Help with Autolisp

[vivifira]

Hi everyone,

  I have just recently learned how to use Autolisp and I have a few questions. The first one is that I would like to identify and object like a text field on startup and have a reactor attached to it so when I change the text in the field it will automatically change 1 or more text field else where. I would also like to know if there is a way to target data in a table to achieve this. Please let me know if this is possible.

Thanks.

[Lee_Mac]

You do not need custom programming to achieve this -

I would suggest using AutoCAD Fields instead - type FIELD at the command-line.

Lee

[vivifira]

I've been using fields too, but they are very limited and I need to refresh for every field I create. That's why I've been looking into reactors. I was wondering if reactors could be more efficient. I don't know if I've been using the fields right or how to use the fields syntax either. Thanks for the advice.

[dbroad]

Other than refresh, what do you want to do that fields won't do?  Otherwise, fields are better than reactors by far.

[vivifira]

I'm exploring options for automating tasks for my company. We work with a lot of BOM sheets that we are looking to do this in auto cad instead of excel. I'm also looking to create the easiest path for my coworkers to use. If I can shorten a task one or two clicks of a button it would be best. So that's why I'm learning lisp. Some of the fields I created required me to refresh the drawing as many times as I had fields or as many levels of nested fields I had. It just seemed inefficient.

[gccdaemon]

What type of CAD are you using? Also, what is your fieldeval system variable set to?

[vivifira]

I'm using full cad 2011 and I don't know what fieldeval is set. Where can I find this.

[gccdaemon]

Fieldeval is a system variable for which tasks refresh a field. You should set it to 31. You can also change it in your options one bottom left of the "User Preferences" tab.

[vivifira]

I checked the fieldeval and it is set to 31.

[dbroad · Accepted solution]

I'm pretty sure you don't want to use reactors.  If you want more ideas post a sample drawing with these nested fields.  The main problem with reactors is that they aren't part of the drawing.  They must be loaded each time the drawing is loaded.  So sharing these drawings would be problematic.  They also require sophisticated programming, something I wouldn't expect of someone who'd just learned lisp.  There are also difficulties with handling undo, and cancellation of actions.

A command to perform n regens might overcome your multiple regen annoyance.

[vivifira]

Thanks guys. I think I'll create a multi regen command. I'll start looking into how to use fields more effectively.