Autocad Nested Blocks

Join Scott Onstott for an in-depth discussion in this video, Defining and nesting blocks, part of AutoCAD: Designing Dynamic Blocks. Issue: Some wire connection pins are not available when inserting a custom symbol, while others are available. Solution: The issue is usually due to a nested block.

I require some help regarding nested blocks. I am attempting to build up a library of blocks for basic machinery layouts I use a lot at work. The machinery drawings (plan views mainly) have been supplied to me by collegues in DXF format. I have created a 'master' drawing containing the various blocks I wish to use and set up a tab accordingly. The problem occurs when I insert a block on to a new drawing. Each block is made up of hundreds of nested blocks (bolts, belts, individual components etc.)which are also transferred on to the new drawing. The nested blocks (components of the machine) are only visible using the Content Explorer, but several hundred of them makes things difficult to organise, messy and takes up space.

I do not want these nested blocks, I only want to create a single block showing a view of a machine. I have tried many ways to disassociate my new block from its nested components but with no success.

Any suggestions on what to try would be greatly appreciated. Regards, James Peachey. To add a bit to Dietmar's comments; I have noticed over the years that many CAD operators do not purge their drawings on a regular basis (if at all), so the mechanical drawings you are using may have unused definitions in them that get carried into your new drawing as you insert them. DXF files also carry unused definitions. These can take at least two (sometimes 6+),rounds of EXPLODE/PURGE to get rid of.

It would be best to examine the mechanical drawings you refer to one at a time, and purge each one to ensure that unused definitions are all gone before using them as blocks in your new drawings. The cycle of using unpurged drawings as blocks in your drawing and subsequently using those as blocks in other drawings can quickly lead to a very nasty and tangled DWG data base. I have seen drawings comprised of just a few lines and circles, weighing in at over 1 meg. Also, drawings that have been passed from firm to firm can have wierd attribute/macros in them that freeze or corrupt your stuff.It's a real pain to have dirty drawings mixed in with your files. Ad1986a Audio Driver Windows 7.

>>I require some help regarding nested blocks. I am attempting to build up a library of blocks for basic machinery layouts I use a lot at work. The machinery drawings (plan views mainly) have been supplied to me by collegues in DXF format.

I have created a 'master' drawing containing the various blocks I wish to use and set up a tab accordingly. The problem occurs when I insert a block on to a new drawing. Each block is made up of hundreds of nested blocks (bolts, belts, individual components etc.)which are also transferred on to the new drawing. The nested blocks (components of the machine) are only visible using the Content Explorer, but several hundred of them makes things difficult to organise, messy and takes up space.