Defining block properties

Defining properties in the source block ensures that all block occurrences carry the same attributes. You can define properties separately for the block and for the block label.

• When creating new blocks, you can define properties that identify the physical aspect of the block, such as the type of component, part, or element the block represents. These properties consist of one or more name-value pairs. You can define block properties during source block (or block view) definition using the Block Options command on the Block command bar, which in turn displays the Block Options dialog box. You can enter the block properties in the Name and Value boxes.

• When creating new labels, you can define properties that identify specific alphanumeric information, notes, sequence numbers, or other details about a block. Block label properties are entered in the Name and Value fields in the Block Label Properties dialog box, which is displayed when you select the Block Label command.

The information entered in the Name and Value fields in both the Block Options dialog box and the Block Label Properties dialog box:

• Can be extracted into callouts, balloons, and similar annotations.

• Can be displayed in a block table.

For more information, see Referencing block properties.

After a block has been created, you can modify its properties using the Block Properties dialog box. You can update source block and block occurrence properties and values.

• To globally edit the properties of an existing source block and all block occurrences in the active document, use the Properties command from the source block's shortcut menu in the Library.

• To add or modify properties of all of a block's occurrences on the drawing, use the Properties command on a block occurrence shortcut menu. Property edits made to occurrences on the drawing are updated to the respective source blocks in the Library.

Block views you create inherit their properties from the source block. You cannot edit the properties of a block view in the Library, but you can edit it as a block occurrence after it is placed on the drawing.