor, or select Specify later to specify the scaling on screen after closing the dialog box.
11. Click OK.

Access

Command: AttachPDF

Menu: Insert > PDF Underlay

Ribbon: Insert > Reference > Attach > PDF

Tool Palettes: Draw > Attach PDF

Controlling the Visibility of PDF Underlay Layers

You can specify the visibility of layers of a PDF Underlay that is referenced PDF in a drawing.

To control the visibility of layers of an attached PDF file:

1. In the graphics area, specify a PDF Underlay.
2. Click Format > PDF Layer (or type LayersPDF).
3. On the contextual ribbon, click Reference Manager > Layers.

4. In the dialog box, the PDF Underlay list displays the name of the PDF Underlay you specified. You can select a different, previously attached PDF file from this list.

5. In the Layers list, activate the layers of the PDF file to display in the drawing.

   If the specified PDF Underlay is not organized by layers, the list is empty.

6. Click OK.

Access

Command: LayersPDF

Menu: Format > PDF Layer

Ribbon: Insert > Reference > Layers > PDF Underlay Layers Manager

Clipping PDF Underlays

You can display only part of a PDF Underlay. The entity is clipped at a boundary you create or specify.

You can create one clipping boundary per PDF Underlay.

To clip PDF Underlays:

1. Specify the PDF Underlay to which you want to apply a clipping boundary.
2. Click Modify > Clip > PDF Underlay (or type ClipPDF).
3. On the contextual ribbon, click Reference Manager > Clip.
4. Specify an option:
   • On: Turns the clipping boundary on to display only the portion of the PDF Underlay inside the clipping boundary.
   • Off: Turns the clipping boundary off to display the PDF Underlay entirely. The clipping boundary is retained so you can activate it again.
   • Delete: Removes the clipping boundary.
   • Create Boundary: Creates a new clipping boundary. If a clipping boundary already exists for the PDF Underlay, you are prompted to delete the old boundary. Specify options:
     • Select polyline: Uses an existing PolyLine as a clipping boundary. Arc segments are decurved.
     • Polygonal: Lets you define an irregular polygonal shape as a clipping boundary by specifying points.
     • Rectangular: Lets you define a rectangular clipping boundary by specifying two opposite points.

Access

Command: ClipPDF

Menu: Modify > Clip > PDF Underlay

Ribbon: Insert > Reference > Clip > PDF Underlay

Detaching PDF Underlays

The DetachPDF command lets you detach PDF Underlays that were attached to the current drawing with the AttachPDF command.

To detach PDF Underlays:

1. Type DetachPDF at the command prompt.
2. Type the name of the PDF Underlay to detach.

  The names of the PDF Underlays attached to the drawing are listed in the References palette.

Access

Command: DetachPDF

Setting PDF Underlay Options

Use the PDFUnderlayOptions command to set EntitySnap access to PDF Underlay entities and control the frame visibility of PDF Underlays.

To control EntitySnap access to PDF Underlays:

1. Type PDFUnderlayOptions at the command prompt.
2. Specify the ESnap option.
3. Specify On or Off to enable or disable EntitySnap access to PDF Underlays.

To control frame visibility of PDF Underlays:

1. Type PDFUnderlayOptions at the command prompt.
2. Specify the Frame option.
3. Specify On or Off to show or hide the frame at the borders of PDF Underlays in the graphics area and on printouts.

If the ribbon is active, select a PDF underlay in the graphics area and control the frame visibility from the contextual ribbon tab: click PDF Underlay > Reference Manager > PDF Underlay frame Mode.

Access

Command: PDFUnderlayOptions

Managing PDF Underlays from the References Palette

The names of the PDF Underlays that you attach to a drawing are listed in the References palette. Use this palette to manage PDF Underlays.

To manage PDF Underlays from the References palette:

1. Click Tools > References Manager.
2. In the References palette, right-click an attached PDF file to access the following options:
   • Open. Opens the PDF file from which you attached the underlay in an application which you use to show PDF files on your system.
   • Attach. Opens the dialog box from which to attach selectively other pages from the previously attached PDF file. You can also browse to another PDF file to attach as underlay to the drawing.
   • Unload. Unloads a loaded underlay.
   • Reload. Loads an underlay that has been unloaded. An unloaded underlay is indicated by .
   • Detach. Detaches the underlay.
   • Path. Specifies how to relate the path to the underlay:
     • Make absolute. Changes the relative path of the underlay to an absolute path.
     • Make relative. Changes the absolute path of the underlay to a relative path.
     • Remove path. Removes the path specification for the underlay. Use this option only, if the underlay is located in the same folder as the drawing.

