---
title: "About Slabs, Block Structures, Spheres and Domes"
slug: "about-slabs-block-structures-spheres-and-domes-1"
updated: 2024-08-08T10:38:33Z
published: 2024-08-08T10:38:33Z
canonical: "docs.avontus.com/about-slabs-block-structures-spheres-and-domes-1"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.avontus.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# About Slabs, Block Structures, Spheres and Domes

The information in this article provides context for working with Slabs, Block Structures, Spheres and Domes.

## About Slabs

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/4a6b02ab-30a6-4ee5-b06b-fb48fc778241.png) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/d31f017f-305e-4e06-9a05-6dbcf18d44be.png)

Slabs are similar to Block Structures, in that they are shapes that can be adapted for multiple uses in a drawing. For example, besides being used as a Slab (for example, for a floor), you can add a Slab object and make it cover a wide area in the drawing and use Visio's Format Shape function to color it green for a vegetated area or brown for dirt.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/036aff14-aaf4-47fd-95cb-41b6ad4ab4a8.png)

Slab Options

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/image-1723113432556.png)

The Slab options (accessed by double-clicking on the slab) has much the same settings as the Shape Date, but it will also include:

**Layer Name** - When exported, the object will be assigned to these 3D export files.

**Color** - Select what color that object will appear in the 3D view

**Display unit** - The unit the measures are displayed in

## About Block Structures

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/62f25a72-472c-410c-9504-12db292ee4e8.png) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/59594ad1-fc51-4c9a-95fd-22f66d8d11fb.png)

Block Structures have all of the controls of a wall, but they do not respond when you click **Wall Scaffold** in the **Structures** tab. Block Structures do not perform the usual end clean-up functions, making them useful for designing Slabs, floors, columns, ducts, etc. You can enter a negative base elevation to a Block Structure to add sunken elements to a drawing, like a swimming pool. By entering a higher than ground-level base elevation, you can use Block Structures to indicate elevated drawing elements, like balconies.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/477a6bba-aeb8-4396-abaa-5973094e8610.png)

Block Structure Options

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/image-1723113466995.png)

The Block Structure options (accessed by double-clicking on the Block Structure) has much the same settings as the Shape Date, but it will also include:

**Layer Name** - When exported, the object will be assigned to these 3D export files.

**Color** - Select what color that object will appear in the 3D view

**Display unit** - The unit the measures are displayed in.

## About Spheres

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/a08e6531-fc13-496e-b5e5-d401a79d902c.png) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/8f7fb428-63f1-42c5-922f-f9782e6affbd.png)

On the drawing page, a Sphere is a circle that has a gradient fill. You can increase or decrease its outside diameter. You can also elevate it, to create (for example) an elevated water tank.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/36099e29-6706-43e1-b567-da1c33b41d91.png)

Sphere Options

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/image-1723113487713.png)

The Sphere Options options (accessed by double-clicking on the Sphere Options) has much the same settings as the Shape Date, but it will also include:

**Layer Name** - When exported, the object will be assigned to these 3D export files.

**Color** - Select what color that object will appear in the 3D view

**Display unit** - The unit the measures are displayed in.

## Domes

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/734aa2c8-96f1-4ff7-9684-c23dfd838972.png) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/9c510da1-8020-4a3d-bd2e-ce943ee3a55d.png)

On the drawing page, a Dome is half a circle that has a gradient fill. You can increase or decrease its base diameter and height. You can change its direction: horizontal, vertical up and vertical down. You can also elevate it.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/f51abc6b-f55f-4cf7-833c-05ebca2bb4db.png)

Dome Options

![](https://cdn.document360.io/ae69c864-58f0-4711-91e1-d1c2f7dff95f/Images/Documentation/image-1723113495305.png)

The Dome Options options (accessed by double-clicking on the Dome Options) has much the same settings as the Shape Date, but it will also include:

**Layer Name** - When exported, the object will be assigned to these 3D export files.

**Color** - Select what color that object will appear in the 3D view

**Display unit** - The unit the measures are displayed in.