edit a block

[JAR-QE]

I need to edit a 3D block but autoCAD does not allow isometric view in block editor. What is the best way to edit a 3D block?

[JAR-QE]

what's next

[cadtag]

WBlock it out to a new drawing on the file system, edit it there, and then re-insert it into the drawing to replace the old version.

[andre.gawlik]

Hi,

My recipe for editing blocks in ISO view is as follows:
1. Change SHADEMODE to something different from 2D wireframe - I use 3D wireframe.
2. After changing shademode you will have access to view cube.
3. Use view cube to change view orientation to your liking.

I hope this is useful to you.

Regards,

Andrzej

[jaberwok]

Hi,

My recipe for editing blocks in ISO view is as follows:
1. Change SHADEMODE to something different from 2D wireframe - I use 3D wireframe.
2. After changing shademode you will have access to view cube.
3. Use view cube to change view orientation to your liking.

I hope this is useful to you.

Regards,

Andrzej

In 2011, unlike earlier versions, I find that both the view cube and the 3dorbit command simply work as you would hope.

[arshiel88]

Another limitation in Block Editor is that you can't change UCS which is a necessity in 3D editing. So if its not a dynamic block, you can use the good old REFEDIT command to edit the block in place.

[jaberwok]

Another limitation in Block Editor is that you can't change UCS which is a necessity in 3D editing. So if its not a dynamic block, you can use the good old REFEDIT command to edit the block in place.

I don't think that is necessarily true; sometimes you just have to type the numbers..

[arshiel88]

I don't think that is necessarily true; sometimes you just have to type the numbers..

Agree. But it would be a lot harder than when UCS command is available. For example you need to draw a profile in a slanted plane, then you need to extrude it perpendicular to that plane. When you draw the profile with the wrong UCS, the normals are also wrong thus it will extrude also in the wrong way. In the first place you won't be able to join the lines to make it a polyline since the lines have varying z-coordinates. Workaround would be to extrude it in WCS then align on the slanted face afterwards.

The changing of view has a workaround. 3DORBIT and the like. But I haven't found a workaround for changing UCS. By the way, does anybody know the reason why it is disabled?

[jaberwok]

The changing of view has a workaround. 3DORBIT and the like. But I haven't found a workaround for changing UCS. By the way, does anybody know the reason why it is disabled?

I'm guessing that 3d abilities are gradually being added.

[dherbstr]

shift + middle mouse button (like pan and zoom, just add shift)

Shortcut to 3DORBIT. Should work in block editor also, it does for me at least.

[JLHConsulting]

I open the block, place a center point, rotate as needed, edit, rotate back to original, delete center point.

it's a pain, but other than copy/paste the block out of the block editor then reinserting it.... it's the easiest way that I have found so far.