Productivity Downloads for AutoCAD

 

These are the public domain files I typically use or refer to in my training sessions. They are the things I like to have at my disposal for general productivity (TrainerGuy.lsp, Glue.lsp), quick parallel lines (Dline.lsp), and the very popular numbering routines (objno.lsp, prefix.lsp, and wsnum.lsp).

Some of them I found on the Internet for customers, some have been around since dirt (dline.lsp) and some I wrote myself. 

Productivity Stuff

Downloads

These go in the AutoCAD ..\Support folder [not LT]

TrainerGuy.zip

Glue.zip

Dline.zip

Numbers.zip

Totlen.zip

 

What to do with the files you download:

1.. Download and unzip each of these files in AutoCAD's ..\Support folder [any version except LT].
2..  In AutoCAD, go to Tools/Load Application.
3..  Click the suitcase icon at the bottom to open the Startup Suite dialog.
4..  Click Add, then navigate to the .lsp files in the ..\Support folder.
5..  Select the files (you can select each of them while you're in the dialog if you hold down Ctrl).
6..  After you have selected them, click the Add button to return to the Startup Suite dialog where you will see them listed.
7..  Click Close, then close out of the Load Application dialog box.

NOTE: With the exception of TrainerGuy.lsp, all .lsp files are launched by entering their name at the Command: line.

Zip File Contents:

TrainerGuy.lsp - This is a compilation of several one-line Lisp routines that have been in my newsletter, 'The AutoCAD Toolbelt', over the last few years. To see them all open TrainerGuy.lsp in Notepad. Enter the one or two characters that appear after the "Defun C:" text to launch the associated routine. Here are some of the highlights. 

w IF   This routine turns off the image frame of an inserted raster image.
w II    This routine turns on the image frame of an inserted raster image.
w TV   Use this routine to tile the open drawings vertically.
w DE   Use this to launch the Dist command with the Endpoint osnap for each pick.
w ZE   Automates the Zoom/Extents routine.
w QQ   This uses the Geometry Calculator to find the midpoint between to quadrant points. Use this as a basis to create others that call upon other object snap options.
w UA   This routine will bring the selected line to horizontal in the drawing window along with the rest of the drawing. Works great when you want to work in a room at an odd angle but bring it square so you don't have to keep turning your head. You can then work on the drawing with Ortho on, too.
w UW   This one puts the UCS back to World and takes the drawing with it.
w AA   Use this one to restore a layer state previously saved as 'All layers'. Edit the name and lisp as necessary.
w QT   This uses a sample text style called 'Rooms' and sets the text size to 9", then launches the Dtext command and lets you enter the text.
w HH   This launches the Polygon command, uses 6 sides of the Inscribed method and awaits your value for the size.

Glue.lsp - This routine was in the old DCA/AutoArch software Toolbox and I discovered it on one of the AutoCAD specific websites.  It will put two broken, co-linear lines back together.  A great routine to put a wall line back together after taking out a door or window.

Totlen.lsp - As in "total length".  Select the lines, arcs, or polylines you would like to add up, then press Enter.  A dialog box displays the distance in Architectural as well as Decimal units.  Very handy.

Numbers.zip - The three auto-numbering routines are in here: Wsnum.lsp, Objno.lsp, and Prefix.lsp. For an explanation on what they do, read on. If you want the individual lisp routines, they are in the [brackets] after their explanation.

Set up for the numbering routines and what they do:

A..  Each one of the numbering routines creates Dtext, not Mtext.
B..  The numbers are created on the current layer in the current text style so set those up first.

BIG NOTE ABOUT THESE NUMBERING ROUTINES...
Be sure the current Text Style's Height is set to 0 before running the following three routines.

OBJNO - Simple numbering. Enter the starting number and the text height and you're off. [Objno.zip]

PREFIX - Enter a prefix, the starting number, the text height, then the increment (press Enter for 1). The prefix hugs right up to the number ala  WS101, WS102 or KEY-60, KEY-61, etc. [Prefix.zip]

WSNUM - Similar to Prefix, but this one puts a space between the prefix and the sequential number,  FR 355, FR 356, etc.   Note:  When prompted "Increment numbers by <1>?" just press Enter, don't type 1. Some folks have gotten an error if you enter 1.  I didn't write 'em, I just found 'em as freeware on the Internet. [Wsnum.zip]

Dline.zip - This double line generator was introduced on the R11 Bonus CD (does anyone else still have that??), was included in R12, then mysteriously dropped when Mline came on the scene in R13.  AutoCAD LT has had the Dline routine as a staple for years.  Three key features:

Width.  This sets the distance between the parallel lines.

 Dragline.  Think 'justification'; Right, Center, or Left based    upon the direction you are going.

 Offset.  This enables you to offset the Start point of a new Dline.  You get 3 prompts:

1.. 'Offset From'.  Pick a point.

2.. 'Offset Toward.'  Turn on Ortho (if it isn't already) and pick a point in the 
direction where the start point for the new dline will be placed relative to the offset point.

3.. 'Distance.'  Now you can enter how far the start point is for the new
dline from the offset point in the direction specified.

Fonts
These go in the AutoCAD ..\Fonts folder [LT, too!]

Archfonts.zip

 Instructions:

Download and unzip the Archfonts.zip file in your AutoCAD ..\Fonts folder [works for LT, too].

The next time you launch AutoCAD, Archquik.shx, Architxt.shx, and Archtitl.shx will be available from the Font Name drop-down list in the Text Style dialog box.

Express Tools Review

My good friend Jim Leach is the manager of the w AutoCAD Training Center at the University of Louisville. He is also the author of the long-running 'AutoCAD Instructor' series. It has excellent, detailed coverage of commands and options, along with dozens of exercises. He asked me to write the review of the Express Tools for AutoCAD 2004 and you can download the 62pp Chapter 47 [PDF] here.

w Go to the link for Chapter 47

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