Using Quick Select to Select Layer 0 in Model Space Selects Invisible Blocks

[Anonymous]

I'm currently working on cleaning up a large file that has been touched by many hands over the course of many years. One particular thing that has fallen apart over time is layer management, so I'm trying to shuffle through each layer and reassign things to their correct layer.

When I use quick select to select everything on Layer 0 in model space, I get several block references selected that I cannot see (even with all other layers turned on and thawed) or select in any other way. Some of these block references are off to the side and are not recognized when I zoom to extents.

The main file has one XREF. I observe the same behavior within the XREF file, but judging by the location and number of selected block references, they appear to be two separate sets of selected block references.

Does anyone have any insight into what could be going on here? Any help or suggestion is appreciated.

Additional information:

• I am unable to post the file (employer IP rules).

• I am working in AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 (I know, I know. This is not by choice and is very much out of my hands.)

[pendean]

Any reason you can't just freeze all layers except 0 then just use CTRL+A to select everything actually residing on that layer (but not block content affected)?

[Anonymous]

When I do this, I get the same ghost blocks selected. I guess I can select them another way, but a click or click&drag will not select them.

I suppose I could just delete them, but I'm reluctant in case it is something of importance that could be reveled and should be kept.

[RobDraw · Accepted solution]

If all layers are on and thawed and the blocks are not visible or selectable by means other than QSelect or select all, most likely they are empty and can be deleted safely.

[cadffm · Accepted solution]

You are able to select them, thats good

You can use command LIST to see what you selected,

Or better for a check: Use command WBLOCK to create a new DWG with only you selected objects!

Now you can use BEDIT for blocks 

Perhaps there is nothing inside or only attributdefinitions(stupid who did both things, often created by using LAYDEL without the knowledge where the layer is used.

(Note: If you mean a Layer is empty but not purgeable, never use LAYDEL, use LAYMRG with Layer0)

Blocks and other stuff can be invisible, you can read this thing in your LIST result if it is the case.

And a lot of other things, but we can not write all our knowledge here.

So start with WBLOCK BEDIT and LIST to go a step forward.

[Anonymous]

Thank you CADffm! Using this approach, I was able to see that all the blocks were either empty or just a single line.

[Anonymous]

You were right, RobDraw. Most of them were empty. Using CADffm's suggestion, I found them to either be empty or rubish. Thanks for the input!