Block Editor (Quick Reference)-Autodesk AutoCAD 2008 Command Reference-kxcad

You use the Block Editor to define dynamic behavior for a block definition. In the Block Editor, you add parameters and actions, which define custom properties and dynamic behavior. The Block Editor contains a special authoring area in which you can draw and edit geometry as you would in the drawing area.

The following commands are used for creating dynamic blocks and are available only in the Block Editor:

When the BLOCKEDITLOCK system variable is set to 1, the Block Editor cannot be opened.

The Block Editor also provides a Block Editor toolbar and Block Authoring palettes that contain tools for creating dynamic blocks. The Block Authoring Palettes window contains the following tabs:

Block Editor Toolbar

Provides tools for working in the Block Editor, creating dynamic blocks, and working with visibility states.

Edit or Create Block Definition: Displays the Edit Block Definition dialog box.
Save Block Definition: Saves the current Block Definition.
Save Block As: Displays the Save Block As dialog box, in which you can save a copy of the current block definition under a new name.
Name: Displays the name of the current block definition.
Authoring Palettes: Displays or hides the Block Authoring palettes, which provide tools for adding parameters and actions to the dynamic block definition.
Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, which adds a parameter to the dynamic block definition.
Action: Runs the BACTION command, which adds an action to the dynamic block definition.
Define Attribute: Displays the Attribute Definition dialog box, in which you can define the mode, attribute tag, prompt, value, insertion point, and text options for an attribute.
Update Parameter and Action Text Size: Runs the REGEN command, which regenerates the display in the Block Editor and updates the text, arrowhead, icon, and grips sizes of parameters and actions. When you zoom in and out in the Block Editor, the text, arrowhead, icon, and grip size changes relative to the zoom factor. When you regenerate the display in the Block Editor, text, arrowheads, icons, and grips display at their specified values.
Learn About Dynamic Blocks: Displays demonstrations in the New Features Workshop for creating dynamic blocks.
Close Block Editor: Closes the Block Editor and prompts you to save or discard any changes to the current block definition.
Visibility Mode: Sets the BVMODE system variable, which dims or hides objects made invisible for the current visibility state.
Make Visible: Runs the BVSHOW command, so that you can make objects visible for the current visibility state or for all visibility states.
Make Invisible: Runs the BVHIDE command, so that you can make objects invisible for the current visibility state or for all visibility states.
Manage Visibility States: Displays the Visibility States dialog box, in which you can create, delete, rename, and make current visibility states.
Visibility State: Specifies the current visibility state displayed in the Block Editor.

Parameters Tab (Block Authoring Palettes Window)

Provides tools for adding parameters to a dynamic block definition in the Block Editor. Parameters specify positions, distances, and angles for geometry in the block reference. When you add a parameter to a dynamic block definition, it defines one or more custom properties for the block.

Point Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Point parameter option, which adds a point parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom X and Y properties for the block reference. A point parameter defines an X and Y location in the drawing. In the Block Editor, a point parameter looks similar to an ordinate dimension.
Linear Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Linear parameter option, which adds a linear parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines a custom distance property for the block reference. A linear parameter shows the distance between two anchor points. A linear parameter constrains grip movement along a preset angle. In the Block Editor, a linear parameter looks similar to an aligned dimension.
Polar Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Polar parameter option, which adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom distance and angle properties for the block reference. A polar parameter shows the distance between two anchor points and displays an angle value. You can use both grips and the Properties palette to change both the distance value and the angle. In the Block Editor, a polar parameter looks similar to an aligned dimension.
XY Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom horizontal and vertical distance properties for the block reference. An XY parameter shows the X and Y distances from the base point of the parameter. In the Block Editor, an XY parameter displays as a pair of dimensions (horizontal and vertical). These dimensions share a common base point.
Rotation Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Rotation parameter option, which adds a rotation parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines a custom angle property for the block reference. A rotation parameter defines an angle. In the Block Editor, a rotation parameter displays as a circle.
Alignment Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Alignment parameter option, which adds an alignment parameter to the dynamic block definition. An alignment parameter defines an X and Y location and an angle. An alignment parameter always applies to the entire block and needs no action associated with it. An alignment parameter allows the block reference to automatically rotate around a point to align with other objects in the drawing. An alignment parameter affects the angle property of the block reference. In the Block Editor, an alignment parameter looks like an alignment line.
Flip Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Flip parameter option, which adds a flip parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines a custom flip property for the block reference. A flip parameter flips objects. In the Block Editor, a flip parameter displays as a reflection line. Objects can be flipped about this reflection line. A flip parameter displays a value that shows if the block reference has been flipped or not.
Visibility Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Visibility parameter option, which adds a visibility parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines a custom visibility property for the block reference. A visibility parameter allows you to create visibility states and to control the visibility of objects in the block. A visibility parameter always applies to the entire block and needs no action associated with it. In a drawing, you click the grip to display a list of visibility states available for the block reference. In the Block Editor, a visibility parameter displays as text with an associated grip.
Lookup Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Lookup parameter option, which adds a lookup parameter to the dynamic block definition and defines custom lookup properties for the block reference. A lookup parameter defines a custom property that you can specify or set to evaluate to a value from a list or table you define. It can be associated with a single lookup grip. In the block reference, you click the grip to display a list of available values. In the Block Editor, a lookup parameter displays as text.
Base Point Parameter: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Base Point parameter option, which adds a base point parameter to the dynamic block definition. A base point parameter defines a base point for the dynamic block reference relative to the geometry in the block. A base point parameter cannot be associated with any actions, but can belong to an action's selection set. In the Block Editor, a base point parameter displays as a circle with crosshairs

