topic Re: block replace with undefined block in AutoCAD Forum

block replace with undefined block

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 15:59:48 GMT

Is there an efficient way to replace an existing block with a new block that is not defined in the drawing in one command?

I am trying to script a title replacement across a big set of drawings. The current drawing contains "title-old" and I'd like to replace it with "title-new" that is not yet inserted/defined in the drawing. The names of the blocks are different, I can't change that. I can do this with a few steps, but it's messy (insert first in some place to the side, then replace, then delete the bogus insert).

I would like to simply say "insert path\title-new in place of title-old" somehow.

I'm using -INSERT and -BLOCKREPLACE. Maybe there is a better way?

Thanks!

Re: block replace with undefined block

john.vellek — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 16:57:11 GMT

Hi sdmcfarland,

The block substituion is the correct way to go:

-INSERT oldblock=newblock

Be aware though that if any attributes exist in the block and have already had values input then you will have to run Attsync or battman to get them to update.

You could explore running a script to so all of this or use the Action Recorder to make a macro.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: block replace with undefined block

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 17:46:44 GMT

Thanks John. I'm sorry I didn't clarify, my problem with this method is that it retains the "oldblock" name, just updating the content of the block. My requirement is to replace oldblock with newblock, and I need the new block to have its newblock name.

Re: block replace with undefined block

pendean — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 18:54:24 GMT

Go ask in the LISP forum for help writing some code to do what you want if you can't find free lisp routines with Google Search (I see about a dozen at the moment with a simple search) http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-customization/ct-p/AutoCADTopic1

Re: block replace with undefined block

elshawadfy — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 04:21:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks John. I'm sorry I didn't clarify, my problem with this method is that it retains the "oldblock" name, just updating the content of the block. My requirement is to replace oldblock with newblock, and I need the new block to have its newblock name.

You can add these 2 lines after the insert..

-rename b <old block>

Re: block replace with undefined block

elshawadfy — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 04:31:09 GMT

You may also insert an instance of the block then delete it (just so that autocad fnds it and include it's definition)

then use -blockreplace and purge the unused block when asked..