topic Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it? in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

danielFMN5S — Wed, 08 May 2024 06:05:59 GMT

What range of operations can we do on a closed file with LISP without opening the file?
and how to do it?
Of course, I will need to run the Lisp from another open file,
but the operation will be on a closed file.

For example,
I want to add layers,
delete layers,
freeze layers,
search layers
delete a specific LAYOUT from one or multiple files,
unload specific XREF from a file.
but I don't want to open the files,
or it take a long time to open the file only cos there is one layout that make it heavy.

myb it can be divided between getting information about a closed file
and do things on the closed file and saving the changes?

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

komondormrex — Wed, 08 May 2024 06:29:20 GMT

ObjectDBX can help open a dwg file into memory and do with it a limited number of operations. the layers' are among them.

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

danielFMN5S — Wed, 08 May 2024 08:16:08 GMT

it can also make changes in the file ?

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

komondormrex — Wed, 08 May 2024 08:41:42 GMT

sure, you can save the opened file with changes made.

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

danielFMN5S — Wed, 08 May 2024 11:32:24 GMT

can u give me an example how to search the layer "123" in a file, without open the file?

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

komondormrex — Wed, 08 May 2024 13:40:28 GMT

(setq acad_DBX_Object (vlax-create-object (strcat "ObjectDBX.AxDbDocument." (substr (getvar 'acadver) 1 2))) layer_found nil ) (vla-open acad_DBX_Object "your_drive:\\your_path\\your_file.dwg") (vlax-map-collection (vla-get-layers acad_DBX_Object) '(lambda (layer) (if (= "123" (vla-get-name layer)) (setq layer_found t))) ) (if layer_found (alert "Layer \"123\" found") (alert "Layer \"123\" not found")) (vla-release-object acad_DBX_Object)

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

pendean — Wed, 08 May 2024 14:49:55 GMT

@komondormrex Any chance you want to take a stab at the requested scope from the OP

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

pendean — Wed, 08 May 2024 14:52:43 GMT

@danielFMN5S wrote:
...there is one layout that make it heavy.

While you wait for your ask... Have you had a chance to try any of these solutions to fix the slow-to-open-a-layout issue yet

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Slow-performance-when-switching-layouts-in-AutoCAD.html#:~:text=Community-,Slow%20performance%20when%20switching%20between%20layouts%20in%20AutoCAD,-Autodesk%20Support

and possibly

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/AutoCAD-Not-Responding-when-switching-tabs.html

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

MrJSmith — Wed, 08 May 2024 16:06:15 GMT

You can do all the layer changes via ObjectDB (not opening the file). I think you can remove XREFs, but I'd have to double check that. You can't edit layouts (names, delete, etc) in ACAD due to bugs. Works fine in BCAD though.

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

paullimapa — Wed, 08 May 2024 17:31:48 GMT

The delfromdwg.lsp code offers a function as an example using ODBX to open given dwg name & delete given xref name

For Example:
To delete from Drawing c:\autodesk\TestDwg.dwg Xref with name MyTest:
(delfromdwg (findfile"c:\\autodesk\\TestDwg.dwg") "MyTest")

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

danielFMN5S — Thu, 09 May 2024 07:39:20 GMT

Thanks,
your code works fine.
However, I'm getting an error message: "error: no function definition: VLA-RELEASE-OBJECT."
I've already run (vl-load-com),
and I don't have issues with other VLA commands.
I'm using Civil 3D 2024.

@pendean
I did the most from ure links,
but I'm facing this issue specifically with a layout
that I changed to "conceptual" and saved.
When I tried to open the file again,
it wouldn't open.
I narrowed down the problem to the layout being saved in conceptual mode.

Therefore, I was hoping to create some Lisp routines to help organize files
and potentially bypass some of these bugs.

@MrJSmith

u said "You can't edit layouts (names, delete, etc) in ACAD due to bugs."
Are these bugs still present in the 2024 version?

@paullimapa
I ran the Lisp code you provided,
but it didn't work when I tried to detach the XREF from the file.
It gave me the error message: "my file" Does NOT Contain Blocks: [numbers.dwg] on Any Layer."

