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Manual / Block & Symbol

BLOCK, INSERT and WBLOCK

Create a block from selected objects (BLOCK), insert it (INSERT), list blocks (BLOCKLIST) and write one to a file (WBLOCK).

What it does

A block is a group of objects with a single definition that you can insert many times. When you edit the definition once, every copy changes.

Command Alias Syntax Meaning
BLOCK B, BMAKE BLOCK <name> [baseX baseY] Creates a block definition from the selected objects and replaces them with one block reference. The default base point is the lower-left corner.
INSERT I INSERT <name> [x y] [scale] [angle] Inserts a block that exists in the drawing. If you give no name, the Content Browser opens.
BLOCKLIST BL – Lists the blocks in the drawing, their dynamic parameters and how many times each is used.
WBLOCK W – Writes the selected objects to a new DXF file.

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Draw › Block › Block ▾ (Insert Block, Picture / Logo, Block Editor) and Insert › Blocks & Media

Steps

  1. Select the objects to turn into a block.
  2. Type BLOCK TARGET 0 0 and press Enter (name TARGET, base point 0,0).
  3. Insert more copies: INSERT TARGET 50 0 and INSERT TARGET 100 0 1.5 45 (scale 1.5, rotated 45°).
  4. Check with BLOCKLIST. The result is TARGET: static, no parameters [3 inserted].

Block TARGET inserted 3 times, the right one at scale 1.5 and rotated 45°
Block TARGET inserted 3 times, the right one at scale 1.5 and rotated 45°

Note: GROUP only keeps objects together, while BLOCK creates a reusable definition. In a block from an opened DWG/DXF file, one click selects the whole block, and you can break it apart with EXPLODE.

Try it: Wall sockets around a workshop

A 6 x 4 m workshop plan with power outlets on every wall. Draw the socket symbol once, make it a block, then INSERT places each socket with the right position and rotation.

  1. Socket symbol at the origin: A (3-point arc) through -150,150, 0,300, 150,150; then L -150,150 → 150,150 and L 0,0 → 0,150.
  2. Select the three objects and type BLOCK SOCKET 0 0. The point 0,0, where the symbol touches the wall, becomes the insertion point.
  3. Erase this first copy with E. The definition stays in the drawing.
  4. Walls: REC 0,0 → 6000 Tab 4000, then REC -150,-150 → 6300 Tab 4300.
  5. Sockets: INSERT SOCKET 1500 0, INSERT SOCKET 4500 0, INSERT SOCKET 3000 4000 1 180, INSERT SOCKET 0 2000 1 -90, INSERT SOCKET 6000 2000 1 90.
  6. A bigger outlet for the welder: INSERT SOCKET 6000 3200 1.5 90. BLOCKLIST reports SOCKET: static, no parameters [6 inserted].

Workshop plan with six SOCKET blocks on the walls, one at scale 1.5 for the welder
Workshop plan with six SOCKET blocks on the walls, one at scale 1.5 for the welder

Challenge: Open the definition with BEDIT, add two short earth-pin lines, BSAVE, and all six sockets change together.

See also