INSERT BLOCK - CONCEPT

When you insert a block, you create a block reference and specify its location, scale, and rotation. You determine its location, scale factor, and rotation angle. You can specify the scale of a block reference using different X, Y, and Z values. Inserting a block creates an object called a block reference because it references a block definition stored in your current drawing. An orange lightning bolt icon displayed in the bottom-right corner of the block preview indicates that the block is dynamic.

If you insert a block that uses different drawing units than the units specified for the drawing, the block is automatically scaled by a factor equivalent to the ratio between the two units.

Insert a Drawing File as a Block
When you insert an entire drawing file into another drawing, the drawing information is copied into the block table of the current drawing as a block definition. Subsequent insertions reference the block definition with different position, scale, and rotation settings, as shown in the following illustration. Xrefs contained in a drawing you insert may not be displayed properly unless the xref was previously inserted or attached to the destination drawing.

Insert Blocks from Block Libraries
You can insert one or more block definitions from an existing drawing file into your current drawing file. Choose this method when retrieving blocks from block library drawings. A block library drawing contains block definitions of symbols with similar functions. These block definitions are stored together in a single drawing file for easy accessibility and management.

Insert Blocks at Intervals
You can insert blocks at intervals along a selected geometric object.
· Use Measure to insert a block at measured intervals.
· Use Divide to insert a block at proportional (evenly spaced) intervals.

Tomorrow we will learn more about Measure and Divide. Stay tuned...!