Horizontal or Vertical line to nearest entities in both directions

[Dahzee]

This might seem a bit random and I have looked to see if this has been asked before.

 

I would like to create a line on a specific layer, sometimes horizontal and sometimes vertical (it will always be one or the other) that extends left/right or top/bottom to the nearest entities.

 

The idea of this is I have a CNC cutting machine that I want to break up the waste material to a smaller size, so adding extra lines in, cuts the material so the pieces are small enough to throw away rather than having a rectangle of material (cardboard in this case) which I then have to tear up to throw away.

 

I presume the routine would go something like this:

 

Start the command and it asks you if you want a horizontal or vertical line (preferably remembering the last option).

 

Once you have chosen V or H you are then asked for a point. This almost always isn't a SNAP point so doesn't need a particular SNAP setting.

 

A point is chosen and a line is created that extends to the nearest entities in both directions which would be either lines, arcs, circles or polylines.

 

I created a video that almost shows what I mean (I cheated and added a small line in first ) which I then extended in both directions at the same time.

 

Hopefully, the explanation and video make enough sense for it to be understood.

[pkenewell]

Try this - no need to Select H or V just pick the points in a H or V direction (or at any other angle you want):

(defun c:ELINE (/ p1 p2)
   (while 
      (and 
          (setq p1 (getpoint "\nSelect 1st point of Line: "))
          (setq p2 (getpoint p1 "\NSelect 2nd point to define angle: "))
      )
      (progn
         (command "._line" "_non" p1 "_non" p2 "")
         (Command "._extend" "" p1 p2 "") 
      )
   )
)

I like this - I think I am going to keep this for my library since it is so simple.

 

P.S. Let me know if you would prefer to have a special layer set or created and I can easily add that.

Edited May 13, 2024 by pkenewell

[Dahzee]

@pkenewell

Thanks for this it works even easier than I imagined.

 

What would I need to add to make the lines on a specific layer and then change back to the current layer?

 

As the layer used for these types of lines is only ever used for this purpose, so once I have finished adding them I need to go back to my current layer.

 

Sorry, I don't want to sound ungrateful as your routine does do what I asked

[pkenewell]

Here you go. Set the variables mlayer, mlt, and mcol to your preferences:

(defun c:ELINE (/ *error* cla mcol mlayer mlt p1 p2)   
   
   (defun *error* (msg)
      (princ msg)
      (if cla (setvar "clayer" cla))
      (if cmo (setvar "cmdecho" cmo))
   )
   
   (setq mlayer "ELINE_LAYER" mlt "CONTINUOUS" mcol 9)   
   
   (command "._undo" "_be")

   (Setq cla (getvar "clayer") cmo (getvar "cmdecho"))
   (setvar "cmdecho" 0)
   (if (not (tblsearch "LAYER" mlayer))
      (command "._layer" "_m" mlayer "_L" mlt "" "_C" mcol "" "")
      (setvar "clayer" mlayer)
   )
   
   (while 
      (and 
          (setq p1 (getpoint "\nSelect 1st point of Line: "))
          (setq p2 (getpoint p1 "\NSelect 2nd point to define angle: "))
      )
      (progn
         (command "._line" "_non" p1 "_non" p2 "")
         (Command "._extend" "" p1 p2 "") 
      )
   )

   (setvar "clayer" cla)
   (command "._undo" "_E")
   (setvar "cmdecho" cmo)
   (princ)
)

Note - I also added some basic error handling and an UNDO group.

 

EDIT: Updated again to turn off command echoing.

Edited May 13, 2024 by pkenewell

[Dahzee]

Absolutely perfect!

 

Thank you very much for your help.

[BIGAL]

pkenewell nice idea very simple.

 

Dahzee dont forget press F8 will force a H or V. F8 off / on etc.