Using DGN Files as Underlays

You can attach DGN drawing files (DesiGN files) as underlays. The files are linked as references to the current drawing.

Files of type *.dgn originate from MicroStation^® or other CAD software.

In DGN files, a drawing can be separated into Design Models which are individual workspaces where design geometry is defined. When you attach a DGN file which contains multiple Design Models, the specified model is referenced.

You can specify layer visibility of a DGN Underlay that is a referenced DGN file in a drawing.

If you select a DGN underlay in the graphics area and the ribbon is active, the DGN Underlay contextual tab appears. The contextual tab groups options and tools for clipping and changing the appearance of the DGN underlay against the graphics area background.

This chapter discusses:

CONTENTS

• Attaching DGN Files as Underlays
• Controlling the Visibility of DGN Underlay Layers
• Clipping DGN Underlays
• Detaching DGN Underlays
• Setting DGN Underlay Options
• Adjusting DGN Underlays
• Managing DGN Underlays from the References Palette

Attaching DGN Files as Underlays

Use the AttachDGN command to attach a DGN drawing file (DesiGN file) as underlay to a drawing.

Files of type *.dgn originate from MicroStation® or other CAD software.

The command links the specified file as a reference to the current drawing.

If you select a DGN underlay in the graphics area and the ribbon is active, the DGN Underlay contextual tab appears. You can adjust and clip the DGN underlay.

To attach DGN files as underlays:

1. Click Insert > DGN Underlay (or type AttachDGN).
2. Type AttachDGN at the command prompt.
3. In the dialog box, select a DGN file to attach and click Open.
4. In the dialog box, select a DGN file to attach and click Attach.
5. In the Attach Reference: DGN Underlay dialog box, Name displays the name of the file you selected, or you can select a previously attached DGN file. Click Browse to select a different DGN file.
6. In File information, specify the Path type:
   • Full. Shows the complete path to the DGN file.
   • None. Shows only the DGN file name.
   • Relative. Shows the relative path to the DGN file. If the drawing and DGN file are in the same folder, only the file name of the image appears.
7. In Select a Design Model, select one of Design Models defined in the DGN drawing file.

   In DGN files, a drawing can be separated into Design Models which are individual workspaces where design geometry is defined.

8. In Conversion Units, specify whether unit conversion uses Master units or Sub units as its base.

   Master units and Sub units express a relationship between applicable measurement units such as feet and inches, or meters and millimeters. Sub Units cannot be larger than Master Units.

   The measurement units defined in the DGN file appear in the dialog box title in brackets.

   If an instance of the specified DGN file is already referenced in the drawing, unit selection is unavailable.

9. Under Insertion point, for X, Y, and Z, type coordinate values, or select Specify later to specify the insertion point on screen after closing the dialog box.
10. Under Position, for X, Y, and Z, type coordinate values, or select Specify later to specify the insertion point on screen after closing the dialog box.
11. Under Rotation, for Angle, type a value or select Specify later to specify the rotation angle in the graphics area during insertion.
12. Under Scale, type a scale factor, or select Specify later to specify the scaling on screen after closing the dialog box.
13. Click OK.

You can drag DGN underlays directly into your drawing. At the command prompt, you can specify the name of Design Model, an insertion point, the scale factor, and the rotation angle.

Access

Command: AttachDGN

Menu: Insert > DGN Underlay

Controlling the Visibility of DGN Underlay Layers

You can specify layer visibility of a DGN Underlay that is a referenced DGN file in a drawing.

To control the visibility of DGN Underlay layers:

1. In the graphics area, specify a DGN Underlay.
2. Click Format > DGN Layer (or type LayersDGN).
3. On the contextual ribbon, click Reference Manager > Layers.

4. In the dialog box, DGN Underlay displays the name of the DGN Underlay you specified. You can select a different, previously attached DGN file from the list.

5. In Layers, activate the layers of the DGN file to display in the drawing.

   If the specified DGN Underlay is not organized by layers, the list is empty.

6. Click OK.

Access

Command: LayersDGN

Menu: Format > DGN Layer

Ribbon: Insert > Reference > DGN Underlay Layer Manager

Clipping DGN Underlays

You can display only part of a DGN Underlay. The entity is clipped at a boundary you create or specify.

You can create one clipping boundary per DGN Underlay.

