Learn how to use WBLOCK in AutoCAD to save selected drawing details as separate drawing files. The lesson covers selecting objects, choosing an insertion base point, naming the files, and reviewing the exported drawings.
Key Insights
- WBLOCK saves selected objects to a separate drawing file. In this example, the original objects are retained in the working drawing.
- Each exported detail receives a distinct file name so that the details can be assembled onto a sheet without duplicate names.
- After exporting, the lesson opens each detail file to review its base point and geometry position, then saves the updated drawing.
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We're almost there. I hope you've been enjoying this. What we need to do next is create separate drawing files for each of our details because, as you can see, we are still in our working window's detail drawing.
So, I'm going to use WBlock, which means 'Write Block.' That will allow me to take the components of this drawing and save them as a separate drawing file. So, I'm going to select objects.
The base point will be the insertion base point of this detail border. Select objects, and we need to give it a file name. You can see it says 'CAD New Block Drawing.'
I'll slide over. We already have files numbered 06, 07, and 08. So, I'm going to select 05 and change it to number 09.
This way, when we compile our details onto a sheet, we won't have duplicate names. This will be VDCIDetail09. I'll click save.
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I'm keeping the data in the drawing file we have right now and clicking OK. I'll now return to WBlock. The base point will be the insertion base point of the detail border here.
Select the objects, choose a name, and click the three dots.
We just did 09. Now, we’ll name it 10 and click OK. I'm now going to open.
I’ll open 09. I’ll type 'base,' and you can see the base point has an unusual value.
This is because the location of the XYZ coordinates in the source file is being used.
So, I’ll type 'base.' I'll set it to 0,0,0. Then, I'll move the window from the insertion base point of the block to 0,0,0.
Zoom to extents. Zoom in real-time. Press CTRL + S to save the file.
I’ll now open detail 10. I’ll type the 'base' command. Again, notice the coordinates.
- Move the window from the insertion base point to 0,0,0. Zoom to extents.
Zoom in real-time. Press CTRL + S to save the file. Again, we want to use 0,0,0 as the base point for our drawings and position the geometry appropriately relative to it.
Once again, I hope this has been a good experience for you, and I look forward to working together in the next lesson.
