Short description
๐๏ธ Delete2Layouts is an AutoCAD AutoLISP utility for deleting all instances of one selected block or xref from chosen paper-space layouts.
๐๏ธ It provides a temporary DCL dialog with layout filtering, Select All/None controls, and a clear delete workflow for layout-based cleanup.
Command:
๐ Main command: Delete2Layouts
๐ Alias command: _Delete2Layouts
๐งฐ Pick one block or xref reference, filter target layouts with * and ?, select layouts, then delete matching INSERT instances from those layouts.
Description:
๐๏ธ Delete2Layouts is an SEO-friendly AutoCAD layout cleanup tool for removing a selected block or xref reference from multiple paper-space layouts.
๐ The routine opens a custom DCL dialog named Delete Block / Xref from Layouts, where the user can pick a reference from the drawing and choose target layouts.
๐ Layout selection supports wildcard filtering with * and ?, making it useful for large sheet sets with many layout tabs.
๐งฑ The delete engine scans each selected layout block, compares INSERT names to the picked block or xref name, and deletes matching instances using vlax-invoke-method Delete.
๐งน After deletion, the routine attempts a block purge for the selected name and reports the total deleted instances.
Helper function: (if any)โ
๐งฉ ld:write-dcl creates the temporary DCL file used by the layout cleanup dialog.
๐งฉ ld:get-paper-layouts returns all layouts except Model.
๐งฉ ld:apply-layout-filter filters layout names using wcmatch wildcard logic.
๐งฉ ld:do-pick captures the selected INSERT name from a block or xref reference.
๐งฉ ld:delete-from-layouts scans selected layout blocks and deletes matching INSERT objects.
๐งฉ ld:do-delete validates selection, starts an undo group, executes deletion, and displays the final result alert.
๐งฉ ld:cleanup unloads the dialog and deletes the temporary DCL file.
Functionalities:
โ
Pick a block or xref reference from the drawing and capture its INSERT name.
โ
Filter paper-space layout tabs using AutoCAD wildcard patterns.
โ
Select all matching layouts or clear the layout selection.
โ
Delete all matching block/xref instances from selected layouts only.
โ
Preserve model space because the routine targets paper layouts returned by layoutlist.
โ
Wrap deletion inside an AutoCAD undo group for easier rollback.
โ
Attempt to purge the selected block name after layout deletion.
Result:
๐๏ธ Matching block or xref references are removed from the selected paper-space layouts.
๐ The final alert reports how many instances were deleted and from how many layouts.
๐งน The selected block name is passed to PURGE after deletion.
๐๏ธ The dialog closes cleanly and removes the temporary DCL resources.
Images, animations etc.
XAML code:
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<Bold>Function Syntax: Delete2Layouts / _Delete2Layouts</Bold>
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<Bold>Version: 1.1 Date: 20.06.2026 6:38:55PM</Bold>
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<Hyperlink>https://www.cadtutor.net/forum/topic/10119-delete-all-layouts-except-current/</Hyperlink>
<Hyperlink>https://www.lee-mac.com/deletefromlayouts.html</Hyperlink>
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<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">Description</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐๏ธ Delete2Layouts is an AutoCAD AutoLISP tool for deleting a picked block or xref reference from selected Paper Space layouts.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="LimeGreen">๐๏ธ It is optimized for large layout sets where the same title block, viewport marker, legend, xref, or sheet object must be removed from multiple tabs.</Run><LineBreak/>
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<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">Function Syntax</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ Main command: </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">Delete2Layouts</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ Alias command: </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">_Delete2Layouts</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
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<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">SEO Optimized Overview</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ This AutoCAD delete block from layouts tool helps clean paper-space sheets by removing repeated block or xref INSERT references from selected layouts only.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ The dialog allows the user to pick one block/xref reference, filter target layout names with wildcard patterns, and select exactly where deletion should happen.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งฑ The deletion engine scans each selected layout block, finds matching INSERT objects by name, and deletes them through ActiveX.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งน After deleting matching layout references, the routine attempts to purge the selected block name.</Run><LineBreak/>
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<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">Dialog Features</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ Button to pick a block or xref reference from the drawing.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ Layout filter field supporting * and ? wildcards.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">โ
Select All and Select None controls for layout selection.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="DarkRed">๐๏ธ Delete from Selected Layouts action button for the final cleanup operation.</Run><LineBreak/>
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<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">Important Functions and Calls</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งฉ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">ld:do-pick</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> captures the selected INSERT entity name.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งฉ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">ld:apply-layout-filter</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> filters layout names through wcmatch.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งฉ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">ld:delete-from-layouts</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> scans target layouts and deletes matching references.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งฉ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">vlax-invoke-method Delete</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> performs the actual object deletion.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งฉ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">PURGE</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> is attempted for the selected block name after deletion.</Run><LineBreak/>
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<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">Typical Workflow</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">1๏ธโฃ Run Delete2Layouts.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">2๏ธโฃ Click Pick reference from drawing and select the block or xref to remove.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">3๏ธโฃ Filter layout names if needed, then select the target layouts.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">4๏ธโฃ Press Delete from Selected Layouts and review the final count.</Run><LineBreak/>
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<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">Important Notes</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="DarkRed">โ ๏ธ This routine deletes content from selected layouts. Confirm the layout selection before running the delete action.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ The routine targets paper-space layouts and does not scan Model Space.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="Yellow">Tags</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="Yellow">๐ท๏ธ AutoCAD, ๐ท๏ธ AutoLISP, ๐ท๏ธ Civil 3D, ๐ท๏ธ Delete Xref, ๐ท๏ธ Delete Block, ๐ท๏ธ Layouts, ๐ท๏ธ Paper Space, ๐ท๏ธ Layout Filter, ๐ท๏ธ DCL Dialog, ๐ท๏ธ Drawing Cleanup, ๐ท๏ธ CAD Automation</Run><LineBreak/>
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