Arrays transform into blocks

[jeroendewind]

Hi,

I got this thing happen alot. When I make some arrays they eventually turn into strange blocks. I dont know what causes this; saving, plotting, or perhaps just drawing other objects. 

Here are some screenshots:

Selecting the array on the bottom of the screen (small dots)

Selecting the other array at the bottom of the screen (the big dots)

My purgelist turns into:

What's going on, and how can I prevent this?

Thanks,
Jeroen

[pendean]

Those are temporary anonymous group names ARRAY generates: that's how it works.

[jeroendewind]

But how to turn them back so I can make some changes?
And what's the purpose of purging these blocks? If they're temporary I'd better save my time and let them dissapear automatically...

[nrz13]

If you don't like the new ARRAY command, you can also use the old ARRAYCLASSIC command.

[GrantsPirate]

You can edit associative arrays depending on what editing you want to do.  The grips are there for editing spacing and number of objects.  In the ribbon there are menu choices for editing the source object.  You can also erase some obects from the array while still keeping it associative, and it can be reset bringing the erased object back.

[jeroendewind]

Well, not if they turn into (temporary) blocks...

[ВeekeeCZ]

Too large coordinates?

[jeroendewind]

Perhaps, but it's on the coordinates I need to use, so I cant change that.

Also strange because one of the 2 arrays transforms into a *block, but the other one stays as an associative array, while they're next to each other.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

What version of AutoCAD do you have (exactly), what servicepack is installed and last but not least are you working on a vertical product (like AutoCAD Architecture, MEP, Mechanical, ...) or plain/Vanilla AutoCAD?

If you are running any applications on top of your AutoCAD (or apps/plugins/tools), let us know which ones.

>> they eventually turn into strange blocks. I dont know what causes this; saving, plotting, or perhaps just drawing other objects.

One situation I see as possible reason for converting to an anonymous block is if you save your drawing back to an old DWG-format. So start command _OPTIONS, go to tab "Open and Save" and see what DWG-version is set as default for "Save as".

It might be also worth to try: change the setting of the 2 checkboxes underneath the "Save as" setting (Maintain visual fidelity ... and Maintain drawing size compatibility).

- alfred -

[jeroendewind]

I'm using AutoCAD 2014, as far as I know just a plain version (at least not architecture, MEP or Mechanical) but with some additional toolbars and menuloads etc. installed. I save my drawings as 2010, since not everyone here has the newest version, perhaps that's the source of the problem. I now unchecked the Maintain drawing size compatibility, so perhaps that helps me out.

Thanks!

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I save my drawings as 2010

Don't do that, with every save to an old DWG-version your objects get destroyed and when opening that drawings your AutoCAD has to pick up the puzzles to get back a valid model. Every save and every open command needs then more time for you.

As the new version of Array didn't exist in older AutoCAD releases with every save-back AutoCAD has to create workarounds to make it possible for older AutoCAD releases to see the array-ed objects. And that workaround is done as building anonymous blocks in most cases.

Especially if any of these objects were touched by any modification in an older AutoCAD that objects might not be repairable back to an associative array in your AutoCAD release.

When others in your company have different versions of AutoCAD (which is a bad strategy at all) then these people can install >>>AutoCAD TrueView<<< and run the downgrade of the drawings by themselved, but they should not edit (destroy) your drawings!

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Two years later I got the same problem. I know exactly what's your problem (I got it too) sadly, I don't have the solution. And the solutions addressed here ( save in most recent version, etc )  don't solve the problem since they don't know exactly whats going on. It's not a problem with a previous version. It's somewhat a problem with the way the arrays becomes a non-editable block and if you try to explode it, the message displayed would be in most cases: AutoCAD cannot explode an anonymous block. Anyways... hope this gets solved too. If it is already solved, I would greatly appreciate if anyone can point me the solution.

thanks!

[jeroendewind]

I'm having problems with this again, so I tried a Google search and by accident I opened my own topic from 2015.

I guess there isn't a solution, otherwise it would be posted here already, but any chance someone fixed this in the meantime?

It's just strange that a perfectly normal array turns into a block for no reason, and all the editable options aren't usable anymore. If I wanted them as a block, I would've made it a block myself.

[cadffm]

If

a) the file wasn't saved with another software than AutoCAD (!?) or Autocold older 2012?

b) I guess you destroyed the array-Link with a Tool.

Do you know if you have any magic "purge" or "kill" Tools used? (i doesn't mean the native AutoCAD

 PURGE command)

What i mean with "array-Link": An array object is a block, but the blockreference have a link to a information

that this is an array with rows and columns and so on.

So long this link is healthy you see "ARRAY" as object name, with all array properties and it is working like an array.

But if the links breaked, it is a stuppid block/Blockreference like all other blocks too.

Your problem-blocks are normal array-blocks, but the information "is an array" is broken.

For usual this will not happen so long the file is not corrupt, or saved by a software which can not handle array objects well.

You can find a lot of tools in the internet to destroy informations, they often called superperfectesyPURGE

or hardcorekillallunneededstuff.

To solve the problem you have to find the function which made the problem.

[jeroendewind]

Thanks for the reply in the first place!

I only use official AutoCAD, so it can't be that. With your conclusion, it should be the array-link that get's broken while using AutoCAD. I guess you're right, I can't think of anything else, but then the question is why/when/how this is happening.

I have a couple of LISP's, buttons and toolbars, but not those killerpurges. Just -purge, everyting, no verifying, as a button to quickly purge the whole *.dwg.

[cadffm]

Perhaps a tool that does some magic with blocks/block referenes?

Sorry, thats the only hint i can give and what could explain the problem.

I didn't see that is an usual problem, use command recover and audit

one more often in your files,

thats all what you can do.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if i understand your question correctly, i'm just guessing this is the solution ('associative' icon shall be turned to 'off' mode when doing an array command).

[cadffm]

LOL

This way bypass the problem for sure, also after one year (cold case hunter?),

but it doesn't fix the problem.

(Without assoc. Option means that array is working by the old way, it is just a powerful copy command and the result isn't an array object)