Insert a block in AutoCAD

In a previous post, I covered how to create a block in AutoCAD. Here I explain how to insert a block.

Insert a block from your current drawing

When you have the block definition in your drawing (perhaps you just created it), follow these steps to insert it:

1. Go to Home tab> Block panel>  Insert to start the INSERT command and open the Insert dialog box.
2. From the Name drop-down list, choose the block that you want to insert. The list contains the names of all the blocks in the drawing.
3. In the Insertion Point section, you would usually leave the default setting, which is to specify the insertion on-screen. However, if you know the coordinates, you can deselect that option and enter the coordinates. You might do this for a title block that you want to insert at 0,0.
4. In the Scale section, you can pre-specify a scale. By default, the Specify On-screen option is not checked. You’ll still be able to specify the scale after you return to your drawing, but before you specify the insertion point. Again, if you know the scale you want, you can enter X, Y and Z scale factors in this section. By default, the Uniform Scale checkbox is checked, which means that the same scale will be used for X, Y and Z directions. Uncheck this checkbox to use varying scales for the 3 dimensions.
5. In the Rotate section, you can pre-specify a rotation angle. By default, the Specify On-screen option is not checked. You’ll still be able to specify the rotation after you return to your drawing, but before you specify the insertion point. Of you know the rotation you want, you can enter an angle in this section.
6. Sometimes, you may want to explode the block when you insert it. For example, you might want to change the block. Of course, you can explode the block after insertion, using the EXPLODE command, but the Insert dialog box gives you a shortcut. Just check the Explode checkbox at the lower-left corner.
7. Click OK to close the dialog box and return to your drawing.
8. At the Specify insertion point or [Basepoint/Scale/Rotate]: prompt, specify the insertion point for the block. The base point of the block (which you specified when you created the block) will go at the insertion point. You can also use the following options:

• Basepoint: Freezes the location of the block to let you temporarily change the block’s basepoint. Keep the cursor in the drawing area as you do this, so you can specify the new basepoint.
• Scale: Lets you specify a scale factor
• Rotate: Lets you specify a rotation angle

Note: In the Insert dialog box, the path and block unit information are not editable. The Locate Using Geographic Data is only available if you have added geographic data to the drawing and if the block (in this case another drawing) also has geographic data.

Insert another AutoCAD drawing as a block

To insert another drawing as a block, follow these steps:

1. Open the Insert dialog box as just described and click the Browse button. For example, you may have created blocks as individual drawings which are part of a block library.
2. Navigate to the drawing, select it, and click Open. You’re now in the Insert dialog box.
3. Use the dialog box settings in the same way you would for a block inside your drawing and click OK.
4. At the Specify insertion point or [Basepoint/Scale/Rotate]: prompt, specify the insertion point for the block, using the options if you want.

Insert blocks in other ways

I have tips on 3 other ways to insert blocks:

• Keep blocks accessible so you can insert them in any drawing–Part I: Tool Palettes
• Keep blocks accessible so you can insert them in any drawing–Part II: DesignCenter
• Keep blocks accessible so you can insert them in any drawing–Part III: Content Explorer

Do you have any tips on inserting blocks? Leave a comment and let other readers know!