AutoCAD Instructions by category
for using your dynamic blocks.
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Instructions
AutoCAD Instructions by category
Cabinet Sections Blocks
1. Download and copy all folders to your hard drive
2. Access the Blocks
within AutoCAD
within AutoCAD
a. Use the Design Center which allows you to drag your files into your drawings
b. Open the drawing so you may copy and paste. OR
c. Create a tool palette of each of the block categories which will then be docked to the side of your working screen area. This will give you quick access to each block when needed.
3. Open and dock the properties dialog box for easy access to changing each blocks parameters.
4. Create a Custom Tool Palette – If you are unfamiliar with creating a custom tool palette, please refer to your AutoCAD instruction manual. Step 4a is my recommended method.
a. Drag drawings one by one to the tool palette. This will give you greater control over their order as well as how they are to appear on the palettes. This also allows all of the property settings to be preset when placed on the palette which means you will not have to change each one of the following: color, layer, linetype, plot style, and lineweight. OR
b. Use the Design Center to create a tool palette of an entire drawing of blocks
However you accomplish this, once your blocks are placed on the tool palette you are ready to begin using them.
In the following example I will use the block "WC1", which is a one door wall cabinet, to describe how to use the Cabinet Blocks. When you are dragging the "WC1" cabinet block into a drawing, you will run your crosshairs over the Properties Manager dialogue box. You will notice in the lower section of the dialogue box an area labeled Custom. Within the custom area there are sub-headings which correspond to preset parameters for such items as Cabinet Width and Cabinet Height. Depending on the preset parameters attached to each block, you can either type in a new value, such as in the case with Cabinet Width and Height, or you can pick and scroll through the available options. Once you have changed or selected the desired options to these parameters you can place the block into the drawing. One other way that you could accomplish this is to just place the block into the drawing, then manipulate the object using the parameter grips and/or run your crosshairs over the Properties Manager and change the appropriate values.
One additional option that I have created within each of the Cabinet Blocks is the pull type. To access the different pull types, just double click on the cabinet block. This will open the cabinet block in the block editor. Once you are in the block editor, you can then select the cabinet pull visibility symbol, which allows the user to select the desired pull type. Once you have done so, save and exit the block editor and you will notice that all the pulls that occur in the "WC1" cabinets will be the new selected pull type. Most of the time, a project will have all of one type of cabinet pull; however, if you must have different pull types you will have to open the block editor and save the "WC1" cabinet to another name, such as "WC1-1" for the cabinet with the different pull.
One additional option that I have created within each of the Cabinet Blocks is the pull type. To access the different pull types, just double click on the cabinet block. This will open the cabinet block in the block editor. Once you are in the block editor, you can then select the cabinet pull visibility symbol, which allows the user to select the desired pull type. Once you have done so, save and exit the block editor and you will notice that all the pulls that occur in the "WC1" cabinets will be the new selected pull type. Most of the time, a project will have all of one type of cabinet pull; however, if you must have different pull types you will have to open the block editor and save the "WC1" cabinet to another name, such as "WC1-1" for the cabinet with the different pull.
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Cabinet Block Images.
Install Blocks Example 01
Install Blocks Example 02
Install Blocks Example 03
Using Cabinet Blocks Example 01
The second category that I am going to discuss is the Cabinet Sections blocks. I will be using, in the following example, a block named "36 WC-WA". This block is a combination of the WCS-WA block (Wall Cabinet Section – With Apron) and once again a cabinet block pull with the name Standard Wall Cabinet Pull. Also, you will notice that saved within these blocks are dimensions.
Before I continue, I would like to explain a couple of details about the typical cabinet sections blocks. As I mentioned, the sections are a combination of blocks. The WCS-WA block has many different preset parameters and actions that allow them to be changed into literally hundreds of different blocks. I have created this vertical wall cabinet section that allows the end user to stretch the height and depth, change the depth of the cleat space and back thickness, show scribe or no scribe, and stretch the height of the scribe. Depending on the height of the cabinet, you can also stretch the pin holes, add an additional hinge, have no shelves, one shelf, or two shelves, as well as have the ability to change the cabinet pull type. All this is compiled into one dynamic block. When I finished creating the WCS-WA, block I created some standard size blocks that are already dimensioned. When these blocks are inserted into a drawing, the dimensions can be changed or stretched as needed. When you insert the pre-dimensioned cabinet sections, you will need to explode the block to have access to the dimensions or you could open the block in the block editor. To preset the block to explode during insertion, just right click on the Block icon then pick properties. In the properties dialogue box, under "Insert", change the explode default from No to Yes.
