topic Re: Xref comes as a single block in AutoCAD Forum

Xref comes as a single block

NGVBA — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 02:09:05 GMT

I have drawings which are exported from a third party software as .dwg.

My problem is that the entities (Except text) are coming as a single block and are shown as a single xref.

I want to access the entities (Mainly blocks) individually and do some operation.

Tried Bind/Insert but it doesn't work and the xref remains as a single block with all the entities in a single block, don't want to explode since then I'll loose the block definition.

Also tried to look for a solution in the forum but could not find a relevant one.

Thanks in advance

Re: Xref comes as a single block

ChicagoLooper — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 03:07:31 GMT

What’s the name of that third of software? It’s possible the other software can export only ‘non-block’ parts which will allow you to bring in the blocks individually.

You (or the author of the original xref) is the key to creating the type if xref to suit your needs.

Re: Xref comes as a single block

NGVBA — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 03:33:40 GMT

Thanks for the quick reply.

It is "Smartsketch".

But should I assume that there is no way we can achieve this in Autocad.

Re: Xref comes as a single block

ChicagoLooper — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 04:29:47 GMT

In Smartsketch, is it possible to put the blocks on a separate layer? That way you can turn the block’s layer OFF then export the remaining ON layers.

Have you tried recreating the blocks in AutoCAD? Using ‘artistic’ know-how and the drawing capabilities within AutoCAD, you can create a counterfeit version of the original block. Then, when importing from Smartsketch, turn the block layer OFF and import everything except the blocks.

Re: Xref comes as a single block

RSomppi — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 10:49:17 GMT

@NGVBA wrote:
I have drawings which are exported from a third party software as .dwg.
My problem is that the entities (Except text) are coming as a single block and are shown as a single xref.
I want to access the entities (Mainly blocks) individually and do some operation.

XREFs are a separate file file from the one you are opening.

You need to access that file in one of the many ways that are available. Here are a few:

Open the XREF file if you know where it is.
Open it from the referencing file from the XREF manager.
Use NCopy to get the desired entities from the XREF into your drawing.
Bind the XREF and then explode the resulting block. (Usually not desirable.)

Re: Xref comes as a single block

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 12:56:35 GMT

@RSomppi wrote:
....
You need to access that file in one of the many ways that are available. Here are a few: ....

5. The REFEDIT command. You can get into the overall Xref or directly into a Block within it -- pick on one of those, and it will be the default what-to-edit option, but you can choose the containing Xref or a different Block in it, etc.