F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o

PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c
AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules
®

AutoCAD 2D
Module 30
Blocks

Learning Outcomes:
When you have completed this module, you will 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 block is 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 or
shared with others. Regardless of the number of times the block has been inserted into the
drawing, 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 associated
with the block. It is these block definitions that the INSERT command refers to when you insert
the block into the drawing. The only way to remove a block from the definition table is to purge
it with the PURGE command. Purging is covered in Module 32. All inserted blocks must be
deleted before the definition can be purged from the drawing. A block can be exploded back
into 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. The
second is to use the REFEDIT command which is taught in Module 33. When a block is
edited, it will overwrite the block definition presently in the block definition table and all
insertions of that block will change to appear as the revised one. To help you understand the
importance 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 you
are drawing. Your boss decides to change the symbol after they are all inserted. Since they
were blocks, you edit one, changing it to the new symbol and create a block with same name
and 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 SCALE
and 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 are
inserting telephone symbols again but this time with the name of the person assigned to the
telephone, the telephone number and the office number where they are located as an attribute
to each block symbol. After all of the blocks are inserted, you could extract a list containing all
the information listed above, sorted by name or by telephone number. You are now working
smarter, not harder. Attributes are covered in the AutoCAD Customization Modules.

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om 30 - 2 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

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 Objects on layer 0 Objects on any Objects drawn
creation only other layer(s) Byblock
Layer the block resides The current layer The current layer The current layer
on after inserted
It will assume all the Will retain the Will assume the
properties of the same properties of color of the layer
How the block appears layer it is inserted the layer(s) it was properties it was
on the drawing on. created on. inserted on but
linetype is byblock.
If the layer the block Block will not Nothing Block will not
resides on is turned off display display
If the layer the block Block will not Block will not Block will not
resides on is frozen display display display
If the layer(s) used to No effect to block Block will not Block will not
create the block is display display
turned off
If the layer(s) used to No effect to block Block will not Block will not
create the block is display display
frozen.
Objects will reside Objects will reside Objects will reside
If the block is exploded on Layer 0, same on the layers and on the layers and
color they were properties they properties they
created. were created on were created on

Table 30-1
Blocks and Layers

A block is a collection of objects that acts as one object. Every drawing file
has an invisible data area called the block definition table. The block
definition table stores all the block definitions for that drawing. When a
block 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 the
original objects and properties that it had when created.

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 30 - 3 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

AutoCAD Command: BLOCK

The BLOCK command is used to create a
block definition in the active drawing.
Shortcut: B

2004-2008

2000-2002

AutoCAD Command: INSERT

The INSERT command is used to insert blocks into the drawing.
Shortcut: none

2004-2008

2000-2002

Object Snap Modes for a Block

Mode Abbreviation Icon Marker The AutoCAD Object
Insert Ins

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om 30 - 4 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

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 the
drawing as shown in Figure 4A. It should Figure Step 3
now be 4 individual lines. Check to ensure
it is exploded by selecting one line as shown
in 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 in
Figure Step 5.

Figure Step 4A Figure Step 4B

Step 6 Change the

layer of the offset lines
to layer Construction.
Trim the lines and
your drawing should
appear as shown in
Figure Step 6.

Figure Step 5
Figure Step 6
Authors Comments:
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 that
layer. If the 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 any other layer,
it will display the properties of that layer even though it resides on the layer that it was
inserted on. If it is exploded, the individual objects will reside on the layer that they were
originally draw on and retain the properties of that layer.
...continued on page 30-5

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 30 - 5 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

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
shown in Figure Step 8. Note the changes if you are using 2008. If you are using 2000 to
2007, see page 30-6.

Figure Step 8 - 2008

...continued on page 30-6

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om 30 - 6 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands - Continued

Step 9 In the Name box, enter the name
Module 30 Triangle for the name of the
block. See Figure Step 9.

Figure Step 9

Step 10 Click the Pick point icon to select

the insert point for the block. Snap to the top
corner of the triangle. See Figure Step 10A
and 10B.

Figure Step 10A

Figure Step 8 - 2000-2007

Figure Step 10B

Step 11 In the Objects area, click the Select objects icon and using
a window, select the triangle. See Figure Step 11A and 11B. Figure Step 11A
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
object(s) you used to create the block. Retain - keep Step 11B
the object(s) as individual objects.
Figure Step 12 Convert to block - convert
the object(s) to a block.

Step 13 In the Settings area, set the Block unit

to Unitless and enter the description as shown in
Figure Step 13A. The Block Definition dialogue
box should now appear similar to Figure Step
13B.

Figure Step 13A

...continued on page 30-7

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 30 - 7 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands - Continued

Figure Step 13B - 2008

Step 14 Click OK and your drawing

should now appear similar to Figure Step 14.

Figure Step 13B

...continued on page 30-8

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om 30 - 8 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands - Continued

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 from

the hexagon and the octagon. For both, use the center of
the object as the insert point as shown in Figure Step 15A
and 15B. To do that, you must first draw a construction line
so you can snap to the midpoint. Ensure you do not select
the construction line as one of the block objects. Name the
blocks Module 30 Hexagon and Module 30 Octagon. See
Figure Step 15C and 15D.
Figure Step 14

Figure Step 15C

Figure Step 15A Figure Step 15B

Figure Step 15D

Figure Step 16

Step 16 Your drawing

should now appear as
shown in Figure Step
16.

