Opening Block Editor without inserting the block first

[kjkeating]

I have several blocks saved as separate .DWGs, some of which are dynamic. I want to review and test these blocks, but I can't find a way to open the existing block definitions in the Block Editor without first inserting the blocks into a drawing.

 

Is this just the way it's done?

[rkent]

from help I found the following:

 

Click the Application button Open Drawing.

Open the drawing file that is saved as a block.

An alert states that the drawing contains authoring elements.

In the alert dialog box, click Yes to open the drawing in the Block Editor.

[kjkeating]

Thanks. The files open as drawings, but without any prompts.

 

I wonder if I saved the block files incorrectly. I'll have to check that.

[dbroada]

you can open the drawing and test your definition (as rkent has stated) but I prefer to insert the file in to a blank drawing and do all your testing and modifications there. When happy the blovk can then be wblocked back to the original file.

 

I know this is how you didn't want to do it but I'm stating my preference.

[kjkeating]

Thanks for the help. It looks like I need to create the block with BLOCK first, which has the option to edit in the Block Editor. Then use WBLOCK to save the newly created block as a separate DWG. That file will then open with the "authoring elements" prompt if I want to edit it further.

[dbroada]

that's how I do it. I tried the other way to start with (with 2008 ) but didn't like testing that way. Having got used to creating the block and the WBLOCK I haven't even tried the other way once we upgraded.