Groups

Format | Create Group

A Group is a compound object comprising a number of separate entities which are grouped together, either temporarily or permanently, for easier manipulation within a drawing.

Groups can only be used in the drawing in which they were created.

Groups can be named by activating Options > Auto Naming > Groups > Prompt for Name option.

Groups are informal ‘blocks’ and are not stored in the Blocks or Library Palettes. Neither can they be reinserted into the drawing using their name.

The objects which form a Group are restored to their constituent parts using Modify > Explode.

Worked Example

In the illustration below, the 4 objects which comprise the patio furniture are grouped together to create a Group.

Auto Naming

The Auto Naming facility has been activated and this group has been appropriately named, shown below.

Creating a Group

To create this Group, first select the objects, then select Format > Group.

The objects are then grouped together as a compound object, but all individual properties such as layer, color etc are maintained.

Exploding a Group

To return the group to its original, separate components, select the Group, then use Format | Explode.

Blocks

Formatting a Block

Format | Create Block

A Block is similar in structure to a group, but it has more powerful characteristics.Blocks can contain data called Attributes  which helps to build a database in the drawing.Blocks which are inserted into the editor from the Blocks palette are generally required to exploded if the intention is to incorporate their elements into the current design.Blocks can be reduced to their constituent parts using Modify > Explode, but any Attributes attached to such Blocks will lose this information.Blocks can only be inserted into the drawing in which they were created.Blocks can only be inserted into the editor when the display mode is set to Wireframe.In-place modifications to Blocks can be done using the Edit Content option.By selecting Finish Edit Block when modifications are done, all instances of the block will be updated in the drawing.Groups can be named on creation by activating the Options > Auto Naming > Blocks > Prompt for Name option.Click here for information on resizing Blocks previews in the Blocks palette.

In the example below, Blocks were made of part 1 (Chair); part 2 (Umbrella) and part 3 (Lounger) by dragging the part into the Blocks palette.

The sample of the newly created block is displayed in the Blocks palette, shown below.

Inserting a Block

Tools | Palettes | Blocks Palette

A Block which was created in a current drawing can be inserted into the workspace directly from the Blocks Palette.The inserted block is retained as a compound entity until the Modify > Explode option is used, whereby the block is reduced to its constituent parts. In so doing, all Block information is removed in the workspace only; the Block integrity is still maintained in the Blocks palette.Blocks which are inserted into objects created as Walls will self-align according to the direction of the wall.Additionally, Blocks which are inserted into Walls will automatically break the wall to accommodate the Block object.Blocks are inserted onto the Layer 0.

Title Block supplied with the 2D Student Template

The logo for a company can be stored within the title block or dragged in from the Blocks palette into the title block in the paper space layout.

Supplied with the Student_3D Template is the logo of a sample company which has been created as a Block, shown below.

Use this sample drawingor create a similar sketch in the editor.

Logo of sample company

When viewports of the drawing have been created and inserted into the paper space layout, a title block with predefined attributes can be inserted into the layout.

The Logo block can then be dragged into an appropriate position within the title block, shown below.

To add your company logo to the Blocks palette, open the Student_2D template, then insert another logo into the model space layout using the Insert > Picture option. Drag the picture of the logo into the Blocks palette, naming it during the process. In this example, the newly inserted logo is named TC Logo, shown below.

New logo inserted as picture and dragged to the Blocks palette

The new logo can now be dragged into any of the standard title blocks, similar to the illustration below.

Reinserting Blocks

In the example below, the objects in the drawing have already been created as blocks. The Blocks Palette is used to reinsert blocks into the drawing in which they were created.

In the illustration below, the Lounger is selected to be inserted into the drawing.

Dragging the Lounger block into the workspace

Take Note

Blocks which are deleted from the workspace are still retained in the Blocks palette.

Modifying a Block

Tools | Blocks Palette

The EditContent facility within the Blocks Palette allows in-place editing of a block.

Modifications done to a block using the Edit Content (EC) method will update all instances of that block in the current drawing.

When modifications to a block in the Blocks Palette is finished, the Finish Edit Content option is used.

The Edit Content facility allows a Block to be modified by selecting the block object in the Blocks palette and selecting the Edit Content (EC) option.

Editing a Block within the Blocks palette temporarily clears the workspace of all objects excluding the Block to be modified.

When the modifications to the block are finished, the Finish Edit Content option is used. All instances of the newly modified block will automatically be updated in the current drawing.

In the example below, the Lounger block will be modified to change the scale of the object to .75 and the color of the object to Blue.

Lounger Block will be updated

Left click onto the Lounger block in the Blocks Palette and select Edit Content. Select the objects, then change the color to blue and the scale to .75. Select Finish Edit Content.

When the Finish EditContent is used, all instances of the block currently in the workspace will correspondingly update.

Lounger block changed in Blocks palette. All instances of the block are updated

Take Note

Platinum | Professional only

The Block edit function can be accessed directly from the Tools menu. This displays the block in the workspace so it can be modified and updated. When changes are made, the Finish to Block Edit option is selected, shown below.

