Unable to edit block

[Anonymous]

Unable to edit or explode the block that has been created with an unsupported character. Example "*plan".

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

save the drawing as DXF, then use a texteditor (like notepad++ or something similar which is able to handle large files).

Then you can replace "*plan" to "xplan", save the file and open the dxf then in AutoCAD.

- alfred -

[piyush.parihar24]

Can You Share the Screenshot of error message? It will be good to understand

[TheCADnoob]

Im not sure this will help but does BURST do anything for it?

[wgoenen]

Not sure if this would work either, but have you tried "rename" to remove the unsupported character?  I might even try "-wblock" and make it a file that I can rename, then purge the bad named block.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Can you share the drawing that contains the block? I would like to see if I can help.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,



Please see attached file.



Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi piyush.parihar24,



Please see attached file.



Thanks

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I am afraid your attachment didn't come through. Try adding it to a zip file and attach it again please.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,

Please see attached files.

Thanks

[RobDraw]

It's an MINSERT which list does not tell you. FLATTEN is supposed to make it so it can be exploded but it is failing because of a "invalid complex object" in the block. I'm pretty sure there is a way around this but can't remember where I've seen it.

[jporter]

@RobDraw, not sure how you figured out it was an MINSERT block, but kudos to you. 

If it truly is an MINSERT block then this may do the trick:  http://cadtips.cadalyst.com/edit-blocks/explode-minsert  

Also, what is up with all the unnamed blocks in the drawing?  Not advisable to copy and paste so much:

[RobDraw · Accepted solution]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

@RobDraw, not sure how you figured out it was an MINSERT block, but kudos to you. 

If it truly is an MINSERT block then this may do the trick:  http://cadtips.cadalyst.com/edit-blocks/explode-minsert 

---

It was as simple as checking the properties.

[jporter]

Well, DOH on my part. LOL. I only listed the item.

Jason Porter | Senior Civil Technical Advisor
512.758.7346 (d) | 800.899.2784 (o)
jporter@asti.com

Applied Software | Consulting, Services, Software, Go Further
10801 N. Mopac Expressway | Bldg 1, Suite 320
Austin, TX 78759
www.asti.com

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[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

i opened your drawing and verified that it was indeed a MINSERT.  So, I used BE (Block Edit) to open it, I did a select all, copy and then pasted into a new drawing.  I hope this helps.

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

[RobDraw]

This does not work for me in MEP 2016. The block does not appear in the list in the dialog box and no option to select it that I can see.

[john.vellek]

Hi @RobDraw, I can't speak for MEP [just a vanilla forum here :)].

The actual block name is 20160114_DUSIT_1

[RobDraw]

That is a block within the MInserted block. It is not the entire drawing.

[john.vellek]

Hi @RobDraw,

Right you are! I apologize but I got interrupted mid-process....

After I copied and pasted the things I could capture using Block Edit there wasn't much remaining. The last few items i simply plotted to a PDF and then inserted as vector geometry using Import PDF in 2017.

Thanks for catching that!

[elshawadfy · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

Try this: 

- DGNEXPORT (Some entities - most likely attributes may not make it) -- Follow instructions..

- DGNIMPORT in a new file (uncheck insert in this file - top left))..

An explodable dwg attatched (missing some attributes and maybe some other objects..)..

--------------

Blocks starting with * are called Anonymous Blocks, and AutoCAD generates them automatically to handle a lot of things.. for example when changing attribute definitions in an already used blocks, or change a parameter in an inserted dynamic block, or when creating groups, or o handle dimstyles....

They usually can't be inserted directly into the drawing, and can't be edited directly.. some lisps use that as a mean to provide some protection to blocks..

You can insert an anonymous block using the -insert command if you already know the name of the block.. 

Regards..