How to Create a Molding Library Using CAD

Whether you’re creating your molding library from profiles that you have created or from a manufacturer's collection, having it organized in an efficient and easy to access manner is essential. Accurately represented molding profiles will ensure consistency between projects and ensure the elevations can be constructed in real life. You may even want to create combination pre-assembled molding profiles for more complex elevations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• CAD program
• Avdvanced CAD skills

1. Create a folder and file to save your blocks in. Name the drawing file you will save your molding profiles in “Molding Blocks.”
2. Copy and paste molding profiles from projects you have completed into the drawing named “Molding Blocks.”
3. Arrange the molding profiles by type, size and manufacturer.
4. Create an attribute block that includes information pertaining to each profile. Locate each attribute block just below each profile.
   a. Profile Name
   b. Manufacturer
   c. Type
   d. Size
5. Using the “WBLOCK” command begin creating each block.
   a. The Write Block screen will come up.
   b. Select “Object.”
   c. Select “Pick Point.” Select the base point you want the blocks to be inserted into new drawings.
   d. Select “Select Object.” Window around only one molding profile
   e. Select “Convert To Block.”
   f. Select “File Name and Path.”
   Save the blocks in the folder “Molding Blocks”
   Save each block according to its type
   g. Select units: “Inches.”
   h. Select "OK."
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 for each molding profile in your drawing named “Molding Blocks.”

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to have a folder set up just for blocks where you can organize the various block categories you may have or want to have such as furniture or cabinetry.
• Save time creating your molding library by beginning with profiles you have already used or created. You can add to your library as you create new molding profiles for new projects.
• Your profiles should be drawn to scale.
• You may want to print drawing “Molding Blocks” for use as a reference guide.
• Save time creating molding schedules for new projects by pulling the profiles and attribute block information from the “Molding Blocks” drawing.
• Do not include the attribute block in the window to create the “WBLOCK”. You will not want the attribute block to appear on your elevations.

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