Block
Toolbar | Menu | Shortcut |
---|---|---|
|
Edit Blocks > Create Block Definition |
Ctrl (CMD) + B |
The Block command defines a block object from the selected objects and replaces the selected objects with an instance of the block.
Using blocks lets you
- Create parts libraries.
- Update all instances by modifying the block definition.
- Keep a smaller model size by using block instances instead of copying identical geometry.
- Use the BlockManager command to view information about the blocks defined in the model.
- Use the Insert command to place block instances into your model, which scales and rotates the instance.
Block Definition Properties
Name
The name of the block definition.
- Type a letter to select the first block name starting with the letter.
See: Naming conventions in Rhino
Description
Optional descriptive information.
Hyperlink
Adds hyperlink information to a block definition. This information can be retrieved with the Hyperlink command.
Description
A description of the URL.
URL
A web address. Click the address to open the page in the default browser.
Define a block by inserting another file into a model
- Use the Insert command with the Insert as option set to Block Instance.
A block definition will be added to the model.
Define a block by dragging another file onto a model
- Drag and drop a supported file from Windows Explorer onto the model.
- Specify the Insert file option.
A block definition will be added to the model.
To redefine a block
- Follow the steps for defining a block and re-use the same block name.
Note
- Do not create blocks in a model that are named the same as the model itself.
- When inserting a file with the Insert command, the file's ModelBasepoint will determine how the geometry is being located in the new file.
Block Instances and Layers
The properties of the geometry (curves, surfaces, etc.) that are contained in the block instance are controlled either by the layer properties or object properties of the geometry itself. Block instances that you insert to the model insert onto the current layer and can be moved to any other layer. There is no relationship between the block instance's layer and the geometry contained in the block. For example, the block geometry does not change to match the layer color onto which the block instance is inserted.
When the block contains objects on a specific layer, turning that layer off will turn off only the objects on that layer. However, if the layer the block instance is inserted on is turned off, all of the objects will disappear.
Locking Layers
When you lock a layer, only the layer that contains the insertion point of the block instance is locked. If a block has objects that are on the locked layer, but the block instance insertion point is not on that layer, the object itself is not locked because the controlling factor is the layer of the block insertion point.
Groups
Grouped objects will not maintain their grouped status inside a block.
Properties by parent
This option is only useful for objects in blocks. Think of a block instance as a container that contains objects (block members). A block instance is the parent of its block members. A block instance has its own properties. If By Parent is selected in the properties of a block member, the properties will be controlled by the block instance.
Simple block example:
-
In this example, Block A contains a cylinder and a box. The Display Color of the box is By Parent and is controlled by its parent (Block A). The box will display Block A's layer color because the display color of Block A is By Layer. The cylinder will always display its own layer color and will not be changed by Block A.
Nested block example:
-
Now Block A is nested in Block B. The box still displays Block A's layer color because By Parent only works with the direct parent.
-
If the Display Color of Block A is changed to By Parent, the display color of the box will be indirectly controlled by its grandparent (Block B).
By Parent can be selected for Display Color, Linetype, Print Color and Print Width in object properties. For the Render material, select Use Object Parent. Render materials are only visible in Rendered and Raytraced display modes by default.
Toolbar | Menu | Panel Gear Menu |
---|---|---|
|
Edit Blocks > Block Manager Window Floating Panels > |
Blocks |
The BlockManager command manages the block definitions in the model.
Steps
- In the Block Manager dialog box, set block properties.
Blocks Dialog Box
Block Definition list
Displays a list of block definitions in the model.
See: Naming conventions in Rhino
Block preview
Preview image right-click menu | |
---|---|
Wireframe |
Sets the view to Wireframe display mode. |
Shaded |
Sets the view to Shaded display mode. |
Rendered |
Sets the view to Rendered display mode. |
Top |
Sets the view to World Top. |
Bottom |
Sets the view to World Bottom. |
Left |
Sets the view to World Left. |
Right |
Sets the view to World Right. |
Back |
Sets the view to World Back. |
Perspective |
Sets the view to World Perspective. |
Link Status
Displays the status of block instances linked to external files.
Up to date
The block definition and link file match.
Linked file is older
The linked file is older than the block definition.
Linked file is newer
The linked file is newer than the block definition.
Linked file is different
The linked file and the block definition do not match.
Not linked
The block definition was not created by importing a file.
File not found
The file that was used to create a linked block definition cannot be found.
The missing block location is marked with a text dot object listing the missing block name.
For a description of the process Rhino uses to locate files used by worksessions and linked instance definitions, see Rhino Wiki: File finding.
To resolve the issue
Right-click on the block definition in the list:
- Select Update block definition to restore the missing block.
- Select Delete block definition to remove the link.
Instances
Counts the number of instances of the block in the model. Nested instances are included in the count.
Used by
Lists block definitions that contain the selected block as a nested block.
Description
Displays the text information of the block definition.
Link File Name
The name of the file that was imported to create the block definition.
External File
For a file inserted as block instance.
Embed
Insert geometry into the current file. This will not update if the external file changes.
