autocad 2d module 30 pdf

8/14/2019 Autocad 2d Module 30 PDF

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Learning Outcomes:

AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules

AutoCAD 2DModule 30

Blocks

When you have completed this module, you wil l be able to:

1. Describe a block, how blocks are used in AutoCAD, and how they work with layers.

2. Describe the BLOCK and INSERT commands.

Blocks

A blockis a collection of objects that acts as one object. After defining a block, you can insert it

into a drawing as many times as you wish. It can also be inserted into other drawings orshared with others. Regardless of the number of times the block has been inserted into thedrawing, it will not significantly change the size of the drawings database.

Every drawing file has an invisible data area called the block definition table. The block

definition table stores all block definitions for that drawing. It consists of all the data associatedwith the block. It is these block definitions that the INSERT command refers to when you insertthe block into the drawing. The only way to remove a block from the definition table is to purgeit with the PURGE command. Purging is covered in Module 32. All inserted blocks must bedeleted before the definition can be purged from the drawing. A block can be exploded backinto the objects it was created from with the EXPLODE command.

There are two methods to edit a block. The first is to insert the block into the drawing, explode

it and make your changes. Then define it as a block again giving it the same name. Thesecond is to use the REFEDIT command which is taught in Module 33. When a block isedited, it will overwrite the block definition presently in the block definition table and allinsertions of that block will change to appear as the revised one. To help you understand theimportance of this, here is an example. Assume you just drew a symbol for a telephone,defined it as a block and inserted one on each of the 200 desks in an office building that youare drawing. Your boss decides to change the symbol after they are all inserted. Since theywere blocks, you edit one, changing it to the new symbol and create a block with same nameand all 200 symbols are changed instantly.

The INSERT command is used to insert a block into the drawing. A block can be scaled and/or

rotated when it is inserted or it can be scaled and/or rotated after it is inserted using the SCALEand ROTATE commands.

A block can also have intelligence, called attributes, attached to it. After blocks with attributes

are defined and inserted, the data attached to them can be extracted. Assume you areinserting telephone symbols again but this time with the name of the person assigned to thetelephone, the telephone number and the office number where they are located as an attributeto each block symbol. After all of the blocks are inserted, you could extract a list containing allthe information listed above, sorted by name or by telephone number. You are now workingsmarter, not harder. Attributes are covered in the AutoCAD Customization Modules.

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright 1993 - 2007 Module 30
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30 - 2 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17

Block and Layers

It is essential for you to know how blocks and layers work in AutoCAD. When a block is

inserted onto a drawing, it will reside on the current layer but it is more important to know what

layer the block was drawn on. See Table 30-1.

Block and Layers

Layer(s) used in block

creation

Layer the block resides

on after inserted

How the block appears

on the drawing

If the layer the block

resides on is turned off

If the layer the block

resides on is frozen

If the layer(s) used to

create the block is

turned off

If the layer(s) used to

create the block isfrozen.

If the block is exploded

Objects on layer 0

only

The current layer

It will assume all theproperties of the

layer it is insertedon.

Block will notdisplay

Block will not

display

No effect to block

No effect to block

Objects will resideon Layer 0, samecolor they were

created.

Objects on any

other layer(s)

The current layer

Will retain thesame properties ofthe layer(s) it was

created on.

Nothing

Block will notdisplay

Block will not

display

Block will not

display

Objects will resideon the layers andproperties theywere created on

Objects drawn

Byblock

The current layer

Will assume thecolor of the layerproperties it wasinserted on but

linetype is byblock.

Block will not

display

Block will not

display

Block will not

display

Block will not

display

Objects will resideon the layers andproperties theywere created on

Table 30-1

Blocks and Layers

A block is a collection of objects that acts as one object. Every drawing filehas an invisible data area called the block definition table. The blockdefinition table stores all the block definitions for that drawing. When ablock is inserted onto a drawing, it will reside on the current layer. A block

can be exploded when it is inserted or after it is inserted with the EXPLODE command.

When a block is exploded, it loses all of its block properties and it is converted back to theoriginal objects and properties that it had when created.



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AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17

AutoCAD Command: BLOCKThe BLOCK command is used to create ablock definition in the active drawing.

Shortcut: B

2004-2008

2000-2002

AutoCAD Command: INSERTThe INSERT command is used to insert blocks into the drawing.

Shortcut: none

2004-2008

2000-2002

Object Snap Modes for a Block

30 - 3

Mode

Insert

Abbreviation

Ins

Icon Marker The AutoCAD Object

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Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands

Step 1 Start a new drawing using the template Module Template A.

Step 2 Save and name

the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 30-1.

Step 3 Create layers Block, Object and

Construction as shown in Figure Step 3.

Step 4 Using the EXPLODE command,

explode the pline that is the border of thedrawing as shown in Figure 4A. It shouldnow be 4 individual lines. Check to ensureit is exploded by selecting one line as shownin Figure Step 4B.

Step 5 Offset the left border line 3 times at

a distance of 2 units and the top border line

3 times at a distance of 2 units as shown inFigure Step 5.

