The Rhino community’s response to the implementation of the ResetBlockScale command in V7 has been overwhelmingly positive, and we at onlineuniforms.net echo that sentiment! It’s fantastic to see such direct engagement and rapid solutions for user needs within Rhino. Building on this momentum, we want to highlight two other invaluable tools within the BlockTools suite that can significantly enhance your block management workflow in Rhino: the “Create Block Definition” tool and the “Select Blocks of Same Type” tool.
These tools, available as part of the Rhino BlockTools on GitHub (https://github.com/ejnaren/rhinotools), address critical aspects of working with blocks, often overlooked but essential for efficient modeling. While the benefit of ResetBlockScale in resolving editing issues is well-understood, the other two commands offer equally impactful time-saving and workflow improvements.
The “Create Block Definition” tool directly tackles the often cumbersome process of generating new block definitions. Imagine you have selected one or multiple existing blocks within your Rhino project and realize you need to create a new block definition based on these instances. This tool simplifies this process dramatically. Instead of the traditional, multi-step method of exploding the selected block(s), manually defining a new block from the exploded geometry, and potentially struggling with base point alignment and orientation, this tool offers a one-click solution.
If you select a single block, the tool will create a new block definition based on that selection. More powerfully, if you select multiple blocks – even of different types – the tool intelligently creates a new block definition for each unique block type within your selection. Each original block instance is then automatically redefined to use its newly created block definition. This is a game-changer for users who frequently refine and iterate on block definitions, saving potentially hours of tedious manual work, especially in complex projects with numerous blocks. This feature ensures consistent orientation and preserves the original base point, eliminating common errors and rework associated with manual block definition creation.
Complementing the block creation tool is the “Select Blocks of Same Type” command. This seemingly simple tool is incredibly powerful for block management and selection within Rhino. In projects with extensive block usage, isolating and selecting all instances of a specific block type can be surprisingly time-consuming and error-prone using standard selection methods. This tool streamlines this process by allowing you to select one or more blocks, and with a single command, instantly select all blocks of the same type throughout your model.
This functionality is indispensable for a variety of tasks, including global editing of block properties, batch modification of materials or layers assigned to specific block types, and efficient organization of complex models. It acts as a crucial enhancement to Rhino’s already robust selection capabilities, specifically tailored for the nuances of block-based workflows.
In conclusion, while the ResetBlockScale command is a welcome addition to Rhino’s block management features, we strongly encourage users to explore the full potential of the BlockTools suite, particularly the “Create Block Definition” and “Select Blocks of Same Type” tools. These commands are not just time-savers; they are essential components for establishing a streamlined, efficient, and robust block workflow in Rhino, empowering users to manage complex projects with greater ease and precision. Thank you to the developers for creating and maintaining these invaluable tools that truly enhance the Rhino user experience.
