topic Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Temssi.d — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:08:32 GMT

hi,

requesting assistance with an AutoCAD script utilizing the 'COPY' command and the 'FROM' option. I need the script to perform the following steps:

assume: orthomode is ON

User initiates the command.
Selects an object and confirms the selection.
Prompts the user to specify a base point
- The user will input distances and define the direction (assume there is a single direction during one command) using the mouse cursor.
- For instance, let's assume the distances are 70, 90, and 55, with the mouse cursor pointing to the right.

The objective is to copy the selected object three times at the specified distances, relative to the right direction:

The second object should be 70 units away from the first.
The third object should be 90 units away from the second.
The fourth object should be 55 units away from the third.

Actually, the calculation is to translate the object 70 units to the right of the base point, 70+90 units to the right of the base point, and 70+90+55 points to the right of the base point.

So there is no need to choose a starting point again or a point from which to calculate FROM, the calculation is always relative to the first point chosen and the direction chosen.

Note: This command is exclusively required when orthomode is ON, and the distances are measured vertically and horizontally from the base point.

The second script has the same functionality but uses the "MOVE" command

Thank you in advance for your help and expertise!

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:33:22 GMT

Some questions:

Do you really want a SCRIPT, or do you mean something like an AutoLisp routine [we often see people refer to such a thing as a "script," but it isn't one as AutoCAD means the word], or maybe a command macro such as you could call with a Tool Palette button? Your wording "User initiates the command" suggests to me that you mean a custom command defined in an AutoLisp routine, but please confirm.

Would it work for you to Copy the selected object(s) in place and then Move the original(s)? That way a routine can do it repeatedly simply using Previous for the selection each time, which allows multiple object selection. [If it's always only one object, Copy can be used repeatedly, using Last for the selection each time, but obviously that doesn't work if you want the option to select multiple objects.] It would mean that the original selection is what ends up as the last "copy," and the object(s) at all the other positions, including the original position(s), would be copies.

On the second version using Move, what is the point of the "same functionality"? Would you really Move something multiple times in succession? All but the last Move would be ultimately irrelevant, since whatever was selected will then Move somewhere else.

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Temssi.d — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 16:01:59 GMT

Thanks for the answer and the time you spent.

I don't know what it's called script/macro/smart shortcut, I hope a video clears it up...

The requirement is to do a daily routine with fewer clicks if possible, not a far-reaching change 🙂

I didn't understand the "in place" part, but I need the functionality that is in the video, copy an object in a row/col without having to calculate the total distance from the base point every time and with a single selection of a base point at the beginning of the command activation.
If the goal is distances of 70,90,55 then this is what is written in the command, and not the calculation of the total distance 70,160,215 .. I hope I was able to explain.

Regarding the move...you're right, I meant to use the "move from" command if necessary but it seems unnecessary.

(view in My Videos)

thanks

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Moshe-A — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 17:04:44 GMT

@Temssi.d hi,

Check this CPYSTEPS command.

At the following prompt do this:

Distances <comma demited>: 70,90,55

The distances can be integers or reals, alphabetic characters are ignored 😀

enjoy

Moshe

(defun c:cpysteps (/ LM:str->lst _distances ; local functions ss p0 p1 steps dis d) ;; String to List - Lee Mac ;; Separates a string using a given delimiter ;; str - [str] String to process ;; del - [str] Delimiter by which to separate the string ;; Returns: [lst] List of strings (defun LM:str->lst ( str del / pos ) (if (setq pos (vl-string-search del str)) (cons (substr str 1 pos) (LM:str->lst (substr str (+ pos 1 (strlen del))) del)) (list str) ) ) ; anonymous function (setq _distances (lambda () (vl-remove-if 'not (mapcar (function (lambda (s) (if (member (type (read s)) (list 'INT 'REAL)) (read s)))) (LM:str->lst steps ","))))) (setvar "cmdecho" 0) (command "._undo" "_begin") (if (and (setq ss (ssget)) (setq p0 (getpoint "\nSpecify base point: ")) (setq p1 (getpoint p0 "\nSpecify direction: ")) (/= (setq steps (getstring "\nDistances <comma demited>: ")) "") ) (progn (setq dis 0) (command "._copy" "_si" ss "_multiple" p0) (foreach d (_distances) (command (polar p0 (angle p0 p1) (setq dis (+ dis d)))) ); foreach (command "") ); progn ); if (command "._undo" "_end") (setvar "cmdecho" 1) (princ) ); cpysteps

