Topic: Automatically generated blocks with individual names

[GISDUDE]

Hi all,
I have a converted DGN file that has a 30 or so storm drains that are blocks - but with individual names that are numbered sequentially. I have "placed" them on a separate layer, but I can't isolate them by themselves, ie turn off the layer or isolate it.

Do I have to explode each one individually and re-do the blocks? There has to be a simpler way?

Sometimes microstation is the worst program to work with...

TIA,
Randy

[Lee Mac]

Perhaps the following program will help:

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. ;; All to Layer 0  -  Lee Mac
2. ;; Places every object in a selection on Layer 0 (including nested objects)
3.  
4. (defun c:lay0 ( / _blocktolay0 _entitytolay0 e i l s x )
5.  
6.     (defun _blocktolay0 ( n / e x )
7.         (if (and
8.                 (not (member n l))
9.                 (setq e (tblobjname "BLOCK" n))
10.                 (setq l (cons n l))
11.                 (zerop (logand 4 (cdr (assoc 70 (entget e)))))
12.             )
13.             (while (setq e (entnext e))
14.                 (setq x (entget e)
15.                       x (subst '(8 . "0") (assoc 8 x) x)
16.                 )
17.                 (entmod x)
18.                 (if (= "INSERT" (cdr (assoc 0 x)))
19.                     (_blocktolay0 (cdr (assoc 2 x)))
20.                 )
21.             )
22.         )
23.     )
24.  
25.     (defun _entitytolay0 ( e )
26.         (entmod (subst '(8 . "0") (assoc 8 e) e))
27.     )
28.    
29.     (if (setq s (ssget "_:L" '((0 . "~VIEWPORT"))))
30.         (repeat (setq i (sslength s))
31.             (setq e (ssname s (setq i (1- i)))
32.                   x (entget e)
33.             )
34.             (_entitytolay0 x)
35.             (if (= "INSERT" (cdr (assoc 0 x)))
36.                 (_blocktolay0 (cdr (assoc 2 x)))
37.             )
38.             (if (= 1 (cdr (assoc 66 x)))
39.                 (while (/= "SEQEND" (cdr (assoc 0 (entget (setq e (entnext e))))))
40.                     (_entitytolay0 (entget e))
41.                 )
42.             )
43.         )
44.     )
45.     (command "_.regen")
46.     (princ)
47. )

[dgorsman]

If this is a layering issue, check out the SETBYLAYER command - no programming needed.

[GISDUDE]

I don't think I explained myself right. All of these blocks that were converted are ALL ON LAYER 0. I need to place all of the blocks on their own (better descriptive) layers (ie storm drains, monuments, communications, culverts, etc). This is why this is kinda frustrating, b/c if all of the blocks were named say "storm drain" for all the drains, "culverts" for all the culverts, this would be very easy by using a LISP function, but now it's made 10 times harder cause they are ALL uniquely named.

Thanks,

[MP]

<Short response which is all I've time for>

Block defs or instances?

Defs defined on layer 0 good.

Instances existing on layer 0 bad.

[CAB]

Let me take a guess. 

Inserts are named "Storm-1" "Storm-2" "Storm-3"  etc.
when the name should be "Storm Drain" for all the insets.

[GISDUDE]

Let me take a guess. 

Inserts are named "Storm-1" "Storm-2" "Storm-3"  etc.
when the name should be "Storm Drain" for all the insets.

yeah, basically whoever (surveyor/cad tech) created the points for the drains/culverts/whatever they had the program (could be trimble?) generate a 1000 unique blocks. sux.

[ronjonp]

You can easily grab all those blocks with the built in FILTER command like so:

[Lee Mac]

Block defs or instances?

Defs defined on layer 0 good.

Instances existing on layer 0 bad.

1+

[CAB]

So, all you need to do is replace inserts selected with one block of your choice?
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=29821.msg353978#msg353978
There are many other routines if that one doesn't do the job.

[Crank]

The RENAME-dialog also accepts wildcards.

[CAB]

Interesting, but with existing blocks with inserts would that be a replace for the existing inserts?