Setting Support File Search Paths in lisp routine

[chris410fortin]

Hey guys

I have a simple lisp routine that loads everytime one of my users opens a new drawing, It sets the printer paths, sets the template paths and sets a bunch of environment variables

One thing I would like to add to this lisp routine is the ability to add support file search paths.

Is there a simple setenv variable for this? or is it more complicated?

any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

Chris

[Lee_Mac]

You might find these functions useful:  Add & Remove Support File Search Paths

[BlackBox_]

Also worthy of note for those using 2012+ when manipulating SFSP, the Autoloader mechanism adds all app-dependent SupportPaths prior to Acad.lsp, and AcadDoc.lsp being loaded in the startup sequence.

It is important to ensure that any path containing \ApplicationPlugins\ NOT be removed from SFSP, as this may cause SupportPath-dependent Autoloader apps to stop working properly.

Cheers

[smbrennan]

Lee_Mac

I am trying to utilize your Add & Remove Support File Search Paths - but I am having some difficulty. I haven't programmed in 14 years, and even at that, it was an introduction to C++ - needless to say I'm a bit out of it.

I am trying to run your LM:sfsp+ function via acad.lsp. I copied the entire "Function Description" code into it's own .lsp file. The acad.lsp file contains your "Function Call", and I am defining the folders I wish to add within the call. However, I don't see those folders when I re-open CAD. What am I missing??? I am using MEP 2015.

Thanks,
Shawn

[mid-awe]

Here is how I've been doing it for many years:

(DEFUN AddSupportPath (dir / tmp Cpath)
  (VL-LOAD-COM)
  (SETQ	Cpath (GETENV "ACAD") tmp (STRCAT ";" dir ";"))
  (IF (NOT (VL-STRING-SEARCH dir cpath)) (SETENV "ACAD" (STRCAT Cpath ";" dir)))
  (PRINC)
)
(AddSupportPath "C:\\Symbols")
(AddSupportPath "C:\\Drawings")
(AddSupportPath "C:\\Lisps")

 Not as awesome as Lee's but it has not let me down ever.

[smbrennan]

Thanks Mid-Awe! That does the trick for me. Much easier to understand too! I'm still learning AutoLISP so easier = better (for now).

[Lee_Mac]

smbrennan85 wrote:

Lee_Mac

I am trying to utilize your Add & Remove Support File Search Paths - but I am having some difficulty. I haven't programmed in 14 years, and even at that, it was an introduction to C++ - needless to say I'm a bit out of it.

I am trying to run your LM:sfsp+ function via acad.lsp. I copied the entire "Function Description" code into it's own .lsp file. The acad.lsp file contains your "Function Call", and I am defining the folders I wish to add within the call. However, I don't see those folders when I re-open CAD. What am I missing??? I am using MEP 2015.

Thanks,
Shawn

Hi Shawn,

The key point is that the function will need to be defined before the function call is evaluated - that is, the defun expression will need to be evaluated before the call to the function is evaluated.

I would suggest copying the code for my Add Support Paths Function into its own .lsp file, and then, on a new line following the code (in the same file), place the function call, i.e. something like:

(LM:sfsp+ '("C:\\Folder1" "C:\\Folder2" "C:\\Folder3"))

You can then load this .lsp file from the acad.lsp, and the function will be defined & evaluated.

Lee

[smbrennan]

Ahh ok. I think my problem was that I was placing the function call in the acad.lsp file itself. I knew something wasn't right with my own logic - but it makes sense now.

Thanks for the prompt reply Lee!

[Lee_Mac]

You're welcome Shawn

[m_rogoff]

I'm wondering what advantages this has opposed to setting a profile and workspace?  Now that would be too simple...?

I am looking for something similar, but I run on LT and profiles (or lisp for that matter) are not supported. Have you looked into changing the system registry keys?

[DanSingleton]

Sorry for bumping an old thead but I'm in the process of getting ready for our upgrade and have wanted to implement something like this for quite a while. Our network hiccups and we lose the paths. I also have certain users changing the pathing on their own and I'd like to stop that if possible. 

1. Is it better to put custom paths before the default SFSP, or after? Would this make any difference for performance or load times?

2. Is there a quick way to reset the SFSP back to the Autodesk default? This is so I can quickly reset to default to remove user customizations and add the company standard paths?

3. Is there anyway to lock the the SFSP? This is to prevent my users "accidentally" changing them.

Thanks,

[DanielLench_]

Excuse the resurrection of an old thread but I believe this to be the earliest and best on this topic and am asking @Lee_Mac for direction on how to pass a variable into the function call?

I'm trying to pass (LM:sfsp+n '("$Dir1" "$Dir2" "$Dir3" "$Dir4") 0) and have tried all manner of formatting that I can think of.

For this example assume the following:

(setq $Dir1 "C:\\ACC\\ACCDocs\\XYZ\\XYZ_ACAD Support\\_C3D\\2024\\"))

(setq $Dir2 "G:\\XYZ_ACAD Support\\_C3D\\2024\\")
(setq $Dir3 "C:\\ProjectWise\\XYZ\\C3D\\2024\\")

(setq $Dir4 "C:\\ACAD\\XYZ_ACAD Support\\_C3D\\2024\\")

Thanks in advance!

[Sea-Haven]

Easy just make a string the paths are seperated by a semi colon ;

";C:\\ACC\\ACCDocs\\XYZ\\XYZ_ACAD Support\\_C3D\\2024\\;G:\\XYZ_ACAD Support\\_C3D\\2024\\;C:\\ProjectWise\\XYZ\\C3D\\2024\\;C:\\ACAD\\XYZ_ACAD Support\\_C3D\\2024\\"

;make new support paths exist + new
(setq paths (vla-get-SupportPath *files*))
(setq XXXXpaths "L:\\autodesk\\supportfiles;L:\\autodesk\\lisp;L:\\autodesk\\fonts;")
(setq newpath (strcat XXXXpaths paths))
(vla-put-SupportPath *files* newpath)