To clip DGN Underlays:

1. Specify the DGN Underlay to which you want to apply a clipping boundary.
2. Click Modify > Clip > DGN Underlay (or type ClipDGN).
3. On the contextual ribbon, click Reference Manager > Clip.
4. Specify an option:
   • On: Turns the clipping boundary on to display only the portion of the DGN Underlay inside the clipping boundary.
   • Off: Turns the clipping boundary off to display the DGN Underlay entirely. The clipping boundary is retained so you can activate it again.
   • Delete: Removes the clipping boundary.
   • Create Boundary: Creates a new clipping boundary. If a clipping boundary already exists for the DGN Underlay, you are prompted to delete the old boundary. Specify an option:
     • Select polyline: Uses an existing PolyLine as a clipping boundary. Arc segments are straightened.
     • Polygonal: Lets you define a polygonal shape as a clipping boundary by specifying points.
     • Rectangular: Lets you define a rectangular clipping boundary by specifying two opposite points.

Access

Command: ClipDGN

Menu: Modify > Clip > DGN Underlay

Ribbon: Insert > Reference > Clip > DGN Underlay

Detaching DGN Underlays

The DetachDGN command lets you detach DGN Underlays that were attached to the current drawing with the AttachDGN command.

To detach DGN Underlays:

1. Type DetachDGN at the command prompt.
2. Type the name of the DGN Underlay to detach.

  The names of the DGN Underlays attached to the drawing are listed in the References palette.

Access

Command: DetachDGN

Setting DGN Underlay Options

Use the DGNUnderlayOptions command to set EntitySnap access to DGN Underlay entities and control the frame visibility of DGN Underlays.

To set EntitySnap access to DGN Underlays:

1. Type DGNUnderlayOptions at the command prompt.
2. Specify the ESnap option.
3. Specify On or Off to enable or disable EntitySnap access to DGN Underlays.

To control frame visibility of DGN Underlays:

1. Type DGNUnderlayOptions at the command prompt.
2. Specify the Frame option.
3. Specify an option:
   • Show: Shows the frame at the borders of DGN Underlays in the graphics area and on printouts.
   • Hide: Hides the frame in the graphics area and on printouts.
   • Not printed: Shows the frame in the graphics area, but hides it on printouts.

If the ribbon is active, select a DGN underlay in the graphics area and control frame visibility from the contextual ribbon tab: click DGN Underlay > Reference Manager > DGN Underlay frame Mode.

Access

Command: DGNUnderlayOptions

Adjusting DGN Underlays

Use the AdjustDGN command to adjust the appearance of DGN Underlays against the graphics area background. You can adjust fade, contrast, and monochrome values. The settings do not affect the original file. When you print the drawing the settings are recognized.

To adjust DGN Underlays:

1. Type AdjustDGN at the command prompt.
2. In the graphics area, specify a DGN underlay and press Enter.
3. Specify options:
   • Fade. Sets the fade value. Values range between 0 (no transparency) and 100 (full transparency).
   • Contrast. Sets the contrast value. Values range between 0 (no contrast) and 100 (full contrast).
   • Monochrome. Specifies whether the underlay displays monochrome or with its original colors.

Note: The options for changing the appearance of the DGN underlay against the graphics area background are available on the DGN Underlay contextual ribbon tab.

If the ribbon is active, select a DGN underlay in the graphics area and control the appearance of the DGN underlay against the graphics area background from the DGN Underlay contextual ribbon tab.

Access

Command: AdjustDGN

Managing DGN Underlays from the References Palette

The names of the DGN Underlays that you attach to a drawing are listed in the References palette. Use this palette to manage DGN Underlays.

To manage DGN Underlays from the References palette:

1. Click Tools > References Manager.
2. In the References palette, right-click an attached DGN file to access the following options:
   • Attach. Opens the dialog box from which to attach selectively other design models from the previously attached DGN file. You can also browse to another DGN file to attach as underlay to the drawing.
   • Unload. Unloads a loaded underlay.
   • Reload. Loads an underlay that has been unloaded. An unloaded underlay is indicated by .
   • Detach. Detaches the underlay.

In-Place Editing of Blocks and References

In-place editing lets you modify the definitions of Components, which are Block definitions or referenced drawings in the current drawing (referred to as Elements).

Component instances in the drawing reflect the changes immediately.

This section describes how to:

• Edit Components in-place
• Add or remove Elements during Component editing
• Modify the base point of a Block definition
• Save Component edits
• Terminate Component editing

In-Place Editing of Components

Use the EditComponent command to edit individual Elements within referenced Blocks or drawings directly in the current drawing, changing the definition of Blocks or References.

All instances of modified Blocks and References are updated in the drawing.

