Deleting a block that is not there

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am in AutoCAD 2016.  All layers are on and are not frozen. 

There is a single block I am trying to delete from this drawing.  However, the block does not appear anywhere.  I know the name of the block I am trying to delete; when I use the FILTER command and choose "Block Name" and choose the name of the block from the list, then highlight everything in the drawing, I get "0 found, 1 group".  I have also tried this in paper space for all the sheet layouts in the drawing, and I get "0 found". 

I have also tried QSELECT, and when I try that, and choose "Block Reference" then choose "Name", in the long list of blocks that shows up, the name of the block I'm trying to delete isn't even there.  This is true for model space and paper space for all of the sheet layouts in the drawing.

Any help in deleting this one block would be appreciated.

Thank you. 

[imadHabash]

Hi,

you did well on how to follow this block ... how a bout using PURGE command to clean all unwanted elements.also it will be great if you attach you drawing for testing and see how could we help.

Regards,

[oswaldodcb]

Hi @Anonymous

To clean the file and locate your block you can apply several commands, as @imadHabash told you, the PURGE command is very useful in these cases, if it does not work you can be that your file has an error and you can try to repair it by applying the command AUDIT, When I ask if you want to fix the errors select yes. In case of any error you will be notified.

You can also close your file, open a blank and apply the RECOVER command, call the file where you have the problem with the block and open it, just as you will analyze the file for errors.

If this still does not work, I would choose to insert the block you want to delete, rename it with the RENAME command, delete it and then apply PURGE again.

I hope it will be useful,

Regards,

[Anonymous]

It is probably nested somewhere, another block or a dimstyle, what kind of block is it?  A dimension arrowhead might be used in a dimstyle and be unpurgable.

If all else (purge) fails redefine the block to be a very large circle, bigger than your drawing.  Draw the large circle, enter the block command, select the offending block from the block name list, set the insertion point at the center of the circle, select the circle, select OK and you'll be asked to "REDEFINE THE BLOCK" select "Redefine" and the block will be redefined as a large circle.  ZOOM extents and the circles should indicate where the block is being used.  If its in another block, REFEDIT that block do delete the circle block.  If its in a dimstyle, edit the dimstyle to choose a different block.  Once they are all eliminated try PURGE again.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

So it turns out my solution was simpler than I thought and I was approaching it in a different way than I had to.  

My ultimate goal was deleting a particular layer from the drawing.  I could not PURGE this layer, because it was referenced or used in something.  So I used LAYDEL to force delete the layer, I was then notified of which block (only one) was redefined because of this, took note of that block name, did CTRL+Z (undo), and that's when I was trying to find this one single block that was referencing a layer so that I could edit the block and change what layers the object were on.  But when I couldn't find the block used anywhere in the drawing, I tried to just delete it.  That's when I made this post.

But rculp's response helped me discover/realize that all I had to do was INSERT the block using the block name from the drop-down list, then I could edit the block in order to change the layers.  

So my original problem, which was deleting a referenced layer, has been solved.

Thank you for the suggestions/help. 

Also, does anyone know if I can edit the title of this topic?  Since the solution ended up being about deleting a referenced layer, changing the topic would be more helpful for people who are looking for solutions. 

[Anonymous]

Thankyou mate so much. I spend half a day untill finally find your clear and very smart instruction about. You make my day. Thankyou!!

[mgalicki]

I am having similar issue. I have a block that is listed under the blocks dialog box. But it is not listed in the purge blocks after I delete it in the drawing.

So I can't replace it with the revised block, because it says  Duplicate definition of block 208-37-30-3  ignored.

Any ideas on this?

Thanks,

Mark

[pendean]

It is most likely buried inside another block.

Why not just RENAME the block, bring in the replacement definition, then swap one for the other (lots of LISP routines out there if you do't like to use Express Tools BLOCKREPLACE command.

OR... INSERT the problem file into one of your template files with the new block already there and what it get replaced for you.

HTH

[cadffm]

You deleted one blockreferenc or the block content, nothing more.

Use bedit to edit the block, add a line, 10000000 long.

Can you see the inserts now?

Ckeck in all layouts and model.

ALL layers ON, THAWED und thawed in VP Paperspace.

Or if you like to get a fast solution, upload the DWG 

[PFHeller]

Here is a sneaky way that I use to find a block that doesn't want to be found.

Just BEDIT the block, and add a bunch of huge circles to it. Then when you go back to the drawing the block will stand out greatly. Then it is easy to delete it and purge it.

[stonephillips55K2623]

This is such a quick and easy trick! I deal with a lot of legacy drawing files from numerous inexperienced users.  It is not uncommon to find a block file with no objects or meaningless invisible attributes.

[hunterd]

For the Block, I find it's from a different program that inserts it to the drawings, not sure which one (ie vectorworks).  Generally it starts with an 'I_'.  I did all the solutions that was suggested but the blocks where still present (purge, rename, audit etc.)  The only solution that worked was 'wblock' the whole drawing, you have to import the layouts after.  

Also you can use the bedit command to edit a block.