HyperPics: Beyond the UI

New Icon Switches in AutoCAD 2005

AutoCAD 2005 introduces many new features within in the User Interface which are commonly found and used by everyone. However, there are many people that don't ever use Icon Switches to help aid the startup of AutoCAD. AutoCAD 2005 introduces 4 new switches in this area.

/layout - Allows you to specify a named layout to be displayed when a drawing is opened

/ld - Loads a specified ObjectARX or ObjectDBX file at startup

/nossm - Turns off the Sheet Set Manager when AutoCAD is loaded

/set - Loads a Sheet Set at the start up of AutoCAD

For more information click here to view the Icon Switch PDF file that I have updated for AutoCAD 2005.

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

VBA Example that demonstrates how to create a custom property in a Sheet Set that holds the total number of Sheets

  It is great to see people are starting to use AutoCAD 2005, only days after it has started to ship. However, there have been many questions in the area of Sheet Sets of how to do certain things. One of these issues is how to get a Total Number of the Sheets in a Sheet Set and then use that number in a Field. There is no built in value for this, but you can use a custom property. Now that leads to manual work, so during my lunch hour I decided to tackle how to use the new Sheet Set API. I have a pretty good handle on the API, but there could be some improvements in the code that I am about to post. The improvement that I am looking at is the ability to use events that SheetSets have. Maybe, next lunch hour.

' Written by Lee Ambrosius
' Date: 3/24/04

' Program is provided AS-IS with no expressed written warranty
' This example demonstrates a couple of the new SheetSet API and some of its
' many properties and methods
' It creates a custom property at the Sheet Set level called "Total Sheets"
SheetCount.dvb

To use it follow the directions below after the file has been downloaded and unzipped.
1. Drag 'n drop the DVB module or use APPLOAD to load the project file
2. Start VBAMAN click on the Macros button and select the macro called basSheetCount.SetSheetCount
3. Click the run button

You should see the custom property added to the SheetSet. I see that Events can be trapped from Sheet Set Manager so I am going to look into that as a future change. Let it will be just a mater of loading the module and it should take care of recounting Automatically.

Hope you find value in the routine above.

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

Visual LISP example that demonstrates the use of the new API for Tables

  It has been a couple days since my last post, and by this posting you can tell I am still around. I have been busy with work, boss being out of the office and side projects. Anyways that isn't why you are reading this article anyways I am sure.

  Autodesk introduced new Table objects in AutoCAD 2005, which is an excellent piece of software. Anyways below is an example that shows how to use the new API with the Table objects. I have reworked this example a couple times now and it is ready for posting. One of the things that bothered me the most was how to not have the user select the Table before picking a cell. After trying a couple things I used the corners of the current View as my "Crossing" points for SSGET which seems to work great. The program shows how to use HitTest, determine the Cell Type as it can have text or a block, GetText and SetText methods. The selection method works just like the TABLEDIT command does in AutoCAD. It was a fun little example to build and I am sure I will come up with more in the future.

The code can be downloaded here. Also, check out other code examples at the AutoLISP Downloads section of the HyperPics website.

;; Begin code here
;; Written by Lee Ambrosius
;; Date: 3/24/04
;; Checks for tables in current view to match up with HitTest
;; This avoids the need for the user to select the table first.

;; Program is provided AS-IS with no expressed written warranty
;; This example demonstrates a couple of the new Table ActiveX properties
;; HitTest, GetCellType, GetText and SetText

(defun c:selTableCell ( / vector table pick row col cellValueOrg)
 (setq vHeight (getvar "viewsize"))
 (setq vWidth (* (/ (nth 0 (getvar "screensize")) (nth 1 (getvar "screensize"))) vHeight))

 (setq lwrLeft (list (- (nth 0 (getvar "viewctr")) (/ vWidth 2)) (- (nth 1 (getvar "viewctr")) (/ vHeight 2)) 0))
 (setq uprRight (list (+ (nth 0 (getvar "viewctr")) (/ vWidth 2)) (+ (nth 1 (getvar "viewctr")) (/ vHeight 2)) 0))

 (setq vector (vlax-make-safearray vlax-vbDouble '(0 . 2)))
 (vlax-safearray-fill vector '(1 1 1))
 (setq vector (vlax-make-variant vector))

 (prompt "\nSelect Cell to edit: ")
 (setq pick (vlax-3d-point (getpoint)))

 (if (/= pick nil)
   (progn
     (if (setq SS_TABLES (ssget "C" lwrleft uprright (list (cons 0 "ACAD_TABLE"))))
       (progn
         (setq cnt 0 eMax (sslength SS_TABLES))

         (while (> eMax cnt)

           (setq table (vlax-ename->vla-object (ssname SS_TABLES cnt)))

           ;; Return values for what cell was picked in
           (setq row 0 col 0)

           ;; Check to see if a valid cell was picked
           (if (= (vla-hittest table pick vector 'row 'col) :vlax-true)
             (progn
               ;; Check to see what the Cell Type is (Text or Block)
               (if (= (vlax-invoke-method table 'GetCellType row col) acTextCell)
                 (progn
                   ;; Let's get the value out
                   (setq cellValueOrg (vlax-invoke-method table 'GetText row col))

