AutoCAD Tool Palettes Steel Beams

A dynamic block contains properties. You can change the dynamic block in a drawing while you work. Most beneficial you can alter the geometry in a dynamic block reference through custom grips or custom properties. This feature allows you to adjust the block in-place as necessary rather than searching for another block to insert or redefining the existing one.

Adding and editing components becomes easier in AutoCAD with tool palettes. The tool palettes contains dynamic blocks. With the parameter action Polar Stretch, you can just type the length you desire and AutoCAD will stretch the beam to that length. Furthermore, you can rotate the block before you place it. In my opinion the tool palettes are user friendly. Even a novice can use them. Moreover you can insert blocks into your drawing with drag and drop. It is easy to access from tool palettes. You can also customize the tool palettes by editing or adding headings or change the way items are listed.

Let me explain the practical use of this feature: If you insert a beam block reference in a drawing, you are then able to specify the angle and the size of the beam, while you're editing the drawing. If the block is dynamic and defined to have an adjustable size, you can change the size of the beam simply by dragging the custom grip or by specifying a different size. The beam block can also contain an alignment grip, which allows you to align the beam block reference to other geometry in the drawing. Another great feature: It is possible to add more blocks in the tool palette and categories them in palette groups. Open and close the tool palette by pressing CTRL+3. You can auto-hide the tool palette in the vertical blue area of the tool palette, simply click on the symbol <>I. By doing that, you leave more space in the drawing area.