topic Betreff: Redefining Blocks and Layer unfreeze issues in AutoCAD Forum

Redefining Blocks and Layer unfreeze issues

steven.evison — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 10:41:16 GMT

Hi All, Hopefully someone can help me with this one.

Scenario: I have multiple residential layouts with in excess of 100 blocks (20 - 30 common blocks with variations) and all with attributes. these blocks have multiple construction layers built in of which are turned off for presentation purposes.

Problem: If the blocks are updated within the master dwg file and then redefined (via design center) in the residential layouts, it unfreezes all the layers within the block. this then becomes a problem of going back over the process of turning all layers to freeze.

End Goal: Ideally i don't want any of the layers to be unfreezed once i redefine the blocks. Is this a variable that can be controlled? ive only experienced it in the latest 2 versions of AutoCAD. Again if possible i dont want to have to create layer states to work around this as i believe this should not happen to start with.

Current Version of AutoCAD is 2023 and all files generated within the 23 version.

Thanks in advance to anyone that has time to look into this.

Re: Redefining Blocks and Layer unfreeze issues

pendean — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:06:15 GMT

>>>... i dont want to have to create layer states to work around this as i believe this should not happen to start with....<<<

Sadly as end users we all don't get to decide what should or should happen in AutoCAD.
Any reason a tool like LAYERSTATES cannot truly be used to store your desired layer settings to recall after anything changes them? Is there a challenge?

Betreff: Redefining Blocks and Layer unfreeze issues

cadffm — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:42:58 GMT

@steven.evison schrieb:
>>>... i dont want to have to create layer states to work around this as i believe this should not happen to start with....<<<
You are right, this is an ugly bug since decades and Autodesk never changed it 😞
(No User need that unfreeze, so it is a bug from user eyes)

Ootb workaround is to redefine the block by using the "insert dwg as block" feature (of command insert[browser], classicinsert or Blockpalette).
What you need is the block as dwg, wblock or 3rd. party tools to export all block to dwgs are helpful.

And the best way is: 3rd party tool to update blocks, so it works like DC, but without this unfreeze issue.
Tools like 'Steal from Drawing' from LM perhaps(untested) or similar.

Re: Redefining Blocks and Layer unfreeze issues

steven.evison — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 20:15:34 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

The reason for not using or able to use a layer state is the blocks sit within multiple DWG files where due to using hundreds of different consultancy, they all use a different layer system. This would mean a master layer state could not be used and exported around. If the local use of the DWG was to generate a layer state, it would need to be generated for all files and then updated if any changes where made to the file with new layers which is a little tiresome.

Thanks again for your reply, im still not ruling out a LS but as this is a new amendment from older versions of CAD i wonder if (like the trim command) you could revert back to the old method.

Betreff: Redefining Blocks and Layer unfreeze issues

steven.evison — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 20:22:49 GMT

Hi,

Thanks again for your reply CADffm.

Surprising inserting the block the old way works fine and the layers remain off.

Still confused to why inserting and redefining from design center then turns the layers back on, surly this is a AUTOCAD bug?

Betreff: Redefining Blocks and Layer unfreeze issues

cadffm — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:21:51 GMT

Ever heard "Bug or Feature"?

The goal of "redefine" is not to unfreeze layers, so it is programmed wrong FOR ME.

If the programmer thought it is good for Users to see the the whole new block,

it is programmed well FOR HIM.

It worked without unfreezed for a long time and still today(by redefine via insert dwg as block).

Perhaps you will have a case in the future and unfreeze is welcome,

you are happy, then we talk about a feature, lol.

For me it is a bug.