You could rename the block first so the name is Circle and not Rectangle. Then insert the Circle.dwg or draw a new circle and (re)define the Circle block.

I had a lot of trouble using the block and insert windows, this command -block helped me a lot.

thanks

You can also redefine blocks through the Design Center. Mostly useful if it is updating a block that already exists in the drawing.

Ok, my dilema is with…
express}–>blocks}–>replace block with another block

I have a detail sheet with old detail title info blocks that I need to replace with our newer dynamic block with look-ups and (more) attributes. However when I go to replace all with one it gives me this…

Select an object with the desired block name…

Select objects: *U138
Invalid characters in block name.
The following characters are invalid:
\/”:?*|,=`

Now the *U138 (upon listing) is the anonomous name for a multiple block placement. Is there anyway to change this name and or its auto naming process so it doesn’t include invalid characters so the block replace can work like it is sposed to. Now I could refedit each individual “block” placement which would break its link to the rest and become its own independant block with its own name (”block1″, “block2″, “block3″ and so on) which also disposes of its need to have the secondary/anonomous names for a mulitple block placement. Then I can sync it in the block attribute manager to finish updating/replacing the block. However this is time consuming when you have 50 some odd block placements to replace. Seems to be just as fast to replace each block and transfer any attribute info one at a time, which seems kinda R-14ish…

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thank you for your time,
X

By the way, I am using CAD 2008.

I am trying to replace a block with another block which has 2 text attributes. The block name changes and new blocks are fine, but existing blocks do not have the attributes. AutoCAD 2007

I am am also trying to replace blocks with blocks which have attributes. The blocks change, but the new blocks don’t have any attributes. AutoCad 2006.

we use block replace from http://www.powerlisp.com it handles attributes and dynamic blocks. does not work with 2009…yet

If you have ACAD 2009, and wish to update blocks and still retain their information or attributes, the process is quite simple just a tad long winded:

open drawing caontaining new block (same name as old) > copy and paste block to current drawing > “block” command > pick point (base point) > type in block name (same as current) > under “objects” select “delete” > ok > “blockname is already defined – do you want to redefine?” click YES.

Though you could use the adcenter command and create a tool palette to house your new blocks if updating a large number, in such a case you need only right click the block on the palette and select redefine.

the rest should happen magically.

if stuck, see my website link to email me.

Ys go for it, not at all worried.

Another shorter way of doing the same thing, is to extract the block to design center, and then right click>redefine on the palette with the current file open.

When I replace a block that has attributes in it with another block that also has attributes in it but are different, how come the original block attributes stay with the new block. The block name has changed and any entities have changed, but the attributes have remained the same. Is there another step i can take to remove the old attributes.

also when i go into the block editor the attributes are correct for the block i replaced but they don’t show in the blocks in the drawing.

try the command BATTMAN
then sync the required block.

If you have an attributed block that needs to be redefined or in this case; redefining old block while inserting new blocks try this:
-insert
blockname=blockname (this forces a redefine)
redefine? [y/n] Y
then just pop in the new blocks as you normally would.
You should probably run battman and sync the blocks

Best of luck!