Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published April 2008

Adding Another Block as a Visibility Parameter

The easiest dynamic block feature - for me - is the Visibility Parameter. The result is essentially several blocks within one block. All that's required is to make more than one block, place them on top of each other, then make a list and connect the right block to the right name. OK, that's the Reader's Digest version, but it really is that simple (see Michael's Corner, July 2006).

The question comes when you need to pile on and add another block to the currently defined dynamic block. The following presumes you have a dynamic block with multiple visibility parameters and have made another block to add to it. In the exercise, I add a Quad receptacle to an existing dynamic block.

Instructions to Include Another Block as a Visibility Parameter

1. After creating another block you want to add to the dynamic block, double-click the dynamic block to open the Edit Block Definition dialog box, then click OK to go into the Block Editor environment.
2. Set the appropriate layer (the layer on which you want to insert the block), then launch the Insert command and insert the new block you want to include. In this exercise, I insert the new block I created named "Quad". Be sure to insert the block at the same insertion point as the other blocks.
3. To add a new visibility state (for the new block), click Manage Visibility States, then click New and add the name you want to use for the new block, then click OK. (It doesn't have to be the name of the block itself, but it's more intuitive if you do.)
4. When you opened the Block Editor in Step 1, one of the blocks is visible, of course. Now that you have inserted the new one, you probably see two. To isolate the new block from the one that was already there, click Make Invisible, then click the block that had been there (to make it invisible), leaving the new block associated with its visibility state in the drop-down list.

Note: It would be a good idea to cycle through the other visibility states, just to make sure their states are properly configured. Use Make Invisible as necessary.

5. Click Close Block Editor and save the changes. Click your dynamic block, then click the visibility parameter icon to see the list… including the new block!

Note: For a review of how to add an Alignment Parameter, see the Power Tool, November 2005.

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