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Tool Palettes AC18

Martha.hall
Explorer

Tool Palettes AC18

Martha.hall
Explorer
Explorer

Hi Guys,

I just started this job where their drafting department refuses to update; so I'm using AutoCAD2018 

they had some tool palettes for use already migrated when I came into the office. All of the tools are present in the palettes but none of them are active. Ive tried to locate source files.  I can add and use tools but none of the existing tools work. (we're talking over 100 blocks here)

it kicks back an "unknown command INS-ANC" 

If anyone knows what to do; if this is a Macro issue or If i need to just build a source file from scratch?

All advice greatly appreciated.

New In the Office Baby Engineer

 

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Soluciones aceptadas (1)
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13 Respuestas
Respuestas (13)

pendean
Community Legend
Community Legend
Only someone in that office who set it all up can help you: no one over here has access to that content.
Could be as simple as a pathing problem (the required folders are not listed in OPTIONS' FILES TAB top entry) or the last guy erase everything on the way out.

Martha.hall
Explorer
Explorer

Unfortunately our CADD adminstrator and Senior Drafting Specialist who set all this up passed away. Sounds like I'll be starting from scratch :cara_de_decepción:

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Martha.hall
Explorer
Explorer

If it makes any difference I was able to locate the ATC files for the tool paletes and I can load them into AutoCAD with ease but again; none of them are active or working. 

 

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pendean
Community Legend
Community Legend
ATC files are just pointers (think directional signs pointing to something that is not there anymore): you appear to be missing what they are pointing at/to from your descriptions.

dmfrazier
Advisor
Advisor

"it kicks back an "unknown command INS-ANC" "

 

Based on the message sited in you earlier post, it looks to me like there may be some custom code (e.g. LISP) that is being called from at least some of your palette tools, but it isn't available because it's not getting loaded. You might look for error messages on the commandline as AutoCAD launches or as a DWG file is opened

 

ATC files do have some "mere-mortal-human-decipherable" parts to them (in among the gibberish). If you open one of the customized ATC files in your Palettes folder in a plain text editor (like NotePad), you can find file names and paths that might give you hints. But these things are generally more easily visible just by looking at the properties of a tool in a palette.

 

Have you looked at the properties of any of the tools that are misbehaving? Pick one and give us a screenshot.

ChicagoLooper
Mentor
Mentor

Do you know for certain WHERE the blocks are stored? No guessing allowed. Also, are the blocks stored on a centralized server from which everyone taps into? Or does every user have the same copy (library of blocks) stored locally on their own hard drive?

 

Go to your Tool Palette=>Right-click a block icon=>Properties=>Source File=>Copy the source file=>Paste the contents of your clipboard to Notepad (paste the entire contents not just a portion). You can use the notepad doc as a 'reminder' so you don't forget where Acad is searching.

 

You may need to copy several files if the blocks are stored in multiple locations. You don't need to copy all locations (you can figure out the 'exact' number locations later). You just want a general idea of where AutoCAD is searching and whether it's searching in multiple locations.

 

No, you don't need to build a source file from scratch, you just need to update the path. If the path is a centralized server and the path has changed, you'll need to provide the new path. If the blocks are stored locally, however, you'll need to provide the path to your hard drive instead of using the path that's associated with a coworker's hard drive.

 

 

 

 

Chicagolooper

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Martha.hall
Explorer
Explorer
I went thru one by one and tried each tool viewing properties to find that not single tool in these palettes has a source file. I think what I'll end up doing is migrating palettes from a colleagues computer. Hopefully we don't have any trouble with the export/import. We shall see when he return from vacation next week.
Thank you so much for your advice.
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dmfrazier
Advisor
Advisor

"...migrating palettes from a colleagues computer..."

 

...will not migrate the source files. :cara_de_decepción:

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Martha.hall
Explorer
Explorer

Hey,

I'm attaching a screen capture of a properties window of one of the tools to show that there are no source files present. Only a command string that's all but useless. SS tool palette help.PNG

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dmfrazier
Advisor
Advisor

It's only useless if the "command string" (macro)  references "functions" or other "stuff" (like paths and filenames) that are not "findable".

The macro begins with some AutoLISP code. One would have to see more of this to see where or why it isn't working. Please copy the entire string and paste it in a reply.

Martha.hall
Explorer
Explorer
^C^C^C(setq BLK "ANC/592P411");SYM;INS-ANC
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dmfrazier
Advisor
Advisor
Solución aceptada

"^C^C^C(setq BLK "ANC/592P411");SYM;INS-ANC "

 

All those ^Cs are Cancels (in case another command is in progress when the macro is invoked).

The first part (inside parens) is just some LISP code to set a variable named "BLK"  to a specific value which will be used later, probably by the last "command" ("INS-ANC"). This might be part of a path or path+filename.

The semi-colons are like hitting the Enter key.

"SYM" might be a shortcut for the "SYMBOL" command. You can try entering it on the command line to see what it does, but this might not tell you much as it's possible the macro creator set things up assuming there is a re-defined version of SYM.

"INS-ANC" appears to be a custom function (probably also LISP) that maybe takes the value of the BLK variable as an argument (probably a block path+filename).

The fact that these custom functions are used in the macro just like commands means that there is an assumption that the functions are already loaded. If not, AutoCAD issues an "unknown command" message (as you know).

The "ANC/592P411" (in this case, or other strings in other macros) is the only thing that you might be able to use to hunt for missing resources, assuming that there is a drawing file somewhere "out there" with that name or containing a block with that name.

Martha.hall
Explorer
Explorer
thank you so much for your help and time. Somewhere in the unknown there are files for these tools; I hope this helps me find them.
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