AutoCAD Block Types Legend
SDBox Design Software - Command guide for block type management and documentation in CAD drawings
Introduction to Block Management
Professional CAD drawings utilize blocks and symbols extensively for standardized components, annotations, and repetitive elements. The SDBox Block Legend tools provide comprehensive solutions for managing, documenting, and analyzing block usage within AutoCAD, BricsCAD, GstarCAD, and ZwCAD drawings.
This documentation covers the complete workflow for block management, from creating visual legends to detailed analysis and configuration. These tools are essential for:
- Creating professional drawing legends for printing and documentation
- Maintaining block libraries and standards
- Identifying inconsistencies in block usage and properties
- Exporting block data for reports and inventory management
- Configuring custom explanations for different block types
- Managing block counts and statistics
Professional Applications:
These tools are particularly valuable in architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings where standardized symbols represent equipment, fixtures, and components. The ability to quickly generate block legends and analyze block usage ensures consistency across project documentation and facilitates quality control processes.
The commands described in this guide are part of the SDBox CAD add-on, which extends the functionality of various CAD platforms with specialized tools for design professionals.
^ Back to topBlock Types Legend ZYPBL
Legend of block types selected from the drawing, with explanation of each type from a list.
Creates a list on screen (in legend form) showing the various block types present in the drawing based on Block Name, Size, Layer, Color, etc., with explanations. Each row of the legend includes the count of blocks found in the drawing with identical characteristics.
Text Height is set automatically according to the print scale. Blocks are drawn at the same size they appear in the drawing.
Steps
- Select blocks to include in the legend.
- Choose a Layer for the "Block Legend".
- Sort the legend by: BLname / Layer / Color / LType / LtScale / XScale / YScale.
- Pick the insertion point for the legend.
Command Sequence
Enter Layer for 'Block Legend':
SORT Legend by ? [BLname/Layer/Color/LType/LtScale/XScale/YScale] <BLname>:
Pick insertion point for Block Legend:
Sorting Options
- BLname: By Block Name. (B)
- Layer: By drawing layer of the block. (L)
- Color: By color. (C)
- LType: By Linetype. (T)
- LtScale: By Linetype Scale. (S)
- XScale: By X scale. (X)
- YScale: By Y scale. (Y)
Example of block legend created
Notes:
The Bname, scale and other details written on the right in small letters can be deleted after the command completes, when you are preparing the legend for printing.
These details are shown to clarify the differences between block type categories.
Command Usage:
Besides inserting a block legend for printing, you can insert the legend to detect small differences in other properties of various categories (such as size or color bylayer, etc.) and correct the blocks they belong to.
Tips:
When 2 or more categories appear identical and have identical other properties, their differences are in decimal values for BlockHeight, Width, Oblique or Rotation, which is why they appear in the legend.
If you have such a case, you should investigate why blocks that should have identical characteristics are drawn slightly differently from each other.
The command name ZYPBL is an abbreviation of "z YPomnima BLock" (Block Legend).
Block Selection
Select as many blocks as you want from the Drawing. (ALL = select all blocks)
After selection, blocks will be analyzed and categories will emerge according to block type, size, Layer, color, etc.
Layer Selection
See the General Command 'Layer Selection'
Sorting Order
You have the ability to choose in what order the various block categories will appear in the Legend.
Insertion Point
Select the top-left point of the Block Legend to be created. After this selection, the Block Legend is drawn.
Inserting legend into drawing
Legend Layout Explanation
On the left, the Layer of each category is written.
In the middle, the Block is drawn.
On the right, the explanation of the category is written and below that the remaining details of the category.
Explanation Configuration
Commands that open editing files: ZYPBL1, ZYPBL2
In these files you can write the explanation for each block type.
Block types in explanations are separated according to Block Name and the color of the blocks.
First Execution Message
This message appears (usually the first few times you run the command) when nothing has been written in the Explanation file.
The command will continue normally but after each block type the phrase "without description" will be added.
It is recommended to update the explanation file so that in each block legend the explanations are automatically included.
Selection - Configuration ZVFE
Opens a tab where you can view and edit the files that participate in various commands.
You can also select which file category each command will read when executed.
Command files configuration interface
Configuration Management:
Use ZVFE to centrally manage all configuration files for SDBox commands. This is particularly useful when working on collaborative projects where multiple team members need to access the same standardized configuration settings for block legends and explanations.
Editing - 1,2 ZYPBL1, 2
Select which of the 2 available files the ZYPBL command will read during execution to write the correct explanation text according to Block name.
By typing ZYPBL1 or ZYPBL2 you define which file the command will read (1 or 2) accordingly, and you can also edit it if you want.
