Page 327 - Chief Architect Reference Manual

CAD Blocks

CAD blocks can be imported into the • C A D b l o c k s
program and can also be added to the library. • CAD-based objects such as Slabs, Fram-
See “Importing and Exporting” on page ing, and Custom Countertops.
1173.
If the Make CAD Block edit button is not
Dimension lines can only be included in a available, then the selection set may contain
CAD block if they reference objects that are an object that is not an eligible CAD block
also included in the block. They will component.
continue to inherit their attributes from the
saved Dimension Defaults that they were Explode CAD Block
associated with before the CAD block was
created. See “Dimension Defaults Dialog” When a block is selected, click the
on page 447. Explode CAD Block edit button to
separate it into its individual components.
With the exception of a few CAD-based
objects such as slabs, custom countertops If a CAD block includes nested blocks, these
and framing, CAD blocks cannot contain nested blocks are not exploded.
architectural objects. Such objects can When a selected CAD block is exploded, its
instead be blocked as architectural blocks. definition is not affected: only the instance.
See “Architectural Blocks” on page 969.
See “CAD Block Management” on page 329.
CAD blocks can be selected, moved, rotated If a block has been resized so that its original
and resized much like CAD boxes. They can aspect ratio is altered, it cannot be exploded.
also be exploded into their individual parts. See “CAD Block Specification Dialog” on
See “Editing Box-Based Objects” on page page 330.
236.
A list of the CAD blocks present in the Select Insertion Point
current file is available in the CAD Block
Management dialog. See “CAD Block By default, a CAD block has one
Management” on page 329. insertion point located at its center.
When placing the CAD block in a drawing or
Make CAD Block moving it to a new location, you can snap its
insertion point to some other snap point for
To create a CAD block, group select accuracy. See “Object Snaps” on page 168.
two or more eligible objects, and then
click the Make CAD Block edit button. See In some cases, it may be helpful to position a
CAD block using an insertion point other
“Marquee Select” on page 215.
than its center. For example, a CAD block
Eligible CAD block component objects representing a bolt or other fastener may be
include: better positioned using the bottom center of
• CAD objects its head or washer rather than its center. You
• Text objects can use the Select Insertion Point edit
• Dimension lines

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