Reference a block within the same drawing that changes with the original

[neil_autodesk]

Hi I'm trying to find out if there's a way to reference a block within the same drawing in such a way that any changes to the block are reflected immediately where it's referenced. Similar to an IREF but in the same drawing. 

Here's the application. I have an architect's drawing. There are a few floors. For each floor there is 1 section that shows the walls and structure, a separate sections that shows the wall and has the electrical wiring superimposed on that, and another that shows the walls and shows the low voltage, phones and other wiring.

Currently every time the walls are changed or moved, we have to go back and copy and paste the changes into the two other sections. Is there a way to just have it so that we just call a ref ilke an IREF so it automatically changes. I don't want to split the file into one file with the walls and another with the wire etc.

Thanks.

Hope that make sense.

Neil

[Michiel.Valcke]

If the object you are editing is a block that has been referenced several times, you can use the _BEDIT command to edit the block from within your drawing. Once you have finished editing your block and close the block editor window (_BCLOSE) you will be asked to update the changes to all instances of that block in your drawing.

If you do all instances of that block will be updated at the same time.

[kadmonkee]

if the Architect is generating the section to be used , treat the section drawing as an XREF not A BLOCK.

each time the Architect changes the section, you will need to update the xreference file (same as their Floor Plans)

you can then make a copy of the xref section file in 1 file and layout your wiring , low voltage, and Phones 

each copy of the xref file will update without your needing to intervene.

the simplified image breaks down the model space result Paper space will have 3 viewports 

another method is in model space apply all your design controlled by layers in 1 xref section and in paper space create 3 viewports and manage each viewports layers to only display what is needed.

[neil_autodesk]

Thanks for that answer, now a newbie question. I know how to insert an
external block, but how do I insert a block that's local. I can copy and
past as block, but that won't change with the original. Is there a step I
need to take?
Thanks
Neil

[imadHabash]

Hi,

>> but how do I insert a block that's local. <<

if do you mean that you want to insert a block from the same opened CAD dwg ... then use INSERT command and go for the small black arrow beside Browse button to select what you looking for . also you can insert blocks from dwg to dwg and without open it from design center window ADCENTER command  (Ctrl+2). 

>> I can copy and past as block, but that won't change with the original. <<

if i understand you right ... you have to make sure that you have exactly the same name for the same blocks that you supposed.

Regards,

[Kent1Cooper]

Seriously consider part of @kadmonkee's Reply, using Paper Space -- this sounds like one of the very things it's meant for.  You can have all the drawn elements once, not as a Block at all [no benefit to that if they're only in the drawing once], nor as an Xref unless that makes more sense from the point of view of getting updated versions from the source.  Then in different Viewports in Paper Space you can have whatever combinations of Layers you want visible.  When you change anything about any of the elements, they will change in all Viewports in which they are visible.  And if you have to move an architectural element and electrical elements related to it, you can do it in model space, all together and coordinated, rather than having to move between different places to update the different categories of information.