Blocks are compound objects that are commonly used for symbols, parts, detail views, and title blocks.
A block is one or more objects combined to create a single object. The following are some examples of blocks inserted into drawings.
Using blocks provides the following advantages:
- You can ensure uniformity between identical copies of furniture, fixtures, parts, symbols, and title blocks in drawings.
- You can insert, rotate, scale, move, and copy blocks much faster than operating on selections of individual geometric objects.
- If you edit or redefine a block definition, all block references in that drawing are updated automatically.
- You can include data such as part numbers, costs, service dates, and performance values to blocks. The data is stored in special objects called block attributes.
- You can reduce the file size of a drawing by inserting multiple block references instead of duplicating object geometry.
Tip: With online access, you can download AutoCAD drawing files from the web sites of commercial vendors and suppliers. This option can save you a significant amount of time, but check to make sure that these drawings are drawn correctly and to scale.