Block insertions and attached References behave as single Elements in drawings. They are referred to as Components. You can move, copy, mirror, rotate or scale Components, but the Elements that make up a Component are not accessible by default. The EditComponent command starts a Component editing session, also referred to as in-place editing. During a Component editing session, you can access and modify individual Elements of Blocks and References. You can add to Components or remove Elements from them.

Additionally, you can automatically include all nested Blocks in the Component editing session or specify the nested Block to edit in-place.

To finish the Component editing session, use the SaveComponent or CloseComponent commands.

To modify a Block definition:

1. Click Modify > Component > Edit (or type EditComponent at the command prompt).
2. In the graphics area click a Block or Reference to edit.
3. From the list in the Edit Component dialog box, select the name of a Block or Reference:
   • If you select a Block or Reference that does not contain further Blocks or References, the list contains only that Block or Reference.
   • If you select a Block that contains other Blocks, or a Reference that contains Blocks or other References, the nesting is displayed in a hierarchical list. Additionally, you can control how nested Blocks are selected:
     • Automatically select all nested entities. Lets you specify any entity contained within the specified nested Block in the tree. The Component editing session starts immediately.
     • Prompt to select nested entities. Lets you individually specify the nested Block in the graphics area before starting the Component editing session.

   Note: Use the EditComponent command only with simple Blocks. Opening a CustomBlock removes the CustomBlock features from the definition.

4. For nested blocks, you can control nested entities selection during an editing session.
5. If you want to zoom to the imaginary bounding box that surrounds the selected Block or Reference, click Zoom to Bounds before you click Show Selection or OK.
6. Click Show Selection to highlight the Block or Reference in the drawing before you start editing.

   The dialog box temporarily disappears until you click in the graphics area or press Esc to return to the dialog box.

7. Click OK to start in-place editing of the Block or Reference you selected.

   The drawing is dimmed except for the Elements that define the Block or Reference.

8. Modify the geometry of the Block definition or Reference using modification tools and commands.

   Use the ChangeElements command to add or remove entities in the Block definition or Reference.

9. Type SaveComponent to accept the changes to the Component

   – or –

   Type CloseComponent to open the Component dialog box so you can Save or Discard the modifications.

To modify the hierarchy of nested Blocks:

1. Click Modify > Component > Edit (or type EditComponent).
2. In the graphics area click a Block containing other Blocks.
3. From the list in the Edit Component dialog box select a nested Block.
4. Click Move Up to move the nested Block a level higher and repeat as needed.

   Click Restore to bring a moved Block back into its original position.

5. Click OK.
6. Type SaveComponent to accept the changes to the Component

   – or –

   Type CloseComponent to open the Component dialog box so you can Save or Discard the modifications.

  You cannot modify the hierarchy of nested Blocks in References.

Access

Command: EditComponent

Menu: Modify > Component > Edit

Ribbon: Insert > Component > Edit Component

Adding or Removing Elements During Component Editing

The ChangeElements command adds or removes Elements from Component definitions (Blocks or References).

Entities contained in Components are referred to as Elements. Elements can be Lines, Arcs, Circles, or other Components, for example.

To add Elements to Components during in-place editing:

1. Click Modify > Component > Edit (or type EditComponent at the command prompt) to start in-place editing of Components.
2. In the graphics area click a Block or Reference to edit.
3. In the Edit Component dialog box, select the Block or Reference to modify and click OK.
4. All Elements are dimmed except for those you can edit in place.
4. Draw or insert the Elements to add to the selected Block definition or Reference.
5. Click Modify > Component > Add Elements (or type ChangeElements and enter the Add option).
6. Select the Elements you want to add to the Block definition or Reference.
7. Click Modify > Component > Save and Close (or typeSaveComponent).
8. All instances of the Block or the Reference are updated and display the added Elements.

To remove Elements from Components during in-place editing:

1. Click Modify > Component > Edit (or type EditComponent at the command prompt) to start in-place editing of Components.
2. In the graphics area click a Block or Reference to edit.
3. In the Edit Component dialog box, select the Block or Reference to modify and click OK.
4. All Elements are dimmed except those you can edit in place.
4. Click Modify > Component > Remove Elements (or type ChangeElements and enter the Remove option).
5. Select the Elements you want to remove from the Block definition or Reference.
6. Click Modify > Component > Save and Close (or typeSaveComponent).
7. All instances of the Block or Reference are updated.

Access

Command: ChangeElements

Menu: Modify > Component > Add Elements and Modify > Component > Remove Elements

Modifying the Base Point of a Block Definition

Use the EditBasePoint command to set a new insertion base point for a Block definition.

