Blocks

How to use block libraries in Rayon.

Here is all you need to know about using and creating blocks.

Creating blocks

In Rayon, blocks allow grouping elements and saving them into your block library. Once saved, you can create as many instances as you would like: each instance will remain tied to its definition, such that editing any block will affect all block instances in your model.

To create a new block...

• Select the elements you want to save as a block.

• Click on the Block button (CMD + B) in the toolbar.

• Your new block was added to your block library, in the left-side panel.

• Click on the block name to rename it!

• You can now drag and drop the block on your canvas to insert as many instances as you want.

Alternatively, blocks can be created through the import of DWG/DXF files, as Rayon can detect AutoCAD blocks, and turn them automatically into Rayon blocks.

Editing vs overriding blocks

Blocks can be either edited or overridden.

Editing a block means editing its underlying block definition.

• Any changes done in edit mode will be applied to all instances of that block in your model.

• Editing can be accessed in the edit bar, through double-click on a block instance, or through hitting CMD + E.

Overriding a block means tuning the aspect (styles and visibility) of a single block instance.

• Any overrides applied to an instance will be carried by this instance, and only this one, while it will keep its tie to its definition.

• Overriding can be accessed in the edit bar, or through hitting CMD + O.

• At any point, all overrides on a block can be reset, by hitting Reset all overrides (in the right click), or by hitting CMD + OPT + O.

Making unique a block means converting into its own definition.

• In other words, at any point, a block instance can be detached from its definition, and turned into its own, unique definition.

• The Make unique option can be accessed in the right click on block, or through hitting CMD + U

Using the block panel

The block panel works with 2 tabs:

• In model blocks : this tab is where blocks stored in your current model, and that you have created are displayed

• Libraries : this tab gives you access to blocks contained in libraries you have created, or contained in Rayon libraries.

In model blocks will display everything in your model. Any block stored there is called a block definition. It is the parent of all similar blocks (called instances) inserted on the canvas. Changing a definition (its geometry, its properties, etc) will affect all instances on the canvas.

At any point, a definition can drag-dropped on the canvas to create a block instance. Also, an instance can be swapped for a different block from the definition property of the block section.

In the Libraries tab of the Block panel, typing (almost) any item name will return blocks out of Rayon's libraries or that of your organization. Rayon has built today more than 10k blocks, for all types of programs. All of them are accessible to you.

In both tabs, you are also able to filter what appears, by using the filter feature in the panel header.

Block families

Blocks can be grouped in Rayon, to gather blocks that belong together. In Rayon's libraries, for instance, the different views of the same block are grouped as a family together.

In fact, you can create your own families. To create a block family, simply...

• Select any block definition, and in its option, click on Create family

• Now that a family is created, to add a new child to it, in the option of any other block, choose the option Add to family

• Select the family to add to

Hosted blocks

Blocks can also be hosted into walls. A hosted block uses an insertion line, to specify how it should get inserted into a wall.

To create a hosted block...

• Select the elements you want to save as a block.

• Click on the Block button (CTRL + B) in the toolbar.

• Click on the block and then on the Edit (E) button; now, you will notice a white dot in the middle of the block (this dot is its insertion point to the model).

• Swap the dot with a line on the top right panel, and click on Done.

That's it! Your opening block will now punch a hole/snap on Rayon walls.

Tutorial

For more step-by-step information, watch our tutorial about how to use and create blocks in Rayon:

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