INTRODUCTION

Architectural Desktop includes hundreds of symbols created for two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations of building components. The two-dimensional symbols include the plan and elevation views. The symbols are selected from the Design Tool Catalog or the AutoCAD DesignCenter and include blocks, multi-view blocks and mask blocks. Sample multi-view blocks are included in the FF + E palette of the Design palette group. The contents of the AutoCAD DesignCenter can also be customized to include new blocks through the AEC Content Wizard.

OBJECTIVES

After completing this chapter, you will be able to

• Set the scale of a drawing for inserting symbols.

• Use the DesignCenter and the Content Browser to insert symbols in a drawing.

• Insert and modify multi-view blocks.

• Define the display representation for a multi-view block and mask blocks.

• Import and export multi-view blocks.

• Create and insert mask blocks.

• Attach mask blocks to Architectural Desktop objects to control display.

• Create a mask or multi-view block using the AEC Content Wizard.

SETTING THE SCALE AND LAYER FOR SYMBOLS AND ANNOTATION

Prior to symbols being inserted in the drawing, the scale of the plotted drawing should be established. Some of the symbols included in the DesignCenter are created at a specific size, while others are sized according to the scale of the drawing. For example, an electrical receptacle is sized according to the scale of the drawing, and a cabinet will be inserted at its actual size. If a receptacle symbol is placed in a drawing with the scale...