Lisp file request

[Stryder]

I enjoy a challenge, but sometimes I want to try things that are above my expertise. So, if there is anyone out there that enjoys a challenge and would like to help me out I have a request. I work in civil drafting and at the company I work for we don’t all have Civil 3d, for cost reasons. This is understandable, but I am always finding ways to use standard AutoCAD to make my job easier. With that in mind, I understand that Civil 3d will do what I am about to ask, but I don’t have that option.

When I draw a plan and profile of a sanitary sewer line I label the pipe in the profile to read as follows:

304 L.F. OF 8" P.V.C. @ 0.014 SLOPE

What I would like to be able to do is maybe pick the flow line out of the first manhole then pick the flow line out of the upstream manhole and have the above string of text placed above the pipe in the profile. I would like the text to be dtext and be bottom center justification and be placed at the midpoint of the top line of the pipe that is in the profile. I know that AutoCAD can calc the l.f. which is just the “x” distance of the two picked points. The slope could probably be calculated too but the profiles are at an exaggerated y scale so if this isn’t possible a place holder that can be edited would be fine. I have attached a dwg with an example of how the text should look. To whoever tackles this, if you need more info or I wasn’t clear on something, let me know.

[CarlB]

A suggestion..

If the top line of the pipe would accurately represent the LF (x distance), user could select just this line, and provide the y scale exaggeration. With the selected line & the exaggeration, the routine would know the LF, the slope, and exactly where to place the text & the orientation. (could ask user for text height also). It could provide everything except the pipe diameter & type, but could use X" P.V.C. as the default.

[Stryder]

True, however, the way the pipe lines are drawn in my profiles, the lines are trimmed back to the outer edge of the manhole. The manholes are typically the same dia. in the profile, so the routine would have to calculate and add some extra to make up the difference.

[BIGAL]

Did something similar pretty easy just break down into one step at a time

Enter vert scale
Enter hor scale
pick pit1 c/l /inv point
Pick pit2 c/l /inv point
pick top pipe
the rest is just maths taking into account the scales

taking your words I enjoy a challenge

(setq pt1 (Getpoint "pick point 1"))
(setq pt2 (Getpoint "pick point 2"))
(setq x1 (car pt1)) x value of pt1
(setq y1 (cadr pt1)) y value of pt1

keep going got you started

[Stryder]

Well, thanks for the start, but when I said I enjoy a challenge I also mentioned this was above me. I can write scripts (who can't?), write code for toolbar buttons and know some diesel expressions but I can't write lisp files. So, maybe I am asking for too much, if I am, I am sorry.

[Lee Mac]

Just noticed this thread - request doesn't seem too bad - but I can't view the drawing with only '04 at my disposal - would it be possible to upload an '04 compatable drawing please

[Stryder]

Thanks for the response and yes, I have changed it to where you can view. Let me know if you have any problems viewing.

[Lee Mac]

Perhaps something like this to start us off:

(defun c:pipetxt (/ *error* vlst ovar diam lEnt lObj lLen lAng lMid)
  (vl-load-com)

  (defun *error* (msg)
    (if ovar (mapcar 'setvar vlst ovar))
    (if tObj (entdel tObj))
    (if (not (member msg '("Function cancelled" "quit / exit abort")))
      (princ (strcat "\nError: " (strcase msg)))
      (princ "\n<-- cancelled -->"))
    (princ))

  (setq vlst '("OSMODE" "CLAYER")
    ovar (mapcar 'getvar vlst))
  (setvar "OSMODE" 0)

  (or (tblsearch "LAYER" "TXT-100")
      (vla-add (vla-get-layers
         (vla-get-ActiveDocument
           (vlax-get-acad-object))) "TXT-100"))

  (or pip:dia (setq pip:dia 8))
  (initget 6)
  (setq diam (getreal (strcat "\nSepcify Diameter of Pipeline <"
                  (rtos pip:dia 2 0) "\">: ")))
  (or (not diam) (setq pip:dia diam))

  (while (and (setq lEnt (car (entsel "\nSelect Pipeline: ")))
          (eq "LINE" (cdadr (entget lEnt))))
    (setq lObj (vlax-ename->vla-object lEnt)
      lLen (vla-get-length lObj)
      lAng (angle (vlax-curve-getStartPoint lObj)
                (vlax-curve-getEndPoint lObj))
      lMid (vlax-curve-getPointatParam lObj
         (/ (vlax-curve-getEndParam lObj) 2.0)))
    (if (and (> lAng 0) (<= lAng (/ pi 2)))
    nil (setq lAng (+ lAng pi)))
    (Make_Text lMid (strcat (rtos lLen 2 0) " L.F. OF "
                (rtos pip:dia 2 0) "\"%%C P.V.C. @ "
                (angtos lAng 0 3) " SLOPE") lAng))
  (mapcar 'setvar vlst ovar)
  (princ))

(defun Make_Text  (pt val rot)
  (entmake (list '(0 . "TEXT")
         '(8 . "TXT-100")
         (cons 10 pt)
         (cons 40 (getvar "TEXTSIZE"))
         (cons 1 val)
         (cons 50 rot)
         (cons 7 (getvar "TEXTSTYLE"))
         '(71 . 0)
         '(72 . 1)
         '(73 . 1)
         (cons 11 pt))))

[Stryder]

This is an EXCELLENT start. I am not sure how to fix this so I will tell you the tweaking that needs to be done and see if it can be done. Only 3 things; First, the length is the total length of the line and I need the "x" distance only from center of manhole to center of manhole not the end of the line. Second, the slope in this lisp is giving me the xy angle of the line. I need rise over run as in "y / x = slope". Third and last, the text height is too tall in my other drawings. I have no idea what the problem is with the text height because it works fine in the drawing that I uploaded.

If it helps, and I said this above, our manholes are the same size in all drawings and you could just add the additional footage to the calculated "x" distance?

Also, a common mistake, I make it myself and I fixed it already but, the DAI. symbol is %%C instead of %%D.

Thank you very much for your help Lee Mac and looking forward to the finished product! As I have said above, if you need any more info from me just ask.

[Lee Mac]

This is an EXCELLENT start. I am not sure how to fix this so I will tell you the tweaking that needs to be done and see if it can be done.

Thanks Stryder - I knew there'd be a few things needed tweaking after reading a few of the previous posts - but I thought I'd start us off with something concrete first

Only 3 things; First, the length is the total length of the line and I need the "x" distance only from center of manhole to center of manhole not the end of the line.

Would you still prefer to select the line only, and have the "x" distance added on? (It would make the LISP more stable this way imo).

Second, the slope in this lisp is giving me the xy angle of the line. I need rise over run as in "y / x = slope".

This should be easily achieved.

Third and last, the text height is too tall in my other drawings. I have no idea what the problem is with the text height because it works fine in the drawing that I uploaded.

The text height I am using is just retrieved from the "TEXTSIZE" variable in whatever drawing you are working in - but I can modify this to whatever you desire.

Also, a common mistake, I make it myself and I fixed it already but, the DAI. symbol is %%C instead of %%D.

Coincidentally, I noticed this just before you posted this reply - I altered the code in my original post - but thanks for pointing it out all the same.



Cheers

Lee