Beyond APPLOAD: A local script manager for those of us with too many LISPs

[BIGAL]

Did look in the DFS file and it was up to date.  Removed a line and saved. But no change will look further.

[Paul Li]

@BIGAL I'm only able to successfully add the file by do the following:

1) Right after adding the file using the lisp function, don't run Appload but close out of AutoCAD and re-start it

2) Manually add the file using Regedit, and if AutoCAD is running, don't run Appload but close and restart AutoCAD

AutoCAD seems to have a hold of what goes on inside the Startup Suite window.

[aridzv]

about loading lisps:

I use a lisp file with autoload lines for each lisp looks like this:

(defun c:lisps_autoload ();;Autoload all lisp files
 (autoload "3D2D" '("3D2D"))
 (autoload "3dplifstraight" '("3dplifstraight"))
 (autoload "add_SYS_ATT" '("add_SYS_ATT"))
.
.
.
.
)
(c:lisps_autoload)

this file have about 190 lines to autoload lisps - can have much more of course..

this file sits in place that is part of the cad path and I need to APPLOAD only this lisp - then all my lisps are availble on demand.

not loaded wich take memeory but wating to be called and only those I call are loaded.

 

about CUI:

I have my custom CUI file and when I make new installtion (happens every 3 yeers...) I finish the intalation and copy the CUI file to new location and with "Customize" commad load it and done.

 

the same with my lisp's folder - copy it the new location,

use APPLOAD once to load the autoload lisp file mark the "Autoload" check box and finish.

 

copy one CUI file,one lisps folder,set my CUI to mine,APPLOAD one lisp file and done.

 

About dependencies:

If a lisp is called from other lisp but didn't load before (didn't call it or it is a function lisp that will never be called by a user) I use this code to check if it is loaded and if not load it:

   (if (or (not breakallfunc) (not BREAK_WITH));; if breakallfunc command or BREAK_WITH command are not loaded load breakall.lsp  
     (load "breakall.lsp")
   )

 

Edited 3 hours ago by aridzv

[Paul Li]

@aridzv I also like to use the autoload function. But instead of including those lines of code in a lisp file that is added to the Startup Contents window under Appload, I include those lines of code inside the mnl files. Since I'm loading partial menus as long as the mnl file name matches the partial menu cuix file name, then AutoCAD automatically loads the contents inside the mnl file without the need to add the file under Appload. Unfortunately, this feature only works with AutoCAD but not with LT. Hopefully in the near furture Autodesk will incorporate the support of mnl files as well with LT.

[aridzv]

I think that the will to simplify the proccess of controling our environment (Ribbons,Menues,Varaibles,Lisps Etc.) can leed to more complications... and I also feel it loose it's original goal wich is to control our cad environment.

 

It started with how to manage our lisp's, CUI (ribbon and menues) and varaibles setting and ended up with cloud-based app that (in my eyes...) only add complictions and I didn't fully understand its goal...

 

to control the lisps - one autoload lisp file do it,

and for organizations it can sit in a shared location.

simple documantation file like excel or other formats can use to tell users what each lisp dose .

organazations have system administrators for that.

 

about settings: 

Bricscad have On_Doc_Load & on_start files, Autocad have its equivalents,

and that is where varaibles can be set automatically.

 

about the Ribbon and menues:

CUI files can be deployed and loaded.

 

there are other ways to progrematically do it like mentioned here through the registry and more,

but I feel that some significant overshoot was displayed here.

and do it through the cloud also raise some doubts for me.

Edited 2 hours ago by aridzv

[Steven P]

I got as far as writing to the registry but got stuck for time - I think I needed a restart of AutoCAD - 80% there, just that final part - but this was al done in testing the concept if I could - and it looks like I didn't save it! Sorry (It is one I want to do in the next year or so before next upgrade time)