AutoCAD 2017 Block Changes not Saving

[Anonymous]

Block editor will not save changes I make to my block:

I am trying to use Block Editor to make changes to an existing dynamic block which I have created.  When I exit block editor, the changes are not saved.  Instead new 'anonymous'(?) blocks are created, named something like *Uxx (where x is number).  The problem is I can't write or save the new blocks *Uxx.  If I save the drawing and re-open it, the new anonymous blocks are purged and my changes are gone. 

What am I doing wrong ??? 

Just to add some more detail; I have worked on this block for several days with no such problems saving it.  The problem just started in the last few hours (I think when I tried to edit some attributes).  I am trying to use the BATTMAN command to change some of the attributes from fixed text strings into field values.  I click apply and OK to exit BATTMAN.  When I exit block editor the changes do not save as described above.

[Anonymous]

Just to clarify my block is a block definition with a drawing and not a standalone dwg file. 

[Libbya]

Download Autodesk Screencast (free) and record yourself opening a block in block editor, editing it, saving it and exiting.  Without that, anyone trying to help you really has nothing to go on aside from wild guesses.  My best guess is that you didn't save the block after editing it.  

[Anonymous]

Hi Libbya,

Thanks for reply.  Our network will not allow Screencast.  Instead I have done the next best thing and recorded step by step screenshots which demonstrate the problem as follows (18 steps):

1. Open the drawing which contains the block

2. Select block, right click, open Block Editor

3. In block editor, type BATTMAN to launch Block Attribute Manager

4. In Block Attribute Manager select the correct block "FW10"

5. Select the attribute "SOP_TL" to be edited and click edit.

6. In Edit Attribute dialogue, delete the default text string "SOP_TL", then right click and select insert field.

g

7. In the field dialogue, (1) select Object in left pane then (2) click cross-hairs to select object from drawing

8. (1) Select a point from the drawing, (2) select 'Position' property, (3) select 'Decimal' format, (4) select '0.0' precision, (5) untick 'z', (6) click 'Additional Format'

9. (1) Type prefix "SOP_TL: " [I want this text before the field] then (2) click OK to exit.

10. Click OK to exit Field dialogue.

11. The field now appears as expected in the Edit Attribute dialogue.  Click OK to exit.

12. Field now appears as expected in the Block Attribute Manager.  (1) Click Apply [machine hangs a few seconds at this point].  (2) Click OK to exit.

13. Back in Block Editor, click Save Block.

14. Warning message block is not fully constrained.  I am aware of this and it is OK.  So click Save.

15. Type BATTMAN to open the attribute manager again.

16. In Block Attribute Manger the change is gone.  The field SOP_TL is same as before.

17. Open the 'Block:' drop-down.  Notice new anonymous blocks named *U70, *U72, *U74.

16

18. Found that my change has been saved in a block named *U74.

End of screenshots.

This confirms the problem.  AutoCad is creating new anonymous blocks (e.g. *U74) and my changes are stored there.  However I cannot find a way to save or write the new anonymous block.  If I then close and re-open the drawing the anonymous block is purged and my changes are completely lost.

[Anonymous]

Screenshot for step 5:

I am 100% certain that this screenshot was in my previous message but now seems to have gone.

[Anonymous]

I've given the problem further thought and I wonder if it is occurring because the block is under constrained...?

Anyway enough messages for now 

[Libbya]

If you want make edits to attributes in the block definition and you want those changes to take effect in existing block insertions, then after saving the block definition in block editor, you need to run ATTSYNC in model space.  

[Anonymous]

I just tried ATTSYNC and it didn't seem to help me. 

But I did have more success by launching BATTMAN from model space instead of from the block editor.  When I did this, the block saved my changes, which seems to have solved my problem for now. 

Thank you.

[Libbya]

Ok, hopefully I fully understand the issue now.  You are attempting to change the default attribute value and have that default value update all of the existing model space attribute values to the new default attribute value.  Is that correct?  If so, then go into block editor.  Change the default value of the attribute, change the name (tag) of the attribute.  Save and exit block editor.  Run ATTSYNC.  All existing blocks will then have their attribute update to the default value.  

[Anonymous]

Hi Libbya,

I think you are almost correct in your understanding.  I was trying to change the default attribute value and have the block simply remember my changes without losing them. 

As suggested, I have changed both the default value and the tag.  Unfortunately this does not seem to have worked.  The block attributes are stubbornly the same as they were before - none of the changes will save.

I have actually managed a work around now so happy to drop the issue and thank you for your help.

Thanks