Detail Builder Blocks
Quick video
- Our Detail Builder Blocks Library & Placing Detail Builder Blocks
- Keyboard Commands for Placing Blocks
- Elevation Graphics
- Saving a Detail Block
- Related Webinars
- Troubleshooting
Our library of detail Builder blocks contains a wide variety of components you might use in building a detail, from wood framing to metal connectors, masonry units, pre-cast concrete trim, plant container sizes, irrigation equipment, etc. As with any other block in our system, you can place these blocks in your drawings directly from CAD. You can also edit our default blocks and even add to our block library by bringing in your own blocks.
Our Detail Builder Blocks Library & Placing Detail Builder Blocks
Open the Detail Builder Blocks tool:
F/X Details ribbon, Detail Builder Blocks flyout
Or type DetailGraphics in the Command line
The Detail Graphics dialog box will open.
1. This pane lists the Detail Builder Blocks library categories. Click the plus (+) sign next to a category to expand it and show its subcategories.
2. Click one of the subcategories to select it and show the blocks it contains.
3. The Detail Builder Blocks within the selected subcategory appear as thumbnails in the area on the right side of the dialog box. Click a thumbnail to select the corresponding Detail Block. Click OK to place it in your drawing.
4. Click Edit to view and change information about the selected Detail Block.
If you select a block and click Edit, you'll see the following dialog box, where you can view or change the selected block's settings.
1. The title of the dialog box shows the filename of the selected Detail Block.
2. This pane shows a closer, more detailed view of the graphical representation of the selected block.
3. This field provides a description of the selected block. You can enter a new description here if you want.
4. Select an option for how you want the block to scale when you place it in a detail. Usually, 1:1 is the preferred scale for a detail block, as it allows for the display of a physical object at full scale. The other two available options are used less commonly in details:
- Dimscale: This option will give the block the same scale as you've set for the detail where you place it.
- Manual: This option allows you to scale the block manually when you place it.
5. The Rotation options allow you to define how this object will be rotated when you place it:
- No rotation: The block will be placed in details at the same rotation in which it's saved.
- Manual: You'll determine the block's rotation manually when placing it in a detail
6. Select the drawing units you use in your details: Inches, Feet, Meters or Millimeters.
7. Click OK to close this dialog box and save any changes.
Keyboard Commands for Placing Blocks
Our keyboard commands for placing objects now apply to generic blocks, such as Detail Builder Blocks and our Plan, Elevation, and Discipline Graphics. Use these easy, intuitive keyboard commands to toggle between blocks, block categories, and views of the selected block on the fly, as well as enter our Copy along tools. More information
Elevation Graphics
Our Elevation Graphics library is another great resource for blocks to use in your details. It's full of blocks in elevation (side) view that range from furnishings and other amenities to vehicles and even people. For more information, see our Elevation Graphics documentation.
Saving a Detail Block
While creating a detail, it's common to also create the variety of material components that will make up the detail. These components could be objects you draw yourself or download from a manufacturer's website.
Using our Save Detail Block tool, you can save these items into our detail system quickly, allowing you to access them easily for future use.
Open Save Detail Block:
F/X Details ribbon, Save Detail Block flyout
Or type FX_SaveDetailBlock in the Command line
The Command line will prompt you to select an Insertion point.
Click a location on the detail to define the insertion point. The Command line will now prompt you to Select objects.
Select the object or objects you want to turn into a detail. If necessary, you can draw a window to make your selection. Press Enter when finished.
The Save Block As dialog box will open.
You're free to create a new folder of any name you wish, or save your blocks into one of the existing folders.
The folder structure you see when saving a Detail Builder Block mirrors the folder structure in our library of Detail Builder Blocks.
You'll then see a dialog box where you can edit a few key settings for the block.
1. Preview window of the block you're saving. You also see this preview when you use the Detail Block tool.
2. Enter a description for the block if you want.
3. Select an option for how you want the block to scale when you place it in a detail. Usually, 1:1 is the preferred scale for a detail block, as it allows for the display of a physical object at full scale. The other two available options are used less commonly in details:
- Dimscale: This option will give the block the same scale as you've set for the detail where you place it.
- Manual: This option allows you to scale the block manually when you place it.
4. The Rotation options allow you to define how this object will be rotated when you place it:
- No rotation: The block will be placed in details at the same rotation in which it's saved.
- Manual: You'll determine the block's rotation manually when placing it in a detail.
5. Select the drawing units you use in your details: Inches, Feet, Meters or Millimeters.
6. Click OK to close this dialog box and save any changes.
Related Webinars
- Details for Beginners: Take a full tour of our detail system, where you’ll learn how to navigate our detail library, find the details you need, and use them in your drawing set. (1 hr 1 min)
- Working with Blocks: We go over the role played by blocks within our software, showing the various types of blocks you have access to and how they all function. We'll also show you how to integrate your personal set of custom blocks into our system. (51 min)
Troubleshooting
Contact
- Land F/X
Our software tailors AutoCAD® to the needs of landscape architects, irrigation designers, and other professionals. We automate your most tedious tasks and ensure accuracy, giving you more time to design.