Insert Symbols in Boxes
SDBox Design Software - Command guide for inserting blocks with attributes in boxes or arrows
Symbols in Boxes ZTET
Insert a Block in a box on the drawing screen with size proportional to the print scale, selected from a symbol library.
Selection of Blocks from a symbol library for insertion into the drawing screen. These symbols are inserted into the Drawing with a size proportional to the print scale so they print clearly.
You can enrich the library with your own symbols and use them easily in any Drawing, as for each Block you can also provide a description to remind you of its use.
Enter Layer for 'Block with box':
Command Interface
When you run the ZTET command, a dialog opens showing all available symbols from the library with their preview images and descriptions.
ZTET command interface with symbol library
Symbol Selection
The dialog displays symbols (with their descriptions) that exist in the folder \\SDBOX\SBL\zTetragona. You can modify existing ones or create new Blocks in this location.
When creating new Blocks, they must be named zTe01.dwg to zTe63.dwg (in continuous numerical sequence) and you should also create corresponding slides with the same name using AutoCAD's MSLIDE command so they appear in the images on the right side of the dialog.
Layer Selection:
The first step is to select the layer where the "Block with box" will be inserted. You can use standard layer selection methods or predefined layer configurations.
Insertion Process
<..if you select a point ENTER=angle 0.0000>
Select on the drawing screen:
- A point for inserting the 1st Block
- A second point for angle or type an angle value
If you don't want to specify an angle, after the insertion point press Enter, right-click, or Space and the symbol will be inserted horizontally.
Block editor
Attribute Values
You enter values for the Block's attributes that you have inserted. The first time a Block is inserted, the value "x" is suggested for each field.
The values you enter are saved and suggested after inserting the next Block. This feature is useful when you want to insert Blocks into the Drawing with the same field values and be able to make changes each time.
Continuation Options
Next "Space - Room (zTe02)" ? R/S/U/Y/N <Yes>:
R=reverse direction: Changes the Block's direction (AutoCAD's MIRROR command) without changing text reading direction. Useful for Blocks with linear arrangement.
S=change Symbol: Reopens the command dialog where you can select another symbol type for insertion.
U/Y=continue: The command continues with inserting the next symbol.
N=end: The command ends and informs you how many symbols were inserted into the Drawing.
Important Notes:
Do not rename existing drawings. (The command will not work correctly)
When creating a new Drawing - symbol, also set the insertion point using AutoCAD's BASE command.
The folder \\SDBOX\SBL_z[] can contain a maximum of 63 Drawings (in continuous numerical sequence). More drawings do not participate in the command.
For each drawing, create the corresponding slide with the same name using AutoCAD's MSLIDE command.
Command Usage:
The command's ability to save the values you enter for Block fields and suggest them for the next Block serves cases where you want to insert Blocks into the Drawing with the same field values and be able to make changes each time.
The symbol descriptions displayed in the command dialog help you distinguish between visually similar Blocks.
Tips:
The selections you make each time with the command are saved and suggested from then on when you run the command again in the same Drawing or any other.
If you agree with what is suggested (as the last selection) when opening the dialog, you can press Enter or Space to accept them and continue with symbol insertion into the drawing screen.
Symbol Descriptions ZTET1
Opens the file containing descriptions of symbols inserted into the Drawing with the ZTET command.
Opens the file \\SDBOX\ZTET.dat where you can view, correct, or add new descriptions that appear in the dialog opened with the ZTET command.
Symbol descriptions file
A message appears reminding you that the file to be opened contains instructions at the top that you don't need to delete.
Adding Descriptions
In this example we have descriptions for 2 symbols: zTe02.dwg and zTe08.dwg.
The process is as follows: A new line is written in the opened file:
zTe02 ? Space - Room
That is: Symbol name "?" Description or more detailed:
DWG file name (without extension) Question mark Your description
This will appear in the ZTET command dialog as "zTe02__Space - Room".
Description file format example
Notes:
You can copy the list of symbols with the ZTETLIST command to the description file and, after deleting the ".dwg" extensions, complete the descriptions.
You can open the folder containing the symbols with the ZTETDIR command.
Command Usage:
The symbol descriptions displayed in the ZTET command dialog help you distinguish between visually similar Blocks.
The ZTET1 command can also be executed from the ZTET dialog by clicking the "Symbol Descriptions" button.
Tips:
It is recommended to provide descriptions for all Blocks that participate in the ZTET command so you have a complete overview and can easily insert the desired Block each time.
Symbols List ZTETLIST
Opens a file that includes all drawing-symbols inserted into the Drawing with the ZTET command.
Opens the file \\SDBOX\SBL_z[]_LIST.dat where all Drawing names contained in the folder \\SDBOX\SBL_z[] are written.
List of available symbols
You can copy any names you want and paste them into the file \\SDBOX\ZTET.dat (of the ZTET1 command) and complete the descriptions.
Notes:
Every time you run the command in any drawing, the same file at address \\SDBOX\SBL_z[]_LIST.dat always opens.
If you want, you can save it with a different name or in a different location for any personal use.
Command Usage:
The file that opens and contains with their names all the Drawings contained in the folder \\SDBOX\SBL_z[] that participate in the ZTET command is not used as a file in any command.
It opens so you can have an overview of the Blocks that exist or to copy the names of the Blocks (usually to paste them into the symbol description file and complete descriptions).
Tips:
You can first run the ZTETLIST command, not close the file, and then run the ZTET1 command, so with both files open you can do the above copying and pasting.
You can open the folder containing the symbols with the ZTETDIR command.
Open Folder ZTETDIR
Opens the folder containing the drawing-symbols inserted into the Drawing with the ZTET command.
Opens (via Windows) the folder \\SDBOX\SBL_z[] that contains the drawing-symbols (*.dwg) and the corresponding slides that appear in the ZTET command dialog.
Symbols folder contents
You can create new Drawings (and corresponding Slides) in this folder.
The names of the Drawing-symbols and corresponding slides can be zTe01 to zTe63 (in continuous numerical sequence) and nothing else.
Important:
Do not rename existing drawings. (The command will not work correctly)
You cannot move the folder to another location because the ZTET command only reads the address \\SDBOX\SBL_z[].
Command Usage:
When creating a new Drawing, also create the corresponding Slide using AutoCAD's MSLIDE command.
Tips:
When creating a new Drawing - symbol, also set the insertion point using AutoCAD's BASE command.
The folder \\SDBOX\SBL_z[] can contain a maximum of 63 Drawings (in continuous numerical sequence). More drawings do not participate in the command.