What Happens If We Redefine The Block In Our Master Library

[mmermel]

We just started using AutoCAD MEP 2024, and this new block insertion interface is horrible, for reasons already listed. I just customized my PGP file so the shortcut "I" issues the CLASSICINSERT command.

All our blocks are on tool palettes, so why do we need this new stuff. Inevitably rogue blocks will start creeping into our drawings if we use this new interface.

Also, what happens if we redefine the block in our master library.  Does the interface library or recent tab now bring in the new version of the block?  I doubt it if our used blocks are stored somewhere.

Any thought on that?

Moderation Team has changed the title for more Clarity. 

[michaeleGFMZG]

From my understanding:

The block on your tool palette is a reference to the block definition from your master library. When you insert a block from your tool palette into Drawing 1, the definition from the master library is inserted into Drawing1.. If you were to modify the block in the master library, that modification won't carry over to Drawing1. You'll have to redefine the block in Drawing1 to match the changes from you Master Library.

[mmermel]

I understand that part.  My concern is with the relatively new dialogs where recently used blocks are stored as favorites or recently used. I don't know if those link back to the original library.  I doubt it, but not sure.

[michaeleGFMZG]

If you click this block palette then press F1, the help window will pop up with details of the block palette.

Also, if you hover over a block that's in the Recent Blocks tab, it will give you the file path for that block. This should tell you if they're linked back to the original library.

It sounds like you'll want to use the library tab and path to your block dwgs from there.

[mmermel]

I'll look at that in the morning.  I don't particularly like the new setup since all our blocks are on tool palettes. No reason for recents or custom collections.

[mmermel]

The blocks that show up on the "Recent" tab and those moved to favorites maintain their original library path.  This is a good thing. Not maintained are the insertion layer properties thus allowing people to place them on whatever layer they wish.  This is a bad thing to someone interested in maintaining layer standards.

I feel this may be a good tool for a die-hard cad tech, who thinks about which layer to use and understands scaling a block based on the dimscale factor or annotative properties. Engineers and designers currently do not seem to have that in-depth knowledge of the software, nor do they wish to delve into it that deeply. I understand that.

[michaeleGFMZG]

I dont really use block, most of my objects are AEC (mvParts, fittings, devices, etc) so I do make good use of the tool palette.

If your workflow with hosting blocks on the tool palette is working, I'd say just move on from the new block palette window and keep doing what you're doing.

Funny you bring up block scaling & annotation. It's actually easy to understand in theory, but it took me years to truly grasp how it works. Very frustrating but helpful once understood.