These downloads have proven to be absolute time-savers for my customers.

Note to AutoCAD LT Users:  The files that will work with LT are DynaDoor & DynaLabel (those go on your tool palette) and the ATG Template file.  The other files are LSP files which cannot be used in LT.

What to DO with the Files...

TrainerGuy.zip

Glue.zip

Dline.zip

Totlen.zip

Numbers.zip
Contains 3 LSP files:
  OBJNO.LSP
  WSNUM.LSP
  PREFIX.LSP

1.. Download and unzip each of these files in AutoCAD's ..\Support folder.
2..  In AutoCAD, go to Tools/Load Application.  [Alias = AP]
3..  Click the suitcase icon at the bottom to open the Startup Suite dialog box.
4..  Click Add, then navigate to the .lsp files in the ..\Support folder.
5..  Select the files (you can select each of them 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.

Contents of the .ZIP Files

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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).

NUMBERS.LSP - 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.

Setup 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
any of these 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]

DYNAMIC BLOCKS

DYNADOOR.ZIP

DYNALABEL.ZIP

DYNAPOWER.ZIP

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.

DYNAPOWER.DWG - This dynamic block has three visibility parameters: Duplex receptacle, Datacomm, and Single pole light switch.  This block also has an alignment parameter at the insertion point which causes the block to align to the line it is being placed on, such as a wall.

NOTE:  After unzipping the file, open DynaPower.DWG (don't Insert it).  If you want to put it on a palette, open your block source file, then drag the DynaPower block into your block source.  Save your block source drawing, then drag the DynaPower block onto your palette.

INCREMENTING ATTRIBUTED ROOM NUMBER BLOCK

INSTRUCTIONS for using this block and tool palette can be found on Michael's Corner in February, 2010.

Please refer to the main article where you will find the necessary procedures and pre-requisites to using this powerful block.

MICHAEL'S SAMPLE TEMPLATE

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COLOR COLLECTION

The Sherwin-Williams Color Book for AutoCAD

A couple years ago at NeoCon, the folks at the Sherwin-Williams booth told me about their downloadable color book for AutoCAD.  ThE  zip file contains Sherwin_Williams_Colors.acb.

Unzip S_W_COLORS.ZIP and put the .ACB file in the ..\Support\Color folder of your particular version of AutoCAD.

The next time you launch AutoCAD and set a color, you can choose Sherwin Williams colors from the Color Books tab! 

ARCHITECTURAL FONTS

NOTE:  After unzipping the file, put these .SHX files in your AutoCAD ..\Fonts folder.  These will work with LT, too.

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