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Message 1 of 54
Anonymous
1485 Views, 53 Replies

Track ball vs. Mouse

I'm just a little curious, how many of you use a track ball?. A new drafter
just started here and brought in his own track ball.
Personally, I can't see how he is going to become productive using a track
ball. But then again I have never used one while drafting.
I've sat at his desk and it seems very awkward to draft with.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

--
Howard Kaplan
Sidney B. Bowne & Son
235 E. Jericho Turnpike
Mineola, NY 11501
www.Bownegroup.com
Dell Optiplex GX620
Acad R2006, LDD 2006
Dual Pentium 3.2 Ghz
2 Gig of Ram
53 REPLIES 53
Message 21 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Saying you were a soldier does not mean you would have necessarily been
exposed to graphics software. Being a construction worker, one may not see
high end graphics software either. I would imagine the Army utilizes some
technology in their work today, including graphics software.

https://tsc.wes.army.mil/


wrote in message news:5440987@discussion.autodesk.com...
I don't think i would trust any study that was done by the Army that had to
do with graphical input. the Army is not exactly up there with intense
graphics.
not that i am not all for the Army, I am a former soldier. But I have never
seen the Army with any high end graphics software.
Message 22 of 54
jseefcoot
in reply to: Anonymous

I use a trackball, not because of wrist pain or any other ergonomic reason, but rather because I wanted more precise control with the mouse.

As has been stated elsewhere in this thread, the input device is nowhere near as important as the operator using it. The trackball I use is a Logitech with the thumb-side ball, and two buttons with a scroll wheel on the other side. I have to keep a regular mouse plugged into my CPU at all times because I am the only person here who drafts with a trackball. But when others come to my station, not even the ten-year veterans can match me for speed when they use the conventional mouse and I use my trackball. Even if they best me when I use a normal mouse (and I'm still pretty quick with one, since I don't have a trackball at home.)

The most important thing about using a trackball is to find the right settings within the mouse itself. I never got the control I sought until I played with the settings. My Logitech came out of the box set up great -- if all I had to do was surf the net. It took a few days of adjusting, playing with the trackball speed and orientation, etc. before I had it the way I wanted it, but it didn't hurt my productivity any while I figured it out. I just started drawing, and whenever the trackball didn't behave the way I wanted it to, I went and fiddled with the settings.

Remember the first time you sat at a computer and tried to move a mouse? I'm willing to bet that it took a little time before your 'aim' got good. It's the same when switching to a trackball. It seems weird just because you've never done it before. If this guy brought it with him, then I would just watch him use it. Make an educated guess about his productivity and go from there. If you have other operators then there will be a good yardstick against which to measure his productivity.
Message 23 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Dean, what kind of trackball do you have?
I'm a bit surprised because highlighting text and writing code is hard with trackballs. Anytime you have to click and
drag, its hard to roll tha ball and hold on the button at the same time.
What's your experience on that?

Dean Saadallah
|>Been using a trackball since my first one back in 1992.
|>I've been dual-tasking with a Wacom Tablet and Pen for a few
|>years now, depending on application.
|>
|>Only ever use a mouse when I'm on my laptop, and only then
|>because they are small, easy to pack, and come with short
|>cords: hate the laptop pad.
|>
|>--
|>Dean Saadallah
|>Add-on products for LT
|>http://www.pendean.com/lt
James Maeding
Civil Engineer and Programmer
jmaeding - athunsaker - com
Message 24 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

interesting, any comments on your use of the keyboard compared to the 10 year veterans?
Like you said, its the operator that matters so that tells me you know your tools and shortcuts and they don't.
Dang, now I want to try one of these things.
Do most people use the thumb ball types as opposed to the palm ball types?

