Introduced in AutoCAD 2024, AutoCAD can recommend the placement of blocks. This makes placing blocks easier and saves time by reducing repetitive tasks.
Block Configuration
It is important to understand that the suggestions will be only as good as the block itself. This includes attributes like the insertion point. If you can place the block using its insertion point without subsequent operations, you will receive better suggestions .
For example, the best insertion point for a desk might be the back corner of a room. This makes it easier to insert the desk into the corners of rooms. Or, with a bolt, the midpoint below the bolt head makes it easier to insert the bolt into a hole or some other fastener.
Here we can see that the insertion point of this sofa block is in the front corner, which is not convenient for inserting it into the building plan.
Whether a block is dynamic or static, you can use the Dynamic Block editor and the Basepoint constraint to reposition the block’s insertion point.
Smart Placement
What is the setup for using the smart placement? There isn’t one. This smart block intelligence is available when inserting blocks from the Blocks palette. By default, you can use the smart placement to enable auto-placement in the Blocks palette (or by setting the AUTOPLACEMENT system variable to 1).
When adding blocks from the Block palette, the placement engine examines how you have placed the block previously. The engine then proposes a placement with near similar geometry to where you placed the block previously. The more times you insert the block, the better the suggestions will get.
Suppose you have already placed a desk at the corner of two intersecting lines. As you move the new instance near a comparable corner, AutoCAD automatically orients, scales and positions it.
Here I insert two instances of the sofa block, picking the intersection of two lines, scaling by 1.5 and rotating so the sofa is vertically orientated.
With the next instance, AutoCAD predicts as I move along a vertical line that I want the block rotated and scaled by 1.5. Once I select a point, AutoCAD accepts the orientation and inserts the block.
After receiving these placement suggestions, you can accept a suggestion by left-clicking. Or press the Ctrl key to toggle through the placement options. To dismiss a suggested placement, move away from the geometry.
Here I quickly insert two instances of the bookcase as AutoCAD predicts how I want it rotated and scaled.
Replacement
The smart block functionality is not only for placement. When replacing blocks, AutoCAD smartly suggests blocks that are similar in geometry and orientation. When replacing the block, AutoCAD keeps the scale, rotation and attribute values of the original block.
From the ribbon, select Replace (Insert tab) and select the block. Currently, AutoCAD allows you to replace one block instance at a time. Alternatively, select the block and then select Replace from the Properties palette.
In the Block Replacement panel, select one of the Suggested Blocksor one of the Recent Blocks, or click Pick and select the replacement from the drawing.
AutoCAD uses machine learning to generate suggestions and uses the block name and visual similarity between existing blocks.
Because machine learning is based on data, insufficient block data may result in erroneous suggestions. By adding more blocks to the drawing or more libraries to the Block palette, you will get more useful and relevant suggestions.
Block suggestions can be based on the collections of block definitions stored in drawing files. Adding more block libraries can result in more meaningful and relevant suggestions.
The first time that you use the smart block command, AutoCAD will request access to your block data. Granting access is optional, but it helps improve the accuracy of AutoCAD’s block suggestions. Even if you choose not to share your data, you can still use the block replacement option. You can adjust this permission anytime with the BLOCKSDATACOLLECTION system variable.