Hidden Line removal for Block insertion

A Remove Hidden Line option is available to the Block insertion properties. On enabling this property, the removal of the hidden rows is applied to the block content. Two other properties, Show Invisible Lines and Show Intersections, become available on activating Remove Hidden Line.

1. Tools > Palettes > Selection Info; 2. Select All; 3. Select Insert HL Pattern; 4. Remove Hidden Line; 5. Show Invisible Lines

Block OR Group Editing Mode Indicator Bar

When editing a Block or Group, a (new) small toolbar appears in the upper-left corner of the drawing area. The toolbar displays the Block or Group name and includes a ‘Finish’ icon to return the user to the main Model Space.

In the Blocks palette, select the Block to modify, then select EC (Edit Content)

 

Modifying a Block

Tools | Blocks Palette

The Edit Content facility within the Blocks Palette allows in-place editing of a block.

Modifications done to a block using the Edit Content EC method will update all instance of that block in the current drawing.

When modifications to a block in the Blocks Palette is finished, the Finish Edit Content option is used.

Worked Example

Use this sample drawing or create a similar sketch in the workspace.

The Edit Content facility allows a Block to be modified by selecting the block object in the Blocks palette and selecting the EC option.

Editing a Block within the Blocks palette temporarily clears the editor of all objects excluding the Block to be modified.

When the modifications to the block are finished, the Finish Edit Contentoption is used. All instances of the newly modified block will automatically be updated in the current drawing.

In the example below, the Lounger block will be modified to change the scale of the object to .75 and the color of the object to Blue.

Lounger Block will be updated

Left click onto the Lounger block in the Blocks Palette and select Edit Content. Select the objects, then change the color to blue and the scale to .75. SelectFinish Edit Content.

When the Finish Edit Content is used, all instances of the block currently in the editor will correspondingly update.

Lounger block changed in Blocks palette. All instances of the block are updated

Replace Block REFERENCE

Tools | Blocks Palette | Blocks

A block which has been inserted into the editor can be replaced by another named block using the Replace Reference option. This instantly replaces all instances of an inserted block with another.

Use this sample drawing or create a similar sketch in the editor.

Worked Example

In the example below, some of the furniture on the right of the illustration will be replaced by furniture on the left.

Items of furniture on the left will replace items on the right

Drag the left set of furniture shown below into the Blocks palette, naming it TableChair, then repeat this for the right set of furniture, naming this DoubleLounger.

New furniture dragged into Blocks palette and named

In the Blocks palette, left click onto the Table block, then select Replace Reference. Select the newly created TableChairs. The result is shown below.

New block of furniture replaces old block

Repeat this, replacing the Lounger block with the newly created DoubleLounger so the result is similar to the illustration below. In this example, some of the furniture has been moved so as not to overlap others.

New block of furniture replaces old block. Items moved and rotated after insertion.

Library Palette

Tools | Palettes | Library Palette

A Symbol is a compound entity which can be inserted into any drawing from the Library Palette and is sourced from an external folder.

Library Palette – Update Thumbnail dialog

Thumbnails can be viewed in from any view point an in any rendering style. Right-click on the Symbol and select Create Thumbnail.

Tools > Palettes > Library > (right-click) on Symbol > Update Thumbnails > Select Visual Style > Select View > Update

 

Preview Render Modes

Preview render modesare available in the symbol preview dialog for Library Palette. This means it is possible to preview symbols in different views and render modes in the Library Palette.

1. Right-click on Symbol; 2. Select Visual Style; 3. Select View; 4. Create.

 

Creating a Symbol

Tools | Palettes | Library

A Symbol is created by selecting the objects which constitute the symbol and dragging them to a specific folder in the Library Palette.

Thumbnails which provide a sketch illustration of the symbol can be created by using the Update Thumbnails option in the Library Palette.

A new library can be created for specific symbols if required. This can be done within the Library Palette or by using the Windows Explorer tool to create a new folder.

Symbols are created by dragging the selected object to the appropriate folder of the Library Palette

Worked Example

In the example below, the umbrella has been selected in the editor and has been created as a symbol in the Home Furniture folder of the Library Palette.

A name has been provided for this Symbol, shown below, for future access.  

Creating the new symbol name

Save the new symbol into the appropriate folder when prompted.

The new Umbrella symbol can be found in the Home Furniture Library Palette, shown by its name and a default illustration, below.

Adding a new symbol to the Library palette

To display the Umbrella symbol with its associated thumbnail, right click in the Library Folder palette and select Update Thumbnails. Select the ‘For Selected Items’ shown below, then select ‘Create’

Creating a Thumbnail of a Symbol

The new Umbrella symbol can then be shown with a thumbnail sketch representing the stored symbol, shown below. The symbol can be displayed in any view and in a rendered view for a 3D symbol, if necessary.

