How to Use Annotative Blocks in BricsCAD

Quick answer: A block’s annotative property can be set when creating its definition with BLOCK, or afterward in the Drawing Explorer’s Blocks dialog. Annotative blocks can also optionally always match a layout’s orientation, regardless of how the paper space viewport’s content happens to be rotated, the precise mechanic behind the “Match block orientation to layout” checkbox covered briefly on this hub’s block creation page.

Making a Block Definition Annotative

1. Launch EXPBLOCKS; the Drawing Explorer’s Blocks dialog opens.
2. If needed, switch to Detail View; annotative block definitions show the Annotative icon in the Annotative column.
3. Click a block definition’s Annotative field to toggle the property on or off.

Setting Match Orientation to Layout

1. Launch EXPBLOCKS; the Drawing Explorer’s Blocks dialog opens.
2. If needed, switch to Detail View.
3. Tick the Match Orientation to Layout checkbox for the block definition you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a block annotative after it’s already been created? Yes, toggle its Annotative field directly in the Drawing Explorer’s Blocks dialog, no need to redefine it.

What does Match Orientation to Layout actually do? It keeps the block’s orientation locked to the layout itself, independent of how the paper space viewport’s content is rotated.

Where do I find these block properties? Both live in the Drawing Explorer’s Blocks dialog (EXPBLOCKS), switched to Detail View.

Is Match Orientation to Layout available for every block, or only annotative ones? It’s specifically described as an optional property of annotative blocks.