Work with Block Feature Definitions

You can create a unique feature definition for each type of feature a user may need to record in the field. There are four types of feature definitions available: point, line, polygon , and block.

A block feature is made up of one or more blocks, which are collections of individual CAD objects (sometimes containing nested blocks) that are grouped together into a single larger object to make selecting and moving the related objects easier and more consistent. For example, a block might be used to represent an automobile or some other recognizable feature. More about block features...

When a CAD block is created, it typically includes one to three insertion points that determine where the block is located and, optionally, how it is rotated and scaled.

If a block is inserted using just one insertion point, it is positioned based on the insertion point without additional rotation or scaling.
If a block is inserted using a two insertion points, the placement of the second insertion point can be used to rotate the block around the Z axis and scale it on the X axis.
If a block is inserted using a three insertion points, the placement of the third insertion point can be used to scale the block on the Y axis.

You can create a feature definition that is used to insert a predefined CAD block that was created in TBC or some other software application and imported into your TBC project as a DWG (.dwg) or DXF (.dxf) file. When creating the definition, you can determine how many of the block's insertion points you want to use to locate and, optionally, rotate and scale the block. For example, if the block includes three insertion points, you can specify that only the first insertion point be used. In addition, you can specify rotation and X, Y, and Z scaling values to apply to the block (in addition to any rotation or scaling achieved using a second and third insertion point).

Field users can also specify that a block feature definition use a block control code to determine its insertion points.

To create a block feature definition:

Note: If you want to create a new feature definition that will share properties with an existing definition, you can, as an alternative to the instructions presented here, copy the existing definition and then modify the copy as necessary (including assigning it to a different category) using the instructions below. See Create a New Feature Definition Based on an Existing Definition for additional information.

In the Project Explorer, right-click the node representing the feature definition category to which you want to assign the new block feature definition and select New Block Feature Definition.
A new Block Feature Definition node displays nested beneath the selected Category node in the Project Explorer. In addition, the Block Feature Definition Properties pane displays.
Complete the fields as described in "Properties" below.
To assign an attribute to the new block feature definition, see Work with Feature Definition Attributes.

To edit or delete a block feature definition:

In the Project Explorer, right-click the node for the block feature definition you want to edit or delete and do either of the following:

Select Properties to display the Block Feature Definition Properties pane. Then make any necessary edits as described in "Properties" below. Your changes are saved automatically.
Select Delete.
Note: If you delete a feature definition that has been assigned to a point in your project and then reprocess the feature codes, the deleted definition will no longer be recognized and will be reported as "Unknown" in the Feature Code Processing Report.

Properties:

Use these options to define properties for a block feature definition, including the block feature itself and the points that define it. They are available in the New Block Feature Definition dialog and the Feature Definition Properties pane.


