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.