APİ call in AutoLisp

[p7q]

Hi,
Is it possible to make API (web) calls using AutoLISP that work in both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT?
If not, what is the recommended workaround for AutoCAD LT?

Thanks in advance!

[GLAVCVS]

Hi
I guess a necessary question is: which API calls?

If you want to access the web, look for information about XMLHTTP

Edited June 26 by GLAVCVS

[BIGAL]

Do a google lots of code out there can be as simple as.

 

(command "browser" "https://maps.google.com.au" )

; opera house -33.8567844,151.213108,17z

(command "browser" "https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.8567844,151.213108,17z")

Not tested in LT. Works in Bricscad.

Edited June 27 by BIGAL

[Saxlle]

You can also try with showhtmlmodalwindow. 

[p7q]

On 6/26/2025 at 3:18 PM, GLAVCVS said:

Hi
I guess a necessary question is: which API calls?

If you want to access the web, look for information about XMLHTTP

 

  (setq webObj (vlax-invoke-method (vlax-get-acad-object) 'GetInterfaceObject "WinHttp.WinHttpRequest.5.1"))
  (vlax-invoke-method webObj 'Open "GET" strUrl :vlax-false)
  (setq errobj (vl-catch-all-apply 'vlax-invoke-method (list webObj 'Send)))

This code not working in AutoCAD LT. 

[GLAVCVS]

48 minutes ago, p7q said:

 

  (setq webObj (vlax-invoke-method (vlax-get-acad-object) 'GetInterfaceObject "WinHttp.WinHttpRequest.5.1"))
  (vlax-invoke-method webObj 'Open "GET" strUrl :vlax-false)
  (setq errobj (vl-catch-all-apply 'vlax-invoke-method (list webObj 'Send)))

This code not working in AutoCAD LT. 

 

Why doesn't 'strUrl' work?

Make sure that variable contains a valid URL.

Edited Monday at 09:29 AM by GLAVCVS

[BIGAL]

Lt may not support "GetInterfaceObject", it is not a full lisp version lots of stuff does not work.

 

@p7q did you try what I posted ?

[SLW210]

Good stuff.

 

Here is an older example using JSON... https://github.com/diegomcas/autolisp-web-and-json-utils

 

Here is rundown on LT limitations... https://www.cadforum.cz/en/limitations-of-the-lisp-language-autolisp-visuallisp-autocad-lt-tip13683

 

IIRC you need ActiveX or other things that LT is lacking to make API calls, I hope I am proven wrong though.

[BlackBox]

13 hours ago, BIGAL said:

Lt may not support "GetInterfaceObject", it is not a full lisp version lots of stuff does not work.

 

@p7q did you try what I posted ?

 

2 hours ago, SLW210 said:

Good stuff.

 

Here is an older example using JSON... https://github.com/diegomcas/autolisp-web-and-json-utils

 

Here is rundown on LT limitations... https://www.cadforum.cz/en/limitations-of-the-lisp-language-autolisp-visuallisp-autocad-lt-tip13683

 

IIRC you need ActiveX or other things that LT is lacking to make API calls, I hope I am proven wrong though.

 

You're both correct; LT now supports AutoLISP (not Visual LISP / COM). Not sure if it even supports Autoloader.

 

I have a customer who paid for one of my Autodesk Exchange store apps, used it for years and now his employer downgraded everyone from full AutoCAD to LT. I had offered to write a (slower but functional) Visual LISP variant of the app they purchased, but no worky. 

 

Cheers

[Lee Mac]

LT does support ActiveX/COM, but cannot interface with objects outside of the AutoCAD Object Model.

[BlackBox]

3 minutes ago, Lee Mac said:

LT does support ActiveX/COM, but cannot interface with objects outside of the AutoCAD Object Model.

 

Thanks for the clarification, my friend.

[Tharwat]

@BlackBox

I am glad to see you contributing once again in all around similar forums. 

It's been a long time indeed. 

[BlackBox]

Thanks, @Tharwat!

 

We had a child, who's about to start kindergarten in a few weeks, we've moved, we have new jobs... so my priorities are (I am) different. 

 

Cheers

[Tharwat]

@BlackBox I sent you a PM to keep this thread related to its aim.

[SLW210]

18 hours ago, Lee Mac said:

LT does support ActiveX/COM, but cannot interface with objects outside of the AutoCAD Object Model.

 

Good clarification.

 

From the link I posted.

 

Quote

The first type of limitation is the lack of support for external ActiveX objects. For them you cannot use the (vlax-create-object), (vlax-get-object), (vlax-get-or-create-object), (vlax-import-type-library), (vla-GetInterfaceObject) functions. These functions are typically used for online communication, clipboard handling, XML, binary files, Excel, Word, Access (or other database tools), etc. But there may be a workaround for your situation - see the Tip 14007.

 

 

 TIP 14007