It is a proper and ideal design technique to create, save, modify, and insert blocks for drawing elements and sketch entities, such as standard notes, label positions, title blocks, and so forth. Blocks can be placed into sheet formats and attached to geometry or drawing views.

Title blocks and other 2D CAD software blocks may be imported and used directly in the SolidWorks program. Additionally, 2D CAD software elements may be copied and pasted into SolidWorks documents.

Blocks in SolidWorks can include the following items:

• Dimensions
• Sketch entities
• Text (Notes)
• Balloons
• Imported entities and text
• Area hatch

How to Make and Use SolidWorks Blocks

To create blocks in SolidWorks, select items from the graphics area, click on Tools, select Block, and select Make. You can always save a sketch directly to a block file. To do this, just click the Save Sketch as Block (Blocks toolbar) or Click on Tools, then select Blocks, then select Save.

Blocks are inserted into drawings as instances of the block specification, which may be changed using parameters such as Scale, Rotate, Add leaders, or Edit values of attributes.

SolidWorks blocks add some other functionalities, including:

• Edit block and file definitions dynamically; editing is already done (no separate block editor window). While editing, you can add or remove entities.
• Blocks in the graphics area should explode.
• Block instances can be moved, copied, and pasted.
• Blocks can be created and used in a drawing without being saved to a file.
• You may switch drawing blocks and parts.
• Modify the block base points.
• Change the leader anchors and attachment locations.
• Reference existing DXF/DWG file blocks and external definitions.
• Block points on a drawing sheet can be connected to and inferred from drawings.
• Between the sketch entities of two block instances, add dimensions and restrictions.
• Transfer block instances between levels. All entities contained in a block (instance) that is transferred to a layer inherit the layer’s attributes.

Working With SolidWorks Blocks

Here are some basic tips to guide you on how to make and use SolidWorks blocks.

The Blocks Toolbar

The Blocks toolbar controls blocks in sketching. It includes the following options: Make Block, Rebuild, Edit Block, Save Block, Insert Block, Explode Block, Add/Remove, Belt/Chain.

Inserting Blocks

Add new instances of existing blocks by inserting new ones, or navigate through previously stored blocks to insert them.

How to insert in a block:

1. In the Edit Sketch mode, click on the Insert Block (Blocks toolbar) or alternatively, select Tools, then Select Blocks, then choose the Insert option.

2. You may choose an item from Open Blocks in the property manager’s Blocks to Insert section to add another instance of an existing block, or you can click Browse to find a previously stored block.

The Block must be in the current drawing. To position the Block in the graphics area, drag it and click. To add another incident, simply carry out the step again or choose another item from the Open Blocks.

If the Block has already been saved, click Open after selecting it in the dialog box. Changes made to the original file are propagated to all instances of the Block if you choose to Create an external reference to the file. The Block in the current document cannot be changed.

To place the Block, click and drag it. Additionally, you may choose Link to file under Blocks to Insert in the PropertyManager. The outcome is the same as if you had chosen the dialog box option to Create an external reference to the file.

3. Any necessary relations should be included to guarantee that movement is properly restrained.

4. Put values in the property manager’s Parameters section for:

• Block Scale: The initial Block’s size, 1, is the default setting.
• Rotation of the Block. The first Block was constructed at an angle of 0, which is the default value.

5. Then, click Done.

Making Blocks

Any single sketch entity or a combination of several sketch entities can be used to create a block.

In order to create blocks:

1. First, you need to create a sketch.

2. Click on the Make Block option (Blocks toolbar), or alternatively, click the Tools, then select Block, then select the Make option. If you right-click Block in the FeatureManager design tree, you can also access Block tools.

3. For Block Entities, choose the sketch entities you wish to use as a block.

4. Then click Done.

5. For each of the remaining sketch entities, also repeat steps 2-4.

6. Add the appropriate relations while the drawing is in edit mode.

7. You can save the part. You can provide an Insertion Point when creating a block, which will be used for inserting the Block.

Editing Blocks

You can add, delete, or alter sketch entities while editing a block. You may also alter relations and dimensions that are already in place.

To modify a block in SolidWorks:

1. Edit Sketch may be chosen by right-clicking the sketch.
2. To show the blocks, expand the folder.
3. Click Edit Block after choosing a block (Blocks toolbar), or alternatively, select Tools, then select Block, then select Edit option. In the FeatureManager design tree, the Block is designated as an A icon.
4. Change the Block as needed, then click the block confirmation corner to finish editing.
5. If you wish to save the Block, click Save Block after selecting the Block in the FeatureManager design tree (Blocks toolbar), or alternatively, select Tools, then select Block, then select the Save option. The modification propagates to all other instances of the Block if the Block was previously saved and you save the edits using the same name.

Editing Blocks that are Linked to External Files

One of the following actions will edit the Block:

• Link to File in Clear. You can modify just the blocks that are present in the current drawing by doing this.
• Edit the external file. Changes are propagated to all block instances in this way. The sketch connections between the blocks are maintained when you edit blocks that are linked to external files as long as the geometry used to construct the sketch relations stays the same.

Conclusion

Knowing how to make and use SolidWorks blocks makes the designing process flow better, as you can also add to the Block and make use of items from the Block to enhance your process of designing. It is generally a good technique to make use of blocks while designing.