You must first use the EditComponent command to enter Component editing mode to use this command.

To modify the base point of a Block definition or Reference:

1. Click Modify > Component > Edit (or type EditComponent at the command prompt) to start in-place editing of Blocks.
2. In the Edit Component dialog box, select the Block to modify and click OK.
3. Note: You cannot modify the base point of a Block nested in a referenced drawing.
3. Click Modify > Component > Edit Base Point (or type EditBasePoint at the command prompt).
4. A rubberband displays between the current base point of the Block and the pointer.
4. Specify the new base point.
5. Click Modify > Component > Save and Close (or typeSaveComponent) to accept the change and complete the in-place editing of the Block definition.

  Use CloseComponent instead of SaveComponent to specify whether you want to save or discard the changes of a Component editing session.

Access

Command: EditBasePoint

Menu: Modify > Component > Edit Base Point

Ribbon: Insert > Component > Edit Base Point

Saving Component Edits

The SaveComponent command saves changes made during a Component editing session and ends the session. In-place editing of Block definitions or References is invoked by the EditComponent command.

To save an in-place edited Block definition or Reference:

• Click Modify > Component > Save and Close (or type SaveComponent at the command prompt).

  The Block definition or Reference changes are saved and Component editing mode ends.

  All instances of the Block or Reference in the drawing reflect the changes.

  Use CloseComponent to save or discard the modifications of in-place editing of Components.

Access

Command: SaveComponent

Menu: Modify > Component > Save and Close

Ribbon: Insert > Component > Save and Close

Terminating Component Editing

The CloseComponent command ends the in-place editing of a Block definition or Reference initiated by the EditComponent command.

To end in-place editing of a Block definition or Reference:

1. Click Modify > Component > Close (or type CloseComponent at the command prompt).
2. In the Component dialog box, click Save to save the changes of the Block definition or Reference you have edited

   – or –

   Click Discard to end Component editing without saving the changes.

  Use SaveComponent to save the changes and end the Component editing session.

Access

Command: CloseComponent

Menu: Modify > Component > Close

Ribbon: Insert > Component > Close Component

Customizing Blocks Behavior and Appearance

Creating CustomBlocks

Using the Block Editor

Editing Block Definitions

Use the Block Editor to edit Block definitions. To open the Block Editor, use the EditBlock command. Alternatively, double-click a Block reference in the graphics area.

You can do the following changes to the Block:

• Modify geometry using modification tools and commands. You can add, delete, and modify the Block entities.
• Modify properties of any entity in the graphics area by using the Properties palette.
• Add elements and activities to the Block definitions to create CustomBlocks.

The Properties palette is available in the Block Editor. You can select and modify the properties of entities in the graphics area such as geometric entities, elements, and activities.

The Properties palette is available in the Block Editor. You can select and modify the properties of geometric entities in the graphics area.

To finish the Block editing session, use the CBClose command and save the Block. See Saving CustomBlocks.

All instances of modified Blocks and References update in the drawing.

To open a Block definition for editing:

1. Click Modify > Entity > Edit Block (or type EditBlock).
2. In the graphics area, click the Block to edit.
3. From the list in the Edit Block dialog box, select the name of the Block.

   Note: You can edit simple Blocks only. An orange dot in the bottom-right corner of the icon identifies CustomBlocks. In addition, the preview image displays the CB abbreviation for the selected CustomBlock.

4. To zoom to the bounding box that surrounds the selected Block, select Zoom to Bounds.
5. Click Show Selection to highlight the Block in the drawing before you start editing.

   The dialog box temporarily disappears until you click in the graphics area or press Esc to return to the dialog box.

6. Click OK.

   The Block Editor opens. The Block geometry appears. The origin of the coordinate system is in the Block insertion point.

7. Do the required changes to the Block definition. You can add, delete, and modify the following:
   • Geometric Constraints
   • Elements
   • Activities
   • Block entities
   • Visibility states
   • Tables
   • Base point
   • Grips
   • Properties
   • Modify the geometry using modification tools and commands.
8. Type CBSave to accept the changes.

9. Type CBClose to exit the editor.

To close the Block Editor:

1. Type CBClose at the command prompt.

   If the Block definition has changed since you last saved it, the system prompts you to save the changes.

2. Save or discard the changes.

Access

Command: EditBlock

Menu: Modify > Entity > Edit Block

Ribbon: Edit Block > Close > Close

Working with Dynamic Blocks

You can insert Dynamic Blocks and use them in drawings (although you cannot create them with the software). For example, you can use Dynamic Blocks in custom drawings and Block libraries.