I'll take a closer look at it later
I might have entered the XREF name incorrectly?
the xref name is numbers.dwg
i also tried
(delfromdwg (findfile "my file path") "numbers" nil)
cos (delfromdwg (findfile "my file path") "numbers") gave me "error: too few arguments"
my xref file is numbers.dwg

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

Sea-Haven — Thu, 09 May 2024 08:33:50 GMT

Not sure but why use findfile when you look at examples in teh code they have a full dwg path ? The Findfile may be causing the problem.

(delfromdwg (findfile"c:\\autodesk\\Floor Plan Sample.dwg") "CHAIR7" nil) maybe (delfromdwg "c:\\autodesk\\Floor Plan Sample.dwg" "CHAIR7" nil)

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

daniel_cadext — Thu, 09 May 2024 09:23:07 GMT

I think with layouts you must use the layout manager; I don’t think this is available in Autolisp, I could be wrong though.

.NET may be an option if you get stuck, or python if you’re feeling adventurous

import traceback from pyrx_imp import Rx, Ge, Db, Ap, Ed, Gi, Gs def deleteLayouts(db : Db.Database, layouts): try: man = Db.LayoutManager() token = man.setupForLayouts(db) for layout in layouts: if man.layoutExists(layout,db): man.deleteLayout(layout,db) finally: man.clearSetupForLayouts(token) def layerStuff(db : Db.Database, layers): lt = Db.LayerTable(db.layerTableId()) for name , id in lt.toDict().items(): if name in layers: ltr = Db.LayerTableRecord(id, Db.OpenMode.kForWrite) ltr.setIsFrozen(True) def databaseProcessor(path : str, bsave: bool): db = Db.Database(False, True) db.readDwgFile(path) db.closeInput(True) deleteLayouts(db,["Layout1", "Layout2"]) layerStuff(db,["1_1_WALLS", "1_2_BASES_PLAN"]) if bsave: db.saveAs(path) def PyRxCmd_doit(): try: databaseProcessor("E:/06457Submittal.dwg", True) except Exception as err: print(err)

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

paullimapa — Thu, 09 May 2024 14:57:34 GMT

yes...no need for findfile

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

paullimapa — Thu, 09 May 2024 15:03:04 GMT

Ok, my mistake...I posted the wrong code. That one deletes Block Inserts on given Layer names but not Xrefs.

The attached DelXrfFromdwg.lsp should delete Xrefs on any Layer.

For Example:
To delete from drawing TestDwg.dwg Xref with name MyTest:

(DelXrfFromdwg "c:\\autodesk\\TestDwg.dwg" "MyTest")

Note: as @Sea-Haven replied there's no need for findfile

I know this works on plain AutoCAD 2024 but not sure if it'll work on Civil 3D 2024

As for "error: no function definition: VLA-RELEASE-OBJECT"

The actual function name should be: VLAX-RELEASE-OBJECT

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

MrJSmith — Thu, 09 May 2024 16:01:05 GMT

@danielFMN5S Yes, I tested in 2024. These ObjectDB bugs have been in AutoCAD for 20-30 years. I have lost any hope of them ever being fixed. As mentioned by others, .NET or Python would probably work. Or pickup a copy of BCAD LT (assuming non-3D dwgs) for a couple hundred. For automation solutions, it is superior in every way.

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

danielFMN5S — Sun, 12 May 2024 07:33:16 GMT

Tnx a lot, it's working great!

This code detaches my Xref without opening the main file.
You're awesome!

P.S. You're right

The command was vlax, not vla.
When I used vlax, it worked perfectly.

@Sea-Haven
yes, no need findfile,
In the first Lisp that deletes blocks, they included findfile in the examples.
However, I tested the new Lisp Paul posted (detach Xref) with findfile
and it worked great.
But I agree with you, there's no need for findfile.

@daniel_cadext
I'm sure Python for AutoCAD is a great tool,
and I'll definitely learn more about the process.
tnx a lot

@MrJSmith
So, I won't hold my breath for version 2025. 😉

Tnx a lot for everyone ure amazing

Re: what can we do on a closed file without opening it?

paullimapa — Sun, 12 May 2024 07:48:16 GMT

Glad that worked out for you…cheers!!!