Custom command not working "DD" for DIMLINEAR

[Anonymous]

Using AutoCAD 2018 full version, I have changed a number of shortcut keys to my likes. But one of them doesn't stick, namely the DIMLIN command.

I changed it to "DD". I did so using the command "ALIASEDIT", changed the alias to be "DD" instead of "DIMLIN" which is the DIMLINEAR command.

When I type "DD" in the command line in CAD, it acts like it took the command (ie. it doesn't give me the "unknown command" error), but it doesn't do anything. So, I thought maybe it didn't take the change I made using "ALIASEDIT", so I opened the acad.pgp file, checked it there, it was all good. Closed CAD and reopened, still doesn't work! Tried changing it to something else, like "ZZ", and IT WORKS!! So why won't "DD" work???

Been using CAD for 20 yrs or so with "D" or "DD" for DIMLIN, would be nice to keep it that way! 

Any help would be greatly appreciated! 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

try to turn off these input settings, does it work then (also try command _REINIT).

- alfred -

[KarenMason]

Hi Michael,

Have you tried the updated DIM command that we changed in AutoCAD 2016?  It will dynamically change the dimension style that is created depending on the object that you hover over or select.

BTW, the AliasEdit dialog is separate from AutoCAD.  It hides in the background after you've added a new alias.  Look for it in the Windows task bar, and click Apply.  Then you should get a confirmation dialog for overwriting your acad.pgp file.

I was able to successfully add DD as an alias for DIMLINEAR.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

I tried turning those off, still doesn't work. Also, I did enter the "REINIT" command and picked the pgp option. Still doesn't work.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am aware of the disappearing window after you assign the command, I did bring it back to the front and applied it, saved it, closed it. Still doesn't work. Did that 2-3 times just to make sure it took. No luck.

The "DIM" command is similar to DIMALIGNED, but for what I am drawing I need DIMLIN most of the time. It's much faster using DIMLIN and hitting the spacebar twice and then selecting the side of the line, or polyline and pulling off to the side and placing your dim. 

 I have successfully added (changed) this command alias to AutoCAD 2003, 09, 10, 11, 14, and 2017, this is the first time it hasn't worked.

Thank you for your response though, it may just be a problem with my install. 

[KarenMason]

Hi Michael,

I was able to add the DD just by using ALIASEDIT (and I didn't have to turn off any of the AutoComplete/AutoCorrect settings).

Can you open the acad.pgp file and see if there are any other entries for DD in the file?  If so, there may be a conflict and your DD needs to be at the bottom of the list (thanks to my colleague @Anonymous for suggesting this).

Is there no message at the command line when you enter DD?

[Anonymous]

Karen Mason,

 I opened my .pgp file, looked it over, there is only one instance of the "DD" for DIMLINEAR listed and it is at the bottom. 

After I type "DD" and hit enter...the command line shows nothing at all. As if I had not entered anything. 

[Anonymous]

Karen Mason,

 I opened my .pgp file, looked it over, there is only one instance of the "DD" for DIMLINEAR listed and it is at the bottom. 

After I type "DD" and hit enter...the command line shows nothing at all. As if I had not entered anything. 

[KarenMason]

Sorry Michael.  This is definitely frustrating. 

Can you expand your command line so I can see more history?  Or press the F2 button before grabbing the screenshot.

I do have one last idea.  Can you open the AutoCorrectUserDB.pgp file?

Go to Manage tab, and select the Edit Aliases drop down in the Customization panel.  Then select the Edit AutoCorrect list.  Make sure that there is no entry for DD.  (If you don't have the ribbon turned on, you can go to the same folder that has the acad.pgp file.  It should be there.)

Although I doubt that's the problem, as you already tried to turn off the AutoCorrect settings in the command line settings.

I'm running out of ideas.

