Blocks

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.

Generating blocks AI

Blocks in Rayon can also be generated with AI, starting from a product picture, or from a simple text description. Both options can be found in the block panel, in the New block drop down.

By clicking on Generate from text, a panel will open, inviting you to...

• Entering a prompt to describe the item you need

• Choosing a view point (top, side, front)

... Once specified, simply click on Generate.

Once launched, a job will be placed at the top of the block panel. After a few seconds, the job will turn to completed, and will be importable on your canvas.

Similarly, by clicking on Generate from image, the app will prompt you to pick a product image. A simple image of a product, seen from the side, will suffice. Once the job is completed, you will be provided with a block family, containing 3 views of the same item.

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 the 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 defintion.

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

Using block libraries

Rayon provides you with 10k+ blocks ready to be used.

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. Items with a purple tag are called Block families; they offer multiple versions of a given block. For instance, a chair family will provide you with the different views of the item: front, side, and top view...

Once inserted, a block instance can be swapped for a different block from the definition property of the block section.

Much more on block libraries here...

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.

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

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