Chock-a-block

Looking for the sanest solution to this problem - and I wouldn't be
surprised if I'm overlooking something really simple.

I've been working on a set of 'standard' details.

I recently started working at a new company, but I don't yet have in place
many of the routines I used to use for details - in particular routines for
setting the correct layer, color, etc., before creating/inserting a block.
Those routines are 'under construction'. But, in the interim, I've been
accruing details little by little in a single file, (which has helped a
great deal at the moment with regards to drawing consistency). After I
finish a detail, I also have been saving it in it's own drawing - and herein
lies the rub...

Basically I need to get the details better organized - and I'm working on
that, too - but I've encountered a fly in the ointment.

I've now got a directory of a hundred or so single details, along with one
biggie-sized drawing with everything. I've been trying to make good use of
named plot styles in my drawings - and with some help in this group the
other day, I finally became aware that if all or some of the objects
comprising a block had their plot style set to 'ByBlock', the block insert
object itself can be individually adjusted as the circumstances dictate.
Which is cool - BUT it also means that all the block inserts I've been using
in my details 'til now are almost-but-not-quite right. :-/

I've worked out the code revisions for the block definitions themselves -
which I *believe* is finally correct. (I've been working on creating the
blocks programmatically, rather than maintain yet another library.)

Furthermore, I've gone into the biggie drawing and corrected all the
definitions there. At least I think they're right now.

But I've still got dozens of smaller drawings where the blocks therein also
need to be redefined. I want to do this as soon as possible, before things
multiply more than they already have. (The #1 WORST thing about CAD, IMO -
never-ending errors propagating exponentially.)


My question is this:

Assume that the big drawing DOES now contain correct definitions.
Is there a quick and painless way to transfer the revised definitions in
that drawing to the dozens of single detail drawings?

I have a different idea that I *know* will work, via running some block
redefinition code in a script over the set of drawings - but if I'm
overlooking something obvious that already exists, I'd appreciate somebody
pointing me in the right direction.

I'm hoping this will be a 'one-time' fix [r-i-i-ght]. Nevertheless, if
you've ever had to deal with something similar in the past, I'd also be
interested to know how you handled it.

Appreciatively,
David Kozina

 

David,
Are the block names in the biggie file the same as the file names in the
single dwgs(without the dwg extension)?
if so can you just wblock each block, overwriting the existing files?
(Vlax-for block blocks
(setq filename(strcat blockname ".dwg"))
(wblock block filename overwrite=true)
)

or do the single files contain multiple blocks?
in which case your mention of redefinition seems like it would work.
(foreach dwg dwglist
(vlax-for block blocks
(setq blockname(vlax-get-property block 'name))
(Redefine blockname filename)
)
)
or

(vlax-for block blocks
(if(setq filename(findfile (strcat dir "\\" block ".dwg")))
(progn
(clearBlockDefinition block)
(CopyObjectsFrom filename blockdef)
)
)
)

just some ideas, don't know if that helps at all?
sounds like dbx could do what you want, depending on exactly what you need
to do.

 

Unless I missed something, why don't you XREF all the little dwgs into the big one?

Dean

 

The big drawing is mostly for my convenience at the moment, until I have
some better routines in place to provide sufficient consistency.

Basically, it will be toast in the future - but for now I need it.

Problem right now is that I need both sets: LP and Singles

At any rate, I think I've about got a 'fix-the-blocks' routine set up that I
can run via a script.