It appears that I can duplicate basic “blocks”, but they are invisible in viewports. (1) I select some objects for a new block. (2) In the “Block Definitions” window I select the “create block definition” icon and create Block_1. I can open the block and see that it contains the objects from Step 1. (3) I select Block_1 in the Block Definitions window and right click to “Duplicate.” This creates Block_2, and I can open it to see that it contains the same objects as Block_1. (4) Initially I thought that Block_2 was precisely under Block_1, so I clicked Block_1 and moved it. Block_2 was not hiding behind it. I zoomed far back in case Block_2 had been duplicated “far away.” No it had not. (5) On the off chance that Block_2 was magically stuck behind to Block_1, I deleted Block_1 via the Block Definitions window. Block_1 vanished, but Block_2 was not revealed. (6) So at this point Block_2 exists in the Block Definitions window, and opening it reveals that it contains objects. But it is nowhere to be seen/found in any viewport.
What am I missing here? Previously I don’t recall a problem with this, but it has been some time since I used Rhino and just upgraded to the latest Version 8 SR14 on Windows.
Hi @Idaho_Viking
If I understand you correctly, what you are seeing is expected behaviour. When you create Block_1 the original objects are converted into the first (and at this point only) inserted block in the file. You can delete it, but the block is still present in the block definitions and you can insert multiple copies with the Insert command (or by simply copying an already existing copy of the block). Inserting blocks is a way of saving memory and general “weight” of a file. It also allows you to edit any given copy of the block by dbl.clicking it - and the changes made will happen in all copies of the same block (eg. Block_1). When you duplicate the block in Block Definitions you are NOT inserting another copy of the block in the document, you are creating a NEW unique block, that can also be inserted with the Insert command (and all copies of Block_2 will be identical).
Hope this makes sense!
HTH, Jakob
Edit: So when you duplicate Block_1, the new Block_2 exist ONLY as a block definition, but has not been inserted yet.
Ah… I see. It is the semantic distinction between “Duplicate” and “Insert”. The former might be likened to “Clone Parent” and the latter sort of like “Make a Visible Child”. When the Block is first created, both the parent and one child are created. Thanks.