.VLX files works with 2007 and 2010 versions but DOES NOT with 2016/2018 version

[Anonymous]

I have a .vlx for a "appload" file (not the database anymore) that seems to work fine with the CAD versions 2007 and 2010.

The CAD 2018 and 2016 version does not work properly. It shows a "nil" error.

How could I make it work on the recent versions?

[Anonymous]

Sorry for any grammatical error, I'm using google to translate.

If you had the LSP, it would not be fixed in the VLX error I believe it will not be possible !!!

Júnior Nogueira.

Por favor,  Aceitar como Solução se meu post te ajudar.

Please Accept as Solution if my post helps you.

[Anonymous]

Hello,

The answer is very easy. You need to add a line to file called Acad2018doc.lsp at c:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2016\Support\en-us\  or c:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2018\Support\en-us\

Here it is below.

Find the subroutine below at Acad2016doc.lsp or Acad2018doc.lsp

and add the line:  (findfile (strcat app ".vlx"))

(defun ai_ffile (app)
  (or (findfile (strcat app ".lsp"))
      (findfile (strcat app ".vlx"))   <= add this line pls
      (findfile (strcat app ".exp"))
      (findfile (strcat app ".exe"))
      (findfile (strcat app ".arx"))
      (findfile app)
  )
)

 Then try to work with your own *.vlx files 🙂

Take care...

[Anonymous]

That was great but still, it did not work properly with the 2018 version.

I was very hopeful.

Any other ideias, friend? 🙂

[dgorsman]

The VLX may contain version-dependent content.  If so, you need to update the source code and recompile.

[JamesMaeding]

as I recall, we used to have to recompile to vlx every time acad changed the dwg version.

Interestingly, that has not been true for a long time. I use the same vlx in 2015 and 2019 these days.

But I think 2007 is too far back, you would have to recompile the lisp.

The fact that you don't have the .lsp likely means you bought it, so need to contact the author.

If company written, hopefully the author left you the code....hopefully....or they laughed all the way out the door when they left.

[Anonymous]

The author left the company many years ago.
It worked up until 2012 version.
At least we can deal with a better version CAD than 2007.
The code seems to be not that complicated if we had to re-do the author's idea (which is extremely helpful in our daily job).
I really don't know how to do it. I'm not that good with coding.
Maybe there is some way to transcode the vlx back to lsp...

[JamesMaeding]

no, decompile will not happen from .vlx.

If you describe what it did, we can see how hard it would be to replicate.

I've done that a lot, then re-replicated again in .net when that api came out.

[Anonymous]

We are a irrigation company.
We use the cad to design the sprinklers, their pressure, size, reach, etc.
Each system depends on a valve.
With all the sprinklers connected, it calculates the size of the tubes,
their connections.

[JamesMaeding]

would you like to learn some lisp to do this? Or maybe .net?

My background is water/wastewater design, but I know streets and grading and you name it these days.

I used watercad for pressure type analysis, but that is likely way beyond irrigation, but the friction equation is the same (hazen-williams). Are you talking about looped systems, or like a tree that branches but never reconnects?

The latter is simple, straight calcs, but looping needs iterations.

Explain how you tell the program your layout. Is it by picking linework, or a dialog, and how fancy that all gets.

I have often thought about making my own watercad, but actually for open channel flow so I can show the water surface in my 3d pipe models.

thx

[cadffm]

@Anonymous

Do you have a folder with more stuff from this guy?

Open your *.vlx, in first line search for all " (:fas "HERETHENAME")

Search in your folders for these names WITHOUT any Extension (where you think it is possible to find other *.lsp files).

The vlx can be include many files and the names can different to the vla name.

PS: Did he program this stuff on behalf of the company, including during working hours?

In Germany, I would say that also belongs to the source code of the company and he would be obliged to provide this (my opinion).
Maybe you will find something else in the backup of the server or if the computer still exists.

[JamesMaeding]

same in US. If you code while someone is paying you, they own that code unless you otherwise arrange things.

Good point though @cadffm, he may have left some files around. I would look for the .prj file in particular as that is the settings for compiling it to vlx.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everbody.

Sorry for the late reply.

The guy used to own the company.

After some research, he teaches coding at an university.

Waiting for a reply from him.

[Patchy]

This is all i can get out of it

[Anonymous]

Just saw the file. Thanks a lot for your kindness 🙂