Using Dynamic Blocks for Devices

With a few easy steps, you can make dynamic blocks that are usable in Design Master Electrical for your plan view.

warning

Design Master Electrical attributes, such as the connection points for loops and leaders, cannot be modified dynamically. Attribute locations will not change based upon changes to dynamic blocks after they have been inserted on the drawing.

Dynamic blocks cannot be used on the one-line diagram.

Create the Block

First, create a dynamic block with Design Master Electrical attributes. If you already have the dynamic block you want to use, open the drawing for the block and skip to step 6.

1. Create a new drawing in AutoCAD.
2. Draw the block using standard AutoCAD commands.
   note

   Drawing the block with the origin as the intended insertion point is recommended.

3. Open the Block Editor. When asked to specify a block, select <Current Drawing>.
4. Add parameters and actions the same way as any other dynamic block.
5. Save the block and exit the Block Editor.
6. Run the Create Plan View Block from This Drawing command.
   note

   This step is optional, but skipping it will cause loops and leaders to only connect to the insertion point for the block.

7. Save the block to your customization folder. How to locate your customization folder.

Add the Block to Your Customization

Once the block has been created and saved to your customization folder, you can add it to your project and master databases using the Blocks customization command for the block type.

You can change the Block Name field to use the new block for an existing entry on the list, or press the  button to create a new entry. For more information about the fields in this dialog box, visit the Common Block Information section of the user manual.

The block can now be selected and used the same way as any other block.