trouble with inserting blocks

[andrea]

hi, i am using AutoCAD LT 2006.
I WONDERED IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME.
I am inserting a block to update the changes i have made to it and it doesn't change? why is this. it is definately the right block i am inserting.

[chulse]

If the block has the same name, autocad will refer to the first definition and ignore the new one. It should tell you something like "duplicate definition ignored" on the command line when you try.

The solution is to bring in the new one exploded and use BLOCK to re-define it.

[dbroada]

If the block has the same name, autocad will refer to the first definition and ignore the new one. It should tell you something like "duplicate definition ignored" on the command line when you try.

The solution is to bring in the new one exploded and use BLOCK to re-define it.
I disagree. If you bring the block in directly AutoCAD should ask if you want to redefine. Answer Y and all instances of the block will be redefined. If hower it is a block within another block what you say is correct. In this case go to the drawing with the redefined block and WBLOCK it so it can be used on its own.

[happyunited]

a quick question relating to blocks. do i but the link to my block directory in the 'working file support path'? when i type I for INSERT should i not be able to type the first few letter of the block name and it should come up or do i have to hit browse each time?

[dbroada]

if your blocks are in a support path you still have to type the full block name but you don't have to navigate to the directory HOWEVER my machine has a bug in that it sometimes holds onto a path and will only look in that folder unless you do browse. Using -insert (command line) gets around this problem.

[happyunited]

OK THANKS. does it matter what support file path it is in?

[chulse]

I disagree. If you bring the block in directly AutoCAD should ask if you want to redefine. Answer Y and all instances of the block will be redefined. If hower it is a block within another block what you say is correct. In this case go to the drawing with the redefined block and WBLOCK it so it can be used on its own.

Hmm...
That makes me wonder. Does dragging a block in from the tool palettes act diferently (as opposed to INSERT)?

[dbroada]

yes :)

That is one of the reasons I'm not over happy with palettes. They are neat but the house keeping required if you redefine a block in the base drawing can be extensive.

If you already have an instance of a block draging from the palette will not redefine it. I open the palette base drawing, wblock my new definition and then INSERT that back into my target drawing.

I'm new to palettes so there may be a work around but I have yet to find it.

[chulse]

yes :)

That is one of the reasons I'm not over happy with palettes. They are neat but the house keeping required if you redefine a block in the base drawing can be extensive.

If you already have an instance of a block draging from the palette will not redefine it. I open the palette base drawing, wblock my new definition and then INSERT that back into my target drawing.

I'm new to palettes so there may be a work around but I have yet to find it.

Thanks for setting me straight :)

[tomek]

Explode the block, redefine the geometry create a new one with a completely different name

[dbroada]

what does that do?

If you already have 50 "Fred" blocks in your drawing that you need to redefine you don't want to rename it.

[SLW210]

I just double click the block and select 'Display attribute definitions for editing' and hit the 'OK' button, then do my editing and then 'save back changes to reference' in the refedit toolbar.

[dbroada]

The problem we have here is that we don't actually know what the question is. I have read it as "I have a block in this drawing that I have to update from an external (modified) file". We do this often when a client changes something in their decal. This is not always possible to do "in situ" and must use an external file.

I see no mention in the original post about updating attributes.

Shame the original poster hasn't come back.

[SLW210]

He never responded so I thought he might have needed more answers.

Can you post your block on here, so we can figure out what you are trying to do?

Perhaps LT inserts blocks differently? :?

If you created your block with WBlock, then inserting it should have updated all occurrences.