Downloads for AutoCAD


These are the public domain files I typically use or refer to in my training sessions. They are the things I like to have at my disposal for general productivity (TrainerGuy.lsp, Glue.lsp), quick parallel lines (Dline.lsp), and the very popular numbering routines (objno.lsp, prefix.lsp, and wsnum.lsp).

Some of them I found on the Internet for customers, some have been around since dirt (dline.lsp) and some I wrote myself. 

Productivity Files

Downloads

These go in the AutoCAD ..\Support folder [not for LT]

TrainerGuy.zip

Glue.zip

Dline.zip

Numbers.zip

Totlen.zip

DynaDoor.zip

DynaLabel.zip

ATGTemplate.zip

 

What to do with the files you download:

1.. Download and unzip each of these files in AutoCAD's ..\Support folder [any version except LT].
2..  In AutoCAD, go to Tools/Load Application.
3..  Click the suitcase icon at the bottom to open the Startup Suite dialog.
4..  Click Add, then navigate to the .lsp files in the ..\Support folder.
5..  Select the files (you can select each of them while you're in the dialog if you hold down Ctrl).
6..  After you have selected them, click the Add button to return to the Startup Suite dialog where you will see them listed.
7..  Click Close, then close out of the Load Application dialog box.
8..  To make them work, you will need to close and relaunch AutoCAD.

NOTE: With the exception of TrainerGuy.LSP, all .LSP files are launched by entering their name at the <Command:> line.

Zip File Contents

TrainerGuy.lsp - This is a compilation of several one-line Lisp routines that I had in my newsletter, 'The AutoCAD Toolbelt' many years ago.  To see them all, open TrainerGuy.lsp in Notepad.  Enter the one or two characters that appear after the "Defun C:" text to launch the associated routine.  Here are some of the highlights. 

II    This runs the TFRAMES command which will toggle On or Off the frames of Wipeout objects or Images.

 TV   Use this routine to tile the open drawings vertically.

 DE   Use this to launch the Dist command with the Endpoint osnap for each pick.

 ZE   Automates the Zoom/Extents routine (although this has been superceded by double-clicking your wheel mouse for most of you).

 UA   This routine will bring the selected line to horizontal in the drawing window along with the rest of the drawing. Works great when you want to work in a room at an odd angle but bring it square so you don't have to keep turning your head. You can then work on the drawing with Ortho on, too.

 UW   This one puts the UCS back to World and takes the drawing with it.


Glue.lsp - This routine was in the old DCA/AutoArch software Toolbox and I discovered it on one of the AutoCAD specific websites.  It will put two broken, co-linear lines back together.  A great routine to put a wall line back together after taking out a door or window.

Totlen.lsp - As in "total length".  Select the lines, arcs, or polylines you would like to add up, then press Enter.  A dialog box displays the distance in Architectural as well as Decimal units.  Very handy.

DynaDoor.dwg - This dynamic door block is created with five sizes - 24", 30", 36", 42", & 48" - and also has a flip parameter.  For several years I included the process for creating this block in my training workbooks, but it just got a bit too difficult to keep everyone on the same page, especially in a setting of varied levels of expertise.   Also included in the Dynadoor.zip file is a PDF of the procedures, just in case you would like to see how it was made.  NOTE:  After unzipping the file, open DynaDoor.DWG (don't Insert it).  If you want to put it on a palette, open your block source file, then drag the DynaDoor block into your block source.  Save your block source drawing, then drag the DynaDoor onto your palette.

DynaLabel.dwg - This dynamic label block is intended for use in Paper space; the line can be stretched to accommodate the length of the text.  Take a look at Michael's Corner for May 2009 for a review on how to make your own dynamic block that incorporates a Move and Stretch parameter.  NOTE:  After unzipping the file, open DynaLabel.DWG (don't Insert it).  If you want to put it on a palette, open your block source file, then drag the DynaLabel block into your block source.  Save your block source drawing, then drag the DynaLabel onto your palette.

ATGTemplate.dwt - [For A2007, A2008, A2009]  This is my template in case you don't have one and didn't want to start from scratch.  Put this in AutoCAD's ..\Template folder (you will need to make one for A2009). See Michael's Corner from February 2004 on how to set your system up to use this .DWT. 

Numbers.zip - The three auto-numbering routines are in here: Wsnum.lsp, Objno.lsp, and Prefix.lsp. For an explanation on what they do, read on. If you want the individual lisp routines, they are in the [brackets] after their explanation.

Set up for the numbering routines and what they do:

A..  Each one of the numbering routines creates Dtext, not Mtext.
B..  The numbers are created on the current layer in the current text style so set those up first.

BIG NOTE ABOUT THESE NUMBERING ROUTINES...
Be sure the current Text Style's Height is set to 0 before running the following three routines.

OBJNO.LSP - Simple numbering. Enter the starting number and the text height and you're off. [Objno.zip]

PREFIX.LSP - Enter a prefix, the starting number, the text height, then the increment (press Enter for 1). The prefix hugs right up to the number ala  WS101, WS102 or KEY-60, KEY-61, etc. [Prefix.zip]

WSNUM.LSP - Similar to Prefix, but this one puts a space between the prefix and the sequential number,  FR 355, FR 356, etc.   Note:  When prompted "Increment numbers by <1>?" just press Enter, don't type 1. Some folks have gotten an error if you enter 1.  I didn't write 'em, I just found 'em as freeware on the Internet. [Wsnum.zip]

Dline.lsp - This double line generator was introduced on the R11 Bonus CD (does anyone still have that??), was included in R12, then was mysteriously dropped when Mline came on the scene in R13.  AutoCAD LT has had the Dline routine as a staple for years.  Three key features:

Width.  This sets the distance between the parallel lines.

 Dragline.  Think 'justification'; Right, Center, or Left based    upon the direction you are going.

 Offset*.  This enables you to offset the Start point of a new Dline (it's not the Offset command).  You get 3 prompts:

1.. 'Offset From'.  Pick a point.

2.. 'Offset Toward.'  Turn on Ortho (if it isn't already) and pick a point in the direction where the start point for the new dline will be placed relative to the offset point.

3.. 'Distance.'  Now you can enter how far the start point is for the new
dline from the offset point in the direction specified.

*NOTE:  The Offset option is not in the AutoCAD LT version of Dline.

For more on using Dline, see Michael's Corner August 2003 (making walls), September 2005 (using Dline to cut door openings), and April 2008 (adding Dline to the tool palette).

Fonts
These go in the AutoCAD ..\Fonts folder [LT, too!]

Archfonts.zip

 Instructions for the Fonts:

Download and unzip the Archfonts.zip file in your AutoCAD ..\Fonts folder [works for LT, too].

The next time you launch AutoCAD, Archquik.shx, Architxt.shx, and Archtitl.shx will be available from the Font Name drop-down list in the Text Style dialog box.

Express Tools Review

My good friend Jim Leach is the primary AutoCAD instructor at Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville.  He is also the author of the long-running 'AutoCAD Instructor' series.  It has excellent, detailed coverage of commands and options, along with dozens of exercises.  He asked me to write the review of the Express Tools for AutoCAD 2004 and you can download the 62pp Chapter 47 [PDF] here.

Go to the link for Chapter 47

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