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

pendean — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 17:51:27 GMT

@Temssi.d @Kent1Cooper Isn't this post and the other identical one not seeking the same answer, and you both are answering them the same way

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/visual-lisp-autolisp-and-general/creating-construction-lines/m-p/12014639

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 18:27:19 GMT

Try the CSEQ command defined in the attached CopySequential.lsp. Read the comments at the top of the file. Note that you can select multiple objects, not just one, and continue making as many sequential copies as you want, not just three. Lightly tested.

EDIT: I find it has a flaw that I'm thinking about how to fix. It leaves the copy of the selection that it's ready to Move overlaying the last copy. It doesn't work to just add Erase Previous within the code, because when you hit ESCape to end it, it doesn't get to that. Until I work it out, you can do Erase Previous after.

EDIT again: Figured it out. The file is replaced. It now lets you end it with Enter or space as well as ESCape.

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 18:15:57 GMT

@pendean wrote:
... Isn't this post and the other identical one ....

Quite similar in the copying aspect, but not identical. That one included the creation of an Xline running in a built-in direction within the command, and copying it only in a built-in direction perpendicular to itself; this one involves object selection of any kind(s) of thing(s), and User designation of direction(s) as well as distances. [The (s) multiple possibilities apply in my posted routine, exceeding the requested capability.]

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

johnyDFFXO — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 18:03:18 GMT

@Temssi.d wrote:
hi,
requesting assistance with an AutoCAD script utilizing the 'COPY' command and the 'FROM' option. I need the script to perform the following steps:
assume: orthomode is ON
User initiates the command.
Selects an object and confirms the selection.
Prompts the user to specify a base point
Type FROM, up-arrow key, enter
The user will input distances and define the direction (assume there is a single direction during one command) using the mouse cursor.
For instance, let's assume the distances are 70, 90, and 55, with the mouse cursor pointing to the right.
The objective is to copy the selected object three times at the specified distances, relative to the right direction:
The second object should be 70 units away from the first.
The third object should be 90 units away from the second.
The fourth object should be 55 units away from the third.
Actually, the calculation is to translate the object 70 units to the right of the base point, 70+90 units to the right of the base point, and 70+90+55 points to the right of the base point.
So there is no need to choose a starting point again or a point from which to calculate FROM, the calculation is always relative to the first point chosen and the direction chosen.

Note: This command is exclusively required when orthomode is ON, and the distances are measured vertically and horizontally from the base point.

The second script has the same functionality but uses the "MOVE" command

Thank you in advance for your help and expertise!

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Temssi.d — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 21:05:57 GMT

Your script is working!

I sincerely appreciate your time and assistance,

Thank you for your help!🤗

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Temssi.d — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 21:13:19 GMT

thank you moshe, its an alternative approach to solve the problem!

great one 👍

thank you!

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Temssi.d — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 21:24:35 GMT

magic! (up-arrow 😯), although it requires typing 'FROM' followed by the up arrow key and then pressing enter.

However, the primary objective was to minimize the number of clicks required to accomplish the task.

thank you for your time

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Sea-Haven — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:16:32 GMT

A bit more coding required, U70,90,55 or maybe D70,90,55 or R70,90,55 don't forget L70,90,55.

A simple 4 direction choice.

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Moshe-A — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:31:41 GMT

@Temssi.d hi,

thank you

i see you got out from here satisfied over the top which is close to winning a medal 😀

nevertheless i made some fine tunings and thought you should have

Moshe

Re: Script for sequential object duplication using 'copy' command and 'FROM' option in ORTHO mode

Temssi.d — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 06:12:10 GMT

Thank you moshe 🙂

Great solution!

👑