Part V: Creating Drawings
Inserting blocks
You can apply blocks in several ways, including by dragging from Windows Explorer and by using
the Block menus (Insert ➪ Annotations ➪ Block). However, the most efficient way is to access them
from the Design Library. Library folders can be established specifically for blocks. Check the set-
ting by choosing Tools ➪ Options ➪ File Locations ➪ Blocks, and redirect this setting to a library
area outside of the SolidWorks installation directory. Figure 22.10 shows the Design Library with a
folder containing blocks that are selected. The blocks do not show previews in the window, but
the tool tip displays large previews. You can drag blocks from the Design Library onto the drawing
sheet.
FIGURE 22.10Blocks in the Design Library
Each block has an insertion point, which snaps to any sketch entity point, even if it is in another
block. This makes schematics easy to snap together. If the default insertion point is not the point
that you need to snap to the other geometry, then you can place the block anywhere on the draw-
ing and drag the point that needs to snap.Once blocks are snapped together, to detach them from one another, you can click the point at
which they touch; a Coincident sketch relation displays in the PropertyManager. Deleting the
sketch relation enables you to drag the block away from the other geometry.