Figure Step 3

Figure Step 5

Authors Comments:

Figure Step 4A

Step 6 Change the

layer of the offset linesto layer Construction.Trim the lines and

your drawing shouldappear as shown inFigure Step 6.

Figure Step 4B

Figure Step 6

Layer 0 (zero) assigned the color white/black is a special layer and color for blocks. When

a block is created using objects drawn on layer 0, the block will take the properties of thatlayer. If the block is exploded, the individual objects belonging to that block will reside onlayer 0, color white/black. When a block is created using objects drawn on any other layer,it will display the properties of that layer even though it resides on the layer that it wasinserted on. If it is exploded, the individual objects will reside on the layer that they wereoriginally draw on and retain the properties of that layer.

...continued on page 30-5



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Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands - Continued

Step 7 On layer 0, draw the three polygons shown in Figure Step 7A. Draw them

anywhere outside the border of the drawing as shown ion Figure Step 7B.

Figure Step 7B

Figure Step 7A

Step 8 Enter the BLOCK command. It will open the Block Definition dialogue box as

30 - 5

shown in Figure Step 8. Note the changes if you are using 2008. If you are using 2000 to2007, see page 30-6.

Figure Step 8 - 2008




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Step 9 In the Name box, enter the name

Module 30 Triangle for the name of theblock. See Figure Step 9.

Figure Step 9

Step 10 Click the Pick point icon to selectthe insert point for the block. Snap to the topcorner of the triangle. See Figure Step 10Aand 10B.

Figure Step 10A

Figure Step 10B

Figure Step 8 - 2000-2007

Step 11 In the Objects area, click the Select objects icon and using

a window, select the triangle. See Figure Step 11A and 11B.Step 12 In the Objects area, enable the Delete

button as shown in Figure Step 12.

Authors Comments:

Delete - the BLOCK command will delete the

Figure Step 11A

Figure

Figure Step 12

object(s) you used to create the block. Retain - keepthe object(s) as individual objects.Convert to block - convertthe object(s) to a block.

Step 11B

Step 13 In the Settings area, set the Block unit

to Unitless and enter the description as shown inFigure Step 13A. The Block Definition dialoguebox should now appear similar to Figure Step13B.

...continued on page 30-7Figure Step 13A



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Figure Step 13B - 2008

Step 14 Click OK and your drawingshould now appear similar to Figure Step 14.

Figure Step 13B


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Step 14 Click OK and your drawing should now appear

similar to Figure Step 14.

Step 15 Using what you just learned, create a block fromthe hexagon and the octagon. For both, use the center ofthe object as the insert point as shown in Figure Step 15Aand 15B. To do that, you must first draw a construction lineso you can snap to the midpoint. Ensure you do not selectthe construction line as one of the block objects. Name theblocks Module 30 Hexagon and Module 30 Octagon. SeeFigure Step 15C and 15D.

Figure Step 14

Figure Step 15C

Figure Step 15A

Figure Step 16

Step 16 Your drawing

should now appear as

shown in Figure Step16.

Figure Step 15BFigure Step 15D

Figure Step 17

Step 17 Ensure that layer 0 is the current layer. Enter the INSERT command. It will openthe Insert dialogue box as shown in Figure Step 17. In the Name: box, pull down the listand select the block Module 30 Triangle.



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Step 14 Click OK and your drawing should now appear

similar to Figure Step 14.

Step 15 Using what you just learned, create a block fromthe hexagon and the octagon. For both, use the center ofthe object as the insert point as shown in Figure Step 15Aand 15B. To do that, you must first draw a construction lineso you can snap to the midpoint. Ensure you do not selectthe construction line as one of the block objects. Name theblocks Module 30 Hexagon and Module 30 Octagon. SeeFigure Step 15C and 15D.

Figure Step 14

Figure Step 15C

Figure Step 15A

Figure Step 16

Step 16 Your drawing

should now appear as

shown in Figure Step16.

Figure Step 15BFigure Step 15D

Figure Step 17

Step 17 Ensure that layer 0 is the current layer. Enter the INSERT command. It will openthe Insert dialogue box as shown in Figure Step 17. In the Name: box, pull down the listand select the block Module 30 Triangle.




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Step 18 In the Insert point ,

Scale and Rotation boxes,set them as shown in Figure

Step 18.

Figure Step 18

Step 19 Click OK and when prompted, snap to the

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Figure Step 19

Step 20 Enter the INSERT

intersection of the upper left construction lines as shown inFigure Step 19.

command again and select theblock Module 30 Triangle. Set theAngle to 45 degrees as shown inFigure Step 20.

Step 21 Click OK and when

Figure Step 20

prompted, snap the insert point to the intersection of the upper center construction lines asshown in Figure Step 21.

Step 22 Enter the INSERT command and select the block Module 30 Triangle. Set theAngle to 180 degrees and both the X and Y Scale to 2. The Z scale can be left at 1 sincethe block is a 2D object. Setting the scale to 2 means that the block will be inserted 2 timesits original size. See Figure Step 22.

