Ungrouping

[iainlines]

Hi y'all,

I have been given some drawings from a customer with lots of objects grouped including text, circles, dimensions etc. I would like to ungroup them as I need to get them suitable for CNC software. How do I go about this?

I know this is simple but I never use group

By the way, these are some of the worst drawings I have ever seen and would drive a lot of you mad.....dimensions on multiple layers, lines that don't meet though they should, objects with the right layer colour but not on the correct layer. Grrrr!!

[ReMark]

Have you tried using the UNGROUP command?

 

Forget it. You are using 2007. Argh!

 

Try this.

 

Remove Groups

 

You can delete a group definition by using the “explode” option in the Object Grouping dialog box. This operation is not the same as exploding a block, hatch, or dimension. Objects that belonged to the exploded group remain in the drawing. As a result, the group is disbanded but the members are not changed in any other way.

[ReMark]

This is what you are looking for in 2007.

[iainlines]

Hi ReMark. First thing I tried was to type UNGROUP....stoopid 2007!!

Hmmm, I have already been into the Object Grouping box but there are no group names in there. Ok, so maybe my customer did something other than grouping, even though that's what he said he had done. I know he uses 2013 and saves to 2007 but something isn't quite right. For example, let's say I have 4 circles, some centre lines and some dimensions. They are all together. If I use EXPLODE this works but will not stop the circles from being somehow joined together.

Cheers for the quick reply, if you can think of anything else please let me know

 

Update:- Ok, I can find out the group name using the 'Find name' button but that's all I can do....it doesn't give me an option to Explode

[ReMark]

Nested block perhaps?

 

Can you post a copy of the drawing file?

[iainlines]

I'd like to and though I can't see any sensitive info on there we have a non-disclosure agreement with this cutomer. Sorry.

What can be done about a nested block? Daft as it sounds I barely ever use blocks, though obviosuly I know how to. Most of our products are completely bespoke

[ReMark]

If you post a copy of the drawing I promise to keep my visual orbs closed while I figure out the nature of the problem.

 

A nested block is one block inside of another. You can keep using the Explode command on the objects until you can't explode any more. But be careful. You really do not want to be exploding dimensions if you can help it.

[iainlines]

Ok, here ya go. Remember, this is not my drawing so you're not allowed to call me a dumbass for how damn messy it is!

Cheers

Edited November 6, 2012 by iainlines

[ReMark]

OK.

 

Looking only with the eye that has 20/1000 vision I just used the Explode command and it worked. Am I missing something?

 

Example: I exploded one of the entities that contains a red rectangle. The result is separate white and green text, a red box that is still a single entity although it consists of lines and dimensions that are now aindividual text, lines and arrowheads.

[iainlines]

When I explode a group (or not group) of circles, say the ones on the right hand side, part No. A104-3E the dims and text explode into their own entities but the circles still select as a group

 

Command line: 5 objects were not able to be exploded

[ReMark]

That's because it is an "unnamed" group. The actual name for that group is A22. It can be exploded via the Object Grouping dialog box I showed you earlier. BTW...I did it using AutoCAD 2007 and not 2013 so that means you can do it too.

[iainlines]

Got it. Need to tick/check "include named". Oops. Like I said, never really had the need to use it before

Gracias dude!

[ReMark]

This is the key.

 

I will now delete your drawing from my system. Thanks for sharing. You can remove it from your earlier post if you wish.

[iainlines]

Will do, not that there is much there. Thanks again, saves a lot of exploding and swearing!

[Glen1980]

Thanks for showing us that Remark, I've just had the same problem with a drawing an architect did for us 5 years ago. Only trouble is he has made some 130 groups of windows. Is there a quick way of exploding them all? We are changing the windows from tilt and turn to top hung and individual groups are ****** all use to me, I needed blocks.

[ReMark]

I don't know since it is something that I rarely if ever have to deal with. I would have to test a drawing to find out.

[Glen1980]

I used them a few times when I had LT and didn't find they helped me. I am creating blocks dropping them on to the groups then deleting the groups. At least their layering is competent if a little overly complicated (i.e. 3 layers to create a 1:100 window elevation).