Block Editor

The Block Editor contains a special authoring area in which you can draw and edit geometry as you would in the drawing area.

You use the Block Editor to define the objects and behavior for a block definition. In the Block Editor, you add parameters and actions, which define custom properties and dynamic behavior.

The following commands are used for editing blocks and are available only in the Block Editor:

When the BLOCKEDITLOCK system variable is set to 1, the Block Editor cannot be opened.

The Block Editor also provides a Block Editor toolbar and Block Authoring palettes that contain tools for creating dynamic blocks. The Block Authoring Palettes window contains the following tabs:

Block Editor Toolbar

Provides tools for working in the Block Editor, creating dynamic blocks, and working with visibility states.

The Block Editor toolbar is displayed when the ribbon is not active. It is also displayed only when you enter the Block Editor with the ribbon closed.

The AutoCAD Toolbar

The AutoCAD LT Toolbar

Edit or Create Block Definition

Displays the Edit Block Definition dialog box.

Save Block Definition
Save Block As
Name

Displays the name of the current block definition.

Test Block (BTESTBLOCK)
Automatically Constrain Objects (AUTOCONSTRAIN) - Not available in AutoCAD LT
Apply Geometric Constraint (GEOMCONSTRAINT) - Not available in AutoCAD LT
Display / Hide Constraints Bar (CONSTRAINTBAR)
Parameter Constraint (BCPARAMETER) - Not available in AutoCAD LT
Block Table (BTABLE) - Not available in AutoCAD LT
Parameter (BPARAMETER)
Action (BACTION)
Define Attribute (Attribute Definition Dialog Box)
Authoring Palettes (BAUTHORPALETTE)
Parameters Manager (PARAMETERS)
Close Block Editor (BCLOSE)
Visibility Mode ( BVMODE)
Make Visible (BVSHOW)
Make Invisible (BVHIDE)
Manage Visibility States (Visibility States Dialog Box)
Visibility State

Specifies the current visibility state displayed in the Block Editor.

Parameters Tab (Block Authoring Palettes Window)

Provides tools for adding parameters to a dynamic block definition in the Block Editor. Parameters specify positions, distances, and angles for geometry in the block reference. When you add a parameter to a dynamic block definition, it defines one or more custom properties for the block.

Point Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds a point parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom X and Y properties for the block reference. A point parameter defines an X and Y location in the drawing. In the Block Editor, a point parameter looks similar to an ordinate dimension.

Linear Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds a linear parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines a custom distance property for the block reference. A linear parameter shows the distance between two anchor points. A linear parameter constrains grip movement along a preset angle. In the Block Editor, a linear parameter looks similar to an aligned dimension.

Polar Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom distance and angle properties for the block reference. A polar parameter shows the distance between two anchor points and displays an angle value. You can use both grips and the Properties palette to change both the distance value and the angle. In the Block Editor, a polar parameter looks similar to an aligned dimension.

XY Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom horizontal and vertical distance properties for the block reference. An XY parameter shows the X and Y distances from the base point of the parameter. In the Block Editor, an XY parameter displays as a pair of dimensions (horizontal and vertical). These dimensions share a common base point.

Rotation Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds a rotation parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines a custom angle property for the block reference. A rotation parameter defines an angle. In the Block Editor, a rotation parameter displays as a circle.

Alignment Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds an alignment parameter to the dynamic block definition. An alignment parameter defines an X and Y location and an angle. An alignment parameter always applies to the entire block and needs no action associated with it. An alignment parameter allows the block reference to automatically rotate around a point to align with other objects in the drawing. An alignment parameter affects the angle property of the block reference. In the Block Editor, an alignment parameter looks like an alignment line.

Flip Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds a flip parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines a custom flip property for the block reference. A flip parameter flips objects. In the Block Editor, a flip parameter displays as a reflection line. Objects can be flipped about this reflection line. A flip parameter displays a value that shows if the block reference has been flipped or not.

Visibility Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds a visibility parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines a custom visibility property for the block reference. With visibility parameter, you can create visibility states and control the visibility of objects in the block. A visibility parameter always applies to the entire block and needs no action associated with it. In a drawing, you click the grip to display a list of visibility states available for the block reference. In the Block Editor, a visibility parameter displays as text with an associated grip.

Lookup Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds a lookup parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom lookup properties for the block reference. A lookup parameter defines a custom property that you can specify or set to evaluate to a value from a list or table you define. It can be associated with a single lookup grip. In the block reference, you click the grip to display a list of available values. In the Block Editor, a lookup parameter displays as text.

Base Point Parameter (BPARAMETER)

Adds a base point parameter to the dynamic block definition. A base point parameter defines a base point for the dynamic block reference relative to the geometry in the block. A base point parameter cannot be associated with any actions, but can belong to an action's selection set. In the Block Editor, a base point parameter displays as a circle with crosshairs

Actions Tab (Block Authoring Palettes Window)

Provides tools for adding actions to a dynamic block definition in the Block Editor. Actions define how the geometry of a dynamic block reference move or change when the custom properties of a block reference are manipulated in a drawing. You associate actions with parameters.

Move Action (BACTIONTOOL)

Adds a move action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a point, linear, polar, or XY parameter. A move action is similar to the MOVE command. In a dynamic block reference, a move action causes objects to move a specified distance and angle.

