You can use the EXPLODE command to break up the block into its components, but you don't have control over layer, color, or linetype. The XPLODE command gives you that control.
Here's how it works:
Type xplode on the command line.
At the Select objects: prompt, select one or more blocks.
If you select more than one block, the next prompt is XPlode Individually/<Globally>: If you want to give different blocks different properties, use the Individually option; AutoCAD highlights each block in turn and you can apply the options to each one.. Otherwise, use the default Globally option.
The next prompt is [All/Color/LAyer/LType/LWeight/Inherit from parent block/Explode] <Explode>:
Here's how to use the options:
All: Lets you specify color, layer, linetype, and lineweight
Color: Lets you specify color, by name or number. You can specify true colors using RGB or color book specifications.
LAyer: Lets you specify the layer
LType: Lets you specify the linetype
LWeight: Lets you specify the lineweight
Inherit from parent block: Applies to blocks created on layer 0 whose color and linetype were set to ByBlock. The ByBlock objects retain their color and linetype after you explode them.
Explode: Does a simple explode operation (the default)
Note that XPLODE doesn't explode blocks that have unequal absolute X and Y scales, such as a block that you scaled x=2 and y=3.
This is the 9th edition of this book! Completely updated to conform to the new interface and, of course, it covers all the new features, such as the ribbon, Quick View, ShowMotion, the View Cube, the SteeringWheel, and more.
AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008 Bible Learn the great new features with wide application to all disciplines. Get the most comprehensive book on AutoCAD! DVD contains a 30-day trial of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. Thorough exercises guide you through each feature.
AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 Bible Discover the 2007 features, especially the radically improved 3D tools. CD has AutoCAD 30-day trial, 3rd-party software, and drawings for exercises.
AutoCAD 2006 and AutoCAD LT 2006 Bible Understand and use the 2006 features,
including dynamic blocks and the new method of
customizing menus and toolbars. CD-ROM
has AutoCAD trial, software, and
drawings for all exercises.
AutoCAD 2005 and AutoCAD LT 2005 Bible
Fully explains latest
2005 features: tables,
fields, and sheet sets. For the first
time, covers AutoCAD LT! CD-ROM
comes with software and
drawings for all exercises.
AutoCAD 2004 Bible Covers all features
in detail. Hands-on exercises. Over
1300 pages + CD-ROM with software and
drawings for all exercises.