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

31 Jul, 2008 By: Bill Kramer

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


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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
Top TipJohn 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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About the Author: Bill Kramer


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