Can't call AI_SELALL command through Lisp

[elias.kanellakis]

Hi guys,

i can't call the AI_SELALL command via a Lisp.. I even wrote this simple code and still nothing:

(defun c:PRACTICE ()
(command "AI_SELALL")
(princ)
)

When i write AI_SELALL directly on the command line it works! But can't do it within a Lisp.. Does anyone know why?

[pendean]

Explore SSGET https://lee-mac.com/ssget.html

[Kent1Cooper · Accepted solution]

AutoLisp (command) functions can accept only native AutoCAD command names, and AI_SELALL is not one -- it's a custom AutoLisp command definition.  This is the way to invoke such a thing in AutoLisp:

(defun c:PRACTICE ()
  (C:AI_SELALL)
  (princ)
)

[paullimapa]

Have you tried this 

(defun c:PRACTICE ()
(AI_SELALL)
)

[elias.kanellakis]

oh yes that works perfectly, thanks so much!

[Kent1Cooper]

---

@paullimapa wrote:

Have you tried this 

.... (AI_SELALL) ....

---

; error: no function definition: AI_SELALL

It's definitely defined with the C: [i.e. as a command, not just a function], and needs to be invoked with that included [see Message 3].  You should be able to find the definition in the support files [in my Acad2020 here, it's part of acad2020doc.lsp, described as a new command, but it may be elsewhere in later versions in which it's no longer new].

[paullimapa]

Yes I missed the c:  If memory serves me correctly all those ai_ functions used to be defined in a separate ai_utils.lsp file. 

[paullimapa]

Basically you can just use the actual lines of code like this:

(defun c:PRACTICE ()
(initcommandversion -1)
(command "_.SELECT" "_ALL" "")
(princ)
)

[elias.kanellakis]

Guys one more question..

After selecting everything with AI_SELALL i want to Explode the selection.. So i use Command Explode.. The problem is that it doesn't keep the previous selection and prompts the user to select again.. Why does this happen??

(defun c:PRACTICE ()

(C:AI_SELALL)
(COMMAND ''EXPLODE")
(princ)
)

Should i make the selection with the SSGET? Is it the only way?

To be more exact about what i m trying to do.. I want to create a Lisp that explodes everything in the drawing, in order to call it in a different Lisp using  the C: name

The other Lisp will be used as the Main and as it uses a selection from the user to do some stuff, i saw that i can't use the same selection to Explode also.. So i want to make the Explode in a different lisp file an call it in the Main Lisp..

[-didier- · Accepted solution]

Bonjour @elias.kanellakis 

It is better to use ssget, create a variable with and either browse the selection set or run a command on the selection set, in your case:

Amicalement

[Kent1Cooper]

---

@elias.kanellakis wrote:

....

(COMMAND ''EXPLODE")

....

---

Just a little by way of further explanation:  Something no one thinks to wonder about at first, but that we all eventually run up against, is the fact that for some inexplicable reason, when called in an AutoLisp (command) function, the EXPLODE command can Explode only one object.  If you give it a multiple-object selection set, it will Explode only one thing in it.  [This also means that if you are Exploding only one object, you don't need to "complete the selection" with the typical Enter "" -- just give it the one object, and the command is completed.]  There are three ways I know of to get around that odd limitation, of which I think @-didier-'s suggestion, using a preceding (initcommandversion) function, is better than the other two.

[paullimapa]

lots of magic with (initcommandversion)

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-6176FC98-DC5D-433E-8D76-F481BE68D46A

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

you can try this:

(defun c:PRACTICE ()
;; c:ai_selall - code from acad20xxdoc.lsp
(initcommandversion -1)
(command "_.SELECT" "_ALL" "")
;; initcommandversion - https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-6176FC98-DC5D-433E-8D76-F481BE68D46A
(initcommandversion)
(COMMAND "_.EXPLODE")
(princ)
)