This topic discusses:

• Using Dynamic Block Grips
• Inserting Dynamic Blocks

Dynamic Block features and constraints let you:

• Manipulate a subset of entities in a Block (move, stretch, rotate, scale, array, and mirror)
• Modify Block references within specific constraints
• Maintain relationships between Block entities when modifying them
• Select between variants in a Block
• Show or hide components in a Block reference
• Specify forms and sizes from predefined sets and values
• Restrict entity dimensions to specific values and increments (value sets)
• Cycle through a set of base points when inserting Dynamic Blocks

Note: Use the ResetBlock command to reset Dynamic Block references to default values of the Block definitions.

Using Dynamic Block Grips

When you select a Dynamic Block:

• Special grips display on the Block geometry
• Additional options for the Block display on the Properties palette

As you click or drag the grips, entities in the Block reference adjust according to the parameters that define the modification.

Each Dynamic Block grip has a label. The label displays in the Custom section of the Properties palette where you can modify values or select options.

Depending on the complexity of features and constraints within a Dynamic Block, more or less grips display to define how the Block reference should look like.

Grips available in Dynamic Block references are:

Grip Type	Icon	Modifications
Standard		Moves, stretches, scales, or patterns entities independently in a Block reference.
Linear		Lengthens, stretches, scales, or patterns entities in a Block reference along a vector.
Rotation		Rotates entities in a Block reference around an axis.
Flip		Flips (mirrors) entities in a Block reference about an axis.
Alignment		Aligns entities of a Block reference with other entities in the drawing, either tangentially or perpendicularly.
Lookup		Changes forms or dimensions based on predefined lists. Also, controls the visibility of subsets of entities based on lookup lists.

To work with Dynamic Block grips:

1. In the graphics area, select a Dynamic Block reference.
2. Click or drag grips.
3. On the Properties palette, under Custom, edit Dynamic Block parameters.

Inserting Dynamic Blocks

Use the InsertBlock command to insert Dynamic Blocks that are defined in the current drawing. When you select a Block in the dialog box, an asterisk  in the preview image identifies it as a Dynamic Block.

Use the References palette to insert Dynamic Blocks from external drawings.

Use the ExportDrawing command to write Dynamic Blocks to a drawing file for subsequent insertions in other drawings.

To insert Dynamic Blocks that are defined in the current drawing:

1. Click Insert > Block (or type InsertBlock).
2. In the dialog box, in Name, select a Dynamic Block.

   An asterisk  in the lower right corner of the Preview image identifies a Block as a Dynamic Block.

3. In Position, Scale, and Rotate, specify the insertion parameters.
4. In Block UnitSystem, clear Explode.
5. Click OK.

To insert Dynamic Blocks from external drawings:

1. In the References palette, in Folders, locate a drawing that contains a Dynamic Block.
2. In Content, double-click Block.
3. Click a Dynamic Block.

   An asterisk  in the lower right corner of the Preview image identifies a Block as a Dynamic Block.

4. Do one of the following:
   • Drag the Block into the graphics area.
   • Right-click and click Insert Block. In the dialog box, specify the insertion parameters.

To circle through a set of base points when inserting a Dynamic Block:

• When you are prompted to specify the insertion point of the Block, press Ctrl until you see the preview you want.

  The preview of the Block insertion updates in the graphics area with an alternate base points at the crosshair (pointer) position.

To write a Dynamic Block to a file:

1. Click File > Export > Export Drawing (or type ExportDrawing).
2. In the dialog box, under Source, select Block.
3. From the list, select the Block to write to a file.
4. Under Destination, specify a path and file name, or click Browse to locate a destination folder and enter a file name.

Using Design Resources

Use the DesignResources command to access resources and contents from other drawings on your computer or network places to which you are connected. You can employ and import Blocks, Reference drawings, Layers, LineStyles, DimensionStyles, TextStyles, TableStyles, and layout Sheets into the current drawing.

From the Design Resources palette, you can drag and drop drawing contents, copy and paste them, and add, attach, or insert them. These procedures are discussed in Typical Procedures when Using Design Resources.

Additionally, you can add a set of Blocks on a tool palette in one step using the Design Resources. Options are available in context menus. Procedures are discussed in Using Blocks with Tool Palettes.

The palette contains two tabs:

• Computer: Displays resources and contents from your computer or network places to which you are connected.
• Opened files: Display contents from the opened drawings.

In addition, there is a toolbar at the top and a status bar at the bottom of the palette.

To show the Design Resources palette:

• Click Tools > Design Resources (or type DesignResources).

  – or –

• Press Ctrl + 2.

