Reinserting a Block

In this Task

• The ‘Sketch’ block will be reinserted into the workspace from the Blocks palette and superimposed on the model.

Associated Tasks

• Using layer control to display or conceal objects which overlay each other.
• Changing the Reference Point of a selection.
• Exploding a Block.

Before you Start

• Model is displayed in Top/World Plan view.
• The Blocks palette is used for this Task. Use Tools > Palettes > Blocks if the palette is not at the right edge of the workspace.

Take Note

• The success of this exercise depends on strict layer control.
• Multiple palettes are stacked at the bottom of the Tools palette.

Reinserting a Block

Tools | Palettes | Blocks Palette

When objects have been formatted into a Block, they can be reinserted into the workspace at any stage of the design.

In this case, the block ‘sketch’ will be reinserted into the workspace and placed on top of the model so views can be created for the final layout. Layer control is used to display or conceal objects which overlay each other.

With the view in Top/World Plan view, open the Blocks palette, then select the Sketch block, then drag into the workspace using a non-specific insertion point at this stage, shown below.

Sketch block inserted into the workspace in Plan/Top view

Changing the Reference Point of a Selection

Shortcut key ‘D’

The yellow reference point of a selection is used to relocate objects to another position. This reference point can be relocated in order to provide a more useful reference point.

Select the newly inserted Sketch block, shown below.

Sketch block selected; reference point shown in center of selection

Input the keyboard letter D, then move the cursor to the lower corner of the chamfered edge, shown below. Make sure to input V to target the vertex point of this line. Accuracy is important when assembling objects.

Relocating the reference point of the selection

From the newly seated reference point, move the Sketch block onto the corresponding reference point of the model, shown below.

Moving the sketch to the model using corresponding vertices

The result when viewed from the isometric view is shown below.

Layer Control

At this stage, the Sketch block is still unexploded. For this reason, individual layers within the block cannot be controlled. Select the sketch block by selecting a clearly identifiable 2D object such as a dimension, then using the Layer drop-down menu, place the selected objects onto the Profile layer.

Model & Sketch shown superimposed

Use the Visible/Invisible options in the Design Director to control the visibility of the 2 separate layers.

Model and sketch shown isolated on individual layers

TAKE NOTE

If the reference point of the selector shell is incorrectly seated, select the object, then right click and select Default Reference Point from the local menu. This will relocate the reference point to the original position in the center of the selector shell. To relocate the reference point, input D, then relocate the origin to the correct position.