Tool Palettes - Open Command

[Anonymous]

I can get the open command in my tool palettes but I cannot accomplish what I need to do. I want to have the command open the drawing that the blocks for that palette are in, that way if I want to add content that does not exist, or needs updated it is one click away.

[pendean]

Sounds like you really need to be using ADCENTER command for that ability, not TP.

[Emmsleys · Accepted solution]

Hello @mention,

Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

To build on pendean's post, 

The design center might help you save some time once you have it set up to meet your needs. 

" With DesignCenter, you can

• Browse for drawing content such as drawings or symbol libraries on your computer, on a networked drive, and on a web page
• View definition tables for blocks and layers in any drawing file and then insert, attach, or copy and paste the definitions into the current drawing
• Update (redefine) a block definition
• Create shortcuts to drawings, folders, and Internet locations that you access frequently
• Add content such as xrefs, blocks, and hatches to a drawing
• Open drawing files in a new window
• Drag drawings, blocks, and hatches to a tool palette for convenient access
• Copy and paste content, such as layer definitions, layouts, and text styles between open drawings

The DesignCenter Window

Use the tree view on the left to browse sources of content and to display content in the content area on the right. From the content area, you can add items to a drawing or to a tool palette. A preview or description is displayed for selected drawings, blocks, hatch patterns, or xrefs.

The DesignCenter toolbar controls navigation and display of information in the tree view and the content area. The same navigation and display options are available on the shortcut menu. Right-click in the content area to display the menu.

As with other dockable windows and palettes, you can resize, dock, and anchor DesignCenter. Many of these options can be set selecting an option on the shortcut menu. "

I reference this AKN article: About DesignCenter; About Adding Content With DesignCenter

Post back and let me know if this helps. 

Thanks. 

[neaton]

If I understand your request you want to open the dwg file that houses your Tool Palette blocks so you can add new or revise existing blocks as you are working in other drawings.

The Autodesk University class "AutoCAD Tool Palettes Master Class" by Paul Munford http://aucache.autodesk.com/au2015/sessionsFiles/10856/9127/handout_10856_IT10856%20-%20AutoCAD%20To... (page 31) has instructions on creating a script file to add to your Tool Palette that will open a drawing. As you found out the Open command doesn't work in a command string in a Tool Palette tool.

BTW Blocks don't need to reside in a dwg file to access them from a Tool Palette. You can drag and drop them from Windows Explorer directly into the Tool Palette. If a block needs changed it can be modified in any drawing and WBLOCKed out of the drawing into the folder that contains the Tool Palette block files.

Nancy

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@Anonymous wrote:
I can get the open command in my tool palettes but I cannot accomplish what I need to do. I want to have the command open the drawing that the blocks for that palette are in, that way if I want to add content that does not exist, or needs updated it is one click away.

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[Emmsleys]

I'm following up on my previous post. If you have any questions about my post let me know.

If you still need suggestions or have questions I'll be more than happy to help. 

Thanks. 

Please select Accept as Solution if my post or any other post in this thread resolves your issue, or reply with additional information if the problem persists.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

You can open most types of files using "start file". The formatting is pretty specific, spaces must be replaced with "%20" and "\" need to be replaced with "/". Other issues exist if there special characters. I have posted an example below that will open the file "Eng-Blocks.dwg" from a network location. 

Hope this helps!

‪^C^Cstart file:///P:/_CAD%20Standards/_Civil%203D/Support%20Files/Blocks/Engineering%20Blocks/Eng-Blocks.dwg;

[Anonymous]

A 3 Year old post and I got the answer I was looking for.

Thank You Jesse!