topic How to get annotations, texts, grids , blocks in readable position while rotating/mirroring the same original block in AutoCAD Forum

How to get annotations, texts, grids , blocks in readable position while rotating/mirroring the same original block

madhuryya_prakash — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 16:11:42 GMT

Dear All, I have attached a file which I have been working on, need to use the same block in rotated position, was wondering if the texts , annotations, attributes and grids can be brought to readable position, without exploding, creating new block. Thanks in advance!

Re: How to get annotations, texts, grids , blocks in readable position while rotating/mirroring the same original block

Pointdump — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 05:21:04 GMT

Hi @madhuryya_prakash,

Thanks for posting your drawing.
Use command >>>TORIENT<<<.

Edit: I tried just now using TORIENT on your drawing. Limited success. I couldn't rotate everything. Not without exploding or BURST'ing the nested blocks.
Dave

Re: How to get annotations, texts, grids , blocks in readable position while rotating/mirroring the same original block

Moshe-A — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 19:01:40 GMT

@madhuryya_prakash hi,

simple answer NO

this is the story 😀

an insert (also known as block reference) is referencing the block definition stored in AutoCAD database (the dwg) called the block table. block reference at insert can be scaled and can have new rotation angle. this is not a copy of the block it referencing, that's why when you update the block definition (by BEDIT) all it's references are updates - this i assume you already know?!

and this is why when you rotate the block reference all text objects are rotate with it.

attributes in block have an exception they can be rotate in each reference (this is because attributes are copied). in your drawing you have blocks with attributes but still you can not rotate them. this because you have many nested blocks. you can rotate attribute only if you can select it's block reference.

if MIRRTEXT=0 and you mirror a block reference, attribute are kept in readable angle but this work on top level block not nested.

here is my suggestion for the future:

if you have a floor plan and you expect it will be rotate\mirror build it without any annotations (texts \ dimensions) they should be on top of each block reference.

Moshe