BLOCK/unBLOCK

[MarkFitz]

I'm in the situation of being stuck (again) by wanting to replace a block with the updated version of the same block.

Which, when I try to insert the updated block, I get the message that it's referencing itself, "Etsetterah, etsetterah, etsetterah..." (name the movie, anyone?)

My problem here is that I cannot change the filename of the block, and it's not a visual block either, it's a "background" or "invisible" block used to setup the layers/linetypes/line weights/fonts, etc., so there's nothing to physically grab a hold of.

Is there a way to...   ...detach(?) the initial block so I can replace it with the new/updated one?

Many thanks,

MarkF

[fatal.error]

Are you trying to redefine the block by re-inserting it from an external file via blockspalette or designcenter?

Have you tried creating a new empty block with the same name of the messy one and overwrite it before re-inserting?

I recommend dwt templates and standards to define or translate layers, linetypes, styles, etc.

[Kent1Cooper · Accepted solution]

The King and I both suspect you have a drawing file that contains a Block definition of the same name, and you're trying to Insert that drawing file into another drawing.  If that's the case, try Exploding the Block inside that drawing file, so you Insert its contents into the other drawing without their being nested in a Block already in the source drawing.  Then use:

-INSERT  {note the hyphen prefix}

YourBlockName=  {note the equals sign at the end, with nothing following = look for a drawing of this name

{answer Yes to the question of whether to redefine}

Or, use the DESIGN CENTER to get the Block definition out of  the source drawing, rather than Inserting the source drawing.  You'll have the option to simply redefine, without Inserting an additional one.

[MarkFitz]

The original is a template, yes, I agree with you there, but this is an existing drawing and I'm just trying to add layers, etc. to it.  I think that's what I did, overwrote the original before trying to reinsert it...

[MarkFitz]

What is this DESIGN CENTER you speak of, your majesty?   (I see I'm not the only movie quote fool here, thankyou for getting that).

Is it part of ACAD?

Part of my overall problem with AutoCAD is that I used it many many moons ago, from R10 (yes, in DOS) through to ACAD2000, and then changed jobs for over a decade, so whereas the basic commands have remained, some of the more obscure commands have been replaced, and I'm not familiar enough with how to use the original commands, those that you only need every once in a while, to be able to read up about their replacements.  I mean, I'm only just now learning the benefits of grips - I know how to use them with dimensions, which is a HUGE speed-up for me, but I'm not yet familiar with using them to actually draw things.

So having you guru guys here is AWESOME, *humbly bows in appreciation*

[fatal.error · Accepted solution]

Have you tried this, after overwriting the old block with a new empty one?

0. Type blockspalette command.

1. Select the Other Drawing tab.

2. Click on the ... button and select the file where the new block definition is.

3. Right-click on the block thumbnail (not the draw thumbnail) and select Insert and Redefine.

[illusionistNUGXG]

Hmmm, i use AutoCAD mechanical - BLOCKSPALETTE doesn't seem to exist here. (just to test it)

But i guess BLOCKREPLACE could be useful. Create a new block and then overwrite the old one with it.

(the name BLOCKREPLACE doesn't start with "AM...", so it should be a usual AutoCAD command;

BLOCKREPLACE is in the "express tools"-tab - that means, it's not available with AutoCAD LT)

[dbroad · Accepted solution]

Depending on your version of ACAD, you have several options of redefinition (-insert blockname=, using the browse button in the insert command, tool palettes, the blocks palette, and design center).  

The designcenter is a command that isn't implemented by that name.  Use ADC or content. It can access different types of content from external drawings and can be used to redefine blocks.

The blocks palette is only available after 2019.

Your main problem is probably that you have nested your block definition into a external content file by the same name. See post 3.

In order to use tool palettes to redefine, you need to create a library drawing that contains the block definition you want to redefine.  Then from that content drawing, drag the inserted block to the palette.  Only then will you have the option to redefine from a tool palette.  When changing the block definition, do so inside the library drawing.  The blocks palette has more capabilities but tool palettes are great.

[Kent1Cooper · Accepted solution]

---

@MarkFitz wrote:

What is this DESIGN CENTER you speak of, your majesty?   ....

---

ADCENTER command -- ADC is the default command alias.  [Read about it in Help].

[pendean]

>>>...Hmmm, i use AutoCAD mechanical ...<<<
AutoCAD MECH forum is over there https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-mechanical/ct-p/2002

[pendean · Accepted solution]

>>>...What is this DESIGN CENTER you speak of...<<<
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2020/ENU/AutoC...

[MarkFitz]

Alas, I'm running 2019, so I don't have the option of Design Center or Blocks Palette...

[pendean · Accepted solution]

>>>...I don't have the option of Design Center...<<<
2019 what exactly? You are posting in the plain AutoCAD where it has been around for quite some time.

[MarkFitz]

Under the HELP menu, I see...   "About AutoCAD 2019", but when I type in the DESIGNCENTER or BLOCKPALETTE command, I get "UNKNOWN COMMAND".

When I check the program details, I see "AutoCAD 2019 - English"

[Moshe-A · Accepted solution]

@MarkFitz  hi,

try ADCENTER or ctrl+2 for AutoCAD Design Center

ctrl+3 for Block Palette

Moshe

[MarkFitz]

YES!!   Both work, thankyou!!

[pendean]

Also in the Ribbon...