Hello all, I just downloaded a block from the CAD/BIM Blocks tab and wanted to open into a drawing that i'm working on. Any tips on how I do this? Thanks!

Well it was a bit sketchy but I got it. I'm open to hearing opinions because i'm sure mine wasn't the best way to do it.

What program were you using when you inserted the block?  Was it a regular block or a dynamic block?

[QUOTE=John Connor]What program were you using when you inserted the block?  Was it a regular block or a dynamic block?[/QUOTE]
AutoCAD 2015.I believe it was just a regular block. How do I know if it was dynamic or not?

Dynamic blocks come ware identified by a little lightning bolt symbol.  Look at your tool palettes for an example.So what was so "sketchy" about the way you got the block into your drawing?  We need a clear explanation of what you did.
John Connor2015-08-25 11:29:28

My process.1) Command line - Xref2) Attach DWG - The Block3) Allowed Cad to do the point specification - When I tried to "specify on screen" I was asked to specify a point on the screen so I selected one with my mouse but nothing happened. 4)Searched all over my work space until I found it by zooming out extremely far.Thoughts - I didn't like this method because I didn't know where the block was going to be inserted and I didn't know the scale; I also noticed AutoCAD to start lagging after the block was inserted. The block was a simple, small, tree, is there anyway to use these blocks with less lag? My computer is fairly new with a good setup.Hope this helps clear things up. I apologize for the vague description before.

Why are you inserting this simple, small, tree block as an xref?  Why aren't you using the INSERT command?The trouble with some blocks found on the Internet is two fold.  1) The block may have been created in units different than those you are drawing in (ex. - metric versus imperial).  2) The block's insertion base point may not be located on its geometry and instead referenced to 0,0.Where did you find this tree block?  Is it 3D by any chance?Re: XREF (from your AutoCAD Help file)...."You can insert any drawing file as an external reference or xref in the current drawing.

You can attach an entire drawing file to the current drawing as a referenced drawing (xref). With xrefs, changes made in the referenced drawing are reflected in the current drawing."That last sentence is the most important one.  Were you expecting at some point to make changes to the referenced drawing (the tree block) at some future date and wanting those changes to be reflected in the drawing the tree is being used in?How much AutoCAD experience do you have?



John Connor2015-08-25 16:38:18

I inserted the block as an xref because I don't know any other way to bring this block into the work space I am currently working in. I found this block from the Cadforums CAD/BIM Blocks tab on the left side of the forum page.No I am not looking to make future changes to the tree block, I simply want to add trees to the drawing I am working on for aesthetics. I don't have to use this block I am open to suggestions on simple, better alternative blocks, I just want to be able to add trees, plants, grass to my drawings. Also, If they were in 3D, that would probably be better since everything else in this drawing is. (Tree block was only a 2D drawing)I have had about 1 month of AutoCAD experience. I have a membership with "DigitalTutors.com", this is where I pretty much learned everything I know.Thanks.

You should have used the INSERT command, not the XREF command to bring the 2D tree block into your drawing.  That is basic AutoCAD 101.3D trees, plants and grass will only add to the "overhead" (i.e. - file size) and considerably slow your system down.  I would not recommend their use unless you have a high end, powerful, computer.BTW...which block exactly did you download from here?  I'd like to take a look at it myself.

John Connor2015-08-25 16:59:11

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!And I copied the link for the block.http://www.cadforum.cz/catalog_en/?cat=2&page=2Uploaded by Vladimír Michl

That link didn't help.  What is the EXACT name of the block you downloaded?

_tree_elev_b

No wonder you're having problems.  Despite the fact the tree is 2D it contains over 50,000 objects and has a file size of almost 1.7MB!  Did you explode the tree block when you inserted it into your drawing?I corrected this post by removing erroneous information re: blocks and file size.
John Connor2015-08-27 16:11:28

Hello create and John, you can also download the block : twoTREES[1].dwg of only 272 kb ( or others that you can find here ).
If you copy a block 10 times in a file, the file won't grow 10 times the value of the block itself but only a little more than one time the block value and it's a good aspect of the block concept.philippe JOSEPH2015-08-27 15:58:11

Haha wow. No I did not explode the block. Thanks.

[QUOTE=philippe JOSEPH]Hello create and John, you can also download the block : twoTREES[1].dwg of only 272 kb ( or others that you can find here ).
If you copy a block 10 times in a file, the file won't grow 10 times the value of the block itself but only a little more than one time the block value and it's a good aspect of the block concept.[/QUOTE]
Very cool, thanks for the help.