Bulk-update drawing properties

Start with a small set of representative drawings. Configure what to match, select only the properties to change, and inspect a report before applying the update. You do not need to edit an AutoLISP script for these tools.

Choose the right tool

Open Batch → Command sequence → Add tool → Bundled tools → Drawing changes.

Scroll the table sideways on a narrow screen. Keyboard: focus the table, then use the arrow keys.

These tools have recorded acceptance coverage in AutoCAD LT 2026 Core Console. Other CAD hosts need separate verification. The examples below use invented layer, block and tag names; substitute names that exist in your drawings.

First run: report, inspect, apply

1. Add a few drawings in Batch. Choose Copies and an output folder for the trial run.
2. Open Add tool, then select Update layers.
3. Under 1. Match, choose Name pattern and enter A-WALL* in Layer names. Enter A-WALL-TEMP* in Exclude names (optional).
4. Under 2. Change, enable colour and choose 5. Leave every other property unchecked to Keep existing.
5. Under 3. Review, keep Report only. Choose whether no matches should warn and continue or fail the drawing.
6. Choose Add to batch. Review the single configured row in Command sequence, then choose Run batch.
7. Open History → Runs, select the run, and expand Exported reports. Use Open folder to find the CSV or Copy path to copy its location. Open the CSV and check the matched names, proposed values and skipped reasons.
8. Return to Batch, double-click the configured row, select Apply changes, and choose Update step. Run again to a fresh output folder, then inspect the resulting DWGs and CSVs.

Report only is not a live preview in the Command library. It writes its CSV when the batch reaches that step. It prevents that step’s property changes, but other commands in the sequence still execute. Copies mode can still produce output DWGs. Keep the first check limited to the step you are assessing.

Changing the drawing set or matching rules changes what will be affected. Repeat the report when reusing a configuration on a different drawing set.

Match names precisely

Matching ignores letter case. Name pattern accepts AutoCAD wildcard patterns: A-* matches names beginning with A-, A-? matches A- followed by one character, and A-WALL*,A-DOOR* accepts either pattern. * matches all names.

Exact name treats the primary layer or block name literally. Exclusions, layout names, object types, existing text styles and attribute tags still use patterns. Leave exclusions blank to exclude nothing. A populated secondary filter must also match; it does not broaden the primary selection.

For tools with a layout filter, Model selects model space, A* selects matching layout names, and * includes all applicable spaces. Layer definitions are drawing-wide and have no layout filter. Update viewports always excludes Model and the overall paper-space viewport.

Choose No matches: warn and continue when some drawings may legitimately lack the target. Use No matches: fail drawing when the target is required. A matched item may still be unchanged or skipped, so the matched count is not the changed count.

Five practical examples

Standardise a family of layers

In Update layers, match A-WALL*, exclude A-WALL-TEMP*, enable colour 5 and lineweight 0.35 mm. Keep other properties unchanged. Report first, then apply after reviewing the names.

Colours use ACI values 1–255; layer transparency accepts 0–90 percent. A chosen linetype must already be loaded. Layer lock is an explicit property: this tool can lock or unlock a layer when selected.

Adjust annotation without changing its wording

In Update text properties, match layer A-NOTE*, set Object types to TEXT,MTEXT, and choose the required layouts. Enable height 2.5 in drawing units; optionally select an existing text style. This changes properties, not text contents.

Only direct TEXT and MTEXT are supported. Inline MTEXT formatting is preserved and may override the visible style or height. Rotation applies to TEXT only: use a separate TEXT-only step for rotation. Fields, extended/annotative objects and aligned, fitted or non-planar TEXT are skipped.

Move linework to a standard layer

In Set object properties, match layer OLD-WALL*, restrict object types to LINE,LWPOLYLINE, and enable destination layer A-WALL. Enable colour ByLayer if objects should inherit the destination layer colour.

The destination layer must already exist, be unlocked and not belong to an Xref. This tool does not create layers or load missing linetypes. Objects on locked layers are skipped. Restricting types avoids moving other content that happens to share the old layer.

Set a title-block revision

In Update block attributes, use Exact name with block name TITLEBLOCK, layout pattern A*, and attribute tag REV. Enable the value change and enter P02.

This assigns that value to matching direct block attributes; it is not a text find-and-replace operation. An enabled value field left empty clears the attribute. Constant, multiline and field-backed attributes are skipped. Matching uses stored block names, so an anonymous dynamic block may not have the name you expect.

Set and protect a viewport scale

In Update viewports, match viewport layer A-VPORT, restrict layouts to A*, enable scale 1:100 and enable locking. Report the affected viewports before applying.

Scale is paper:model in drawing units. Confirm your model and sheet units before choosing a ratio; there is no automatic conversion. This changes view magnification, not the viewport boundary. Perspective viewports are skipped. Setting the PDF plot scale is a separate operation.

Read the result and resolve skips

Each invocation writes a separate CSV, including repeated uses of the same tool. Reports identify the drawing, handle, object type, name or layer, status, reason, and named before/after values. Select the correct run and drawing attempt in History, especially after a retry.

Scroll the table sideways on a narrow screen. Keyboard: focus the table, then use the arrow keys.

The tools do not traverse block definitions or nested content. Xref content is excluded or skipped. Object changes respect locked layers; attribute changes also respect the owning insert’s layer lock. Unsupported types are reported as skipped. Missing required layers, linetypes or styles fail rather than being created automatically.

If nothing matches, check whether you entered a layer name or a block name, then check the layout/type/style/tag filters. If text still looks unchanged, inspect inline MTEXT formatting and skipped reasons. If a run fails, open its drawing logs as well as the CSV; a failed drawing may not have a published output DWG.

Edit, reorder and reuse a configured step

Double-click the command row, press F2, or use its pencil action to reopen the form. Choose Update step to keep the changes; closing the form discards unapplied edits. Moving or removing the row moves or removes the complete configuration.

Save setup retains the options. Load setup restores the setup and its file references, not a self-contained copy of every script and drawing. Keep referenced files accessible and inspect a report on new inputs.

Do not type an internal function name or a bare bulk command as a replacement for the configured step. Add the tool through the library so BatchDraft includes the options and required support files. Unconfigured bulk commands fail with an instruction to use the Command library.

Windows paths displayed by BatchDraft use backslashes. Searches accept either slash direction; raw CAD logs retain the original text. A slash difference in a raw log alone does not mean a file is missing.

Related guides

Continue with Plot PDFs and collect the output, or read the released trial troubleshooting guide.