Link and embed
Insert geometry into the current file and maintain a link to the external file. Linked geometry can be updated when the external file changes. If the external file cannot be located, the geometry is still defined in the current file.
Link
Maintain only a link to the external file. Linked geometry is updated when the external file changes. If the external file cannot be located, the geometry will not appear in the current file.
Blocks are saved with both absolute and relative paths.
Layer Style
Defines how layer names are organized
Active
Merges layers with the same names.
Reference
Creates a parent layer using the name of the linked file. Layers in the linked file appear as sub-layers under the parent layer.
Adds hyperlink information to a block definition. This information can be retrieved with the Hyperlink command.
URL
Enter a web address.
URL description
A description of the URL.
Gear menu / Right-click context menu
Create block definition from selected geometry
Select objects in the viewport to create a new block definition.
Create block definition from file
Insert a supported model format as a block definition.
Update block definition
Reload the linked block definition when it has been changed.
Replace block definition with contents of file
Select a model to replace the content of the linked block definition.
Unlink block definition from file
Embed the linked block definition.
Select instances of block definition
Select instances of the selected block definition in the viewport.
Export block definition
Save the embedded block definition as a new model file.
Show hidden block definitions
Display the block names beginning with * (asterisk character).
Always update blocks when opening model
Update "Embedded and linked" blocks each time the model is opened.
Prompt before updating blocks when opening model
Prompt before updating "Embedded and linked" blocks each time the model is opened.
When a file opens, the Block Definitions to Update dialog box prompts for action.
Never update blocks when opening model
Never update "Embedded and linked" blocks and do not prompt.
Delete block definition
Delete the selected block definition and all of its instances in the model.
Insert the selected block or an external model in the model space.
Toolbar | Menu |
---|---|
|
Edit Blocks > Edit Block in Place |
The BlockEdit command allows selecting a block instance to change the block geometry and update the block definition.
Steps
- Select a block instance to edit.
Or
Double-click a block instance.
The block geometry opens in the Rhino window. All other objects are locked.
You can now edit the geometry in the block using any editing techniques. -
Click Apply to accept the editing.
To cancel, click the red button at the upper-left corner.
Command-line options | |
---|---|
PromptToEditLinkedBlocks |
Linked blocks are not stored in the Rhino file, but are a connection to an external model. To edit linked blocks, Rhino opens the external model in a separate instance of Rhino. The current editing session is paused until the external file is locked. YesPrompts to open a linked block. NoOpens the linked block without prompting. In the Edit Linked Block dialog box, checking the Don't ask this question again... box automatically sets the PromptToEditLinkedBlocks to No. |
Block Edit options
The Block Edit dialog box displays the block name and a list of any blocks nested in it.
Add Object
Adds selected objects to the block definition. If the selected object is a block, this becomes a nested block and will display in the tree the next time the BlockEdit command is run.
The object added is copied to the block definition and the original object remains in the model.
Remove Object
Removes selected objects from the block definition.
When the block is updated, the removed objects are added to the model as separate individual objects.
Set Base Point
Repositions the block insertion point.
When the block is updated, the block instance will shift so the new insertion point is placed at the block insertion location.
Notes
- Hidden or locked objects are not supported in block definitions. therefore, a warning dialog will appear if you have locked or hidden objects giving you the option to leave objects hidden or locked and remove them from the block definition or to show and or unlock the objects to make further edits.
- Linked blocks in use by another user cannot be edited.
- If the Block Edit dialog left open when the current model is saved and closed, the Block Edit dialog will appear when the model is re-opened. The block editing can be continued.
Toolbar | Menu |
---|---|
|
|
The ReplaceBlock command redefines selected block instances with a different block definition.
Steps
Command-line options | |
---|---|
SelectFromBlockDefinitionList |
Displays a list of block definitions in the model to select from. |
All |
Selects all instances of the current block definition including unselected, hidden, and locked instances. |
None |
Selects no additional instances. Only the selected instances will be changed. Or Select a block from the definition list. |
CopyLinkedBlockDefinition
Toolbar | Menu |
---|---|
|
|
The CopyLinkedBlockDefinition copies a linked block with Reference style layers.
To create your own example:
- Create a simple file called BlockDef.3dm that will be used as a block definition.
- Start a new model called "FancyModel.3dm".
- Use the Insert command to create a linked block definition with "reference style" layers.
- Name this block "A".
- Run the CopyLinkedBlockDefinition command and copy "A" to new block named "B".
- Run the CopyLinkedBlockDefinition command and copy "A" to new block named "C".
- Adjust the layer settings for the three blocks.
- Run BlockManager and see that you have three linked blocks that reference the same "BlockDef.3dm".
See also
Work with blocks, groups, and worksessions
BlockResetScale
Toolbar | Menu |
---|---|
|
Edit Blocks > Reset Block Scale |
The BlockResetScale command resets the x, y, and z scales of a block instance to 1, or applies the best-fit scale to all axes.
Command-line options
Mode
One
Resets the x, y, and z scales of a block instance to 1.
Automatic
If any two axes have the same scale, applies the scale to the third axis.
If all three axes have different scales, applies the average scale to all axes.
- The command will not prompt the options if the block instances are preselected.