Actions Tab (Block Authoring Palettes Window)

Provides tools for adding actions to a dynamic block definition in the Block Editor. Actions define how the geometry of a dynamic block reference will move or change when the custom properties of a block reference are manipulated in a drawing. You associate actions with parameters.

Move Action: Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Move action option, which adds a move action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a point, linear, polar, or XY parameter. A move action is similar to the MOVE command. In a dynamic block reference, a move action causes objects to move a specified distance and angle.
Scale Action: Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Scale action option, which adds a scale action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a linear, polar, or XY parameter. A scale action is similar to the SCALE command. In a dynamic block reference, a scale action causes its selection set to scale when the associated parameter is edited by moving grips or by using the Properties palette.
Stretch Action: Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Stretch action option, which adds a stretch action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a point, linear, polar, or XY parameter. A stretch action causes objects to move and stretch a specified distance in a specified location.
Polar Stretch Action: Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Polar Stretch action option, which adds a polar stretch action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a polar parameter. A polar stretch action rotates, moves, and stretches objects a specified angle and distance when the key point on the associated polar parameter is changed through a grip or the Properties palette
Rotate Action: Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Rotate action option, which adds a rotate action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a rotation parameter. A rotate action is similar to the ROTATE command. In a dynamic block reference, a rotate action causes its associated objects to rotate when the associated parameter is edited through a grip or the Properties palette.
Flip Action: Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Flip action option, which adds a flip action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a flip parameter. With a flip action you can flip a dynamic block reference about a specified axis called a reflection line.
Array Action: Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Array action, which adds an array action to the dynamic block definition when you associate the action with a linear, polar, or XY parameter. An array action causes its associated objects to copy and array in a rectangular pattern when the associated parameter is edited through a grip or the Properties palette.
Lookup Action: Runs the BACTIONTOOL command, Lookup action option, which adds a lookup action to the dynamic block definition. When you add a lookup action to a dynamic block definition and associate it with a lookup parameter, it creates a lookup table. You can use a lookup table to assign custom properties and values to a dynamic block.

Parameter Sets Tab (Block Authoring Palettes Window)

Provides tools for adding a parameter and at least one action at the same time to a dynamic block definition in the Block Editor. When you add a parameter set to a dynamic block, the actions are automatically associated with the parameter. After you add a parameter set to a dynamic block, you double-click the yellow alert icon (or use the BACTIONSET command) and follow the command prompts to associate the action with a selection set of geometry.

Point Move: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Point parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a point parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a move action associated with the point parameter.
Linear Move: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Linear parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a linear parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a move action associated with the endpoint of the linear parameter.
Linear Stretch: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Linear parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a linear parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a stretch action associated with the linear parameter.
Linear Array: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Linear parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a linear parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds an array action associated with the linear parameter.
Linear Move Pair: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Linear parameter option with two grips specified, which adds a linear parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a two move action, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the linear parameter.
Linear Stretch Pair: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Linear parameter option with two grips specified, which adds a linear parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a two stretch actions, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the linear parameter.
Polar Move: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Polar parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a move action associated with the polar parameter.
Polar Stretch: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Polar parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a stretch action associated with the polar parameter.
Polar Array: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Polar parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds an array action associated with the polar parameter.
Polar Move Pair: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Polar parameter option with two grips specified, which adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds two move actions, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the polar parameter.
Polar Stretch Pair: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Polar parameter option with two grips specified, which adds a polar parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds two stretch actions, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the polar parameter.
XY Move: Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option with one grip specified, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a move action associated with the endpoint of the XY parameter.
XY Move Pair: Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option with two grips specified, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds two move actions, one associated with the base point and one associated with the endpoint of the XY parameter.
XY Move Box Set: Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option with four grips specified, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds four move actions, one associated with each key point on the XY parameter.
XY Stretch Box Set: Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option with four grips specified, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds four stretch actions, one associated with each key point on the XY parameter.
XY Array Box Set: Runs the BPARAMETER command, XY parameter option with four grips specified, which adds an XY parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds an array action associated with the XY parameter.
Rotation Set: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Rotation parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a rotation parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a rotation action associated with the rotation parameter.
Flip Set: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Flip parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a flip parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a flip action associated with the flip parameter.
Visibility Set: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Visibility parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a visibility parameter to the dynamic block definition and allows visibility states to be defined. No action is necessary with the visibility parameter.
Lookup Set: Runs the BPARAMETER command, Lookup parameter option with one grip specified, which adds a lookup parameter to the dynamic block definition. Automatically adds a lookup action associated with the lookup parameter.