A block is a named group of objects that behaves as one unit. Draw a door once, save it as a block, and insert it a hundred times — every insert is a reference, so the file stays small and the geometry stays consistent.

Creating a block

  1. Draw the geometry you want to reuse (e.g. a door, a bolt, a title block).
  2. Select it.
  3. Type BLOCK (alias B), or use Insert → Block.
  4. Give the block a name, pick a base point (the point it will snap by when inserted — usually a corner or the center), and confirm.

The selected geometry is replaced by a block reference. The definition is stored in the drawing.

Tip: WBLOCK writes a block definition to its own file so you can reuse it across drawings. BMAKE opens the block-creation dialog.

Inserting a block

Type INSERT (alias I), or use Insert → Block.

  1. Pick the block from the list.
  2. Click the insertion point — or type coordinates.
  3. Set scale (or press Enter for 1:1) and rotation (or press Enter for 0°).

You can insert a block multiple times — each insert is an independent reference. To place a whole row, use ARRAY on the inserted block.

Editing blocks

  • Double-click a block reference to edit its geometry in place (REFEDIT). Changes apply to every insert of that block.
  • Explode a block reference (EXPLODE, alias X) to break it back into plain objects — useful for one-off edits, but it loses the block link.
  • Properties on a block reference lets you change its scale, rotation, and per-insert overrides.

Attributes

Attributes are text fields attached to a block — the classic use case is a title block with PROJECT, DRAWING NO, DATE, and REV fields, or a chair tag with a chair number.

Defining attributes

  1. Type ATTDEF (Insert tab → Attribute).
  2. Set the tag (the field name, e.g. CHAIR_NO), the prompt (what the user is asked when inserting), and a default value.
  3. Place the attribute text in the block.
  4. Create the block as usual — the attributes travel with it.

Inserting with attributes

When you insert a block that has attributes, you’re prompted for each value. Every insert can carry different values — same chair symbol, different numbers.

Editing attributes

  • Type ATTEDIT (or -ATTEDIT for the command-line form) to change attribute values on selected block references.
  • ATTSYNC synchronizes attribute definitions across all inserts of a block after you change the definition.
  • The Attribute Editor dialog (double-click a block with attributes) is the quickest way to edit values by hand.

Blocks across files

  • Drag and drop a .dwg or .dxf file into the drawing to insert its blocks — or use INSERT → Browse.
  • Copy objects to the clipboard with Ctrl+C, then Ctrl+Shift+V pastes them as a new block.
  • Nested blocks (blocks inside blocks) are fully supported — structure your drawing like a folder tree.

What’s next?

Next: Continue reading →

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