Blocks for any drawing

[DODGE]

Hi All
Can anybody tell me the simplest way to creat blocks and save
them somewhere so I can use them when ever I like.
I have a template with an AutoCad icon on my desktop that I just click to open and then save as. I have quite a few blocks within this template that I have created but I want them to be accessable to any drawing I open.
Is there a way of creating blocks and saving them somewhere so I can have a drop down box or something that I can access from any drawing.
I'm sure this must be easy for you guys but can you please give me simple instructions how how to do this.
Thanks Everyone
Dodge

[dbroada]

are you on a network?

Create a folder (Symbols or similar) and add it to your working folders list in options. Save individual drawings in this folder and then you can just type the block name in the INSERT dialogue box.

[ReMark]

Did you knw that you can use Design Center and Tool Palettes too?

Advice: Don't dump all your blocks in one general folder. Use subfolders to keep similar blocks grouped together. For example, your main folder might be called MySymbols. Under MySymbols you might have subfolders for Arch, Mech, Civil, Chem, Hydro and HVAC. It will make finding the particular symbol you need a bit easier.

[dbroada]

Did you knw that you can use Design Center and Tool Palettes too?

Advice: Don't dump all your blocks in one general folder. Use subfolders to keep similar blocks grouped together. For example, your main folder might be called MySymbols. Under MySymbols you might have subfolders for Arch, Mech, Civil, Chem, Hydro and HVAC. It will make finding the particular symbol you need a bit easier.

HEY - You stalking me?

It does depend on the number of files you are talking about as to the best approach.

I agree with ReMark here. We had just 4 folders to start with: blanks, elec, mech and misc. Since then we have seperated out our mechanical drawings into extra sub divisions depending on their function. Don't forget to add all your sub folders into your search path if you want them all to be available quickly.

I'm in the process of re-visiting some of them as I am introducing dynamic blocks which are most likely going to be introduced on a palette.

[DODGE]

Thanks D
No I'm not on a network. I will give your suggestion a go.
Thanks Guys.

[DODGE]

are you on a network?

Create a folder (Symbols or similar) and add it to your working folders list in options. Save individual drawings in this folder and then you can just type the block name in the INSERT dialogue box.

Hi dbroada
I think I'm ok with creating a folder and adding it to working folders list in options. I am a bit worried with ever playing around with folders in the AutoCad program as I have only been using it for around 4 months and am just getting up to speed. I'm sort of getting to rely on it now so if I stuff anything up it would be doom, as I couldn't go back to pen and ink.
When you say type the block name in the insert dialogue box, are you talking about the insert dialogue box in the block insert area.?
Can you give me step by step instructions on what to do
Like Item 1 : Start Program etc etc.
Thanks in Advance
Dodge.

[Alan Cullen]

G'day DODGE.....

First up.....create your directory/subdirectory for your blocks (I'm assuming you know quite a bit here......so if I'm getting away from you...just yell )

Start acad and open the drawing you want.

Then type DDINSERT .... the insert dialogue box will appear (I use a command shortcut for this IB, *DDINSERT ....yell if you haven't worked out how to do this yet). In the insert dialogue box click browse... and go to the directory where your block is...and select it. Fill in the rest of the dialogue box to suit.....in you case you probably will need to tick insertion point - specify on screen (I'm assuming you know how to create a block with an insertion point).

Oh, and by the way.....set up your default drawing for the following variable.....(and make sure all your blocks have this variable set the same).

INSUNITS = 0

Then it's just a matter of placing your block where you want it....

You can also use the command -INSERT to insert a block, but with this command all the entries are done on the command line (my command shortcut for this is I, *-INSERT)

I stick all my blocks in a directory c:\Acaddwg ... that way you are not interfering with the acad installation directory structure.

Yell if you need more help.....

[DODGE]

Thanks Al
I will give this ago.
D

[DODGE]

Hi Al
Back again.
When you say set up your default drawing with the set variable INSUNITS = 0
Do you mean my template I have set up. I use this template for all my drawings and have set a desktop icon that I just double click.
I typed INSUNITS and it said on the command line <4> do I change this to = 0 for my template?
Can you also just run through creating the directory / subdirectory stuff as well. Do I do this in the program or else where?
Thanks Dodge..

[Alan Cullen]

Yeah DODGE......

Do all this in the template you have set up.......INSUNITS = 4 is for Millimeters. If you always use that you can leave it there......otherwise set it to 0 ...which is unitless. Just gives you more control over insertion scale (once you get used to it).

As for creating directories.....use windows explorer. Best if you stick a shortcut icon for this on your windows task bar.....you will find in due time that you will use windows explorer a lot.

In windows explorer highlight the drive/directory/subdirectory under which you want to create a directory........then go to the menu...
file -> new -> folder
and type the name you want to call the folder (folder is windows term for directory/subdirectory....you have to forgive me.....I'm old DOS school )

That's all there is to it.......