How to Use Dynamic Blocks in BricsCAD

Quick answer: AutoCAD dynamic blocks and BricsCAD parametric blocks serve the same purpose, automating repetitive tasks so one block can replace many near-identical definitions. Creating and editing dynamic block definitions directly in BricsCAD requires Experimental mode, and this specific feature isn’t available or licensed if you purchased BricsCAD in, or for use in, the United States.

Dynamic Blocks vs Parametric Blocks

Dynamic blocks and 2D parametric constraints are two different, somewhat overlapping functionalities. Both carry metadata alongside pure geometry, controlling things like size and visibility, so a block’s appearance can change without editing its definition. Constraints work the same way in parametric blocks as they do in dynamic blocks.

Dynamic Block Definitions Require Experimental Mode

With Experimental mode on, you can create and edit dynamic block definitions directly in BricsCAD. This is an experimental feature, not yet guaranteed stable and possibly subject to removal, toggled via MANAGEEXPERIMENTALFEATURES or the EXPERIMENTALMODE system variable, with a restart required afterward. It’s off by default.

Important: if you purchased BricsCAD in the U.S., or for use in the U.S., this specific feature isn’t available or licensed to you; see the EULA for details.

Creating a Dynamic Block Definition in Experimental Mode

1. Turn on Experimental mode (MANAGEEXPERIMENTALFEATURES, or set EXPERIMENTALMODE to 1) and restart BricsCAD.
2. Create the geometry for a new, static block definition and save it with BLOCK.
3. Run BEDIT to open the Create or Edit Block Definition dialog.
4. Select Dynamic edit mode and click OK; the Block Editor opens.
5. Add a parameter to the block definition using BPARAMETER.
6. Associate an action with that parameter using BACTION or BACTIONTOOL.
7. Click Close and Save (the Save option of BCLOSE) to finish; the block definition becomes dynamic.

Editing Dynamic Block Definitions in Experimental Mode

BEDIT supports Dynamic edit mode alongside the existing Parametric edit mode. Static blocks can be edited in either mode and stay static, but existing dynamic and parametric blocks can only be edited in their own respective mode, you can’t cross-edit between them. BEDITMODE (read-only) reports which mode the Block Editor is currently open in. Constraint parameters are visible when present, but aren’t yet supported for actual editing here.

1. Turn on Experimental mode and restart BricsCAD, as above.
2. Run BEDIT to open the dialog.
3. Select Dynamic edit mode and click OK; the Block Editor opens.
4. Use BESETTINGS to view or edit the Block Editor’s settings.
5. Use these Dynamic-mode-only commands as needed: BPARAMETER (adds a parameter with grips), BACTION/BACTIONTOOL (adds and associates an action with a parameter, defining how the geometry moves or changes when triggered), BACTIONSET (redefines which entities an action affects), BGRIPSET (edits or resets a parameter’s grip positions), BASSOCIATE (associates an action with a parameter), BTABLE (creates a dynamic block properties table), BCONSTRUCTION (converts entities to construction geometry), BVSTATE (manages visibility states), and BVSHOW/BVHIDE (manage entity visibility within those states).
6. Use BTESTBLOCK to temporarily leave the Block Editor and test the dynamic block in a Test Block Window.
7. Click Close and Save to finish.

What’s Supported Outside Experimental Mode

Without Experimental mode, BricsCAD partially supports dynamic blocks. You can:

• Insert dynamic blocks from your existing dynamic block libraries.
• Edit their custom properties in the Properties panel.
• Use the custom properties of any parameter type, and visibility states, in fields.
• Grip edit them.

What you can’t do without Experimental mode is create or edit dynamic block definitions, only their references. BricsCAD’s own focus instead is parametric blocks, which use the same toolset and workflow for both 2D and 3D block definitions, and some dynamic block definitions can be converted into parametric ones.

Editing Dynamic Block References

1. Select the dynamic block in the drawing; its properties appear in the Properties panel.
2. Edit the properties you need under Parameters; the block updates automatically.

Grip Editing Dynamic Block References

Selecting a dynamic block can display up to eight grip types: Point, XY, Linear, Polar, Rotation, Flip, Visibility, and Alignment.

1. Select the dynamic block; its grips display.
2. Drag a grip to edit it. For example: drag a rotation grip to rotate dynamically, or type a value into the dynamic entry field instead; click a visibility grip to choose which entities show or hide; click a flip grip to mirror the block; or select a linear grip to edit a length dynamically, or type a value directly.

Converting Dynamic Block Definitions to Parametric Block Definitions

Some AutoCAD dynamic block definitions can be converted into BricsCAD parametric block definitions with BLOCKCONVERT. The dynamic block’s history is lost in the process, and a warning about the converted references possibly looking different appears.

Dynamic block features supported for conversion: visibility actions, one-grip stretch action, one-grip move action, chained actions, rotate action, flip action, array action, alignment action parameter, scale actions on a linear parameter, scale actions on an XY parameter, lookup action, history-dependent actions, the block table feature, linear parameters with two grip points (one unused), the base point parameter, move and stretch actions on a polar parameter, polar stretch actions on a polar parameter, interactions between a polar stretch action and a move or flip action, actions associated with polar parameters with two grip points, action parameters and dimension constraint parameters of list type, dimension constraint parameters of increment type, dynamic blocks with multiple actions on a single parameter, and actions with their start point on the X or Y axes.

Parametric block features used to reconstruct them: visibility states, parametric move operation, parametric stretch operation, parametric rotate operation, parametric scale operation, linked behaviour of parametric operations, parametric flip operation, reference curves, design tables, parameter formulas, and associative arrays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a dynamic block definition in BricsCAD without Experimental mode? No, creating or editing dynamic block definitions specifically requires Experimental mode. Without it, you can still insert and edit references to existing dynamic blocks.

Is dynamic block definition editing available if I bought BricsCAD in the United States? No, this specific feature isn’t available or licensed for U.S. purchases or U.S. use; see the EULA for details.

Can I edit a static block and a dynamic block in the same Block Editor mode? A static block can be edited in either Dynamic or Parametric mode and stays static either way. Existing dynamic or parametric blocks, though, can only be edited in their own matching mode.

What happens to a dynamic block’s history when I convert it to a parametric block? It’s lost during conversion, and you’ll see a warning that the converted block references might look different as a result.