All detail components are inserted into drawings using the same basic tool, which performs the insertion routine associated with a selected component. Each detail component tool provided on the sample tool palettes represents a different configuration of the basic tool. You can activate the detail component insertion tool in five different ways:
Once the tool is activated, the procedure for inserting the detail component varies according to the type of material or product the component represents and the viewing direction. Some components are available only in one viewing direction. For example, a backfill component, such as gravel, is always oriented for a section view. On the other hand, a steel beam component is available in elevation view, section view, and plan view. The different drawing routines involve different prompts for user input. When depicting a variable-length material with a repeating pattern, such as corrugated sheet metal, you need to specify the start point and endpoint. In the case of bricks, you have the option of specifying a number of courses. For other products, such as screws or bolts, you may want to flip or rotate the component to change its orientation. The procedures described in the following sections offer examples of the basic insertion routines and options for detail components.