[KarenMason]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

The "DIM" command is similar to DIMALIGNED, but for what I am drawing I need DIMLIN most of the time. It's much faster using DIMLIN and hitting the spacebar twice and then selecting the side of the line, or polyline and pulling off to the side and placing your dim. 

---

You should also be able to draw a linear dimension using the DIM command.  Just drag the cursor and it will dynamically change from DIMANGULAR to DIMLINEAR.   And you don't have to press the spacebar a second time after entering the command.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

[pendean]

Press F2 and see what else lurks in the hidden portion of your one-line-visible command line, there is probably more info there.

[Anonymous]

Karen,

 Thanks again, I looked in the "AutoCorrectUserDB.pgp" file, there is no list there, it's empty. I have used DIM as a command, just not as reliable when you're doing speed dims and there happens to be a shape that is not vertical or horizontal and you need the dim to be a linear dim. Here is a screenshot of the command list expanded. There does seem to be a problem with that particular alias command.

 All is not lost if this doesn't get resolved, I will just train my finger to use another key and change the alias to "WW" or "ZZ" instead. 

[KarenMason]

@Anonymous

If you want to post your acad.pgp file, I can see if the problem occurs on my machine.  Then we'll be able to narrow it down to the acad.pgp file or a problem with ALIASEDIT.  I'm hoping that ALIASEDIT just corrupted your acad.pgp file.

Alternatively, you can try my acad.pgp file.  Just save your acad.pgp with a different name, and try copying over my acad.pgp file (attached).  I had to zip it up, as it was not able to be attached as a pgp file.

Obviously, if you have other command aliases, you'll need to recreate them(if my file works for DD).

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Karen,

 Thanks again, I have backups of my pgp files, I tried replacing it with one of those, (thanks for your suggestion on that). Still no luck! 

I have attached my pgp file, have fun with it! 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

Good catch from @pendean

From your screenshot you can see that DD starts a LISP command that is already defined.

So I guess when you remove DD from your alias setting and then enter DD in the command line you probably get the same error ... and that means there are tools/plugins defined that already have a function DD

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Alfred, 

 True, I took out the "DD" and replaced with "WW" and if I enter the command "DD" in CAD it reacts the same way. Even though I have searched the pgp file for any instances of "DD"...none to be found. So there MUST be something else that still has a "footprint" of the old "DD" alias. Good observation!! 

[KarenMason]

@Alfred.NESWADBA  Good job on recognizing it as a lisp routine.

Hi Michael,

I was able to use your acad.pgp file successfully.  As Alfred already detected, there is a lisp file that has used DD as a command.  It must be something new that you didn't have in your previous releases.

There are several places to check for custom lisp routines that are loaded.

1.  APPLOAD- Check the Startup Suite Contents to see if any files are listed.

2.  Look for acaddoc.lsp file and check the contents.

3.  APPAUTOLOADER/List- it will list all the plug-ins that are loaded.

[pendean]

since WW appears to work in your screenshot and DD calls what appears to be a dead LISP or add-on tool command...

And you are pretty sure you run AutoCAD OOTB and need nothing else, why not get brave, RESET AutoCAD back to factory settings, lose all of those unknown add-ons you never use, and see if the problem goes away with a new DD definition in a new PGP file https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to...

[Anonymous]

Karen,

 I will give those a try, thanks for the pointers. I probably should have considered this before and mentioned it as well, I am running a toolbox inside AutoCAD...Microvellum. That has probably affected the LISP files and the APPLOAD files as well.  

[Anonymous]

@pendean

 As I mentioned in my reply to @KarenMason, I should have mentioned at the start of this thread...."I am running a toolbox inside AutoCAD...Microvellum. That has probably affected the LISP files and the APPLOAD files as well".  I'm not brave enough to try the reset back to defaults, as this would most likely break something in the Microvellum Toolbox. 

 The LISP files probably holds the key to the fix, I will try what @KarenMason recommended in the previous post. Will let you know the results.

Thank you for your expert advice!