CADvisory Online

The Oldest and Most Dangerous AutoCAD User Group http://www.VAUS.bc.ca	February 2000

(princ "\nDIM-SUM dimension summer copyright by Bill Fane 1999")

;; 01 November 1999.
;; All rights reserved.  May not be sold for cash or traded for anything
;;  of value except for ski passes to Whistler.
;; No warranty expressed or implied.  Make a backup copy of your drawing first.

;; Runs automatically when loaded.
;; Command is DIM-SUM to collect the sum total of a series of selected dimension 
;; text items.
;; NOTE that it adds zero if the dimension text does not start with a number.  
;; This includes
;;   diameter and radii preceeeded by the diameter symbol or R, reference dimensions 
;; surrounded by parentheses, or any dimension text preceeded by a user-added text note.
;; It loops as long as the user picks a point with mouse; it ends and displays the 
;; total when they
;;  hit <enter>.


(defun c:DIM-SUM
( / ;; declare all variables as local:
DT ;; dimension running total
DL ;; last dimension value selected
SS ;; selection set
CE ;; holds "command echo" variable
PT ;; point picked by user
ED ;; entity data
TE ;; text entity
)
(setq ;; initialize variables
DT 0.0
DL 0.0
SS nil
CE (getvar "cmdecho")
)
(setvar "cmdecho" 0)

;; loop as long as they pick a point.  If they hit <enter>, drop through to the end.

(while (setq PT (getpoint "\nSelect dimension text: "))
;; if they picked a point, did they select anything?
(if PT
(setq SS (ssget PT))
)
(if (not SS)
(alert "Nothing selected!")
;; if they picked something, was it a dimension?
(progn
(setq ED (entget (ssname SS 0)))
(if (/= (cdr (assoc 0 ED)) "DIMENSION")
(progn
(alert "Selected item is not dimension text!")
)
;; if they picked a dimension, convert it to decimals & explode it
(progn
(command "dimoverride" "dimunit" "2" "" PT "")
(command "explode" PT)
;; did they pick the dimension by selecting its text?
(setq
TE (entget
(ssname
(ssget PT)
0
)
)
)
(if (/= (cdr (assoc 0 TE)) "MTEXT")
;; if not picked by text, back up
(progn
(command "u" "u")
(alert "Selected item is not dimension text!")
)
;; explode the dimension Mtext to get regular text from it
(progn
(command "explode" PT)
(setq ED (entget (entlast)))
;; undo thrice to unexplode the text and dimension
(command "u" "u" "u")
;;  extract the dimension text, convert to number,
;; and add to total
(setq DL
(atof
(cdr
(assoc 1 ED)
)
)
DT (+ DT DL)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
;; display current value and running sub-total
(princ "\nCurrent:  ")(princ DL)(princ "  Sub-total ")(princ DT)
;; end of main "did they pick a point" loop
)
;; when they hit <enter> instead of picking a point then finish things off.
(setvar "cmdecho" CE)
;; Display total in an alert box.  You can add Text command etc to add "value" to drawing.
;; Grand total is held in variable DT as real (floating point) number.
(alert (strcat "Selected dimensions total " (rtos DT)))
(princ "\nCommand is DIM-SUM to run again.\n")
(princ)
)

;; Runs automatically when loaded.
(c:dim-sum)

(princ "\nChange Layer utility.  Copyright by Bill Fane 19 Oct 99.\n")

;;  All rights reserved.  May not be sold for cash or traded for anything of value
;;  except for spare parts for a vintage Rolls-Royce.

;;  No warranty expressed or implied.  Make a backup copy of drawings before using.

;;  Modify the following Layer List (LL) to pair up layer names to change
;;  from -> to.  There must be a period with a space on each side between the names.
;;  Names are not case-sensitive.
;;  All objects on each "from" layer will be changed to the corresponding "to" layer.
;;  If any "to" layer does not exist it will be created.  Watch your typing.
;;  When you (load "C-L") it will run automatically.

(setq LL
'( ;; FROM       TO

("wall" . "a-wall")
("AR_wall" . "A-wAll")
("arch-wall" . "a-WALL")
)
)


(princ "\nChecking drawing object layers... ")
(setq C 0)
(foreach X LL
(setq
SS (ssget "X" (list (cons 8 (car X))))
N 0
)
(princ "\n   ")(princ (car X))
(if SS
(progn
(setq SSL (sslength SS))
(while (< N SSL)
(setq ED (entget (ssname SS N)))
(entmod
(subst (cons 8 (cdr X))
(assoc 8 ED) ED)
)
(setq N (1+ N)
C (1+ C)
)
)
)
)
)
(princ "\nChecking block definitions...")
(setq BL (tblnext "block" 1))
(while BL
(princ ".")
(setq BE (cdr (assoc -2 BL)))
(while BE
(setq ED (entget BE))
(if (setq EL (assoc 8 ED))
(progn
(setq EL (cdr EL))
(foreach X LL
(if (= EL (strcase (car X)))
(progn
(setq ED
      (subst (cons 8 (cdr X))
(assoc 8 ED) ED)
C (1+ C)
)
(entmod ED)
)
)
)
)
)
(setq BE (entnext BE))
)
(setq BL (tblnext "block"))
)
(princ (strcat "\nLayer name changed for " (itoa C) " objects.\n"))
(setq
LL nil
C nil
X nil
SS nil
N nil
SSL nil
ED nil
BL nil
BE nil
EL nil
)

(princ)


Enjoy!

