Need lisp for loading multiple blocks into a drawing
@StanThe wrote:
I need a lisp that will read a csv or xls file that has names of blocks, and load them from a part folder into my drawing.
By "load" do you mean INSERT Block references, or just bring in as Block definitions for future Insertion?
That's best done with a "plain" .CSV file, which AutoLisp can read easily enough, but what's the internal format of that? Is each Block name on a line of its own [all in one column as viewed in Excel], or are there multiple names on a line with comma delimiters [in cells in the same row], or a mix? A small sample file would be helpful.
Try something like this [untested] :
(defun C:WHATEVER (/ file LL blkLL blkUR)
(setq
file (open "X:/Your/Path/And/Filename.csv" "r")
LL '(0 0)
); setq
(while (setq blk (read-line file))
(command "_.insert" blk "_scale" 1 (getvar 'viewctr) 0)
(vla-getboundingbox (vlax-ename->vla-object (entlast)) 'minpt 'maxpt)
(setq
blkLL (vlax-safearray->list minpt)
blkUR (vlax-safearray->list maxpt)
); setq
(command "_.move" (entlast) "" "_none" blkLL LL)
(setq LL (polar LL 0 (+ (- (car blkUR) (car blkLL)) YourSpaceBetween)))
); while
(close file)
(princ)
); defun
Change the bluish italic parts to appropriate things; the YourSpaceBetween must be a number, in drawing units.
@StanThe wrote:
Ran into a big problem. If it doesn't find one of the numbers it errors and stops.
Any way to tell it to say if it found the number or not and to keep looking?
If the names are separate drawing files in a place in the Support File Search Path list where AutoCAD knows to look, try this [untested]:
(defun C:WHATEVER (/ file LL blkLL blkUR)
(setq
file (open "X:/Your/Path/And/Filename.csv" "r")
LL '(0 0)
); setq
(while (setq blk (read-line file))
(if (findfile (strcat blk ".dwg"))
(progn ; then
(command "_.insert" blk "_scale" 1 (getvar 'viewctr) 0)
(vla-getboundingbox (vlax-ename->vla-object (entlast)) 'minpt 'maxpt)
(setq
blkLL (vlax-safearray->list minpt)
blkUR (vlax-safearray->list maxpt)
); setq
(command "_.move" (entlast) "" "_none" blkLL LL)
(setq LL (polar LL 0 (+ (- (car blkUR) (car blkLL)) YourSpaceBetween)))
); progn
); if
); while
(close file)
(princ)
); defun
You could have collapsed your second example into a single line, too. Why not? Word wrapping of long lines is a consideration. I could ask you the corresponding question: Why do you some indent things so far?
I usually do it this way when setting more than one variable in one (setq) function just for clarity. Every variable is on its own line of code along with whatever determines the value set into it. It makes it easier to see what's happening if you need to add another variable or eliminate one, or change the order if one variable needs to reference another.
I also prefer having every closing right parenthesis that is not on the same line as its opening left parenthesis at the same position horizontally as its opening one, again for clarity of the relationships:
(setq
A (one thing)
B (another)
C
(somefunction
argumentA
argumentB
argumentC
); somefunction
D (whatever)
); setq
Examples in the AutoLisp reference that carry code to multiple lines do it that way.
But it's not necessary. You can put an entire file full of AutoLisp function on a single line if you don't need any commenting in it.
@Automohan Code visibility can sometimes be a problem.
In editor Notepad++ and many other you have option to temporarily close block of code
In attached picture whole WHILE block is folder to single line and can be collapsed when needed.
Check link for further explanation.
Miljenko Hatlak
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You can try my lisp for block import and export.
It needs OpenDCL installed.
Can be downloaded from here https://github.com/Azaravicius/BlockImportExport
No need for csv files, can copy-past directly from exel or to exel. Also have function to import messing block (all blocks) from external drawing to current drawing.
Main window.
