How to Edit Proxy Entities in AutoCAD

Editing proxy entities in AutoCAD can be a challenge because these objects are not standard AutoCAD entities. They are typically created by third-party applications or older versions of AutoCAD. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to handle and edit proxy objects effectively.

How to Edit Proxy Entities in AutoCAD

1. Understanding Proxy Entities

Proxy entities are custom objects that contain data from third-party applications or older AutoCAD versions. They encapsulate data below the AcDbEntity base class level, meaning some aspects of their behavior can’t be directly modified in AutoCAD unless you have the corresponding software or an Object Enabler installed.

Proxy Flags

When the parent application creates a proxy entity, it defines how it can be edited using the PROXY_FLAGS argument. These flags determine what operations are allowed:

If kNoOperation is set, none of the other options can be applied. These flags control what you can do to proxy objects, such as changing their color, layer, or visibility.

2. Install Object Enablers

To edit or view proxy objects properly, you often need to install the correct Object Enabler for the third-party application that created the proxy. Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the Autodesk website or the vendor’s site for the third-party software to download the relevant Object Enabler.
2. Install the Object Enabler, then restart AutoCAD to apply the changes.

Having the Object Enabler allows you to view and sometimes edit proxy entities as intended by the parent application.

3. Use AutoCAD Commands to Handle Proxy Objects

AutoCAD provides several commands that can help you deal with proxy objects.

a. EXPORTTOAUTOCAD Command

This command attempts to convert proxy objects into standard AutoCAD entities. It is useful if you do not have access to the original software or Object Enabler.

• Command: EXPORTTOAUTOCAD
• How it works: It strips the proxy data and saves the file with standard AutoCAD entities, but some data may be lost during the conversion.

b. EXPLODE Command

In some cases, you can explode the proxy object to convert it into simpler, editable AutoCAD entities.

• Command: EXPLODE
• How it works: Exploding the object can break it down into lines, polylines, or blocks, which are easier to modify. However, you may lose some specific functionality of the original object.

c. WBLOCK Command

This command allows you to save a portion of the drawing, including proxy objects, as a separate file.

• Command: WBLOCK
• How it works: Use the “Entire Drawing” option to create a new drawing from the existing one, which might help eliminate the proxy issues.

4. Editing Capabilities with Proxy Objects

Based on the proxy flag settings, you might be able to perform certain operations like changing the color, layer, or visibility of the proxy entity. However, some transformations (e.g., move, scale, rotate) cannot be applied unless the parent application is available.

• Move, Scale, Rotate: These rigid body transformations are saved in a temporary record and applied later when the custom entity is loaded in the parent application.
• Color and Layer Changes: These changes are saved as part of the proxy data and can be modified directly in AutoCAD if the proxy flags allow it.

5. Removing Proxy Objects from Drawings

If you’re unable to edit proxy objects and they’re causing issues, you can try the following steps to remove them:

a. Quick Select and Erase

• Use the QSELECT command to select all proxy objects in your drawing.
• After selecting them, use the E (Erase) command to delete them from the drawing.

b. Prevent Proxy Objects from Corrupting Future Drawings

• Open the Options dialog box (from the Manage ribbon or by typing OPTIONS in the command line).
• Under the Open and Save tab, set Demand load ObjectARX apps to Command invoke. This ensures that Object Enablers only load when needed, minimizing proxy issues in future drawings.

6. Tips and Best Practices

• Backup Your Work: Always create a backup of your drawing before attempting to modify or explode proxy entities. This can prevent data loss if something goes wrong.
• Check for Object Enabler Updates: Ensure that both AutoCAD and any third-party applications you use are updated. This may improve compatibility and editing capabilities for proxy objects.
• Use the Original Application: Whenever possible, use the software that originally created the proxy objects to edit them. This is often the most reliable way to ensure no data or functionality is lost.
• Optimize Your Drawing: If you’re encountering issues with proxy entities, use commands like PURGE, AUDIT, and RECOVER to clean and repair your drawing.

7. Advanced Tools for Removing Proxy Elements

If basic methods like QSELECT and EXPLODE don’t work, you can try more advanced tools like the ZombieKiller tool, available on the Autodesk App Store, to remove persistent proxy elements from your drawings.

For more advanced cases where layers or objects are hidden, use QSELECT to select objects on all layers, even those that are turned off, and then remove the proxies manually.

By following these steps, you should be able to handle proxy objects more effectively in AutoCAD. If all else fails, seeking support from the software vendor that created the proxy or using alternative methods like EXPORTTOAUTOCAD can help you regain control over your drawing.