jseefcoot <>
|>I use a trackball, not because of wrist pain or any other ergonomic reason, but rather because I wanted more precise control with the mouse.
|>
|>As has been stated elsewhere in this thread, the input device is nowhere near as important as the operator using it. The trackball I use is a Logitech with the thumb-side ball, and two buttons with a scroll wheel on the other side. I have to keep a regular mouse plugged into my CPU at all times because I am the only person here who drafts with a trackball. But when others come to my station, not even the ten-year veterans can match me for speed when they use the conventional mouse and I use my trackball. Even if they best me when I use a normal mouse (and I'm still pretty quick with one, since I don't have a trackball at home.)
|>
|>The most important thing about using a trackball is to find the right settings within the mouse itself. I never got the control I sought until I played with the settings. My Logitech came out of the box set up great -- if all I had to do was surf the net. It took a few days of adjusting, playing with the trackball speed and orientation, etc. before I had it the way I wanted it, but it didn't hurt my productivity any while I figured it out. I just started drawing, and whenever the trackball didn't behave the way I wanted it to, I went and fiddled with the settings.
|>
|>Remember the first time you sat at a computer and tried to move a mouse? I'm willing to bet that it took a little time before your 'aim' got good. It's the same when switching to a trackball. It seems weird just because you've never done it before. If this guy brought it with him, then I would just watch him use it. Make an educated guess about his productivity and go from there. If you have other operators then there will be a good yardstick against which to measure his productivity.
James Maeding
Civil Engineer and Programmer
jmaeding - athunsaker - com
Message 25 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

in disguise? have you ever seen me?
Believe me, with two daughters and a (cute) wife, I know what you mean.


Jerry G
|>You must be a woman in disguise if you can talk all day without getting
|>tired.
|>
|>James Maeding wrote:
|>> I am thinking voice control has to enter the equation some day.
|>> As anyone I have met knows, I can talk all day and not get tired...seems like we could incorporate that into the
|>> computer somehow.
|>> I am aware of the current voice solutions but have not tried any, but I hear they don't work well.
|>> Even if I could just have two items "osnap" and "pan" to pull up the osnap menu, or start the realtime pan command (exc
|>> to finish), that would be worth lots of money to me.
|>> Throw in some foot pedals for enter or escape, and I would be a dancing, singing fool on autocad!
|>>
|>> Josh Nieman <>
|>> |>I wish a 3d puck such as those at 3dconexxion, etc were a viable solution for me.
|>> |>
|>> |>two fistin' cad would be awesome, but I would need the keyboard too much. I do not like clicking icons at all... have very few displayed. I'm a keyboard-shortcut lover, as well as starting to get used to the world or programmable-button-mice. I guess I'm just a fingertip user regardless of the tool.
|>> |>
|>> |>I don't see being able to ditch the keyboard though.
|>> James Maeding
|>> Civil Engineer and Programmer
|>> jmaeding - athunsaker - com
James Maeding
Civil Engineer and Programmer
jmaeding - athunsaker - com
Message 26 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

And have you noticed that talking all day means that they are the ones
doing the talking. Heaven forbid you actually are allowed to finish even
one sentence.

James Maeding wrote:
> in disguise? have you ever seen me?
> Believe me, with two daughters and a (cute) wife, I know what you mean.
>
>
> Jerry G
> |>You must be a woman in disguise if you can talk all day without getting
> |>tired.
Message 27 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous


If I might comment. I use the Microsoft Trackball Explorer. Unfortunately
unavailable any more except on ebay.

 

I have no problem highlighting text. This is something I was thinking about
last night. I think one of the most important points in purchasing a trackball
is to get an ergonomic one. The shape of mine puts the buttons naturally under
the fingers. I have the lower left button set for pick. My thumb rests naturally
on it. So if I want to highlight text or click and drag. I just put a
little pressure on my thumb and roll the ball with my pointer and middle
fingers.

 

I look at some of the trackballs, like the square
ones with the ball in the center and the buttons around the ball and wonder how
people use that. Those I would see as difficult to click and drag or pick in a
drawing.

 

With 4 buttons and a scroll wheel I find I'm quite
productive. As I said the lower left is set for pick, the upper left toggles
Ortho (F8), Alt +upper left toggles Osnap (F3), the scroll wheel works like any
other, the upper right is a tight click and the lower right is an enter. Since
these are all programmable they can be set to whatever a user
needs.

 

I have this trackball at both my jobs and at home.
I'm thinking of picking up a few more on ebay as backups. But they're going for
over $100 now. I don't understand why they stopped making these. They bring a
high price now.

 

Allen

 

 

 

Trackball Explorer
src="http://www.microsoft.com/products/info/CatImg/ProdImg/1/22/TE_l.jpg"
border=0>

 

 

"James Maeding" <jmaeding...hunsaker...com@>
wrote in message

face=Arial size=2>news:5441832@discussion.autodesk.com

face=Arial size=2>...
Dean, what kind of
trackball do you have?
I'm a bit surprised because highlighting text and
writing code is hard with trackballs.  Anytime you have to click
and
drag, its hard to roll tha ball and hold on the button at the same
time.
What's your experience on that?