Below is an example of viewing a symbol from an Isometric view.

Symbol viewed in Isometric SE view

Inserting a Symbol

A Symbol can be created in the workspace and dragged into the Symbols palette for insertion into drawings other than the one in which it was created.

The Library location can be specified by activating the Specify Library Location in the Options > Auto Naming > Symbols dialog box.

A new Library folder can be created for specific symbols using the Create New Library option with the Library tools palette.

Symbols which require modification after insertion into the workspace must be exploded. To do this use Modify > Explode.

Inserting a Symbol from the Home Furniture library

Worked Example

In the example below, a simple block sketch has been created to represent a floor plan for an office. This floor plan is not drawn to any particular scale, but serves to create a quick layout of the rooms with the office furniture.

A block sketch of a floor plan of an office

A symbol called Pool Table, shown below is inserted from the Home Furniture library into the space shown by the arrow.

Inserting the symbol ‘Pool Table’ into the editor

Open the Library Palette from Tools | Palettes. Select the Home Furniture library from the drop-down shown by the pointer above.

Select the Pool Table symbol shown by the arrow, then slide this into the workspace. The Selector Shell remains attached to the symbol to allow for scaling, moving or rotating after insertion.

Pool table inserted from Symbols Library

Inserting a Parametric Part

Tools | Palettes | Library

A Parametric Part is a component in which design variables and spatial relationships are defined before the symbol is created.

For example, a pipe fitting can be inserted from the Library palette, then variables such as the pipe thickness, flange diameter & thickness etc can be adjusted by inputting the required values.

Parametric Parts which are inserted from the Library palette are modified using the Selection Info palette. Frequently, relationships are created between the grouped objects which, when defining one value, will automatically update another.

Worked Example

In the example below, the flange fitting – elbow has been inserted from the Parametric Hardware > 2D Hardware > Fitting library shown below.

Inserting a Parametric Part from the Library

By selecting the inserted part, the parametric data can be updated using the Selection Info Palette, shown below. 

Using the Selection Info palette to update a parametric part

In the example below, the pipe fitting has been changed from a 45° to a 90° elbow.

Elbow changed from 45° to 90° by changing the parametric value of the angle

Externally Referenced Objects

Ribbon : Format | Create External Reference

Default : Insert | Create External Reference

This facility inserts into the Blocks Palette of the current drawing, all objects from another drawing.

The drawing from which objects are being referenced is referred to as the source drawing.

The drawing into which the externally referenced file is inserted is referred to as the destination drawing.

An External Reference Filename is required on insertion of objects from source drawings into destination drawings. This will be the name which will be allocated to the inserted objects in the Blocks Palette of the destination drawing.

Any changes to the objects in the source drawing are updated in the Blocks Palette of all destination drawings and are required to be Reloaded.

Any externally referenced objects which have been inserted from the Blocks Palette into the workspace of the current drawing can be removed using the Detach option, shown below. This will remove any associated blocks from both the workspace and the Blocks Palette and remove any association between the source and destination drawings.

When using a file with Xrefs, you will be prompted if you wish to regenerate the host file with the updated Xref.

Worked Example

Use this sample drawing or create a similar sketch in the workspace.

In the example, below, a drawing called Patio Furniture has been inserted into the current drawing.

The Patio Furniture drawing is created as an externally referenced file using Insert > Create External Reference. The External Reference to this file is named Patio Furniture, shown below.

Inserting another drawing into another to create an externally referenced file

The objects contained within the Patio Furniture drawing will be inserted into the Blocks Palette and will subsequently be treated as Block objects within the current drawing.

This externally reference file, now referred to as a Block, can now be inserted into the current drawing from the Blocks Palette, shown below.

Updating Externally Referenced Drawings

When changes are made to the source drawing, in this example, Patio Furniture, these changes are updated in the Blocks Palette of all destination drawings when the Reload option is selected.

For example, the source drawing, Patio Furniture was changed to include more furniture, then saved, shown below.

Source drawing, Patio Furniture, modified then saved

The Patio Furniture drawing file was saved and the Reload option was selected from the Blocks Palette by first selecting the External Reference file name at the bottom of the Blocks palette, then right clicking and selecting the Reload option.

Take Note

Every time the source drawing, in this case the Patio Furniture drawing is updated, all instances of this drawing where it appears as an externally referenced file in other drawings will be updated.

Detaching an Externally Referenced Object

An externally referenced file which has been inserted into the Blocks palette of the current drawing can be removed by selecting the Detach option. This is done by right clicking onto the externally referenced file and selecting the Detach option shown below.

Detaching an externally referenced file

This will remove any associated blocks from both the workspace and the Blocks Palette and remove any association between the drawings.

 

Binding an Externally Referenced Object

The process of binding an externally reference object to the destination drawing allows the externally referenced drawing to become a Block of the host drawing, but removes all association with the source file.

The bound Block can be modified using the Edit Content method in the Blocks palette above.