Job opportunity:

CAD OPERATOR

Morrow Environmental Consultants Inc. (MECI) has an immediate opening in our Burnaby office for a CAD Operator.

 The successful applicant will have a relevant educational background (BCIT or equivalent),  1 - 2 years experience drafting for a natural resource firm, experience with AutoCAD 14 in a Windows '95 environment, and experience working with paper space, complex engineering drawings and site mapping.

 A high level of commitment to quality and the ability to work well both independently and within a team environment is required. 

 MECI offers a superior compensation package, a dynamic work environment and opportunity for career growth.  Forward your resume to:

Human Resources
MECI
5151 Canada Way
Burnaby BC
V5E 3N1
Fax: (604) 515 5150
Closing Date:  January 31, 2000

 We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only short listed candidates will be contacted, please no telephone calls. 

Off-site data storage must be secure and easy to use. Would it be feasible to have your own computer backup system that could be accessed through an ISP? The economics of the task will probably determine the outcome for this issue. The above company certainly is on to a good idea with a tax deductible monthly payment that offers a mobile service convenient to large populations.

The intricate 3D model shown was constructed by Bill in less than an hour. He designed it within that time while compiling lecture notes. We looked at individual parts, a complete image, and an exploded view of the same 3D model. Part outlines, dimensioning, hatching, center lines, etc. were automatically put on the correct layer. Dimensioning was done with one command. Drawing notations could be inserted in any one of 17 languages. Order the Power Pack and you would have access to half a million pre-drawn parts such as; fasteners, bearings, rings, and seals. 8,000 standard details and 20,000 std. holes are also included. As usual, we were treated to an amazing display of software capability by a very competent designer. Thanks, Bill.

Autodesk has always had a non-transferable license agreement, but has allowed limited exceptions to this policy to maximize customer satisfaction. Due to the online auction sites on the Internet, a "used-license" market has emerged and requests for license transfers and serial number inquiries from customers have mushroomed. It was never Autodesk's intent to have this level of transfer, nor to have a used license market. Therefore, we are changing our exception policy to no longer allow transfers of license between individuals or separate companies. The only transfers that will be allowed will be in the case of companies who are merging or being acquired by another company. These will essentially be "name changes" and not transfers of license. We will also do away with our policy of requiring customers to upgrade to the current revision of the product in order to make a transfer. This change will be effective on Monday, May 31, 1999. For transfer of license requests, called the Autodesk Customer Service Center at 1-800-538-6401, and follow prompts for general customer service. The CSC will be able to help you determine if you qualify under the new guidelines.

An Architectural building Design Firm in the Lower Mainland is for sale, along with a client base, goodwill and AutoCAD R13 software. Please contact lee@dowco.com if you are interested. One of the few ways to transfer a license of AutoCAD.

Kwantlen University College -- John Sprung www.kwantlen.bc.ca Email: johnsp@kwantlen.bc.ca 599-2945 599-2902 (fax)

Using the Diesel Macro Language

By: Frank Zander

Diesel is an acronym for Direct Interpretively Evaluated String Expression Language. Diesel is a macro language for altering the AutoCAD status line (with the MODEMACRO system variable), customizing menu items, and Rtext objects.

MODEMACRO

MODEMACRO is an AutoCAD system variable (and an AutoCAD command to access the MODEMACRO system variable).  The MODEMACRO variable information is displayed in the Status area in AutoCAD (typically directly below the command prompt line). 

When working with drawings that have long layer names, I sometimes find that not enough room is provided in the AutoCAD layer pull down list box. 

To display the current layer below the command prompt use the Diesel expression: $(getvar,clayer).  This Diesel expression gets (using getvar) the current layer (clayer) variable in the current drawing.  To display the current layer in the Status area do the following:

1. From the AutoCAD command prompt type: MODEMACRO
2. Type: Current Layer = $(getvar,clayer)
3. Press Enter
4. Change the current layer from the Layer list box
5. Note status area now contains the current AutoCAD layer.

Warning! Unhandled Exception error using MODEMACRO AutoCAD 2000 will terminate unexpectedly with an "Unhandled Exception" error when a MODEMACRO string is assigned that accesses the current database (such as the DIESEL expression "$(getvar,clayer)" in Multiple Document Interface mode, and a new document window is created using the NEW or OPEN command. This error occurs because the DIESEL interpreter is "dereferencing" a NULL pointer without checking its value. This problem exists in AutoCAD 2000 (T.0.98) and Architectural Desktop 2.0 (T.1.07). The workaround to this problem is to use the modemacro ARX file from Autodesk. modemacro.arx implements an AcApDocManagerReactor that temporarily sets MODEMACRO to "" while the drawing loads, then resets MODEMACRO to the original value once the load is complete. To obtain modemacro.arx, download the 41113.zip file from the Autodesk Patches and Maintenance Releases Web site at http://www.autodesk.com/support/autocad/patch2000.htm

To return the status are off type MODEMACRO (enter) . (enter)

 To have AutoCAD display the current command in the status area use MODEMACRO with $(getvar,cmdnames)