Non-dynamic block with multiple instances, somehow all aligned to the wall after initial placement in correct orientaiton.

[interiordraftinganddesign]

Hello, I'm an independent drafter using AutoCAD LT 2026. I drew floor plans for a client, including outlets (a single block, not dynamic, no special properties) placed in their existing locations. The client, several weeks later, sent me back the .DWG file where ALL the outlet blocks had been realigned to the walls. I initially thought I had forgotten to rotate some of them while copying and pasting them, but ALL instances of that one block are aligned to their corresponding wall (parallel to the wall instead of perpendicular) in all 3 floor plans and all their copied versions. And they're not always in the same direction when there are more than one on the same wall, however they all align with the wall. How to fix it faster than rotating each one individually would be great, but mainly, I want to know how it could have happened so I can explain to the client. I have the original file I sent to the client, so I know it was all correct when I sent them the file. But I can't figure out how that could happen. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Screenshot and .dwg file attached

[Ed__Jobe]

Did the client modify the dwg? Can you just use the original dwg? I have no idea what the client did.

You could use QSELECT to select the blocks, then in the Properties dialog, change the rotation property for all of the blocks.

[interiordraftinganddesign]

They've been working in the file (resaved from the one I sent them) to add furnishings, fixtures, etc. I know about QSELECT, I have tried playing with it to see if I can repeat the issue, but just changing the orientation or rotation in properties moves them in one direction, it doesn't align them to the walls. 😞

I may send them the original file, or I may copy my floor plans into their file and switch out the electrical, but they've already added other items to the same layers so it still won't be an easy fix. Thank you for your input.

[Ed__Jobe]

For the future, I would create a parent file called Furniture and xref the plan into it. Then they can't mess it up.

[interiordraftinganddesign]

That's a good idea. In the process of fixing the issue, I realized there's something within the block properties of their file that is causing the issue. When I tried to copy and paste my floor plans with only the outlets into their file, all the outlets immediately aligned to the walls as soon as they were brought in. So I ended up bringing their floor plans into my original to switch them out that way. But I'd still like to know what changed within the block's properties to cause that to happen. 

[David_W_Koch]

WBLOCK the outlet block from your drawing and their drawing.  Open both and compare the way they are set up.  Most likely, they redefined the outlet block and it is oriented differently than yours; probably the graphics are rotated 90 degrees.  If some of your blocks were mirrored, that could account for some facing in different directions.

[pendean]

@interiordraftinganddesign May I ask, did you contact the client to ask them about their edits and changes? Someone at their end rotated them inconsistently for you, if I insert the block again it comes in as you designed it to work, there is nothing wrong with the block.

You can't analyze this one on your own with just this DWG file. Sorry.

In the meantime, consider turning that block into a DYNAMIC BLOCK that will auto-align with a "wall" to reduce the number of clicks you do to place it at the needed orientation.

[h_s_walker]

Check the AutoPlacement variable

AutoCAD 2026 Help | To Insert a Block Using Automatic Placement | Autodesk

[paullimapa]

Nested Block issue. If a block definition already exists in the current dwg when another dwg is inserted the current dwgs block definition always takes precedence. There’s no option offered to redefine the block. This is one of the reasons to reference in dwgs instead of inserting them. To properly redefine an existing block in the current dwg you’ll have to wblick that block name from the other dwg and then insert that block dwg into the current dwg. Only then will AutoCAD prompt the user to redefine the block. So perhaps the client already had this outlet block defined in their dwg and has a different property like rotation angle. But instead of inserting their dwg into your provided dwg the client chose to insert your dwg into theirs. This is how the problem got started. Thankfully there is only one block that’s impacted and not more.