Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 4.2:
Group options
OPTION
PURPOSE
Add
Use this option to add objects to a group. While you're using this option, grouping is
temporarily turned off to allow you to select objects from other groups.
Create
This option creates a group. You are prompted for a name and description.
Explode
Use this option to separate a group into its individual components.
Order
Use this option to change the order of objects in a group. The order refers to the order
in which you selected the objects to include in the group. You can change this selection
order for special purposes such as tool-path machining.
Remove
This option removes objects from a group.
Rename
Use this option to rename a group.
Selectable
Use this option to turn individual groups on and off. When a group is selectable, it can
be selected only as a group. When a group isn't selectable, the individual objects in a
group can be selected, but not the group.
If a group is selected, you can remove individual items from the selection with a shift-click.
In this way, you can isolate objects within a group for editing or removal without having to turn
off groups temporarily.
You've seen how you can use groups to create an office layout. You can also use groups to help
you keep sets of objects temporarily together in a complex drawing. Groups can be especially use-
ful in 3D modeling when you want to organize complex assemblies together for easy selection.
The Bottom Line
Create and insert a block.
If you have a symbol that you use often in a drawing, you can
draw it once and then turn it into an AutoCAD block. A block can be placed in a drawing
multiple times in any location, like a rubber stamp. A block is stored in a drawing as a block
definition, which can be called up at any time.
Master It
Name the dialog box used to create a block from objects in a drawing, and
also name the tool to open this dialog box.
Modify a block.
Once you've created a block, it isn't set in stone. One of the features of a
block is that you can change the block definition and all the copies of the block are updated
to the new definition.
Master It
What is the name of the tool used to “unblock” a block?
