Blocks in a tool palette?

[Siberian]

Is there a way I can arrange blocks on a tool palette? Would be quite handy... If not, is there another way that can arrange them for easy access?

[StykFacE]

what do you mean by "arrange"? 8)

[profcad]

Open a drawing with your block and drag & drop them to the tool palette. Once they are in the tool palette you can re-arrange them in any order.

[Siberian]

what do you mean by "arrange"? 8)

I have a tool palette with some things I use alot, and I would like to have some blocks in here as well if it's possible. Would be easier than having to enter the block menu each time. I'm totally new to this palette-thing, so I don't really know how that works...

[StykFacE]

I have a tool palette with some things I use alot, and I would like to have some blocks in here as well if it's possible. Would be easier than having to enter the block menu each time. I'm totally new to this palette-thing, so I don't really know how that works...
oh okay. well one way is what John told you above. any saved file with blocks currently in them, can be draged 'n dropped into a Tool Palette. from the Tool Palette, right click on the tool/block you added for additional properties. to rearrange them, simply left-click and hold the mouse button and rearrange them to your specification.

right click on any part of the Tool Palette tabs to create new Palettes. i have backed up/deleted all of the default ones, and i have nothing my custom Tool Palettes for myself. holler back if you still need additional help. 8)

[Siberian]

Ah, I tried that before with no luck but I see now what I did wrong. The reference point for the block when I tried to insert it in a drawing was faaar away from origo, so it appeared to me that I placed nothing. Thx guys.

[dbroada]

The reference point for the block when I tried to insert it in a drawing was faaar away from origo, so it appeared to me that I placed nothing. Thx guys.
It is very important to have he insert point sensible when creating blocks. Make sure you select a point rather than leaving the default 0,0 when defining your blocks. Unfortunately, once you have inserted the block into the drawing it is not so easy to change it without having to move all your blocks.

If you have the blocks defined externally you can relocate the base point in at least 3 ways:-

open the drawing and move everything around 0,0.
open the drawing and change BASE to a position withing the geometry
open the block in the dynamic block editor and add a base point parameter

[Siberian]

Hmm...also, it's completely dependent upon the source file! I was kinda hoping the block could stay in the palette as an independent object.

[StykFacE]

Hmm...also, it's completely dependent upon the source file! I was kinda hoping the block could stay in the palette as an independent object.
hmm, not for me it isnt. i change my blocks sometimes in the file i'm working on (not the file the blocks are hosted at) and the Tool Palette will change to that specific working file. how are you altering your block?

[Siberian]

That's just what I mean. The blocks need to be hosted in a file somewhere. So I'll need to place that file somewhere where I won't accidentally delete it...

[dbroada]

we have a (several actually) pathed folders that contain our common blocks. This is a good approach to keep your block available for everyone.

For instance, all our drawing blanks are in one folder so to insert one all I need to do is type -insert;stla1-d;0,0;;; to put it in the drawing. I have just put our blanks on a palette and have just to train myself to use them.

[nickahughes]

Sorry to hijack the thread but;

I have put some standard items of ours into the tool pallets, the blocks of the drawing sheets work ok and are inserted into the model space in the correct layer.

However I want to insert from the tool pallet a standard item into the current layer being used. I have set in the tool properties dialogue box under the general tab the Layer to 'use current' thinking the block will be inserted in the current active layer- but doesn't seam to work.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Nick.

[SEANT]

The way I would accomplish that (with 2004) is to have the geometry of the Block reference all set on layer "0". Then, when an instance of that block is inserted, it will reside on the current layer.

There may be other options in the later releases of Autocad.

[StykFacE]

when using Tool Palettes to insert blocks, sometimes you have to edit the hosting file the block is nested in, QSAVE it, then it will update on the Tool Palette. Sean is correct tho, 0 is best option for blocks (if possible).

[hazardman]

and just as an aside regarding blocks...on top of having the object drawn on layer zero i also set the colour to byblock and the linetype (well all the continous ones anyway) to byblock also...

if you insert the block and do not change any of the properties then the colour and linetype will be that of the layer it is inserted on...if for some reason you need to change the colour and linetype of a particular block you can do so on an individual basis...

[nickahughes]

thanks for the replies,

I have had another play about with the tool pallet blocks, doing as sugested, and have found that if you explode the block then the elements (lines etc) refer back to layer 0 or whatever layer they were originally drawn in.

Is there any way of Autocad 2007 not doing this?

[marquezn]

How do I eliminate existing tool pallets with out deleting them? where are they stored, incase I want them back. I want to reduce the amount of tool pallets not being used.

[GhostRider]

Not sure in your version, but in vanilla ACAD, look in the options menu under support files for the path to where the pallets are stored. I export the indvidule tool pallets and the tool pallet group to a folder and save them so that i can import them later.

[lpseifert]

If you rt-clk on the title bar of the Toolpalette and select Customize Palettes, you can set up Palette Groups; then you can display only the group you want. No need to delete.