About Creating Custom Block Authoring Tools

Use the Block Authoring palettes to create custom tools for authoring dynamic blocks.

As with other types of tool palettes, you can also use Block Authoring palettes to add frequently used parameters and actions to your dynamic block definition.

Use Parameter Sets

The Parameter Sets tab of the Block Authoring palettes allows you to add commonly paired parameters and actions to your dynamic block definition.

When you first add a parameter set to your dynamic block definition, a yellow alert icon is displayed next to each action. This indicates that you need to associate a selection set with each action. You can double-click the yellow alert icon (or use the BACTIONSET command) and follow the Command prompts to associate the action with a selection set.

Note: When you insert a lookup parameter set and double-click the yellow alert icon, the Property Lookup Table dialog box is displayed. Lookup actions are associated with the data you add to this table, not a selection set.

Change the Properties of Tools

You can change the following properties of custom tools in the Tool Properties dialog box (available from the Block Authoring palette by choosing Properties on the shortcut menu) :

• Tool descriptions
• Parameter types
• Associated actions
• Key points on the parameter to which the action is tied (if applicable)
• Tool palette images

Note: You cannot drag parameters and actions from the Block Editor onto a regular tool palette.