Design Resources Palette

Computer tab

The palette contains three sections:

• Resources tree view: Browses the disks, folders, network drives, and drawing files.
• Content list: Displays the contents of the selected item in the Folders tree view.
• Preview area: Displays previews of drawing files, Blocks, References, and image files.

Folders tree view

The Resources tree view lets you navigate to folders and files on your computer, network places you are connected to, and your system Desktop.

These file types are listed in the tree view:

• Drawing file (*dwg)
• Drawing exchange file (*dxf)
• Drawing template file (*.dwt)
• Drawing standards file (*.dws)

If the folder you select contains image files, these are listed in the Content list.

Note: Hidden folders or files are not displayed in the Design Resources palette.

Content list

The Content list area displays the contents of the item you selected in the Resources tree view.

• If you selected a folder, Content displays drawings and images contained in the folder and subfolders.

  Image files can be of type *.bmp, *.gif, *.jpg, *.png, and *.tif.

• If you selected a drawing file, Content displays a list of all categories of named objects contained in a drawing:
  • Blocks
  • Reference drawings
  • Layers
  • LineStyles
  • DimensionStyles
  • TextStyles
  • TableStyles
  • Sheets

  Note: You can also show these categories in the Resources tree view by clicking the plus sign (+) in front of a drawing file (which expands the categories list).

Preview area

The Preview area displays previews of drawing files, Blocks, References, and images.

Toolbar

Use the buttons in the toolbar at the top of the Design Resources palette for navigation and access options:

• Open : Opens a drawing or image file, sets the Resources tree view to the folder of that file, and highlights the file name in the Content list.
• Home : Displays the default folder or file you selected in the Resources tree view.

  To set the Home position, in the Resources tree view, right-click an item and click Set as Home.

• Favorites : Displays your favorite resources in the Favorites folder. You can bookmark resources you often use or want to quickly find.

  To add folders or files to the Favorites folder in the Resources tree view, right-click an item and click Add to Favorites.

  To remove folders or files from the Favorites folder, in the Content list, right-click an item and click Remove from Favorites.

  Note: The Favorites folder is not a physical folder on your hard drive. It is a list of links to folders and files on your system.

• Back : Displays the previously viewed folder or file.

  Click the arrow to show the list of the recently browsed folders and files.

• Forward : Displays the previously viewed folder or file if you clicked Back.

  Click the arrow to show the list of folders and files from which you stepped back using the Back button.

• Up : Moves one level up in the Resources tree view hierarchy.
• Tree View Toggle : Shows or hides the Folders tree view.
• Preview Toggle : Shows or hides the Preview area.
• Refresh : Refreshes the Resources tree view, Content list, and Preview area (for example, if changes were made externally to the selected folder).
• View : Changes the display of the Content list among list, details, thumbnails, and icons. Click the arrow to select one of these display modes.

Status bar

The status bar displays the full folder and file names of the selected item in the Resources tree view and the number of applicable items that are listed in the Contents list.

Opened Files tab

The palette contains three sections:

• Resources tree view: Browses the opened drawing files.
• Content list: Displays the contents of the selected item in the Resources tree view.
• Preview area: Displays previews of drawing files, Blocks, References, and image files.

Resources

The Resources tree view lets you navigate to opened files.

These file types are listed in the tree view:

• Drawing file (*.dwg)
• Drawing exchange file (*.dxf)
• Drawing template file (*.dwt)
• Drawing standards file (*.dws)

Content list

The Content list area displays the contents of the item you selected in the Resources tree view.

The Content list area displays a list of all categories of named objects contained in the drawing selected in the Resources tree view:

• Blocks

  You can group all Blocks of a drawing on a tool palette using the Create Tool Palette option from the context menu.

• Reference drawings
• Layers
• LineStyles
• DimensionStyles
• TextStyles
• TableStyles
• Sheets

  Note: You can also show these categories in the Resources tree view by clicking the plus sign (+) in front of a drawing file (which expands the categories list).

Preview area

The Preview area displays previews of the specified drawing file, Block, Reference, and image.

Typical Procedures when Using Design Resources

You can drag and drop drawing contents, copy and paste them, and add, attach, or insert them.

To drag content from other drawings to the graphics area:

1. In the tree view, browse to a drawing file.
2. In the Resources list, double-click a category (Blocks, Layers, LineStyles, DimensionStyles, TextStyles, TableStyles, Reference, or Sheets).
3. In the Content list, drag an item from the list into the drawing.
4. If you drag a Block or a Reference drawing, specify the position of the Block or Reference. If the Block contains BlockAttributes, edit the attributes.

