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AutoCAD

Better Living with Objects and Smart Entities (Hot Tip Harry AutoCAD Tutorial)

31 Jul, 2008 By: Bill Kramer

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Top Tip is a VBA routine for copying attributes from block to block.

GET THE CODE Download code for this month's tips at Cadalyst's CAD Tips site. Search for the tip of your choice by tip number or keyword. Code downloads are free and are provided as is without warranty or support. Tips are tested using AutoCAD 2008, unless otherwise noted. By submitting code to Cadalyst, you grant Cadalyst the right to print and distribute your code in print, digitally and by other means. Cadalyst and individual authors retain all rights to the code, and it is not to be used for commercial purposes. Important note: Be sure your submission contains all elements required for it to run independently in AutoCAD. Tips that are missing functions or other necessary elements will not be considered. Join the Hot Tip Harry Hot Code Contest Calling all tip writers! The Hot Tip Harry Hot Code Contest is under way for 2008. Share your hot tips and tricks and you could win an official Cadalyst t-shirt, $100 monthly cash prize, and a chance to win a trip to Autodesk University 2008 in Las Vegas! E-mail those tips and tricks to harry@cadalyst.com. For More AutoCAD Tips More Often: Check out Cadalyst's free Tips & Tools Weekly e-newsletter. View the archives and subscribe today! Harry's Code Class Free E-Newsletter: Learn from the master himself. "Hot Tip Harry" author Bill Kramer offers monthly lessons in customization programming for AutoCAD. View the archives and subscribe today!

Sometimes the simplest things in programming are the best. After you get a handle on them, objects and smart entities really do make life easier. Check out this latest batch of tips from the "Hot Tip Harry" library.

Tip 3000: Leader to Multileader
Lyle Hardin created Leader to Multileader to update basic leaders and text into a single multiple-leader entity object. To use this utility, load the LISP code and type LeaderToMLeader at the AutoCAD Command prompt. You'll be prompted to select a leader and then the text. Those elements will be erased from the drawing and replaced with a multiple-leader object that contains both the leader geometry and text as a single entity. Harry appreciates these quick and easy tools for upgrading your drawings to new and improved entity types.

Tip 3001: Move Objects Along Axis
Move Objects Along Axis by Ren Smith is a 3D editor tool that makes moving objects along the x-, y-, or z-axis a snap. Load the LISP code and type MPF at the AutoCAD Command prompt to start the routine. It will ask which direction you want to use. Enter x, y, z, or nothing to exit. If you enter x, y, or z, you will be asked to select entity objects for the move, the base point, and the destination point along the specific axis. AutoCAD's Move command then moves the selected objects to the new location of your choice. This tool makes sliding objects along an axis easy.

Tip 3002: Perpendicular Line from a Curve
Bill Gilliss submitted two great tips this month; the first is Perpendicular Line from a Curve. This utility allows you to draw a line or polyline starting in a perpendicular direction relative to an existing curved object. To use this utility, load the LISP code and type Perpl at the AutoCAD Command prompt. Next you will be asked to select a point on an existing entity object. The default operation is to start the Line command; however, you can type Polyline to have the program switch to polyline mode. The line or polyline will be started at the point selected with the direction vector set to move away from the object. All you need to supply is the distance for the first segment. The Line or Pline command then continues as it normally would. What a great example of how to use the first-derivative method for entity objects in your Visual LISP programming.

Tip 3003: System-Variable Set-Up Tool
The LISP code for System-Variable Set-Up Tool, sent by Raymond Foren, includes a function named R4N:SV that changes a system variable, but only if a change is needed based on in-house standards that you can define. The LISP source code contains the definition of the function as well as examples of it being used to set up a few system variables. You can see how Raymond uses it in his production environment - you might find is useful for your own, just like Harry did.

Tip 3004: Move or Copy with Rotation
Move or Copy with Rotation is the second productivity tool from the library of Bill Gilliss. These new commands are just like Move and Copy - but with a twist. After moving or copying the entities you select, you're given an opportunity to rotate the objects about a chosen base point. Load the LISP code for this tip to add two new commands: RMove and RCopy. The nicely structured functions serve as good programming examples, as well as being quite useful. Nice and handy!

Tip 3005: Copy Attributes Block to Block
John Walker created this month's top tip: Copy Attributes from Block to Block. These well-crafted VBA functions let you move attribute values from one block to another. Attribute tags of two blocks are compared to determine where to place the attribute values, which means the blocks don't have be an exact match. To use this utility, you will need to load the BAS source code into a VBA project. (From AutoCAD type VBAide. Inside the Visual BASIC editor, select File, then Import. Navigate to SCBLOCKATTRIB.BAS and open it. Press F5 to run the macro.) A tip of the fedora to John for a great example showing the raw power of object manipulations.

Until next month, keep on programmin'!

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