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The Block Editor

The Block Editor is an environment where you can draw and modify Blocks. Additionally, the Block Editor provides tools for adding constraints, elements, and activities to the CustomBlock definition.

The Block Editor provides:

  • Graphics area with a gray background
  • Contextual toolbars that contain various operations
  • The Properties palette.

    You can select and modify the properties of entities in the graphics area such as geometric entities, elements, and activities.

  • Test window to test the CustomBlock before saving it

Block Editor commands:

Command Description
CBActivity Creates and applies an activity to a CustomBlock element.
CBActivityIcon Controls the visibility of activity icons.
CBActivityTool Creates and applies activities to existing CustomBlock elements.
CBClose Closes the Block Editor.
CBCycleOrder Specifies the cycling order for grip points that you can use as insertion points of CustomBlock references.
CBElement Creates a CustomBlock element.
CBElementSet Creates an element and an associated activity.
CBHide Sets hidden entities for the visibility state.
CBOptions Displays the Block Editor options.
CBSave Saves the CustomBlock definition under the current name.
CBSaveAs Saves the CustomBlock definition with a specified name.
CBShow Sets visible entities for the visibility state.
CBTestBlock Opens a test window for the current Block definition.
CBTestClose Closes the test window.
CBValueTable Displays the Property Value Table dialog box.
CBVisibility Displays the Visibility States dialog box (dialog box variant).
-CBVisibility Creates, sets, or deletes visibility states of a CustomBlock definition (command window variant).
CBWBlockAs Saves a CustomBlock as a separate drawing.

CCS in the Block Editor

The origin of the CCS defines the Block base point. You can use the base point to move the Block reference.

If you move the Block geometry relative to the origin of the CCS in the Block Editor, the base point changes in the Block references. Alternatively, you can add a base point element to the Block definition. The base point position in the Block Editor defines the base point position in the Block reference, allowing you to move the Block within the drawing.

Note: The CCS command is not available in the Block Editor.

Starting the Block Editor

To open the Block Editor, use the EditBlock command.

Alternatively, double-click a Block reference in the graphics area.

During an editing session, you can do the following changes to a specified Block:

  • Modify the geometry using modification tools and commands. You can add, delete, and modify the Block entities.
  • Modify the properties of any entity from the graphics area using the Properties palette.
  • Add elements and activities to the Block definitions to create CustomBlocks.

To start the Block Editor:

  1. Type EditBlock at the command prompt.
  2. In the graphics area, click a Block reference.
  3. From the list in the Edit Block dialog box, select the name of a Block.

    Note: You can select simple Blocks or CustomBlocks. An orange dot in the right-bottom corner of the icon identifies CustomBlocks. Additionally, the preview image displays the CB abbreviation for the selected CustomBlock.

  4. Click OK.

    The Block geometry appears in the Block Editor. The origin of the coordinate system is in the Block insertion point.

    Note: To finish the Block editing session, use the CBClose command.

Parent Topic

Using the Block Editor



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