Three Ways to Explode

Let the destruction begin.

The AutoCAD EXPLODE command allows you to convert complex objects to their constituent components. Explode Mtext to get Text. Explode Plines, Mlines, Hatches, Dimensions and Leaders into Lines, Arcs, Text, etc. Explode Blocks to their component parts.

Exploding a Block sometimes gives us undesirable results. Often a Block is created from entities on Layer 0, so that it can be inserted on any Layer and thus inherit the properties of the insertion Layer. When exploding a Block of this type, all the components revert back to Layer 0.

The XPLODE command started life as a Bonus Tool and has since achieved command status. XPLODE works similarly to EXPLODE except it gives you the opportunity to override component entity properties. You can control the target Layer, Line type, Line weight, and Color, or Inherit all properties from the Block insertion.

If you're exploding a Block with Attributes, the Attributes revert to the Attribute definitions. Of course this results in the loss of their text value. The Express Tool BURST allows you to explode an Attributed Block to the insertion Layer and convert the Attributes to Text.

Block	EXPLODE Entities revert to Layer 0, Attribs revert to AttDefs	XPLODE Entities inherit Block Layer, Attribs revert to AttDefs	BURST Entities inherit Block Layer, Attribs become Text and keep previous values

So between all these Exploding options you should be able to achieve your desired results. Now for the million dollar question: Why are you exploding things anyway?