Before I continue, I would like to explain a couple of details about the typical cabinet sections blocks. As I mentioned, the sections are a combination of blocks. The WCS-WA block has many different preset parameters and actions that allow them to be changed into literally hundreds of different blocks. I have created this vertical wall cabinet section that allows the end user to stretch the height and depth, change the depth of the cleat space and back thickness, show scribe or no scribe, and stretch the height of the scribe. Depending on the height of the cabinet, you can also stretch the pin holes, add an additional hinge, have no shelves, one shelf, or two shelves, as well as have the ability to change the cabinet pull type. All this is compiled into one dynamic block. When I finished creating the WCS-WA, block I created some standard size blocks that are already dimensioned. When these blocks are inserted into a drawing, the dimensions can be changed or stretched as needed. When you insert the pre-dimensioned cabinet sections, you will need to explode the block to have access to the dimensions or you could open the block in the block editor. To preset the block to explode during insertion, just right click on the Block icon then pick properties. In the properties dialogue box, under "Insert", change the explode default from No to Yes.
Now that I’ve explained what the block can do, let me explain the procedure to insert this block. Like the previous Cabinet Blocks, once you have picked the block from the tool pallete you have created, you will run your crosshairs over the Properties Manager dialogue box. You will notice in the lower section a category called "Custom." Within this Custom area, there are several subheadings which correspond to such things as cabinet height, depth, back, cleat space, scribe height, etc. You will be able to insert new values for some of the categories and/or scroll through the available options. Finally, the last option I would like to explain is the cabinet pull. Like the Cabinet Blocks, the Cabinet Pull is a dynamic block saved within the cabinet section. Once you have opened the Cabinet Sections Block in the block editor, by double clicking on it, you can then select the pull visibility symbol and select from the available options. This block can be added to and manipulated by the user as needed.
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Cabinet Sections Blocks Images
Using Cabinet Blocks - Example 02
Using Cabinet Blocks - Example 04
Using Cabinet Blocks - Example 03
For Hardware, Appliances & Fixtures, Symbols & Title Blocks, follow the previous directions for both installing and using the blocks. Within these categories are some of the most commonly used blocks within the millwork industry.
Click here to view Hardware Blocks Images
Click here to view Appliances & Fixtures Blocks Images
Click here to view Symbols & Title Blocks Images
The third category is Millwork Blocks. Over the years, I have found myself creating millwork shop drawings using the same details all the time. So I have created some blocks that allow me to place and manipulate into the objects that are required. With the creation of dynamic blocks, I have also been able to create some cabinets, drawer boxes, pull out trays, counter tops, base frames, doors, windows, sills, base details, etc. that will allow you to build drawings instead of drawing them. This has cut my drawing time to fractions it normally would take. Most of these blocks are not very complicated to use and some are not even dynamic. However, for the blocks that are dynamic use them as described in the above block examples.
The fourth category is Moldings. Not all of the molding blocks in this package are dynamic at this time, but as time and desire permits I will be making all of them dynamic to suit the users’ needs. For the blocks that are dynamic, you will find that they can speed up the drawing process. They will include a pre-drawn standard molding profile; in addition, you can select from various visibility states within the profile that will not only allow you to view the profile in elevation, but it will also allow you to stretch the molding to the appropriate dimension. For example, SM-77 pilaster molding has five visibility states assigned to it, which allows you to view the following: Fluted Reeded Profile, Fluted Pilaster Profile, Custom Pilaster – Elevation, Standard Pilaster – Elevation, and Reeded Pilaster – Elevation. Use these blocks as needed and try the possibilities.
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Millwork Blocks Images
The fourth category is Moldings. Not all of the molding blocks in this package are dynamic at this time, but as time and desire permits I will be making all of them dynamic to suit the users’ needs. For the blocks that are dynamic, you will find that they can speed up the drawing process. They will include a pre-drawn standard molding profile; in addition, you can select from various visibility states within the profile that will not only allow you to view the profile in elevation, but it will also allow you to stretch the molding to the appropriate dimension. For example, SM-77 pilaster molding has five visibility states assigned to it, which allows you to view the following: Fluted Reeded Profile, Fluted Pilaster Profile, Custom Pilaster – Elevation, Standard Pilaster – Elevation, and Reeded Pilaster – Elevation. Use these blocks as needed and try the possibilities.
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Moldings Blocks Images
Cabinet Sections Blocks - Example 03
Cabinet Sections Blocks - Example 01
Molding Blocks - Example 01
Molding Blocks - Example 02 / SM-77
Cabinet Sections Blocks - Example 02