Chapter 24 Standard Blocks 741 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. A different form of block editing involves redefi ning the block by modifying the block defi nition or changing the objects that compose the block. You can redefi ne a block using the Block Editor or by exploding and then recreating the block. Changing Block Properties to ByLayer If you originally set block element properties such as color, linetype, line- weight, and transparency to absolute values, and you want to change the proper- ties to ByLayer, you can either edit the block defi nition or use the SETBYLAYER command. Access the SETBYLAYER command and use the Settings option to display the SetByLayer Settings dialog box. Select the check boxes that correspond to the object properties you want to convert to ByLayer. Pick the OK button to exit the SetByLayer Settings dialog box. Next, select the block with the properties you want to set to ByLayer and press [Enter]. The Change ByBlock to ByLayer? prompt appears next. Select Yes if you wish to change all object properties currently set to ByBlock to ByLayer. The next prompt asks if you want to include blocks in the conversion. Select Yes to convert the properties of the selected block and all references of the same block in the drawing to ByLayer. PROFESSIONAL TIP P R OFESSIONAL TIP To change the properties of several blocks at once, use the SELECTSIMILAR or QSELECT command to create a selection set of block references. Using the Block Editor Use the BEDIT command to make changes to a block defi nition using the Block Editor. Access the BEDIT command to display the Edit Block Definition dialog box. See Figure 24-10. Select the name of an existing block to edit from the list box. Pick the Current Drawing option to edit a block saved as the current drawing, such as a wblock. A preview and description of the selected block appear. You can create a new block by typing a unique name in the Block to create or edit fi eld. Pick the OK button to open the selected block in the Block Editor. See Figure 24-11. If you typed a new block name, the drawing area is empty, allowing you to create a new block. Modifying a Block Use drawing and editing commands to modify or create the block defi nition. Specify the block insertion base point at the UCS origin, or 0,0,0 point. The tools in the panels of the Block Editor ribbon tab are specifi cally for modifying and creating block SETBYLAYER Ribbon Home Modify Set to ByLayer Type SETBYLAYER BEDIT Ribbon Home Block Insert Block Definition Block Editor Type BEDIT Figure 24-10. The Edit Block Definition dialog box. Preview of selected block Block definition description Block selected for editing Blocks available in current drawing