Dean Saadallah <info from
pendean>
|>Been using a trackball since my first one back in
1992.
|>I've been dual-tasking with a Wacom Tablet and Pen for a
few
|>years now, depending on application.
|>
|>Only ever use
a mouse when I'm on my laptop, and only then
|>because they are small,
easy to pack, and come with short
|>cords: hate the laptop
pad.
|>
|>--
|>Dean Saadallah
|>Add-on products for
LT
|>http://www.pendean.com/lt
James Maeding
Civil Engineer and
Programmer
jmaeding - athunsaker - com
Message 28 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

I have used a Logitech Trackman Marble Thumb Ball for the last 12 years and
would never go back to a mouse. I have one of my guy that i convertted to
useing the same track ball and he loves it
"James Maeding" wrote in message
news:5441835@discussion.autodesk.com...
interesting, any comments on your use of the keyboard compared to the 10
year veterans?
Like you said, its the operator that matters so that tells me you know your
tools and shortcuts and they don't.
Dang, now I want to try one of these things.
Do most people use the thumb ball types as opposed to the palm ball types?

jseefcoot <>
|>I use a trackball, not because of wrist pain or any other ergonomic
reason, but rather because I wanted more precise control with the mouse.
|>
|>As has been stated elsewhere in this thread, the input device is nowhere
near as important as the operator using it. The trackball I use is a
Logitech with the thumb-side ball, and two buttons with a scroll wheel on
the other side. I have to keep a regular mouse plugged into my CPU at all
times because I am the only person here who drafts with a trackball. But
when others come to my station, not even the ten-year veterans can match me
for speed when they use the conventional mouse and I use my trackball. Even
if they best me when I use a normal mouse (and I'm still pretty quick with
one, since I don't have a trackball at home.)
|>
|>The most important thing about using a trackball is to find the right
settings within the mouse itself. I never got the control I sought until I
played with the settings. My Logitech came out of the box set up great -- if
all I had to do was surf the net. It took a few days of adjusting, playing
with the trackball speed and orientation, etc. before I had it the way I
wanted it, but it didn't hurt my productivity any while I figured it out. I
just started drawing, and whenever the trackball didn't behave the way I
wanted it to, I went and fiddled with the settings.
|>
|>Remember the first time you sat at a computer and tried to move a mouse?
I'm willing to bet that it took a little time before your 'aim' got good.
It's the same when switching to a trackball. It seems weird just because
you've never done it before. If this guy brought it with him, then I would
just watch him use it. Make an educated guess about his productivity and go
from there. If you have other operators then there will be a good yardstick
against which to measure his productivity.
James Maeding
Civil Engineer and Programmer
jmaeding - athunsaker - com
Message 29 of 54
jseefcoot
in reply to: Anonymous

These veterans mostly know their stuff -- but the true speed, I think, comes right down to customizations. Mine work better for me than theirs do for them. As far as keyboarding goes, of those who use the keyboard, most accept the ACAD defaults, while I have set up a left-handed macro set; every command is invoked with three keys or less. I essentially draft two handed, RH on the mouse and LH hovering over its 'normal typing position'. All of my macros are keyed off of the left side of the keyboard, in such a way that I do not have to look down at all, and so that all commands are invoked using keys I can reach without moving my left hand. The result is a huge increase in my speed. The only guys who are faster than me around here are the ones who stay up on changes -- it's the "ain't broke so why fix it" crowd who lags the most.

As far as the Microsoft explorer trackball, the Logitech is very similar, and I think it's actually better. The software is very flexible, and it was easy to set up for drafting. It's very comfortable -- I never realized how much I was hurting my hand with all those mouse movements.

Having used other trackballs for other things, I at first found a thumb-based ball to be a little more awkward than a palm ball when drafting. But in the end I like it better, because there is virtually NO hand movement. With a palm ball, you are still moving your hand around, manipulating the ball with your palm so your fingers are ready for the buttons. I found this a little uncomfortable because my tendency was to keep my hand flat, fingers extended until I needed to click a button. This caused some muscle pain in my wrist, the top of my hand and in my fingers. The thumb ball eliminated all of that. Now I only get hand discomfort when typing for long periods.

