This routine automates the process of redefining Blocks placed in the drawing with any updated versions that have been published on the Specs & Standards website. The user is not prompted as to which Blocks to update; it is assumed that if a later Block version has been made available, it is that version that must be used.
Important Note: If you have opened up an existing drawing, it is likely that the specification or Blocks on the Specs & Standards website will have been changed since you last worked on the drawing. To ensure you are getting the correct results, it is best to re-run the Add / Update Links routine before running this routine. This will ensure that the information held in the Blocks is up to date so that this routine is able to deliver the correct results.
The routine goes through the following process:
- In turn, each Block in the drawing's Block listing if checked to see if it contains an ICONSystem Block Status attribute.
- If the attribute is found, it is checked to see if it is set to 'Superseded'
- If it is Superseded, the latest version of the Block is downloaded from the Specs & Standards site
- The old Block in the drawing is then redefined with the latest version.
Once complete, it is necessary to re-run the 'Add / Update Links' routine.
Note: if updated Blocks have had insertion points or rotation angles changed compared to the Superseded ones, this process will cause the drawing to change accordingly. As such, Blocks may end up being relocated in seemingly random places and at *whatever* rotation angles: #GoFigure. In such occurrences, please use AutoCAD's UNDO command and contact Elecosoft for further advice and assistance.
1.15 - 17/08/17: Added IconSystem to list of blocks to be ignored
1.14 - 29/03/17: Block download authentication added; minor fix to reporting.
1.13 - 21/06/16: Revised to separate specification versions from Block versions. Layer states are now saved when the routine starts, then restored when it completes.
1.12 - 17/06/16: Updated storing and restoring of AutoCAD variables
1.11 - 16/06/16: Added check to see if any Blocks have been coloured by the Block colouring routines, if so the user is prompted: 'Please run 'Reset Colour' before running this routine again...'
1.10 - 06/06/16: Reworked process for ignoring Blocks. The routine now ignores hatch, xrefs, Block created from bound xrefs, any Block name beginning with an underscore, any Block name beginning with TerminatorO and / or DimBlks
1.09 - 23/05/16: Revised so that information relating to all Blocks is requested and returned as a single process. Counters enhanced
1.08 - 19/05/16: Set to ignore Blocks named: _ARCHTICK, _CLOSED, _CLOSEDBLANK, _NONE, _OBLIQUE, _OPEN, _OPEN90, _ORIGIN, DIMBLK, TERMINATOROPEN or TERMINATOROPEN_0.5
1.07 - 28/04/16: Timer and counter added
1.06 - 20/04/16: Added prompt to check Internet connection in situations where responses from the Specs & Standards website are taking a long time
1.05 - 13/04/16: Updated the check to see that the Add-In is logged in to a Specs & Standards site before proceeding
1.04 - 09/04/16: Renamed routine from Update Blocks. Added a delay to ensure correct data is being returned from the Specs & Standards website.
1.03 - 04/03/16: Initial IconCAD version.