You can do the same by running the above ZVFE command.
File Creation / Editing
File opening question
If you select No then you have simply set the ZYPBL command to read the "1" file and the command ends.
If you select Yes the same as above is set and the command continues by opening the Explanation file for the Block Legend:
File confirmation dialog
Adding Explanations
Adding new explanations
ZYPBL1: Creates and updates file //SDBOX/YPOMNHMA_BLOCK1.dat
ZYPBL2: Creates and updates file //SDBOX/YPOMNHMA_BLOCK2.dat
Each time you run one of the above commands, the corresponding .dat file is set as default and the ZYPBL command searches for explanations in it.
If you don't run either of the 2, then YPOMNHMA_BLOCK1.dat is set as default.
Notes:
As mentioned above, when you reach the point where the explanation files are fully defined, then you use the ZYPBL1 and ZYPBL2 commands only to determine which file the ZYPBL command will read.
That is, when asked if you "want to open the file" by pressing No or Esc.
Command Usage:
Whenever you want to configure the explanation file or define which file the ZYPBL command will read for explanations.
Tips:
To create and configure the explanation files for the first times, it is recommended to export from a typical drawing the Block names with the ZBLIST command or detailed characteristics with ZBLS.
From the files that open with the above commands you can copy the Block names and Color to file "YPOMNHMA_BLOCK1.DAT" or "YPOMNHMA_BLOCK2.DAT".
Drawing Block List ZBLIST
Opens a Notepad file containing a List with the names of Blocks and Xrefs contained in the Drawing.
The file is always \\SDBOX\BLOCKS_LIST.dat and all Block Names and Xrefs that have been defined in the Drawing are exported.
You can, among others, use this command to copy the Block names to the Explanation files and then complete the descriptions.
Blocks List from drawing
Workflow Integration:
Combine ZBLIST with ZYPBL1/2 to create a standardized block library for your organization. Export the block names from your template drawings, then use them to populate explanation files that can be shared across your team for consistent documentation.
Detailed Block List ZBLS
Opens a file of your choice containing a detailed List (Name, Layer, Color, Scale, etc.) of the Blocks that you select in the Drawing.
You select export file and number of Blocks from the Drawing which are analyzed, divided into categories and each category's elements (Name, Color, Layer, Ltype, Scale, Rotation) are exported to the file.
Export file selection
Select file for exporting the elements of each category of blocks you select in the Drawing.
Block selection from drawing with filters
Detailed block list export
You have the ability to choose in what order the various block categories will be written to the file.
Notes:
When you export block elements of the Drawing to MsWord (*.doc) or Excel (*.xls) files, the export files are in "Tab delimited text (txt)" format. If you want, after opening the file you can save it in normal doc or xls format.
Command Usage:
After exporting the Block elements to a txt file, you can copy the Block names and Color and paste them into the ZYPBL1 and ZYPBL2 command files, completing explanations for the Block Legend.
Tips:
When 2 or more categories appear identical and have identical other elements, then their differences are in the decimals of numbers for Scale, Width, or Rotation, and that's why they appear in the file.
If you have such a case, you should investigate why blocks that you want with identical characteristics are drawn slightly differently from each other.
Best Practices for Block Management:
Use ZBLS regularly during drawing reviews to identify inconsistencies in block usage. The detailed export allows you to:
- Verify that all team members are using the same block standards
- Identify blocks with non-standard properties or scaling
- Document block usage for project specifications and inventory
- Create audit trails for quality assurance processes
- Track block counts and statistics for project management
Complete Block Management Workflow
Follow this professional workflow to implement comprehensive block management in your CAD projects:
- Initial Analysis: Use ZBLS to export all block types and their properties from your project drawings
- Configuration: Use ZYPBL1 to create explanation files with standardized descriptions for each block type
- Quality Check: During drawing creation and review, use ZYPBL to generate legends and identify inconsistencies
- Inventory Management: Use ZBLIST to create block inventories for project documentation and asset tracking
- Team Standardization: Use ZVFE to distribute configuration files to all team members
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly update explanation files based on project requirements and new block types
Implementation Strategy:
Start by implementing these tools on a pilot project to develop your organization's standard block library. Once refined, roll out the standardized configuration across all projects to ensure consistency in symbol usage, improve drawing quality, and streamline documentation processes.
Integration with Other SDBox Tools:
The Block Legend tools work seamlessly with other SDBox commands for text legends (ZYPTT), line type legends (ZYPGR), and general drawing management. Consider implementing a comprehensive documentation system that includes all these tools for complete drawing standardization.