As far as I understand when you XREF drawing "B" into drawing "A" the block definitions in drawing "A" do not overrule \ replace the equivalent block definitions from XREF drawing "B"
Is there any way I can change this?
We sometimes XREF in files that have older block definitions and would prefer that they display with the more recent definitions in the newer destination file.
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by Jay_B. Go to Solution.
Jay_B thanks for your thoughts but this doesn't seem correct? If you insert dwg A as a block into dwg B then any duplicate block information in dwg A will be ignored and dwg B blocks maintained as-is.
You're right, I forgot that AutoCad ignores the duplicate block definitions when inserting a block container file.
This Cadalyst Post might help.
Thanks Jay,
The link you provided mentions what appears to be the common consensus for the best option based on what I have been able to find. That is, to insert the outdated drawing into another drawing with updated blocks (e.g. your current template) which will cause the outdated blocks to update. Then wblock this out over top of the outdated file. A few steps but logical enough - though this will not fix an outdated drawing that has its own layouts that you want to maintain.
One of the user comments at the bottom of your link is even better. Use Design Center where you can select updated blocks from another drawing by right clicking on them in Design Center and then select "Insert and Redefine" into your outdated drawing. This will update the blocks in that drawing with no "duplicate definition of block xxxxxx ignored" issues.
Having said all of that it would be nice if AutoCAD included an option to allow blocks in an XREF to be replaced by block definitions in the destination drawing (not actually change the XREF drawing file - just have the display of these XREF blocks match the destination drawing)