2012

Table Of Contents
the existing block definition, and all the references to that block in the drawing
are immediately updated to reflect the new definition.
To save time, you can insert and explode an instance of the original block
and then use the resulting objects in creating the new block definition.
Update a Block Definition That Originated from a Drawing File
Block definitions created in your current drawing by inserting a drawing file
are not updated automatically when the original drawing is modified. You
can use INSERT to update a block definition from the drawing file.
Update a Block Definition That Originated from a Library Drawing
(Advanced)
Content palette (page 38) does not overwrite an existing block definition in
a drawing with one that comes from another drawing. To update a block
definition that came from a library drawing, use WBLOCK to create a separate
drawing file from the library drawing block. Then, use INSERT to overwrite
the block definition in the drawing that uses the block.
NOTE Block descriptions are stripped off when using INSERT. Use the Clipboard
to copy and paste a block description displayed in the Define Block dialog box
from one block definition to another.
Redefine Block Attributes
You can attach attributes to a block when you define or redefine that block.
When you are prompted to select the objects to include in the block definition,
include the desired attributes in the selection set. Redefining the attributes in
the block definition has the following effects on block references that were
previously inserted:
Constant attributes, which have a fixed value, are lost and replaced by any
new constant attributes.
Variable attributes remain unchanged, even if the new block definition
has no attributes.
New attributes do not appear in the existing block references.
See also:
Attach Data to Blocks (Block Attributes) (page 339)
350 | Chapter 7 Define and Reference Blocks