Insert a Block
Use the Insert Block command to add instances of a block to your model.
Prerequisites:
- See the Subscription Plans page. For a license matrix by command, see the License page in the TBC Community. Also see View and manage licensed features.
- One or more block definitions (imported or created)
To access the command:
- Select Insert Block in Drafting > Blocks.
To insert a block instance:
- Select a block in the Block to insert list.
The selected block definition is displayed in the preview pane located at the bottom of the command pane.
Tip: When you have focus in this list, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to preview the available blocks in the preview pane at the bottom of the command pane.
Note: When you import a file that contains blocks, you get one file-level block (with all the blocks that the file contained) and then each individual block within the file. This enables you to just export objects to a CAD file and then import them all as as a block. The insertion point of this file-level block is 0,0,0. - In the Layer list, select the layer on which you want the block to reside, or select <<New Layer>> to create a layer.
- Click in the Location 1 field, then click in the Plan View where you want to locate the insertion point.
The block displays in the location you selected, relative to the insertion point.
If the block definition includes only one insertion point, the cursor automatically moves to the Elevation field. Proceed directly to step 6.
If the block definition includes a second insertion point, the cursor automatically moves to the Location 2 field, allowing you to click a location for it. Proceed with step 4.
- Do either of the following:
- If you want to use a second insertion point to rotate the block around the Z axis and/or scale it on the X axis, click on the Plan View where you want to locate it.
The scale and rotation of the block is displayed as you move the insertion point.
For examples of the use of two insertion points, see Block Insertion Examples.
If the block definition includes only two insertion points, the cursor automatically moves to the Elevation field. Proceed directly to step 6.
If the block definition includes three insertion points, the cursor automatically moves to the Location 3 field, allowing you to click a location for it. Proceed with step 5.
- If you do not want to use the second insertion point to scale and/or rotate the block, use your mouse or the Tab key to move your cursor to the Elevation field and proceed to step 6.
If you use your mouse to move the cursor to the Elevation field, the block will appear to change its scaling and rotation as you move the cursor. You can ignore these temporary changes; the block will return to it's correct scale and orientation (based on the selected block template) once you click in the Elevation field.
- If you want to use a second insertion point to rotate the block around the Z axis and/or scale it on the X axis, click on the Plan View where you want to locate it.
- Do either of the following:
- If you want to use the third insertion point to scale the block on the Y axis, click on the Plan View where you want to locate it.
The scale of the block is displayed as you move the insertion point.
For examples of the use of three insertion points, see Block Insertion Examples.
The cursor automatically moves to the Elevation field. Proceed with step 6.
- If you do not want to use the third insertion point to scale the block, use your mouse or the Tab key to move your cursor to the Elevation field and proceed with step 6.
- If you want to use the third insertion point to scale the block on the Y axis, click on the Plan View where you want to locate it.
- Optionally, enter an elevation for the block in the Elevation field (or pick an object to use its elevation).
This determines the elevation of the first (Location 1) insertion point. The elevation of the block itself is relative to this elevation. For example, if a CAD object used in a block has an elevation of 0.0, the Location 1 insertion point for the block definition has an elevation of 10.0, and you specify 20.0 for the insertion point when inserting the block, the resulting elevation for the CAD object in the block will be 10.0. (Regardless of height you specify for the insertion point when inserting the block, the vertical distance between the insertion point defined for the block and the CAD objects contained in the block will remain constant.)
Note: Optionally, click the
icon to toggle the auto-advance mode on. When the icon is highlighted 
, the elevation value you enter is held and the Elevation field is skipped when you insert additional blocks. (You can toggle the Auto-advance mode on/off by pressing [Control] + [.].) - Optionally, enter a value by which to rotate the block in the Rotation field.
If the block has already been rotated based on the location of a second insertion point, the value you enter here will be added to the rotation derived from the location of the second insertion point. For example, if the block was rotated 15º based on the second insertion point location and you enter 10º in the Rotation field, the total rotation for the block will be 25º.
Notes:
- Positive rotation is clockwise. Zero is due east.
- Optionally, click the icon to toggle the auto-advance mode on. - Optionally, enter a value by which to scale the block in the Scale X, Scale Y, and/or Scale Z fields.
If the block has already been scaled on the X and Y axes based on the location of insertion point 2 and, optionally, 3, any scale value you enter here will be multiplied by that scale value. For example, if the block was scaled on the X axis by 2 based on the second insertion point location and you enter 2 in the Scale X field, the resulting scaling of the block on the X axis will be 4 (2x2).
- Click Insert.
The block is inserted into your model.
To edit a block instance:
Right-click the block in a graphic view and select Properties. In the Properties pane, you can replace the block instance with a different block definition stored in your project using the Block name drop-down list. Or, you can edit the block's Appearance, Layer, Coordinate, and/or Geometry.
You can also browse to a 3D Trimble SketchUp file (.skp) that will display in 3D views (rather than the 2D block). Once you have imported the file into your project, there is no dependency on the external file; you can modify or delete it without affecting your <ProjectName> model. The associated 3D block from SketchUp does not, however, become part of the block definition; it is only associated with the block instance for which it is specified.
