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AutoCAD

Hot Tip Harry: Tips from Our Readers -- March 2006

9 Mar, 2006 By: Bill Kramer Cadalyst

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Our top tip draws section lines in three different ways.

GET THE CODE Download code for this and all articles. Look for MAR06.exe in Get the Code. Downloads are free and are provided "as is" without warranty or support. Tips are tested using AutoCAD 2006, 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 using AutoCAD 2006. Tips that are missing functions or other necessary elements will not be considered. All published tips earn the author a Cadalyst t-shirt, and the tip judged best each month earns the author $100. Click here for details about the Hot Tip Harry Challenge 2006. E-mail those tips and tricks to harry@cadalyst.com.

Greetings from Harry! These hot tips are just in and were tested for accuracy. Harry reports that he is seeing some interesting coding styles and that the idea farm is far from empty. To show what he means, here are a set of annotations and quick action macros.

Explode Multilines (Tip #2095) from Don Wells creates polylines in place of the multiline elements. The normal AutoCAD Explode command creates a series of lines, but this version creates polylines. The multiline object is first exploded with the resulting line objects going to the temporary layer MultiTemp. These lines are then gathered and joined into polylines as the result of the utility. Nice programming and very useful.

Section Lines (Tip #2096) from Bill Townsend draws section lines in a drawing three different ways. Load the LISP code into AutoCAD to make the new commands available. SE1 draws a section line consisting of three segments. SE2 draws a simple two point section line. SE3 allows you to draw a multiple-point polyline as the section cut definition. The program places section lines on layer SectionLine in red and annotates the section line with input provided by you. This utility set is nicely built and quite useful if you need section lines.

Slope Annotation (Tip #2097) from Leonid Nemirovsky inserts a block with attributes for marking the slope angle. The block is inserted at the default scale and angle for blocks in the current drawing with the attributes filled in based on user input. This tip is a great example of how you can make custom commands that get the job done quicker. Combining AutoLISP with AutoCAD commands and entities is the best way to improve productivity.

Level Annotation (Tip #2098) from Raymond Rizkallah inserts a block with attributes for marking an elevation level. A series of commands first defines a reference block and then makes copies for different elevation level markings. The system works in metric only. Type L-HELP for a description of the commands available after loading the LISP file. Nicely structured application with easy-to-read code.

Brian Lottis sent Snap Angle Setting (Tip #2099), a quick and dirty routine to assist in setting a snap angle. Load the LISP program and type RS at the Command line. Two points are requested to define a new snap angle. Reset the snap angle to zero by not entering a first point. This tip is a wonderful example of how you can streamline AutoCAD commands to suit your purpose.

LISP Loader (Tip #2100) from Jay Thomas is a focused variation of the AutoCAD Appload command. Load the LISP code and then type LOL at the AutoCAD Command prompt. The program will attempt to locate the original source file LOL.LSP and then display a file selection dialog box showing all the LSP files in that directory. Select one and pick Open to load the LISP code. Using LISP to load more LISP is exactly what this language was created to do.

Slot Generator (Tip #2101) from Steven Johnson accepts parameter input for drawing a slot at any angle. Load the LSP code and type SLOT at the Command line to activate. Two options are available. You can define a slot from end to end or from center to center. After making your choice, enter (or show) the slot angle, width and length. The last bit of input is the center point of the slot. After supplying the parameters, the slot is drawn at the point selected. This tip works great and shows that there is definitely more than one way to draw a slot.

This month's top tip is Section Lines (#2096) from Bill Townsend. Nice programming and very useful as well as the fact that this simple set of functions is a classic example that all skill levels of users can use and learn from. Even if you have no need for section lines in your drawing work, the code supplied is worth a read for ideas and approaches. Thanks and a tip of the fedora to Bill from Harry!

Have you stopped by Harry's online forum yet? We are looking for ideas, issues and solutions for everyone who customizes AutoCAD. It does not matter if you are a beginner or an expert. Harry's forums are open to all. Just keep on the topic of customization.

Keep on programmin'.