topic Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

lisp for insert block from another drawing

Anonymous — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 00:48:52 GMT

^C^C_insert;"Template";^C-insert;"*Block 1";0,0;;;

I use the above macro script to insert 'Block 1' from Template.dwg into current drawing at 0,0,0 & explode it. I have the folder location in my search path.

Please help to convert this macro script into a lisp that does exactly the same thing.

Thanks in advance

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

Kent1Cooper — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 11:49:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
^C^C_insert;"Template";^C-insert;"*Block 1";0,0;;;
....

Please help to convert this macro script into a lisp that does exactly the same thing.

....

This should do it [untested]:

(defun C:IB1 (); = Insert Block 1

(command "_.insert" "Template") (command)

(command "_.insert" "*Block 1" "0,0" "" "")

(princ)

)

The (command) function with no arguments is to cancel the first Insert command after the definition has been brought in [read about it in Help for (command)].

Change the IB1 to whatever you prefer as a command name.

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 00:35:22 GMT

@Kent1Cooper wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
^C^C_insert;"Template";^C-insert;"*Block 1";0,0;;;
....
Please help to convert this macro script into a lisp that does exactly the same thing.
....
This should do it [untested]:

(defun C:IB1 (); = Insert Block 1
(command "_.insert" "Template") (command)
(command "_.insert" "*Block 1" "0,0" "" "")
(princ)
)

The (command) function with no arguments is to cancel the first Insert command after the definition has been brought in [read about it in Help for (command)].

Change the IB1 to whatever you prefer as a command name.

Thanks man. It works!

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

m.jouini — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:38:32 GMT

Thank you it works !

However, is it possible to modify the script in order to get the X and Y coordinates from the user's input and not to have them predefined ? In addition to that, can we fix the Z coordinate to a fixed value ?

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:11:49 GMT

@m.jouini wrote:

.... is it possible to modify the script in order to get the X and Y coordinates from the user's input and not to have them predefined ? In addition to that, can we fix the Z coordinate to a fixed value ?

You can change the Insert line:

(command "_.insert" "*Block 1" pause "" "")

If you always want the Z to be the same, but the User's input at the pause might involve some different Z value, try:

(command "_.insert" "*Block 1" ".XY" pause YourZvalue "" "")

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

Sea-Haven — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:26:00 GMT

Another option maybe worth looking at is Lee-mac Steal.lsp can be program driven known block name, no user input, also does much more including multiple blocks in one go.

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

m.jouini — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:23:16 GMT

Thank you very much for your fast response !

You can change the Insert line:
(command "_.insert" "*Block 1" pause "" "")

this one worked very well as intended!

If you always want the Z to be the same, but the User's input at the pause might involve some different Z value, try:
(command "_.insert" "*Block 1" ".XY" pause YourZvalue "" "")

however, maybe I missed something here but when I try this script it doesn't work for me as it's supposed to.

this is the script in my example :

(command "_.insert" "Picto Asc" ".XY" pause 3 "" "")

I want the bloc to be always placed at a height of 3 (Z value=3)

here's how it works after I execute it :

1) it tells me to specify an insertion point :

2) After I select an insertion point, it's supposed to be placed automatically in it with a value of Z=3. But a (need Z) appears in the dialogue box :

3) if I click, the bloc is infact inserted in the insertion point I've chosen but with Z=0 and scaled by 3 in X,Y and Z axis.

What did I miss ?

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 11:39:04 GMT

@m.jouini wrote:

.... when I try this script it doesn't work for me as it's supposed to.....

What did I miss ?

You didn't -- I did. I confess I hadn't actually tried it, relying on it to work the same way in an AutoLisp (command) function as it does manually at the Command: line. I don't know why it doesn't, but this variant approach seems to work:

(command "_.insert" "Picto Asc" ".z" "0,0,3" pause "" "")

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

m.jouini — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 11:46:28 GMT

Thank you, it worked !

Re: lisp for insert block from another drawing

TomBeauford — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:09:51 GMT

The -INSERTCONTENT command was added with the 2021 version of AutoCAD which finally allows you to insert a block directly from another drawing. This macro starts the command and display the Select Drawing File dialog box for the drawing with the block you want to insert:

^C^C-INSERTCONTENT ~;

To account for spaces in file names and paths you need to use a semicolon for enter in these macros. The tilde (~) was to display the Select Drawing File dialog box in the macro above, do not include it with macros that include filenames.

This macro example inserts the block "Construction Entrance" from drawing G:/ENGDESGN/BeaufordT/Blocks/Typicals/Typicals.dwg

^C^C-INSERTCONTENT G:/ENGDESGN/BeaufordT/Blocks/Typicals/Typicals.dwg;Construction Entrance;

HTH