How to Explode Blocks in BricsCAD

Quick answer: If a block’s Explodable property is set (the same property behind the “Allow exploding” checkbox when creating one), you can explode an inserted block back into its original component entities. This only affects that single instance, the block definition itself stays intact, and you can still insert more copies of it afterward.

What Happens When You Explode a Block

Exploding affects only the specific instance you explode, not the definition or any other copies in the drawing. If the block contains attributes, exploding it loses those attribute values, but the original attribute definitions remain part of the block definition itself.

Exploding dissociates entities to their next simplest level, not all the way down in one step. A nested block inside the exploded one becomes a standalone block again, and a polyline inside becomes a standalone polyline, rather than being broken down into individual lines and arcs immediately.

EXPLMODE controls whether non-uniformly scaled blocks can be exploded at all.

Exploding a Block

1. Launch EXPLODE. You’re prompted to select entities to explode.
2. Select one or more blocks; the selected count displays, and you’re prompted for more.
3. Select more, or press Enter to stop. The selected blocks explode.

Setting the Explodable Property

It’s set initially when creating a block with the BLOCK command (the Allow exploding checkbox). To change it afterward:

1. Launch EXPBLOCKS. The Drawing Explorer’s Blocks dialog opens.
2. Switch to Detail view mode.
3. Click the Explode tick box to toggle the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does exploding one instance of a block affect other instances of the same block? No, only that specific instance is affected. The block definition and every other instance remain untouched.

What happens to a block’s attributes when you explode it? Their values are lost, but the original attribute definitions remain part of the block definition itself.

Does exploding a block always break it down into individual lines and arcs? No, it only goes one level deep at a time. A nested block becomes a standalone block, and a polyline becomes a standalone polyline, rather than fully flattening immediately.

Can I change whether a block is explodable after it’s already been created? Yes, in the Drawing Explorer’s Blocks dialog (Detail view), click the Explode tick box for that block to toggle it.