topic Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20 in AutoCAD for Mac Forum

Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 2020

Anonymous — Wed, 20 May 2020 09:14:42 GMT

So I am using AutoCAD LT 2020, on a mac at home and on windows in the office. I have found that Design Centre and Tool Palettes are both missing in the mac version and so am having to completely change my usual workflows since we are all stuck working at home for the foreseeable.

My particular question relates to redefine block instances where they originate from another drawing file. I draw detailed building plans in separate drawing files, creating a block instance in each of these files for insertion into a site layout. If I modify any of the building files I do this is the building drawing file and then want to copy the updated block instance into the site layout.

On Windows I can easily use Design Centre to select the block from the original drawing file, right click, redefine. Simples. In the 2020 Mac version it appears that there is no simple way of doing this. Having searched high and low online I have found many references to being able to do this through Content Manager but I find that this has now been removed in the latest Mac version of the software.

Any ideas or suggestions would be most welcome. When the block are inserted into the site layout drawing file they are often copied multiple times and rotated and/or mirrored so without being able to redefine the block I am having to remove every instance, purge, and re-insert every instance. Obviously very time consuming compared to a few clicks on the Windows version!

Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20

maxim_k — Wed, 20 May 2020 10:45:53 GMT

Hi Fergus,

If both drawings are saved, then you should see both versions of block on Recent Blocks tab of Blocks palette:

So if you want to redefine block, you can insert its new version from Recent Blocks tab of Blocks palette, AutoCAD will ask you to redefine block, you select - Redefine:

NOTE: BLOCKREDEFINEMODE system variable should be equal 1 (as it it by default)

Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20

Anonymous — Wed, 20 May 2020 11:09:17 GMT

Hi Maxim

Thanks a lot for your reply. There is only one version of the block appearing in t he recent blocks tab but I guess this is because the block in the site layout hasn't been recently updated. Inserting from this tab does indeed give the redefine option so problem solved!

The various differences between Windows are Mac are quite frustrating when working on both systems, any suggestions for the lack of Tool Palettes would be very welcome, my drafting time for drawing up a new house type is probably double what it was on Mac compared to Windows! Probably one for another thread...

Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20

maxim_k — Wed, 20 May 2020 11:19:27 GMT

>>>>> any suggestions for the lack of Tool Palettes would be very welcome
I think the only one way to mimic ToolPalettes on Mac is to create macros and put them to Tool Sets palette.

Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20

Anonymous — Wed, 20 May 2020 11:39:58 GMT

Thanks for the advice, I'll have a look into this. Looks like it will solve some of my issues if not all...

Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 22:19:45 GMT

Hoping that @maxim_k or someone else can help with a related question...

The method described here by Maxim works well but it appears that if I redefine a block in this way it also copies across the layer states, is this normal behaviour? I have my layers set up differently in the two drawing files and every time I redefine a block from one to the other I know have to subsequently go in and reset my layers, can I change this in a setting somewhere?

I have also noticed that if I click to insert the block, opting to the 'redefine' but I hit esc and do not insert an instance of the new block then although the existing block in the drawing appear to redefine if you then go to edit it it reverts to the existing version of the block in editor and you lose the new version. This seems like a glitch to me but perhaps it's "normal" behaviour as well?

Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20

maxim_k — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 06:06:50 GMT

>>>>>>I have my layers set up differently in the two drawing files and every time I redefine a block from one to the other I know have to subsequently go in and reset my layers, can I change this in a setting somewhere?
Not sure I understand what you mean. Can you describe your workflow and layer behaviour. Does redefining block bring new layers to the drawing? Or something different?

>>>> This seems like a glitch to me but perhaps it's "normal" behaviour as well?
This is normal. If you hit Esc before picking insertion point, block should't be inserted and couldn't be redefined. If you use REGEN command after hitting Esc, you will see that blocks in the drawing have returned to their original state.

Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 09:56:53 GMT

"Not sure I understand what you mean. Can you describe your workflow and layer behaviour. Does redefining block bring new layers to the drawing? Or something different?"

So the block is duplicated in the two drawings, one being an individual drawing of a plot and the other being a site layout of multiple plots. The layers are the same but in one drawing are set with a different linetype and colour, red and dashed in one and yellow and continuous in the other. When I redefine the block it brings the linetype and colour from with it.

Screencast attached, thanks for all the help!

Re: Redefine a block instance originating from another file in AutoCAD LT Mac 20

maxim_k — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 14:13:11 GMT

Now I see what you mean.
I'm not sure is it a bug or feature, but this is standard behaviour in AutoCAD when you redefine block with "Recent Blocks" method.
BTW, I checked in AutoCAD 2020 for Windows - the behaviour is the same, furthermore if you use Design Center to redefine blocks in AC for Windows the process also redefine layer properties.

The only one way to safely redefine block without affecting layers properties is "WBLOCK" method described here (it works in both AutoCADs for PC and for Mac):
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/screencast/Main/Details/d53a174f-72d1-40e8-9909-96cbf4448d7e.html