If you've got the cash to blow, I would look into a discontinued mouse called the Logitech Trackball F/X. Have never used one, but I would buy one sight unseen if I knew it worked and the price was right. It features a trackball that is so big it is accessible from the top AND the side of the mouse, allowing you to control the ball with the tip of your index finger (on top of the mouse) and the tip of your thumb (side of the mouse) at the same time, while still leaving your other fingers free for the mouse buttons. Sadly, this mouse frequently sells on Ebay for around $80-$100 USED. If they would bring it back, unchanged, I would probably pay twice that for a new one.

So, I would not discount a trackball right offhand; I would at least try to inform myself about the various types, and then experiment with one to see if it works for you. It's all in the setup. I am half-convinced that I made such a successful switch because I WANTED to, and that might be the most important thing.
Message 30 of 54
k.baxter
in reply to: Anonymous

On my home network I have a primary computer in front of me where I do a majority of my drafting, and to the side I have my secondary computer. The secondary computer is controlled by a track ball and the primary by the mouse. I did this because of the lack of desk space available for a second mouse. After using this setup for only a few months I have become just as efficient with the track ball. It just takes time to learn a new skill; though I must say that I would be the first person drafting on a track ball that I have seen.


It’s getting to the point that I have debated purchasing 2 more trackballs (one for work at “work” and one for work at home). I hate the though that perks up around that there is only a single efficient way to do anything. I know several “gamers” that use trackballs exclusively. It’s the same type of motions and accuracy required as drafting. It all comes down to keeping people comfortable and happy. If a trackball dose this then let them run with it.
Message 31 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Yes! Left handed aliases are great. Matchprop = QQ. Why. Because the M is on
the right side of the keyboard.

I'll stick with my Microsoft Trackball Explored. But that's just personal
preference. It too has very customizable software.

As far as hand movement. My thumb moves up and down to cover the pick,
programmed (F8) button and the scroll wheel. My pointer and middle finger
roll the ball. I can cover all of my 20" monitor with a simple flex. To get
to my second monitor I just "throw" the cursor over to the next screen.

All the movements are precise and the software has a pointer precision
enhancement. So the slower you move the ball the less the pointer moves.
Move the ball quickly and the pointer accelerates.

If you're talking bout the Logitech Trackman Marble FX. I started out with
one of those. But it doesn't have a scroll wheel. So you have to waste one
of the buttons to use the ball to scroll or zoom. Otherwise I liked it and
still have it as a backup. The ball on the MS TB Explorer is about the same
size. No access from the side. that's where they put the scroll wheel. But I
prefer to have the wheel. Goes for about the same $ on ebay. Another one
they should bring back.

Allen

wrote in message news:5442473@discussion.autodesk.com...
These veterans mostly know their stuff -- but the true speed, I think, comes
right down to customizations. Mine work better for me than theirs do for
them. As far as keyboarding goes, of those who use the keyboard, most accept
the ACAD defaults, while I have set up a left-handed macro set; every
command is invoked with three keys or less. I essentially draft two handed,
RH on the mouse and LH hovering over its 'normal typing position'. All of my
macros are keyed off of the left side of the keyboard, in such a way that I
do not have to look down at all, and so that all commands are invoked using
keys I can reach without moving my left hand. The result is a huge increase
in my speed. The only guys who are faster than me around here are the ones
who stay up on changes -- it's the "ain't broke so why fix it" crowd who
lags the most.

As far as the Microsoft explorer trackball, the Logitech is very similar,
and I think it's actually better. The software is very flexible, and it was
easy to set up for drafting. It's very comfortable -- I never realized how
much I was hurting my hand with all those mouse movements.

Having used other trackballs for other things, I at first found a
thumb-based ball to be a little more awkward than a palm ball when drafting.
But in the end I like it better, because there is virtually NO hand
movement. With a palm ball, you are still moving your hand around,
manipulating the ball with your palm so your fingers are ready for the
buttons. I found this a little uncomfortable because my tendency was to keep
my hand flat, fingers extended until I needed to click a button. This caused
some muscle pain in my wrist, the top of my hand and in my fingers. The
thumb ball eliminated all of that. Now I only get hand discomfort when
typing for long periods.

