How to Insert a CAD Block in AutoCAD
A downloaded CAD block is a drawing file. Inserting it into your plan takes a minute once you know which command to use and how the units behave. These steps use AutoCAD. BricsCAD, ZWCAD and DraftSight use the same command names.
Insert a DWG block with the INSERT command
- Download the DWG from the block page and save it in a folder you keep for blocks.
- In your drawing, type
INSERT(orCLASSICINSERTfor the dialog box) and browse to the file. - Leave the scale at 1 and the rotation at 0, pick the insertion point and the block lands at real size.
Units: why the block arrives at the right size
Every Cadtorial file is drawn in millimetres and declares it in its header (INSUNITS = 4). If your drawing is set to inches, AutoCAD converts the block on insertion, so a 2,100 mm sofa arrives as 82.7 inches. If a block comes in 25.4 times too large or too small, check the drawing units with the UNITS command.
Choose the plan or the elevation view
Each file contains two blocks, one ending in _PLAN and one in _ELEV. Inserting the whole file brings both. To bring only one, open DesignCenter (ADCENTER), browse to the file, open its Blocks list and drag the one you need into the drawing.
Using the DXF in LibreCAD, QCAD or FreeCAD
Programs that do not read DWG open the DXF. In LibreCAD and QCAD, open the DXF, copy the view you need and paste it into your drawing, or insert it as a block from the library browser. In FreeCAD, use File, Import and choose the DXF.
Keeping layers under control
The blocks use named layers such as A-FURN, P-FIXT or A-DOOR, with detail lines on a separate DETL layer. When they arrive in your drawing you can freeze the detail layers for cleaner plans, or merge the layers into your own standard with LAYMRG.
