Get Basic Block Name In AutoLisp - How?

[brewnot]

I want to create a simple AutoLisp routine to update a blocks, regular and dynamic. Here is the outline of steps.

Start command

Select block, gets [apparent block name]

-insert, [apparent block name]= (redefines block from library)

Cancel insert command

Attsync, Name, [apparent block name]

Close command

I hit the show stopper when selecting a block. If it is a dynamic block, the name returned is the temp name. E.g. *U143. I know there is a method to pick a block and get the base block name and not the *U143 name.

I have been searching the google webs and this forum, but nothing comes back that my pea sized AutoLisp knowledge bank can sort out.

I will be grateful for any help.

[Ranjit_Singh]

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@brewnot wrote:
........ 

I hit the show stopper when selecting a block. If it is a dynamic block, the name returned is the temp name. E.g. *U143. I know there is a method to pick a block and get the base block name and not the *U143 name.

---

Maybe like this

(vla-get-effectivename (vlax-ename->vla-object (car (entsel "\nSelect block: "))))

[brewnot]

I have seen that, but I am missing something. what is the next step?

-insert XXXX=  (stop insert command)

What do I put in place of XXXX?

[Kent1Cooper · Accepted solution]

You could wrap that getting-the-effective-name code into a (setq) function to put it into a variable:

(setq bname (vla-get-effectivename (vlax-ename->vla-object (car (entsel "\nSelect block: ")))))

and then use that variable in appropriate places later, such as:

(command "_.insert" (strcat bname "=") nil)

EDIT:  I had the "_yes" answer in there for confirming that I wanted it redefined, but apparently it doesn't ask that from within a (command) function.

[Ranjit_Singh]

XXX is the name of your redefined block. You have to pick that name. Something like this

(setq new_bl_name "New_test_block")
(setq input (strcat new_bl_name
                    "="
                    (vla-get-effectivename (vlax-ename->vla-object (car (entsel "\nSelect block to redefine: "))))))

[brewnot]

Here is what I ended up with.

(defun c:blup-07 (/ bname)
(princ "\nSelect Block To Update: ")
(setq bname (vla-get-effectivename (vlax-ename->vla-object (car (entsel "\nSelect block: ")))))
(command "_.insert" (strcat bname "=") nil)
(command "_.attsync" "name" (strcat bname))
(princ)) 

Works like a charm. Has not failed me yet. Thanks to everybody for the help.