If you've got the cash to blow, I would look into a discontinued mouse
called the Logitech Trackball F/X. Have never used one, but I would buy one
sight unseen if I knew it worked and the price was right. It features a
trackball that is so big it is accessible from the top AND the side of the
mouse, allowing you to control the ball with the tip of your index finger
(on top of the mouse) and the tip of your thumb (side of the mouse) at the
same time, while still leaving your other fingers free for the mouse
buttons. Sadly, this mouse frequently sells on Ebay for around $80-$100
USED. If they would bring it back, unchanged, I would probably pay twice
that for a new one.

So, I would not discount a trackball right offhand; I would at least try to
inform myself about the various types, and then experiment with one to see
if it works for you. It's all in the setup. I am half-convinced that I made
such a successful switch because I WANTED to, and that might be the most
important thing.
Message 32 of 54
JNieman
in reply to: Anonymous

Maybe I have big hands, but I can hit "MA" without looking just as gast as I can hit "ZA", or as fast as "RE"

I use 'most' of the default aliases, some programmed mouse buttons, and VERY few buttons (for rare stuff like SW Iso view etc)
Message 33 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Different Strokes..... : )

wrote in message news:5442669@discussion.autodesk.com...
Maybe I have big hands, but I can hit "MA" without looking just as gast as I
can hit "ZA", or as fast as "RE"

I use 'most' of the default aliases, some programmed mouse buttons, and VERY
few buttons (for rare stuff like SW Iso view etc)
Message 34 of 54
JNieman
in reply to: Anonymous

heh... this is a side note but the engineer for the project I am working on came and sat at my desk to sign some drawings for me, and he was switching something around that he decided to do different, and when he grabbed my mouse it was shooting all over the place like a guy's first... well... never mind.

I remember using his computer, and you gotta move the mouse like 8 feet to get across his 1024X768 15" screen... it's nuts... then he gets to mine that goes across the 1920X1200 widescreen in 1.5" ( i just checked)... it's nuts.
Message 35 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

I used this trackball till it finally died. Have a MX laser mouse now. I
really miss the trackball. Yeah a trackball takes a little getting used
to but I don't notice a difference in speed between it and the mouse.

Lance

Allen Jessup wrote:
> If I might comment. I use the Microsoft Trackball Explorer.
> Unfortunately unavailable any more except on ebay.
>
> I have no problem highlighting text. This is something I was thinking
> about last night. I think one of the most important points in purchasing
> a trackball is to get an ergonomic one. The shape of mine puts the
> buttons naturally under the fingers. I have the lower left button set
> for pick. My thum b rests naturally on it. So if I want to highlight
> text or click and drag. I just put a little pressure on my thumb and
> roll the ball with my pointer and middle fingers.
>
> I look at some of the trackballs, like the square ones with the ball in
> the center and the buttons around the ball and wonder how people use
> that. Those I would see as difficult to click and drag or pick in a drawing.
>
> With 4 buttons and a scroll wheel I find I'm quite productive. As I said
> the lower left is set for pick, the upper left toggles Ortho (F8), Alt
> +upper left toggles Osnap (F3), the scroll wheel works like any other,
> the upper right is a tight click and the lower right is an enter. Since
> these are all programmable they can be set to whatever a user needs.
>
> I have this trackball at both my jobs and at home. I'm thinking of
> picking up a few more on ebay as backups. But they're going for over
> $100 now. I don't understand why they stopped making these. They bring a
> high price now.
>
> Allen
>
Message 36 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

One thing I'd take in to account for speed is all the times I'd hit the end
of the mouse cord that somehow would always get tangled with everything
else. Then I'd have to tug and swear until I got some slack. That would use
up time as well as bread my concentration. Even with a cordless mouse you
run out of desktop and have to pick it up to reenter it.

Allen

"Lance W." wrote in message
news:5442804@discussion.autodesk.com...
I used this trackball till it finally died. Have a MX laser mouse now. I
really miss the trackball. Yeah a trackball takes a little getting used
to but I don't notice a difference in speed between it and the mouse.

Lance
Message 37 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

Yup. Just Nuts! Yup. I couldn't agree more.

wrote in message news:5442750@discussion.autodesk.com...
heh... this is a side note but the engineer for the project I am working on
came and sat at my desk to sign some drawings for me, and he was switching
something around that he decided to do different, and when he grabbed my
mouse it was shooting all over the place like a guy's first... well... never
mind.