To copy and paste content from other drawings into the drawing:

1. In the tree view, browse to a drawing file.

   Note: If you have already opened the drawing that contains Blocks, you can find it in the Opened files tree view.

2. In the Resources list, double-click a category (Blocks, Layers, LineStyles, DimensionStyles, TextStyles, TableStyles, Reference, or Sheets).
3. In the Content list, right-click an item and click Copy.
4. In the graphics area, right-click and click Paste.
5. If you paste a Block or a Reference drawing, specify the position of the Block or Reference.

To insert Blocks from other drawings into the drawing:

1. In the tree view, browse to a drawing file that contains Blocks.

   Note: If you have already opened the drawing that contains Blocks, you can find it in the Opened files tree view.

2. In the Resources list, double-click the Blocks category.
3. In the Content list, specify a Block.

   The Block is displayed in the Preview area.

4. Right-click and click Insert Block.

   Note: If the specified Block has the same name as a Block used in the drawing, you can redefine existing Blocks using the following options:

   • Insert and redefine: Inserts the specified Block and replaces existing Blocks with the Block specified in the Content list, if the existing Blocks have the same name as the specified one.
   • Redefine only: Replaces existing Blocks with the Block specified in the Content list, if the existing Blocks have the same name as the specified one.
5. In the Insert Block dialog box, specify options and values as if you use the InsertBlock command.
6. Click OK.

  To insert Blocks from Design Resources you can also double-click a Block in the Content list.

To redefine existing Blocks to a Block from another drawing:

1. In the tree view, browse to a drawing file that contains Blocks.
2. In the Resources list, double-click the Blocks category.
3. In the Content list, specify a Block.

   The specified Block is displayed in the Preview area.

4. Right-click and click Redefine only.

   Existing Blocks are replaced with the Block specified in the Content list.

   Note: The Redefine only option is available only if you have already opened the drawing that contains Blocks.

To insert a Block from other drawing and redefine existing Blocks:

1. In the tree view, browse to a drawing file.
2. In the Resources list, double-click the Blocks category.
3. In the Content list, specify a Block.

   The Block is displayed in the Preview area.

4. Right-click and click Insert and redefine.

   Note: The Insert and redefine option is available only if you have already opened the drawing that contains Blocks.

5. In the Insert Block dialog box, specify options and values as if you use the InsertBlock command.
6. Click OK.

   Existing Blocks are replaced with the Block specified in the Contents list.

To attach References from other drawings to the drawing:

1. In the tree view, browse to a drawing file that contains a referenced drawing.
2. In the Resources list, double-click the Reference drawings category.
3. In the Content list, right-click a Reference and click Attach Reference.
4. In the Attach Reference dialog box, specify options and values as if you use the AttachDrawing command.
5. Click OK.

  Attaching image files functions in a similar way.

To add Layers from other drawings to the drawing:

This procedure also works with LinesStyles, DimensionStyles, TextStyles, TableStyles, and layout Sheets.

1. In the tree view, browse to a drawing file.
2. In the Resources list, double-click the Layers category.
3. In the Content list, select one or more Layer names, right-click and click Add Layers.

   The Layers are added to the current drawing. Duplicate Layers are ignored.

  To add a single Layer from Design Resources, you can double-click a Layer name in the Contents list.

To add layout Sheet definitions from other drawings to the drawing:

1. In the tree view, browse to a drawing file.
2. In the Resources list, double-click the Sheets category.
3. In the Content list, select one or more Sheet names, right-click and click Add Sheets.

   The Sheets are added to the current drawing. Duplicate Sheets are ignored.

To insert drawings as Blocks, attach drawings as References, or open drawings from the Design Resources palette:

1. In the tree view, browse to a folder that contains at least one drawing file.
2. In the Resources list, select a drawing file.
3. Right-click and specify an option:
   • Attach as Reference: Attaches the specified drawing file as if you used the AttachDrawing command.
   • Insert as Block: Inserts the specified drawing file as if you used the InsertBlock command.
   • Open in application: Opens the specified drawing file as if you used the Open command.

  Attaching image files functions in a similar way.

To hide the Design Resources palette:

• Click Tools > Design Resources (or type HideDesignResources).

  – or –

• Press Ctrl + 2.

  If you frequently insert many Blocks, it is recommended that you collect Blocks of the same discipline or category in drawing files located in a specific folder. In Design Resources, these drawings can function as Block libraries. In addition, you can make them Favorites or group them on a dedicated tool palette.

Access

Command: DesignResources

Menu: Tools > Design Resources