Block References

and Attributes
After completing this Chapter, you will be able to use
the following features:
•Create and insert block references in a drawing
•Converting blocks into individual objects
•Multiple Inserts of Block References
•Define attributes, edit attributes, and control the
display of attributes
•Redefining a Block and Attributes
•Block Attribute Manager
Why create a Block?
The BLOCK command enables a designer to create an object
from one or more objects, save it under a user-specified
name, and later it can be inserted into the drawing.
When block references are inserted in the drawing they can
be scaled up or down in both or either of the X and Y axes
and can be rotated as they are inserted in the drawing.
The block reference acts as a single unit when operated on
by certain modify commands.
Block reference can also be dragged and dropped from one
drawing to anther through DesignCenter.
Examples of common uses of blocks in
various disciplines
Creating Block Definition
BLOCK command allows to create block
references.
Objects that are on layer 0 when the block is created
will assume the color, linetype, and lineweight of
the layer on which the block reference is inserted.
Invoke the BLOCK command from:
Block Definition dialog box
Inserting Block References
INSERT command insert previously defined blocks into
the current drawing. If there is no block definition with
the specified name in the current drawing, AutoCAD
searches the drives and folders on the path for a drawing
of that name and inserts it instead.
Insert dialog box
Explode Command
The EXPLODE command causes block references,
hatch patterns, and associative dimensioning to be
turned into the separate objects from which they were
created. It also causes polylines polyarcs and multilines
to separate into individual simple line and arc objects.
Multiple Inserts of Block References
The MINSERT (multiple insert) command is used to
insert block references in a rectangular array.
The block reference group cannot be exploded.
This command works similar to the rectangular
ARRAY command.
On-screen prompt minsert (ENTER)
Base command
The BASE command allows to establish a base insertion point
for the whole drawing similar to specifying a base insertion
point when using the BLOCK command.

The newly established base point will be used when the

drawing is inserted by way of the INSERT command.

The default base point is the origin (0,0,0).

 Attributes
• Attributes are special text objects that can be included in
a block definition
• Attributes can be used for automatic annotation during
insertion of a block reference.
• Attributes have two primary purposes:
• Allows annotation during insertion of the block reference
to which the attributes are attached.
• Allows to extract data from each inserted block reference
and saved in a file in a form that database-handling
programs can use.
If an attribute is to be used only to store information, specify
whether or not it will be visible when attribute is defined.

If the attribute is used as a note, label, or callout, consider the

effect of scaling (whether equal or unequal X/Y factors) and
rotation on the text that will be displayed.

The scaling factor(s) on the attribute will be the same as on the

block reference. Attribute text that is defined as horizontal in a
block will be displayed vertically when that block reference is
inserted with a 90-degree angle of rotation.
Components associated with attributes:

TAG is the identifier of the attribute definition and is displayed

where this attribute definition is located, depicting text size, style,
and angle of rotation. The tag cannot contain spaces. Tags appear in
the block definition only, not after the block reference is inserted.

VALUE of an attribute is the actual string of text that appears (if

the visibility mode is set to ON) when the block reference (of which
it is a part) is inserted. Whether visible or not, the value is tied
directly to the attribute, which, in turn, associates it with the block
reference. It is this value that is written to the database file.

PROMPT is what you see when inserting a block reference with an

attribute whose value is not constant.
Four primary commands are available to manage
Attributes
ATTDEF Command defines the attributes that is
included in the block definition.
ATTDISP Command controls the visibility of the
attributes.
EATTEDIT Command provides various options to
edit attributes without exploding the block reference.
EATTEXT Command extract the data from the
drawing and saves to a file in a form that database-
handling programs can use.
ATTDEF command
ATTDEF Command defines the attributes that is included in the
block definition.
Blocks with attributes inserted in a manner similar to
that for inserting regular block references. If there are
any non-constant attributes, AutoCAD prompts for the
value.
To suppress the prompts for attribute values set the
system variable ATTREQ to 0 (zero). The values will
either blank or set to the default values if they exist.
Use EATTEDIT command to establish or change
values.
ATTDISP command
ATTDISP Command controls the visibility of the
attributes.
View menu Choose Display > Attribute Display
On-screen prompt attdisp (ENTER)

ON selection makes all attributes visible

OFF selection makes all attributes invisible.
Normal selection displays the attributes the way it
was defined.
EATTEDIT command
EATTEDIT Command provides various options to edit
attributes without exploding the block reference.
Edit Attributes dialog box with Attribute tab selection
Edit Attributes dialog box with Text options tab selection
The Data Extraction - Begin (Page 1 of 8) page lets you
extract block attribute data to a table in the current drawing
or to an external file.
The Data Extraction – Define Data Source(Page 2 of 8)
page lets you select a drawing file from which to extract
information from Block Attributes or lets you specify blocks
in the current drawing.
The Data Extraction – Select Objects (Page 3 of 8) page
allows you to select which blocks and attributes in the
selected blocks will have their data extracted to the
specified table and/or file.
The Data Extraction – Select Properties (Page 4 of 8) page
lets you select the properties for data extraction.
The Data Extraction – Refine Data(Page 5 of 8) page lets
you refine the selected data.
The Data Extraction – Choose Output (Page 6 of 8) page
lets you choose the output format.
The Data Extraction – Table Style (Page 7 of 8) page
lets you choose the table style.
The Data Extraction – Finish page(Page 8 of 8) lets you
complete the data extraction.
Redefining a Block and Attributes
The ATTREDEF command allows to redefine a block
reference and updates associated attributes.
On-screen prompt attredef (ENTER)
Block Attribute Manager
The BATTMAN command provides a means of managing
Blocks that contain Attributes.

Allows to edit attribute definitions in blocks, change the order

in which Attributes are prompted for attribute values when
inserting a block, and remove attributes from blocks.