I remember using his computer, and you gotta move the mouse like 8 feet to
get across his 1024X768 15" screen... it's nuts... then he gets to mine that
goes across the 1920X1200 widescreen in 1.5" ( i just checked)... it's nuts.
Message 38 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

no kidding, its amazing how my daughter can talk at the same time as me, then tell me I'm wrong and that she already
knew it anyway! When I ask my wife "if I can finish" when interrupted, she just says "Why?"

I think I'm more whipped than I think.

Jerry G
|>And have you noticed that talking all day means that they are the ones
|>doing the talking. Heaven forbid you actually are allowed to finish even
|>one sentence.
|>
|>James Maeding wrote:
|>> in disguise? have you ever seen me?
|>> Believe me, with two daughters and a (cute) wife, I know what you mean.
|>>
|>>
|>> Jerry G
|>> |>You must be a woman in disguise if you can talk all day without getting
|>> |>tired.
James Maeding
Civil Engineer and Programmer
jmaeding - athunsaker - com
Message 39 of 54
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

that key-in subject is funny, I also double up on keys on the left side.
Just for fun, do you have any letter keys that are not commands?
I don't have anything for Y, yet I have things for Z, ZZ, and ZZZ...

One cool thing I set up is key-ins for Line and Text layers.
You type T5 and it makes layer Text05, set to color blue.
T88 gives Text88 set to color 88 and so on.

Here is the code to do stuff like that, I put this in my acaddoc.lsp.
These functions set up the T, J, L, and C commands.
You run them by typing thr number after the letter, like J8 or C233
The T, L, and J set up text, junk, and line layers, and the C hardcodes to the color.

So C5 would hardcode whatever picked to color 5, pretty slick eh?
I know the caps are ugly buy I do lisp in caps...

;FUNCTION TO DEFINE MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS
(DEFUN DEFINE-FUNS (FUN-LIST / ITEM)
;DEFINE FUNCTIONS
(FOREACH ITEM FUN-LIST
(EVAL (READ (STRCAT "(DEFUN C:"
(CAR ITEM)
" () "
(CADR ITEM)
"(PRINC))"
)
)
)
)
)

;HARDCODE COLORS
(DEFUN DO-COLOR-HDCODE ( / INDEX FUN-LIST)
(SETQ INDEX 1)
(REPEAT 255
(SETQ FUN-LIST
(CONS (LIST (STRCAT "C" (ITOA INDEX))
(STRCAT "(princ \"\nchange color " (ITOA INDEX) " :\")"
"(setq obj (ssget))"
"(command \".change\" obj \"\" \"p\" \"color\" \"" (ITOA INDEX) "\" \"\")"
)
)
FUN-LIST
)
)
(SETQ INDEX (+ 1 INDEX))
)
(DEFINE-FUNS FUN-LIST)
(PRINC)
)

;CREATE TEXT LAYERS, T1, T2....
(DEFUN DO-TEXT-LAYERS ( / NUM INDEX FUN-LIST)
(SETQ INDEX 1)
(REPEAT 255
(COND
((< INDEX 10)(SETQ NUM (STRCAT "0" (ITOA INDEX))))
((>= INDEX 10)(SETQ NUM (ITOA INDEX)))
)
(SETQ FUN-LIST
(CONS (LIST (STRCAT "T" (ITOA INDEX))
(STRCAT "(princ \"\nSet or create layer Text" NUM "\")"
"(SET-LAYER-TO-P \"" (STRCAT "Text" NUM) "\" \"" (ITOA INDEX) "\" \"CONTINUOUS\")"
)
)
FUN-LIST
)
)
(SETQ INDEX (+ 1 INDEX))
)
(DEFINE-FUNS FUN-LIST)
(PRINC)
)