Figure Step 21

Figure Step 22




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Step 23 Click OK and when prompted, snap

the insert point to the intersection of the upper

right construction lines. Your drawing shouldnow appear as shown in Figure Step 23.

Figure Step 23

Figure Step 24

Step 25 Set the current layer to Object.

Using what you just learned, insert three

Step 24 Set the current layer to Block. Using

what you just learned, insert three Module 30Hexagon blocks placing the insert point at theintersections of the construction lines as shownin Figure Step 24. The left and center blocksare inserted at scale factor of 1 and the one onthe right at a scale factor of 1.5. Set theappropriate angles to match the figure.

Module 30 Octagon blocks placing the insertpoint at the intersections of the constructionlines as shown in Figure Step 25. The left andcenter blocks are inserted at a scale factor of 1and the one on the right at a scale factor of

1.25. Set the appropriate angle to match the

figure.Step 26 Turn layer Construction off.

Figure Step 25

Figure Step 27A

Figure Step 27B


Step 27 Explode the left block Module 30 Octagon as shown in

Figure Step 27A. Note how the objects now reside on layer 0 andare colored black/white. Your drawing should now appear as

shown in Figure 27B.



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Step 28 Insert a block Module 30 Triangle anywhere outside the border

of the drawing. Explode the block and change the objects to layer Object.On layer Object, draw lines from each corner to the midpoint of theopposite line as shown in Figure Step 28.

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Step 29 Using the BLOCK

command, create a block ofFigure Step 28

Figure Step 29

the triangle you just created and assign it thename Module 30 Triangle. Keep the sameinsert point (top corner). When you execute thecommand, the alert box will open warning youthat a block with the same name is alreadydefined in the drawing as shown in Figure Step29. Click Yes to accept. Take note how all of

the blocks named Module 30 Triangle will nowdisplay the new block definition.

Step 30 Your drawing is complete and should

appear as shown in Figure Step 30.

Step 31 Save and close the drawing.Figure Step 30

Layer 0 (zero), assigned the color white/black, is a special layer and color

for blocks. An inserted block that was created using objects drawn on layer0 will reside on and take the properties of the layer that it is inserted on. Ifthe block is exploded, the individual objects belonging to that block will

reside on layer 0, color white/black. When a block is created using objects drawn on anyother layer, it will display the properties of that layer even though it resides on the layer thatit was inserted on. If it is exploded, the individual objects will reside on the layer that theywere originally draw on.



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The insertion point you select for the blocks you create is important. Each

block is unique and has a best insert point location. When you select theinsert point for the block you are creating, try to imagine what location youwould like if you were inserting the block on the drawing. Study the blocks

below and the insert points assigned to them.

If you want to insert a block with different X and Y

scales, enter the scale and uncheck the Uniformscale box as shown in the figure on the right. Theblock cannot be exploded on insert, if it is

inserted at an non-uniform scale. However, you can insert theblock with anon-uniform

scale and thenexplode itusing theEXPLODEcommand.

The Key Principles in Module 30

1. A block is a collection of objects that acts as one object. Regardless of the number of

times the block has been inserted into the drawing, it will not significantly change thesize of the drawings database.

2. The only way to remove a block from the block definition table is to purge it with the

PURGE command.

3. Layer 0 (zero), assigned the color white/black, is a special layer and color for blocks. An

inserted block that was created using objects drawn on layer 0 will reside on and takethe properties of the layer that they are inserted on.



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AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 30 - 13

Lab Exercise 30-1

Drawing Specifications

Time Allowed: 90 Min.

Name

AutoCAD 2D Lab 30-1

Template

N/A

Units

feet/inches

Text Style

N/A

Font

N/A

Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all ByLayer unless otherwise instructed.

Layering Scheme

Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight

Construction Objects Construction 253 Continuous N/A

Room Labels Text Black/White Continuous N/A

Furniture

Instructions:

Furniture Blue Continuous N/A

1. Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 27-3 that you created in Module 27.2. Use the SAVEAS command to save the drawing as:

AutoCAD 2D Lab 30-1.3. Make the changes to the floor plan to appear as shown below. Note thesize changes and some walls are removed Use the STRETCHcommand whenever you can.

4. Label the rooms as shown on layer Text. Pick your own text size andfont. Completed Drawing



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5. Draw each object shown on the next two pages somewhere outside the boundary of thedrawing. Draw them on layer 0 , color white/black.

6. Create a block from each object. Use the following:a) Name the block the names listed under each drawing.b) Set the BLOCK command to delete the blocks after creation.c) Set the Insert point as shown on the drawing.

d) Give the block a description and the insert units at Unitless.

DeskFile Cabinet

Book Shelf

Chair

DresserConference Table



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King Size Bed Queen Size Bed

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Plant

7. Insert the blocks as shown

below on layer Furniture.Insert them in by eye.Match the drawing thebest that you can.

Night Stand

Hint: Draw the plant by eye. First draw a construction circle then add

lines. Use 3 point arcs to complete.


autocad 2d module 30 pdf

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