Create Button for Repetitive Commands

I'm still new to script. Most of the help examples seem to be about extracting data, which is not what I need.

What I am hoping to do is set a keyboard button (let's say 'Q') to automatically change selected text from justification left to justification "Right".

Is this possible?

Also, does anyone know a good resource for seeing and brainstorming the possibilities of scripts for someone starting out?

If you are just starting to learn, these may help;

Starting LISP:

http://www.afralisp.net/

http://www.jefferypsanders.com/autolisptut.html

http://ronleigh.info/autolisp/index.htm

More Advanced LISP Tutorials/Help:

http://augiru.augi.com/content/library/au07/data/paper/CP311-4.pdf

http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book-Z-H-4.html

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/project/ai-repository/ai/html/cltl/clm/node1.html

DCL Tutorials:

http://www.jefferypsanders.com/autolisp_DCL.html

http://www.afralisp.net/

Thanks Lee Mac.

Am I barking up the wrong tree with the justification change, or should I be able to work that with a script?

It depends what you mean by 'script'.

A Script is run through AutoCAD as just a list of commands - bearing no user input, and no error handling.

An AutoLISP or Visual LISP program/function can be created so that it can be invoked with a specific syntax, and perform the operations coded within.

You can certainly achieve what you are requesting through an AutoLISP/Visual LISP program, but would be slightly more difficult using a Script.

Lee

As an example, here are two ways to accomplish your goal:

With AutoLISP: (A reference can be found here).

(defun c:Text2Right_1 (/ i ss ent eLst)

 (if (setq i -1 ss (ssget "_:L" '((0 . "TEXT"))))    
   (while (setq ent (ssname ss (setq i (1+ i))))
     (setq eLst (entget ent)
           eLst (subst (cons 11 (cdr (assoc 10 eLst)))
                       (assoc 11 eLst) eLst))
     (entmod (subst (cons 72 2) (assoc 72 eLst) eLst))))

 (princ))

With Visual LISP:

(defun c:Text2Right_2 (/ ss)
 (vl-load-com)

 (if (ssget "_:L" '((0 . "TEXT")))
   (progn
     (vlax-for obj (setq ss (vla-get-ActiveSelectionSet
                              (vla-get-ActiveDocument
                                (vlax-get-acad-object))))

       (setq tmp (vla-get-InsertionPoint obj))        
       (vla-put-Alignment obj acAlignmentRight)
       (vla-put-TextAlignmentPoint obj tmp))

     (vla-delete ss)))

 (princ))

Here is another example demonstrating various ways to achieve the same result.

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showpost.php?p=296877&postcount=4

Hope this helps,

Lee

Here's a few Justification macros I use. They should serve as a few good examples/starting point.

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showpost.php?p=271443&postcount=20

While I do not recommend excessive use of command calls, there is nothing wrong with lisp macros. It's also a good starting point.

Re: writing LISP code, how long were you two (LeeMac and Alanjt) using AutoCAD before you started dabbling in LISP? Had you programmed in other languages or applications previously? I suppose it was out of a desire to increase the speed at which you can do your work, simplifying repetitive commands, etc. Is this similar to how other software is coded? Back in school, I could program in PASCAL, FORTRAN, C, and Matlab. So I have the ability to think through the steps of a program, but I have none of the knowledge of the actually lingo used.

This is all kind of interesting to me. I don't know if other CAD software works the same way, but I worked for 12 years in automotive before this with design groups of 20-30 people using Unigraphics and Catia, and I never heard them once talking about customization or writing any subroutines. If I continue in this field I see this as something I will have to learn.

It depends what you mean by 'script'.

 

A Script is run through AutoCAD as just a list of commands - bearing no user input, and no error handling.

 

An AutoLISP or Visual LISP program/function can be created so that it can be invoked with a specific syntax, and perform the operations coded within.

 

You can certainly achieve what you are requesting through an AutoLISP/Visual LISP program, but would be slightly more difficult using a Script.

 

Lee

Thanks again Lee.

I was using the word script as a general term, I did not know the subtle differences.

By your definition it seems I need LISP.

The truth is we run mostly LT in our office and I continue to try to get work arounds. I know I can't create LISP routines on LT, I'm still not sure if I can insert customized buttons or not.

The reason I used the word 'script' is because I have been told that "Scriptpro" will work on LT.

When talking about 'Scripts' with Autocad most people would mean a text based file with the file extension '.SCR'.

Running a script file will execute a series of commands in order, Just as if you has typed them at the command line, however its not easy to add user input - for example picking the text you want to 'Re-Justify'.

However for a simple task like re-justfying text you could use a Diesal command macro, which will run when you click a button.

Scripting:

http://www.cad-manager.com/archives/8#more-8

Command Macros:

http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/AutoCAD_tips_custom_command.html

(Kudos to Lee Mac, He is a top notch Lisper. His explanation of a 'Script' program is absoloutly correct, I just don't think it's what you meant.)

Re: writing LISP code, how long were you two (LeeMac and Alanjt) using AutoCAD before you started dabbling in LISP? Had you programmed in other languages or applications previously? I suppose it was out of a desire to increase the speed at which you can do your work, simplifying repetitive commands, etc. Is this similar to how other software is coded? Back in school, I could program in PASCAL, FORTRAN, C, and Matlab. So I have the ability to think through the steps of a program, but I have none of the knowledge of the actually lingo used.

 

This is all kind of interesting to me. I don't know if other CAD software works the same way, but I worked for 12 years in automotive before this with design groups of 20-30 people using Unigraphics and Catia, and I never heard them once talking about customization or writing any subroutines. If I continue in this field I see this as something I will have to learn.

Hi CrazyJ,

I am a student, and don't actually work with AutoCAD at all - I worked with it briefly in my Gap-Year and one of the guys I worked with introduced me to some badly written LISP routines and I could see the potential, and so got hooked on writing the code.

I'm studying a Maths degree, so I too have written quite a bit in MatLab, and have also studied C to an intermediate level. And, of course, in knowing Visual LISP, VBA is not too much of a stretch, as there are only subtle differences.

But if you are in the industry, I would definitely recommend having a shot at learning it - even the basics will speed up your work. And before you know it you will be pretty proficient at it (with practice of course). The forums help a great deal with learning, I still can't believe how steep the learning curve was for me...

(Kudos to Lee Mac, He is a top notch Lisper. His explanation of a 'Script' program is absoloutly correct, I just don't think it's what you meant.)

Cheers dude