2D parametric blocks

If you come from an AutoCAD® design environment, you may be familiar with Dynamic Blocks. You may also be familiar with 2D parametric constraints. They are two different functionalities that somewhat overlap.

Instead of offering dynamic block functionality, BricsCAD focuses entirely on parametrics. It allows you to create both 2D and 3D block definitions using the same set of tools and workflow. If you’ve never worked with parametric constraints, they may sound scary. But, they’re quite intuitive and logical. And, incredibly powerful!

General procedure to create 2D parametric blocks

Create the geometry.

Create geometrical constraints.

Create dimensional constraints and parameters.

Edit dimensional constraints and parameters in the Parameters and Constraints panel or the Mechanical Browser panel.

Optionally create visibility states to show/hide geometry, using the VISIBILITYSTATES command.

Save the drawing as a library block, using the CREATELIBRARYBLOCK command.

Note: The PARAMETRIZE2D command automatically creates geometrical and dimensional constraints.

Inserting a parametric block

You can insert parametric blocks in the drawing using the INSERT or BMINSERT commands or from the Library panel.

Setting the parameter values

Select the parametric block, then change the values of the exposed parameters under Parameters in the Properties panel.