Renaming blocks

Blocks can be renamed with the Projects > Rename Blocks function in System Management. You first need to create a predefined block, and then rename a created block. In distributed projects, both blocks need to be checked out (the system will automatically try to check out predefined blocks, when needed). In addition, any created block that has references to the block to be renamed also needs to be checked out. Before renaming, make sure no users are active in the block.

The blocks, their construction databases, and the drawings in them are renamed. In addition, the content of all construction databases will be modified, and model references in ordinary and sheet drawings will be replaced.

Also the grid administration, and the block numbers to be drawn and dashed, will be updated.

Before renaming blocks

Before performing the renaming function, do the following:

  1. Create proper backups of the project files.
  2. Make sure no other users are active in the block during the renaming.
  3. Create a predefined block with the new name of the block to be renamed.

It is advisable not to start the block renaming from within a block that will itself be renamed. This will reduce the number of error messages, although it will not affect the final outcome. If the block renaming is nevertheless initiated from within a block that should be renamed, leave this block for later to complete the process.

Note: All original names/numbers and new names/numbers must be unique. This means that it is not possible to rename sections 100 to 200 and sections 200 to 300 in one action, for example.

Important: Not all items are converted. The existing DXF files, reports, and other production data is not updated. Therefore, you must execute production actions again, and print reports again. Old blocks exported to Outfitting should be deleted, and the new blocks exported again.

Renaming blocks

Do the following:

  1. Check out the block to be renamed and any created block that has references to that block. The system will automatically try to check out the predefined blocks.

  2. Go to System Management > Projects > Rename Blocks. The system asks if you have a backup of your project.

  3. Click Yes to continue. The system asks you to make sure no users are active in the block.

  4. Click Yes to continue. The Rename Blocks dialog opens with a list of all the available block directories.

  5. Select the block to be renamed from the Block numbers list, or enter the name/number in the Original field.

  6. Select the name/number of the predefined block from the New drop-down menu.

  7. Click Add to add a renaming action to the pane on the right. Each rename action can be modified or deleted by clicking Modify and Delete, respectively.

  8. Click OK to start the renaming process.

  9. Update the contents of the drawings.

    After renaming the drawings, we still need to update the contents of the drawings. This must be done in each block that contains drawings which contain construction from the renamed block. The most efficient method is to use the Recalculate Views tool.

    1. Open the renamed block and choose Tools > Recalculate Views.

    2. Select all drawing types and select All blocks.

    3. Click OK to start the recalculation process.

    This applies to all sections in which one or more of the renamed blocks are displayed. During recalculation, also check the part numbers and dimensions.

  10. Each sheet in the renamed block should be re-saved once.

  11. Save the modified construction data for each of the blocks.

The renaming process may take several minutes. The duration depends on the size of the project and the number of the modifications. During the process, the program may display a message to notify that a particular block (using the original number) cannot be renamed. This most likely means that a file is used by the (Windows) system, and cannot be deleted from the section, or that the rights of certain files are too limited. Delete these block directories after the renaming process has completed.

If an old block number has been added to a drawing as text, in the title field of a sheet drawing, for example, you must update the text manually. The old como file in the ncgdb directory will not be renamed.