Figure Step 17

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

...continued on page 30-9

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om 30 - 8 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands - Continued

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 from

the hexagon and the octagon. For both, use the center of
the object as the insert point as shown in Figure Step 15A
and 15B. To do that, you must first draw a construction line
so you can snap to the midpoint. Ensure you do not select
the construction line as one of the block objects. Name the
blocks Module 30 Hexagon and Module 30 Octagon. See
Figure Step 15C and 15D.
Figure Step 14

Figure Step 15C

Figure Step 15A Figure Step 15B

Figure Step 15D

Figure Step 16

Step 16 Your drawing

should now appear as
shown in Figure Step
16.

Figure Step 17

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

...continued on page 30-9

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 30 - 9 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands - Continued

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

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

Figure Step 19

Step 20 Enter the INSERT

command again and select the
block Module 30 Triangle. Set the
Angle to 45 degrees as shown in
Figure Step 20. Figure Step 20
Step 21 Click OK and when
prompted, snap the insert point to the intersection of the upper center construction lines as
shown in Figure Step 21.
Step 22 Enter the INSERT command and select the block Module 30 Triangle. Set the
Angle to 180 degrees and both the X and Y Scale to 2. The Z scale can be left at 1 since
the block is a 2D object. Setting the scale to 2 means that the block will be inserted 2 times
its original size. See Figure Step 22.

Figure Step 21

Figure Step 22

...continued on page 30-10

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om 30 - 10 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands - Continued

Step 23 Click OK and when prompted, snap

the insert point to the intersection of the upper
right construction lines. Your drawing should
now appear as shown in Figure Step 23.

Figure Step 23

Step 24 Set the current layer to Block. Using

what you just learned, insert three Module 30
Hexagon blocks placing the insert point at the
intersections of the construction lines as shown
in Figure Step 24. The left and center blocks
are inserted at scale factor of 1 and the one on
the right at a scale factor of 1.5. Set the
Figure Step 24
appropriate angles to match the figure.

Step 25 Set the current layer to Object.

Using what you just learned, insert three
Module 30 Octagon blocks placing the insert
point at the intersections of the construction
lines as shown in Figure Step 25. The left and
center blocks are inserted at a scale factor of 1
and the one on the right at a scale factor of Figure Step 25
1.25. Set the appropriate angle to match the
figure.
Step 26 Turn layer Construction off.

Figure Step 27A

Step 27 Explode the left block Module 30 Octagon as shown in
Figure Step 27A. Note how the objects now reside on layer 0 and
are colored black/white. Your drawing should now appear as
shown in Figure 27B.

Figure Step 27B

...continued on page 30-11

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 30 - 11 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

Using the BLOCK and INSERT Commands - Continued

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 the
opposite line as shown in Figure Step 28.

Step 29 Using the BLOCK Figure Step 28

command, create a block of
the triangle you just created and assign it the
name Module 30 Triangle. Keep the same
insert point (top corner). When you execute the
command, the alert box will open warning you
that a block with the same name is already
defined in the drawing as shown in Figure Step
Figure Step 29
29. Click Yes to accept. Take note how all of
the blocks named Module 30 Triangle will now
display 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 layer
0 will reside on and take the properties of the layer that it is inserted on. If
the 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 any
other layer, it will display the properties of that layer even though it resides on the layer that
it was inserted on. If it is exploded, the individual objects will reside on the layer that they
were originally draw on.

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om 30 - 12 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

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 the
insert point for the block you are creating, try to imagine what location you
would 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 Uniform
scale box as shown in the figure on the right. The
block cannot be exploded on insert, if it is
inserted at an non-uniform scale. However, you can insert the
block with a
non-uniform
scale and then
explode it
using the
EXPLODE
command.

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 the
size 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 take
the properties of the layer that they are inserted on.

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

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

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

Lab Exercise 30-1 Time Allowed: 90 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 30-1 N/A feet/inches N/A 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 Furniture Blue Continuous N/A
Instructions:
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 the
size changes and some walls are removed Use the STRETCH
command whenever you can.
4. Label the rooms as shown on layer Text. Pick your own text size and
font. Completed Drawing

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om 30 - 14 AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

5. Draw each object shown on the next two pages somewhere outside the boundary of the
drawing. 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.

Desk
File Cabinet

Book Shelf
Chair

Dresser
Conference Table

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30

 F T ra n sf o F T ra n sf o
PD rm PD rm
Y Y
Y

Y
er

er
ABB

ABB
y

y
bu

bu
2.0

2.0
to

to
re

re
he

he
k

k
lic

lic
C

C
w om AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules - AutoCAD 2D - Revised 2007-04-17 30 - 15 w om
w

w
w. w.
A B B Y Y.c A B B Y Y.c

King Size Bed Queen Size Bed

Plant
Night Stand
Hint: Draw the plant by eye. First draw a construction circle then add
lines. Use 3 point arcs to complete.

7. Insert the blocks as shown

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

Blocks The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 - 2007 Module 30