A block references itself

[jimbir]

I have a block which contains a number of smaller blocks (WF beam shapes). I exploded the block so I could make changes to one of the smaller blocks. I had to explode it to make the changes. I remade a block of the block I changed then made a block containing all of the smaller blocks. Now, when I try to insert it, I get an error saying "The block references itself". What do I have to do to  fix this problem? My cad goes back to prehistoric times. It's version 2004 but It's served me well for 35 years. BTW, I don't use it very often so, when something like this shows up, I's time to talk to a troubleshooter.

JimB

[Washingtonn]

Do a search in the AutoDesk forums "block references itself" and review the existing posts regarding this issue.

[cadffm]

Plain Acad:

Hi,

1. It sounds you are talking about to insert a DWG file (not a block!) "as Block".

   The file is not "a block", it is a regular DWG file, nothing else.

2."I exploded the block so I could make changes to one of the smaller blocks. I had to explode it to make the changes."

    Thats never the case, you can edit blocks by Refedit or BEDIT command.

3. What happend: You trying to insert a DWG as Block, by this step, Acad take the model content as Block content, the file name as Block name, insbase coordinate as basepoint, Insunits setting as Block unit

 and will create this block in your current file.

If inside the DWG is a Block defined with the same name as your DWG, the result would be a Block with name Sample (from Sample.dwg) which contains a Blockreference for a block with the name Sample.

So it would reference to the block where it is part of!

Solution:

Open your file you are using as block definition template.

I am not sure which situation you have and what you like to have, there are two valid situations.

Is the whole content what you like to have as block content? (There is just one object, one blockreference)

Then select the blockreference "Sample" and use EXPLODE, run Purge - to delete this Blockdefinition, save.

Try it again.

Or contains the modelspace more objects, other blocks for example?

In this case, you are using the wrong way to insert this block.

Use DC command. But it would be very unusual to name a DWG the same as a Block inside of them.

The main thing is: You trying to create/insert a "Block" what contain a Blockreference of a Block with the same name.

EXPLODE or RENAME is the way to go, depending on your situation.

If you can't solve it now, explain more in Detail the way you go.

Are you using command INSERT?

Are you using [Browse] option?

I think i explaind enough, for more help, please share your file.

[jimbir]

I admired your explanation of the problem I'm having with this but, unfortunately, I lost you after the second sentence.
   I don't think there's any thing wrong with the block itself. Let me explain...
   I checked the properties of several of the blocks, including the one I thought I was having a problem with, in the folder they're stored in. they're all identified as type .dwg   All of the blocks above are what I call combined blocks. (They're blocks that contain a collection of smaller blocks. this particular one is titled WF BLOCKS. It contains a collection of individual blocks of wide flange American standard wide beams.)   I opened a new drawing and had no problem inserting them into it including WF BEAMS.   That leads me to believe there is something wrong with the drawing I'm trying to insert the block into.

[pendean]

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@jimbir wrote:
....I opened a new drawing and had no problem inserting them into it including WF BEAMS.   That leads me to believe there is something wrong with the drawing I'm trying to insert the block into.

---

the 'problem' drawing already has a block with that exact name, but the content is different: AutoCAD basic, named content already in the file gets used unless you make an effort to redefine it.

[cadffm]

I am sorry for that, try to read it again  after you solved the problem.

Open your WF BLOCKS.dwg (?)

Run BLOCK command, open the dropdown list.

Is a block with name "WF BLOCKS" listed?

Thats your problem!

Cancel, run PURGE dialog. are you able to purge this block?

If not:

use Qselect command  to find blockreferences of a block named "WF BLOCKS".

Delete or Explode them (only you know what is the right way) or what also works in all cases: Rename this Block, or your .DWG filename.

[jimbir]

the 'problem' drawing already has a block with that exact name, but the content is different: AutoCAD basic, named content already in the file gets used unless you make an effort to redefine it.

Thanks for the reply. You've helped me in the past.

I've used the purge command and, I think, got rid of all of the blocks that showed up. WF SHAPES  wasn't in the list, (It was the block I originally inserted.) Are there are other commands I can use?

How would I redefine it.

[pendean]

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@jimbir wrote:

...How would I redefine it...

---

RENAME command, rename all the block names starting with your new block then all the manes of all the blocks inside it.

PRUGE only works if the content you want to get rid of is 100% truly unused.

HTH

[TomBeauford]

If your WF BLOCKS.dwg has a block defined as WF BLOCKS a simple solution might be to rename WF BLOCKS.dwg to something else before opening it to avoid the "block references itself" issue.