Scale Action (BACTIONTOOL)

Adds a scale action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a linear, polar, or XY parameter. A scale action is similar to the SCALE command. In a dynamic block reference, a scale action causes its selection set to scale when the associated parameter is edited by moving grips or by using the Properties palette.

Stretch Action (BACTIONTOOL)

Adds a stretch action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a point, linear, polar, or XY parameter. A stretch action causes objects to move and stretch a specified distance in a specified location.

Polar Stretch Action (BACTIONTOOL)

Adds a polar stretch action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a polar parameter. A polar stretch action rotates, moves, and stretches objects a specified angle and distance when the key point on the associated polar parameter is changed through a grip or the Properties palette

Rotate Action (BACTIONTOOL)

Adds a rotate action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a rotation parameter. A rotate action is similar to the ROTATE command. In a dynamic block reference, a rotate action causes its associated objects to rotate when the associated parameter is edited through a grip or the Properties palette.

Flip Action (BACTIONTOOL)

Adds a flip action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a flip parameter. With a flip action you can flip a dynamic block reference about a specified axis called a reflection line.

Array Action (BACTIONTOOL)

Adds an array action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a linear, polar, or XY parameter. An array action causes its associated objects to copy and array in a rectangular pattern when the associated parameter is edited through a grip or the Properties palette.

Lookup Action (BACTIONTOOL)

Adds a lookup action to the dynamic block definition. When you add a lookup action to a dynamic block definition and associate it with a lookup parameter, it creates a lookup table. You can use a lookup table to assign custom properties and values to a dynamic block.

Parameter Sets Tab (Block Authoring Palettes Window)

Provides tools for adding a parameter and at least one action at the same time to a dynamic block definition in the Block Editor. When you add a parameter set to a dynamic block, the actions are automatically associated with the parameter. After you add a parameter set to a dynamic block, you double-click the yellow alert icon (or use the BACTIONSET command) and follow the Command prompts to associate the action with a selection set of geometry.

Point Move

Automatically adds a move action associated with the point parameter.

Linear Move

Automatically adds a move action associated with the endpoint of the linear parameter.

Linear Stretch

Automatically adds a stretch action associated with the linear parameter.

Linear Array

Automatically adds an array action associated with the linear parameter.

Linear Move Pair

Automatically adds a two move action, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the linear parameter.

Linear Stretch Pair

Automatically adds two stretch actions, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the linear parameter.

Polar Move

Automatically adds a move action associated with the polar parameter.

Polar Stretch

Automatically adds a stretch action associated with the polar parameter.

Polar Array

Automatically adds an array action associated with the polar parameter.

Polar Move Pair

Automatically adds two move actions, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the polar parameter.

Polar Stretch Pair

Automatically adds two stretch actions, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the polar parameter.

XY Move

Automatically adds a move action associated with the endpoint of the XY parameter.

XY Move Pair

Automatically adds two move actions, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the XY parameter.

XY Move Box Set

Automatically adds four move actions, one associated with each key point on the XY parameter.

XY Stretch Box Set

Automatically adds four stretch actions, one associated with each key point on the XY parameter.

XY Array Box Set

Automatically adds an array action associated with the XY parameter.

Rotation Set

Automatically adds a rotation action associated with the rotation parameter.

Flip Set

Automatically adds a flip action associated with the flip parameter.

Visibility Set

Adds a visibility parameter to the dynamic block definition and allows visibility states to be defined. No action is necessary with the visibility parameter.

Lookup Set

Automatically adds a lookup action associated with the lookup parameter.

Constraints Tab (Block Authoring Palettes Window) - Not available in AutoCAD LT

Provides tools for applying geometric constraints and constraint parameters to objects. When you apply geometric constraint to a pair of objects, the order in which the objects are selected and the point on which each object is selected can affect how the objects are positioned relative to each other.

Geometric Constraints

Coincident Constraint (GCCOINCIDENT)
Perpendicular Constraint (GCPERPENDICULAR)
Parallel Constraint (GCPARALLEL)
Tangent Constraint (GCTANGENT)
Horizontal Constraint (GCHORIZONTAL)
Vertical Constraint (GCVERTICAL)
Collinear Constraint (GCCOLLINEAR)
Concentric Constraint (GCCONCENTRIC)
Smooth Constraint (GCSMOOTH)
Symmetric Constraint (GCSYMMETRIC)
Equal Constraint (GCEQUAL)
Fix Constraint (GCFIX)

Constraint Parameters

Aligned Constraint (BCPARAMETER)

Constrains the length of a line or the distance between two lines, a point on an object and a line, or two points on different objects.

Horizontal Constraint (BCPARAMETER)

Constrains the X distance of a line or between two points on different objects. Valid objects include lines and polyline segments.

Vertical Constraint (BCPARAMETER)

Constrains the Y distance of a line or between two points on different objects. Valid objects include lines and polyline segments.

Angular Constraint (BCPARAMETER)

Constrains the angle between two lines or polyline segments. It is similar to an angular dimension.

Radial Constraint (BCPARAMETER)

Constrains the radius of a circle, arc, or polyarc segment.

Diameter Constraint (BCPARAMETER)

Constrains the diameter of a circle, arc, or polyarc segment.

Related Concepts

Related Reference