Explode and preserve layer

[Lee.Barnes]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed . . .

When I explode a block, the entities which make it up go to their original layer (usually zero).

I would like to explode the block, "capture" the sub-entities, and change their layer back to the layer on which the block was inserted.

For example, I have a receptacle symbol, which is two lines and a circle, drawn as a separate dwg file on layer zero. I insert this as a block in my power plan drawing on layer EN_POWER_DEVICE. Now, if I decide to explode the receptacle, I want the circle and lines which made up the symbol to end up on layer EN_POWER_DEVICE, rather than zero.

Any ideas?

[Avatart]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed . . .

When I explode a block, the entities which make it up go to their original layer (usually zero).

I would like to explode the block, "capture" the sub-entities, and change their layer back to the layer on which the block was inserted.

For example, I have a receptacle symbol, which is two lines and a circle, drawn as a separate dwg file on layer zero. I insert this as a block in my power plan drawing on layer EN_POWER_DEVICE. Now, if I decide to explode the receptacle, I want the circle and lines which made up the symbol to end up on layer EN_POWER_DEVICE, rather than zero.

Any ideas?If you are using full version AutoCad, you should have the Express Tools available to you. Use the "Burst" command from there, it does exactly what you are after.

[H-Angus]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed . . .

When I explode a block, the entities which make it up go to their original layer (usually zero).

I would like to explode the block, "capture" the sub-entities, and change their layer back to the layer on which the block was inserted.

For example, I have a receptacle symbol, which is two lines and a circle, drawn as a separate dwg file on layer zero. I insert this as a block in my power plan drawing on layer EN_POWER_DEVICE. Now, if I decide to explode the receptacle, I want the circle and lines which made up the symbol to end up on layer EN_POWER_DEVICE, rather than zero.

Any ideas?

Just the way we work, but our blocks are always inserted on layer zero with layers assigned directly to the objects within the block.

[Lee.Barnes]

If you are using full version AutoCad, you should have the Express Tools available to you. Use the "Burst" command from there, it does exactly what you are after.


Thanks. I never thought to try it, because in the menu it sounds as if it is an attribute/text tool.

[kennet.sjoberg]

Instead of Explode can you use Xplode, and use the layer option.

: ) Happy Computing !

kennet

[Avatart]

Thanks. I never thought to try it, because in the menu it sounds as if it is an attribute/text tool.It does some wonderfully destructive things with Attributes too, explodes them back to text, but the text is the value of the attribute, not the tag.