-BLOCK (Command)

At the Command prompt, creates a block definition from selected objects.

If you enter -block at the Command prompt, the following prompts are displayed.

The following prompts are displayed.

Enter block name or [?]: Enter a name or ?

Block Name

Names the block. The name can have up to 255 characters and can include letters, numbers, blank spaces, and any special character not used by the operating system and the program for other purposes if the system variable EXTNAMES is set to 1.

If you enter the name of an existing block, you are prompted as follows:

Redefine Block Reference

By redefining a block, you automatically update all references to that block. Attributes attached to existing block references remain unchanged in the drawing. However, new insertions of the block do not prompt for attributes unless the attribute definitions are included in the new block definition.

Use the ATTREDEF command to update the attributes of an existing block insert. (Not available in AutoCAD LT.)

Specify Insertion Base Point

The point specified as the base point is used for subsequent insertions of the block. Typically, a base point is the center of the block or its lower-left corner. The base point is also the point about which you can rotate the block during insertion. A block with 0 rotation is oriented according to the UCS in effect when it was created. Entering a 3D point inserts the block at a specific elevation. Omitting the Z coordinate uses the current elevation.

• Annotative:

  Enter a to create an annotative block.

  If you enter yes, the block becomes annotative.

Match Orientation to Layout in Paper Space Viewports

If you enter yes, the block’s orientation in paper space viewports will match the orientation of the layout.

Select Objects

If you specify the insertion base point, you are prompted to select the objects.

The program defines a block using the objects selected, the insertion base point, and the name provided, and then erases the selected objects from the drawing. You can restore the deleted objects by entering the OOPS command immediately after BLOCK.

The insertion base point becomes the origin of the block's coordinate system, which is parallel to the UCS in effect at the time that you define the block. When you insert the block into a drawing, its coordinate system is aligned parallel to the current UCS. Thus, you can insert a block at any orientation in space by setting the UCS first.

?—List Previously Defined Blocks

Lists the block names in the text window.

Enter Blocks to List

In the list, external references (xrefs) are indicated with the notation Xref: resolved.

In addition, externally dependent blocks (blocks in an xref) are indicated with the notation xdep: XREFNAME, where xrefname is the name of an externally referenced drawing. The following terms are used in the list:

• User Blocks: Number of user-defined blocks in the list.
• External References: Number of xrefs in the list.
• Dependent Blocks: Number of externally dependent blocks in the list.
• Unnamed Blocks: Number of unnamed (anonymous) blocks in the drawing.