ACAD's Phantom Command Strings

[DWG Destroyer]

While working with layers in ACAD yesterday, I was exploring the usefulness of writing basic scripts and recording macros when I noticed that some commands have hidden options when used in the command line. For example, typing "-layer" will return a list of key words for you to choose from that will dictate the next step of the command path i.e. "layer" > "freeze" > "select objects" and so forth. Upon typing "-layer" and hitting enter, and then mistakenly just hitting "o" for "on", ACAD returned the following in the command line:

 

"ONLYColor or ONLYSet or ON or OFf?"

 

You would normally expect to see either "ON" or "OFF" but it can be seen that two other options are available - "ONLYColor" and "ONLYSet".

I experimented with these new command eventualities and found them very useful in aiding me in what I was previously trying to achieve, as before stumbling across these I was ready to give up my pursuits in this area of layer manipulation as sadly my time is usually required on more pressing engagements. I was thrilled to discover these occult command line entries, and would much like to learn of any others that may exist. My guess is that these are long overlooked command strings that existed in much earlier versions of ACAD, as they do not appear in commands and are not located in the help files, yet from what I have deduced they are still fully functional and potentially very useful! If anyone out there could shed some light on this matter I would appreciate it to no end!

 

Anyone?

 

Cheers guys.

[Sittingbull]

One of the first i learned was "fence" option.

e.g.: command: trim, then hit f.

 

SB

[Glen1980]

What is the difference between Onlycolor & color (feels weird not typing the u's)?

 

To make typing quicker for your code -la does the same as -layer search out your pgp for a full list of alias's and you can make your own ones.

[MSasu]

This is true, some commands support "hidden" options when used in command line – this is to ensure compatibility of old scripts and/or AutoLISP routines with current version (that it, the functionality of previous releases is preserved).

 

Regards,

Mircea

[BIGAL]

UCS OB pretty sure not in list displayed "object"

[rkent]

UCS OB pretty sure not in list displayed "object"

 

For 2011 the Object does show but you can still type E for entity even though it doesn't show. Also type N for New a one or two other options appear, if you know the one you want you don't have to type N first to use them.

 

I had never noticed the ONLYSet and ONLYColor options.

 

And of course you can still type C after entering the -array command.

 

Type a ?, enter after starting a command, this will usually provide the options available. Start the TRIM command, ?, enter....

 

After -layer, ?, enter, enter, you will get a list of all layers and their settings.

Edited February 20, 2011 by rkent

[BIGAL]

Also the ' commands these mean you want to enter something in the middle of a command try 'mee this is a cal command for middle of two pick pts

 

line 'mee

 

a stored lisp value can be entered as a command !ans (setq ans "hardiboard white") say to shorthand repeated text prompts !t1 !t2 etc

 

for us a bit older 'z was a transparent zoom command

[alanjt]

Also the ' commands these mean you want to enter something in the middle of a command try 'mee this is a cal command for middle of two pick pts

 

line 'mee

 

a stored lisp value can be entered as a command !ans (setq ans "hardiboard white") say to shorthand repeated text prompts !t1 !t2 etc

 

for us a bit older 'z was a transparent zoom command

 

Don't forget 'P.