Modification in LISP

[nck5678]

Hi,

I have a LISP program written to export skecthlines from AutoCAD with lineweights into PDF which then is used by other equipment design tool. The program works well but I have there is an issue wherein if there are hidden layers in my drawing, the macro doesn't print lines in hidden layer but the resultant converted pdf has white patches on those hidden layers. This doesn't affect the output view, but there's problem with output size.

The problem being that if there are no hidden layers in the drawing, the pdf output is limited to the equipment drawing in model space, however if there are few layers hidden then the pdf output though is similar but size is increased. (It captures equipment drawing with visible layers as well as with hidden layers and the hidden layers are not visible but the part where hidden layer exist in drawing is captured in pdf).

I have just began with LISP tutorials and don't have programming knowledge. Can anyone guide me how to resolve this?

I believe if some function is included in code to exclude hidden layers completely then it may work, can anyone highlight how to write such code?

Appreciate your help!

[ВeekeeCZ]

LISP can only automate things that AutoCAD can do. So are you able somehow to accomplish this within AutoCAD itself?

Not sure what the "hidden" layer means. Is it OFF, frozen, or no-plot?

Also, if you're talking about "modifying" a lisp, you should post the lisp itself. Some dummy drawing example (dwg) is also welcome.

[calderg1000]

Regards @nck5678 

Hidden layers should not be printed. Because it prints from the Model, it is better to do it from a configuration in the Layout. Try your routine, on another PC and check if the same thing happens.
It is necessary to rule out if it is a routine error or a misconfiguration of the system.

[john.uhden]

@nck5678 

It sounds as though your program is defining a plot window by determining the extents of your area of interest via a filter that includes objects on "hidden" layers (frozen? off? no-plot?).  My guess is that your filtering has to become more complex to eliminate areas inhabited by objects on "hidden" layers.  It might be easier to use a paperspace viewport to define your area of interest.  Though that would not be automatic but require decisions on your part.

You mentioned white patches.  Might they be 2D solids or wipeouts?  If wipeouts, you may have your WIPEOUTFRAMES set to 0 (I think) where their outline neither plots nor shows on the screen. You should set it to 2.  Or maybe you had better try a different print driver.  I always use the "web & mobile" one.

Anyway, what do you mean by white patches?  Is there a border around them?  Don't you plot to a white background?

[hak_vz]

Attach sample drawing and your lisp. It's probably some simple issue to resolve.

[nck5678 · Accepted solution]

@hak_vz @john.uhden @calderg1000 @ВeekeeCZ 

Thanks for engaging.

The macro functioned in a way that it created a pdf in paperspace and using defined plotter files (.pc3 and .pmp). With hidden layers, the problem got resolved after the layers where froze.