Blocks - How to remove hidden info within blocks without exploding

[NFTech86]

We are finding more and more Architects plans are using blocks for their flat plans. Within these blocks are different options/windows etc. that are not visible in the final drawing. We need to strip back their drawings to show walls and openings only. Unfortunately we cant always freeze the layers without it turning off the whole plan. The only way is to explode, which then causes a large amount of clean up to remove all the nested information. Is there anyway to flatten a block to keep only the visible information? I'd hoped importing to revit then exporting would work but when i imported it actually shows all the hidden information. 

[pendean]

There is no shortcut quickie to removing content you do not need inside a block.

You could:
1) ask the file sender to only send you exactly what you need and nothing more.
2) edit their files BEFORE you use them only as blocks in your AutoCAD or REVIT sessions: freeze the layers you want, then ERASE the content on the layers you do not want, then PURGE or LAYMRG leftovers you cannot get rid of.

[NFTech86]

Thanks for the quick response. I thought that was going to be the case. Unfortunately we havent had luck having the file senders doing it their end for us. 

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @NFTech86 

<<…I'd hoped importing to revit then exporting would work but when i imported it actually shows all the hidden information…>>

What does this mean? Does it mean more information is revealed after exporting?

[NFTech86]

Yeah. They multiple flat layouts within 1 block. They then clip the block to show only the flat option they want to use. 

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @NFTech86 

What does the block look like when it’s not clipped?  Can you upload a screenshot? Can you also explain (or upload a 2nd screenshot) illustrating the information you want to strip back?

[dany_rochefort]

@NFTech86 Use the BURST command rather than using explode.

[NFTech86]

Burst does the same thing unfortunately. Feel like its a lost cause.

[NFTech86]

See attached. We need the walls and openings only. Furniture/text etc isnt required. Exploding, burst, purge doesnt work.

[Kent1Cooper]

REFEDIT, pick the Block, turn off the Layer(s) of what you want to keep, ERASE everything still visible, REFCLOSE [saving changes].

[timothy_crouse]

You could rework the block in a separate clean drawing and then use the design center to drag and redefine the clean block back into the original drawing.  Regardless of how you do it, you must pay attention to detail.  Hopefully, those drawings are being created for record sets and not install work.  Any mistake could be a change order waiting to happen.

It would be safer to convert the PDFs ( I am sure a few folks would disagree) that way at least you will not have erroneous info from an incorrect visstate adding confusion to the mix.

Good luck, we've all been there 🙂

-Tim C.

[NFTech86]

Hi Tim, 

Thanks for the reply. The main issue is the number of blocks within the model. If it was one or 2 flat plans it wouldn't be an issue. The issue is we have around 7-10 flat plans per level of a 4-6 storey building with very little duplication. When we do that over multiple different blocks it is very time consuming and as you say runs the risk of omitting information that is required. We did try the pdf import which looked to be the winner but were having issues with scaling. We might need to revisit this though. Thanks again.

[NFTech86]

Thanks Kent. That is what we are doing but unfortunately we have multiple different flat blocks per level and it proves very time consuming. To purge out hidden items in a block doesnt appear to be a feature of autocad.

[timothy_crouse]

There are (2) low-cost utilities that could help you recreate the flat objects:

-Total Area

-Total Boundary

Total boundary will create an exterior boundary of an object.  Basically tracing the object.  Work a lot better that the native acad command or Lee Macs Trace Object (on complex objects).

Total area will recreate the interior, Eg tracing the interior lines.

I am not associated with that group.  I passing on the info of a utility that works really well for my workflow.  I use it a lot to convert mfg components that were exported from a 3D model.

Depending on how savvy you become with a utility like that you could possibly convert multiple blocks at a time.

Best Regards

-Tim C.