Options
General
Name	Type a unique name for the block feature definition. Duplicate feature definition names cannot be used in the same Feature Definition (.fxl) file.
Description	Enter a brief description of the block. This makes it easier to determine how the block is meant to be used.
Block
Block	Select the block you want to use to create the new feature definition. Or, select <<Import blocks>> and select the DWG or DXF file containing the block you want to import.
Insertion	Select one of the following block insertion options: Using control codes - Select this option to specify that the block insertion point(s) and or additional rotation and scaling are determined by block control codes applied to one or more points. For example, a user could enter a block control code along with this block definition code to specify that a block with three insertion points be inserted based on the current point and the next two points, controlling rotation and scale. Or, a user could enter a block control code along with this definition code to specify that the block be scaled on the X axis by a certain value. For more information on block control codes, see Working with Block Control Codes. From 1 point - Select this option to specify that the block insertion location is based on a single selected point, regardless of how many insertion points are defined for the block itself. From 2 points - Select this option to specify that (1) the block insertion location is based on the selected point and (2) the block's rotation around the Z axis and scaling on the X axis are based on the next subsequent point that includes a block feature whose insertion option is Using control codes. This option is available only if the block itself includes two or three insertion points. From 3 points - Select this option to specify that (1) the block insertion location is based on the selected point, (2) the block's rotation around the Z axis and scaling on the X axis are based on the next subsequent point that includes a block feature whose insertion option is Using control codes, and (3) the block's scaling on the Y axis is based on the next subsequent point that includes a block feature whose insertion option is Using control codes. This option is available only if the block itself includes three insertion points. Note: If you select to use a block insertion method that uses more than one insertion point, the rotation value resulting from the location of the second insertion point will be added to any rotation value you might enter in the Rotation field; scale values will be multiplied by any values you might enter in the Scale X and Scale Y fields.
Elevation	This defines how insertion elevation is calculated from insertion points.
Point label style	Select a predefined block label style that specifies the following: Label content type (for example, the point name) Label text prefix (optional) Units suffix Decimal precision Angle display format Offset position of the label above or below the block Placement of the label along the block Select a predefined block label style that specifies the following: Label content type (for example, the point name) Label text prefix (optional) Units suffix Decimal precision Angle display format Offset position of the label above or below the block Placement of the label along the block If you select a label style to use with the definition, it is displayed in the Preview pane. If no label styles are available for selection, or you want to import additional label styles from which to make your selection, select the <<Import Styles>> option and then select the .labelstyle file containing the label styles you want to import. After the import is complete, the newly imported label styles display in the list for your selection. (If a newly imported label style has the same name as a label style already existing in the list, it overwrites the existing label style.) Note:* To create a .labelstyle file containing label styles you want to apply to feature definitions, you must create the label styles in the post-processing office software using the Label Style Manager and then export the styles to a .labelstyle file.
Dimensioning	This specifies whether the block has scaled to a specific ground size or to the plot scale.
Style
Layer	Select an existing layer on which the block feature will display. Or, select <<New Layer>> to create a new layer for the feature. For additional instructions, see Manage Layers.
Color	Select the color to use for the block feature when it is displayed in graphic views in the post-processing office software. Or, select By Layer to use the color specified for the layer on which the block displays.
Line Style	Select the line style to use for the block feature. Or, optionally: Select By Layer to use the line style specified for the layer on which the line feature displays. Select By Block / Feature to use the line style specified for a CAD block, if the block feature is included in it. You can also select this option to indicate that the line style be specified after the feature is processed. Select <<Import line styles>> to import a line style. For instructions, see Manage Line Styles.
Rotation
Associated attribute	Optionally, select an attribute by which the block will be rotated. For instructions, see Work with Feature Definition Attributes.
Fixed Value	Optionally, enter a fixed value for the degrees of rotation for the block. (See Insertion note above.)
Scale
Scaling mode	This indicates how a block is to be scaled. The Y and Z scale options are available only if you select dimension-based scaling (options 2-3 below). 0 - Direct Scaling (X=Y=Z) - This indicates the X, Y, and Z axes uses the same scale. 1 - One Dimension (X=Y) - Dimension-based scale. X and Y use the same scale. 2 - Two Dimension (X, Y) - Dimension-based scale. X and Y each use individual scales. 3 - Three Dimensions (X, Y, Z) - Dimension-based scale. X, Y, and Z each use individual scales.
Scale X attribute	Optionally, select an attribute by which the block will be scaled along the X axis. For instructions, see Work with Feature Definition Attributes.
Fixed Scale X	Optionally, select a fixed scaling value on the X axis. (See Insertion note above.)
Scale Y attribute	Optionally, select an attribute by which the block will be scaled along the Y axis. For instructions, see Work with Feature Definition Attributes.
Fixed Scale Y	Optionally, select a fixed scaling value on the Y axis. (See Insertion note above.)
Scale Z attribute	Optionally, select an attribute by which the block will be scaled along the Z axis. For instructions, see Work with Feature Definition Attributes.
Fixed Scale Z	Optionally, select a scaling value on the Z axis.
Point
Include in surface	Check this check box to specify that by default a point to which this feature is assigned can be included as a member in a surface in the post-processing office software. You can change this setting for the point in the office software. Note: If multiple features are assigned to a point in the office software, only the first feature (code) displayed in the Feature code field in the Properties pane (the "primary feature") will use this setting to determine if the point can be included as a member in a surface.
Point label style	Select a predefined block label style that specifies the following: Label content type (for example, the point name) Label text prefix (optional) Units suffix Decimal precision Angle display format Offset position of the label above or below the block Placement of the label along the block Select a predefined block label style that specifies the following: Label content type (for example, the point name) Label text prefix (optional) Units suffix Decimal precision Angle display format Offset position of the label above or below the block Placement of the label along the block If you select a label style to use with the definition, it is displayed in the Preview pane. If no label styles are available for selection, or you want to import additional label styles from which to make your selection, select the <<Import Styles>> option and then select the .labelstyle file containing the label styles you want to import. After the import is complete, the newly imported label styles display in the list for your selection. (If a newly imported label style has the same name as a label style already existing in the list, it overwrites the existing label style.) Note: To create a .labelstyle file containing label styles you want to apply to feature definitions, you must create the label styles in the post-processing office software using the Label Style Manager and then export the styles to a *.labelstyle file.
Point layer	Select the layer on which the block feature point(s) will display in the post-processing office software: 0 - Select this option to specify that the point displays on the default layer in the office software. Points - Select this option to specify that the point displays on the Points layer in the office software. <<New Layer>> - Select this option to create a new layer for the point. For instructions, see Managing Layers.
List Attributes
Associated Attribute	Select the attribute to associate with this block. When the feature has list-typ attributes, this allows you to assign the block to a specific attribute value. For instructions, see Work with Feature Definition Attributes.
Attribute value	Select the value from the associated attribute that this block should represent. When a feature is processed and its attribute matches the value, the block will be displayed.