;CREATE LINE LAYERS L1, L2....
(DEFUN DO-LINE-LAYERS ( / NUM INDEX FUN-LIST)
(SETQ INDEX 1)
(REPEAT 255
(COND
((< INDEX 10)(SETQ NUM (STRCAT "0" (ITOA INDEX))))
((>= INDEX 10)(SETQ NUM (ITOA INDEX)))
)
(SETQ FUN-LIST
(CONS (LIST (STRCAT "L" (ITOA INDEX))
(STRCAT "(princ \"\nSet or create layer Line" NUM "\")"
"(SET-LAYER-TO-P \"" (STRCAT "Line" NUM) "\" \"" (ITOA INDEX) "\" \"CONTINUOUS\")"
)
)
FUN-LIST
)
)
(SETQ INDEX (+ 1 INDEX))
)
(DEFINE-FUNS FUN-LIST)
(PRINC)
)

;CREATE JUNK LAYERS J1, J2....
(DEFUN DO-JUNK-LAYERS ( / NUM INDEX FUN-LIST)
(SETQ INDEX 1)
(REPEAT 255
(COND
((< INDEX 10)(SETQ NUM (STRCAT "0" (ITOA INDEX))))
((>= INDEX 10)(SETQ NUM (ITOA INDEX)))
)
(SETQ FUN-LIST
(CONS (LIST (STRCAT "J" (ITOA INDEX))
(STRCAT "(princ \"\nSet or create layer Junk" NUM "\")"
"(SET-LAYER-TO-P \"" (STRCAT "Junk" NUM) "\" \"" (ITOA INDEX) "\" \"CONTINUOUS\")"
)
)
FUN-LIST
)
)
(SETQ INDEX (+ 1 INDEX))
)
(DEFINE-FUNS FUN-LIST)
(PRINC)
)

;------SET-LAYPROP-TO.LSP------
;CREATES LAYER WITH PROPS IF IT DOES NOT EXIST

;SUPPLY:
;REQ-LAYER LAYER TO SET TO
;REQ-COLOR COLOR
;REQ-LTYPE LINETYPE
;RETURN:
;NOTHING

(DEFUN SET-LAYER-TO-P (REQ-LAYER REQ-COLOR REQ-LTYPE
/ CUR-LAYER)
(IF (= REQ-LAYER "CURRENT")
(PROGN
(SETQ CUR-LAYER (GETVAR "CLAYER"))
(COMMAND "-LAYER" "ON" CUR-LAYER "SET" CUR-LAYER "")
)
(PROGN
(IF (TBLSEARCH "LAYER" REQ-LAYER) ;CHECK IF IT EXISTS
(COMMAND "-LAYER" "ON" REQ-LAYER "THAW" REQ-LAYER "SET" REQ-LAYER "")
(COMMAND "-LAYER" "MAKE" REQ-LAYER "COLOR" REQ-COLOR "" "LTYPE" REQ-LTYPE REQ-LAYER "") ;ELSE
)
)
)
(PRINC)
)

;RUN THE MULTIPLE FUNCTION DEFINERS TO SET THINGS UP
(DO-COLOR-HDCODE)
(DO-LINE-LAYERS)
(DO-TEXT-LAYERS)
(DO-JUNK-LAYERS)


Josh Nieman <>
|>Maybe I have big hands, but I can hit "MA" without looking just as gast as I can hit "ZA", or as fast as "RE"
|>
|>I use 'most' of the default aliases, some programmed mouse buttons, and VERY few buttons (for rare stuff like SW Iso view etc)
James Maeding
Civil Engineer and Programmer
jmaeding - athunsaker - com
Message 40 of 54
jseefcoot
in reply to: Anonymous

Sweet! I like that, because the way our standards are set up those aliases will fit in nicely. (I'm guessing you have no problems with us using that code, since you posted it. . . .)

I do like to keep all of my aliases on the left side of the keyboard, and I frequently double and triple up on keys to make that possible. I could hit MP for match properties, and do it pretty fast, but WW is a little faster, and the chance of missing is much less. I try to keep similar commands on the same key, though -- for me, V is line, VV is polyline, VVV is polyline edit; W is properties, WW is Match Properties, etc. Makes it easier to remember too.

I use almost every key that is available to my left hand; if a key was once occupied by a default command that I never use, I redefine it in my macros. Anyting to keep my left hand in one spot. If possible, I try to associate the key with the command in some way, to keep the aliases easy to remember. For instance, I rarely need to create blocks, but I frequently break lines at a point, so for me, B is the Break command. One oddity, though, is I invariably type in numbers with my right hand on the numpad. It's pretty much the only time when I'm drafting that I'll remove my hand from the mouse completely.

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