Inserting a Tool Palette Block While Editing a Block.

[jeffbeck]

I have always wondered why a block can be dragged into a drawing when editing a block or xref.  Dragging a hatch from the palette into the drawing is not a problem, so why should a block be a problem?

There are all sorts of things that can't be done when editing a block but thi sone seem s like a flaw in the tool palette feature, or am i missing something?

[john.vellek]

Hi @jeffbeck,

I am able to drag a block from a Tool Palette into a Block Editor session. Are you not able to do this? Can you send me a sample drawing and also tell me what version of AutoCAD you are using?

[john.vellek]

Hi @jeffbeck,

I am checking to see if you want to further explore this action. If so, please attach a drawing and perhaps go into additional detail on how you attempt this workflow.

[jeffbeck]

Hey John,

Sending you a drawing won’t help as the issue isn’t a drawing level problem, it’s a program functionality issue.  I was fairly descriptive in my post but will try to explain it again here.

When I am editing a block or xref in place and I try to drag a block from any of my tool palettes I get a message that reads:

Cannot insert a block during a reference editing session

I am able to drag a hatch from the tool palette without any problems.  Like I said in my post it seems like a design flaw.  I have to either insert the block using the ddinsert command, drill down to the directories to find the block and select it and place it in the drawing or exit block editing by saving the changes, dragging the block from the tool palette, go back to editing the block or xref and adding it to the working set.  That’s quite a few extra keystrokes no matter which way is chosen. 

I haven’t figured out which way is shortest yet.  I now try to anticipate the need to insert any blocks I might need prior to beginning editing a block but it’s not always something that can be anticipated. 

I realize there are quite a few things that cannot be done while editing a block but this one just seems like an easy fix, mind you I’m not a programmer, so I might be totally off base.

Thanks for looking into this,

[jeffbeck]

I am using2017 but it has been an issue going back to 2015 or maybe 2014.

[john.vellek]

Hi @jeffbeck,

So, this isn't really a block editing issue but a XREF editing one. 🙂

As I indicated in my first post that this functionality does exist while using Block Editor.

I agree that it would be nice to have this functionality during a Xref editing session. One workaround that I use is to incorporate DesignCenter into the process. I can start editing an external reference, open DesignCenter, and then pull blocks, layers, linetypes, etc into the Xref.

Perhaps this will a good workaround for you.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

[jeffbeck]

John,

Actually it's a problem for me when editing both blocks and xrefs.  I have tried dragging blocks that come with autocad as well as ones I have created and am not able to drag them from the tool palette when editing a block using the refedit command, not the block editor.  I don't really like the block editor look or feel.  The only time I use the block editor is when creating a dynamic block.  When creating a dynamic block i don't need to bring in other blocks so I haven't had any occasion to drag blocks into a block there. 

I use blocks extensively to group item that I will need to copy or move about so seeing the environment is key. 

Thanks,

[john.vellek]

Hi @jeffbeck,

Yes, REFEDIT prohibits using the Tool Palettes. Try Design Center and see if that works.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

[jeffbeck]

John,

Yes, I found that out.  Seems like a silly restrcition that I was trying to figure out why. Work arounds are just that work arounds.  Couldn't the software be adjusted to accommodate this? 

I'm not a Design Center user so I can't say if that will easily adapt to my work flow but the times I have used it I haven't been impressed with its ease of use or functionality.  I'll check it out.

Thanks,

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi Jeff,

I am not sure why this restriction exists from a programming standpoint.

I don't know how you created your palettes but the way I do mine is store my block library in a series of drawings that are discipline based. When I open one of these "library drawings" I simply drag the blocks onto the new tool palette I am creating.

The beauty of this method is that my libraries also work well in DesignCenter. Because the blocks are organized to some degree, browsing through is really easy. You can even add them to favorites so locating them is fast too.

Thank you again for suggestion how we can improve the product.

You are also welcome to contact the product team directly through the Product Feedback page. The links below go into more detail about the best ways to make suggestions.
How to provide feedback on Autodesk products

Raising enhancement requests for Autodesk products

Another great option is to participate in the AutoCAD Customer Council. This is an opportunity for our customers to partner with the AutoCAD development team to improve future releases of AutoCAD by giving continuous feedback on ideas, designs, and early builds.
In order to get involved email [email protected] or [email protected]

[jeffbeck]

John,

The method you describe of creating palettes sounds identical to mine.  I guess it takes some getting used to but while browsing through is fairly easy the icons are not as clear as the tool palette icons. 

I did belong to a customer council at some point but once work started to pile up I gave it up.

Thanks for the help,

[MRiemenCAD]

Just checking if 2018 has addressed this issue? Haven't installed yet and wondering whether it's worth the time. Still a bit silly to be restricted from using Palettes based blocks during a REFEDIT session. Has nothing to do with how the blocks are organized on the palette, it's simply and over site in the program. It's existed for far to many versions.

[jeffbeck]

N0, 2018 has the same restriction.  Like you I don't find a reason other than oversight.   I still haven't incorporated design center yet.  I plan on it at some point when I'm not under the gun, but it seems silly to change my work flow for no real good reason. 

One mistake I did make is that all of my custom blocks are separate drawings instead of all of them being incorporated into one drawing. Every upgrade brings new headaches updating the paths for all my blocks.  This is another one of those projects I plan to attend to when I get a chance.  This one I will get to for sure. 

Good luck,

[rbolekJFESE]

I am not able to drag an symbol from the tool palette when editing a block that I created.  I am using P&ID PIP which I used to create the block and my whole drawing.

[rbolekJFESE]

I am not able to drag an symbol from the tool palette when editing a block that I created.  I am using P&ID PIP which I used to create the block and my whole drawing.

[cadffm]

IF you read this thread, I am not sure why you posted this reply!?

John (no longer here) wrote: "and then pull blocks, layers, "

and this should work, also on your side!

Not CLICK, but DRAG from the ADcenter

EDIT: Oh wait, I guess you are talking about already defined block inside another DWG and not about a DWG you want to insert "as Block" ??

In that case it doesn't work.

Refedit Blocks - use instead BEDIT

Refedit XRefs - use instead open Xref