Here is a macro combined with a couple of scripts that I wrote this week. What it does is import data from another drawing (containing street names in this case) with a Map 3D query based on a rectangular area.

The Macro:

^C^Cscript;P:/GIS/XREF-CITY-MAP.scr;(alert "Pick two diagonal points to define the import area.");(setq firstp (getpoint "Pick first point: "));\(setq secondp (getpoint "Pick second point: "));\script;P:/GIS/IMPORT-STREETNAMES.scr;

I’ll break it down for you. Read more »

Here is a site that helps you learn AutoLISP in plain English. You will be guided slowly to create your own AutoLISP program! Check it out…

Today was another full day at Autodesk University. Last night I went to bed early so I missed the Exhibit Hall Opening Reception. But after lunch I did get a chance to take a walk around it and look at some really neat displays. Read more »

Autodesk University is in full swing here in Las Vegas. This is my second time attending this event and I have to say, it’s worth every penny. Not only are the classes good, but you get to network and meet innovative, smart people. Read more »

There are quite a few ways to accomplish this and I am going to show you a little trick to find area in acres quickly. The reason I am writing this is to show you some of the capabilities AutoCAD has when it comes to doing calculations. Read more »

For those of you who are new to writing scripts in AutoCAD, I have included a simple script as an example to show you how it works. Read more »

I received an email from Cadalyst today telling about their new CAD Tips library – formerly called “Get the Code”. If you’ve ever used Get the Code before, you know how difficult it was to find what you were looking for. With their new CAD Tips, it is much easier to browse AutoLISP and VBA by category and you can still search by keyword. Check it out…

One of my favorite things about using AutoCAD is the ability to write and run scripts to help me do repetitive tasks quickly. A script is a series of commands (just like you type into the command line) that you can save in a text file and run on any drawing whenever you need it. Since it is saved in a text file, you can easily share it with colleagues who might need to use it. I have a library of scripts for repetitive tasks we do at work on a regular basis. Here is how to get started writing a script. Read more »

Not being a programmer I am not going to get into the technical details of constructing AutoLISP code, but I am going to share with you 5 simple AutoLISP codes to help you make selection-sets. Read more »

I like to find AutoLISP that someone else has written and modify it for my needs. There are a lot of sources of AutoLISP code on the Internet. Read more »

I am the type of guy who spends a lot of time finding a shortcut so that I can spend less time doing tedious work. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when you are under a time-crunch and have to put on headphones and blast through some tedious stuff. That is life! But I think it’s the mind-numbing tedious work that breeds innovation. Read more »