                   ;; Change the current value
                   (vlax-invoke-method table 'SetText row col "Revised Text")
                   (vlax-invoke-method table 'Update)
                   (alert "Cell text was changed")

                   ;; Restore the original value
                   (vlax-invoke-method table 'SetText row col cellValueOrg)
                   (vlax-invoke-method table 'Update)
                   (alert "Cell text was changed back to the original value.")
                   (setq cnt eMax)
                  )
                )
              )
            )
            (setq cnt (1+ cnt))
          )
        )
      )
    )
  )
 (princ)
)
;; End Code here

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

Autodesk stops taking orders for AutoCAD 2004 and based products

On March 19, Autodesk stopped taking orders for AutoCAD 2004 and 2004 based vertical products. This is due to AutoCAD 2005 and 2005 based verticals will begin shipping on March 22.

March 22 ship date
AutoCAD 2005
AutoCAD LT 2005

March 31 ship date
Architectural Desktop (ADT) 2005

June ship date
Mechanical Desktop (MDT) 2005
Inventor 9

There has been much talk about going to an annual release and moving away from extensions for subscription users. I have not seen anything that has been directly published by Autodesk on their website, but there are many articles out on the internet about this happening. If it does happen then subscription would make sense for many companies to move to. However, the longer tem plans of subscription are still kind of up in the air yet and the only folks that know are Autodesk.

upFront.eZine - February 24, 2004 (Read the 5 minutes with Kelly Miller)

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

Latest issue of AUGI World has many articles on AutoCAD 2005

Hot off the presses...

The March/April issue of AUGI World, which is put out by AUGI, has many great articles on AutoCAD 2005. The main article takes you through an overview of the new features that are in AutoCAD 2005. Off from the main article there are four additional support articles that are focused more on the main new enhancements. These articles focus on the Layer Properties Manager, Fields, Tables and Sheet Sets. You have to be a member of AUGI to view the PDF copies of the magazine, but the membership is free at the AUGI website. The two links below are for the same issue of the magazine, but two different sizes.

Low Resolution PDF (Dial-up)
High Resolution PDF (Broadband or High Speed)

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

Adding the ability to select True Colors to your LISP programs

If you take a look at the help files for both AutoCAD 2004 and 2005 you find the old function ACAD_COLORDLG listed for AutoLISP. However, the ACAD_COLORDLG function doesn't support True Colors in AutoCAD though. So was it over looked, is it missing... really it is just undocumented. The function you need in your code if you want to all the user to select True Colors is ACAD_TRUECOLORDLG. Since the function is undocumented it took a little while to exactly figure out the syntax for this function a year ago. Below is what I know of the function itself and its companion command to select True Colors at the command line.

Dialog Box
Syntax: (acad_truecolordlg color [allowbylayer])

Example:
(acad_truecolordlg 137 nil)
((62 . 137))

Alternative to use True color:
(acad_truecolordlg (cons 420 2594))

Alternative to use Color Book color:
(acad_truecolordlg (cons 430 "PANTONE(R) a & i-cotton$PANTONE 11-4800TC"))

Command Line
Syntax: (acad_truecolorcli color [allowbylayer] [alternatePrompt])

Example:
(acad_truecolorcli 137)
New Color [Truecolor/COlorbook] <137>:
((62 . 137))

Other return values:
Returns ACI as: ((62 . 144))

Returns True Color as: ((62 . 137) (420 . 2594437))

Returns Color Book Color as:
((62 . 254) (420 . 15789027) (430 . "PANTONE(R) a & i-cotton$PANTONE 11-4800 TC"))

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

AutoCAD 2005 Tips and Tricks

I have posted many new Tips for AutoCAD 2005 to my site over the last couple days. These tips range from using the new Object option for the Zoom command to Where did my Grips go?. I am working on many more new Tips and content for the web site. I have also gotten some great feedback over the last couple of days from visitors to both my Blog and website.

Where did my Grips Go? - Part 1 (A Look at GRIPOBJLIMIT)
Zoom up on an Object or Objects with the new Zoom option
Using the new M2P to get the Mid Between 2 Points

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

Nice presentation on AutoCAD 2005 by Sterling Systems

I came across this Power Point presentation on the Sterling Systems website on AutoCAD 2005. Sterling Silver, is one of the largest Autodesk Dealer in the Midwest. The presentation covers many of the new features that are in AutoCAD 2005. They also have a variety of recorded streaming videos along with some other additional content on their site.

Power Point Presentation
Other recorded streaming videos

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

Great resource site for 3DS Viz and Viz Render

Vizdepot is a great resource site for your visualization needs with 3DS Viz and Viz Render. It has many things to offer from textures to tutorials to online forums. There is even a gallery that demonstrates a variety of eye pleasing renderings that were poduced from 3DS Viz from different users of the site. Check out topics listed above and much more at Vizdepot.

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius

HyperPics is turning heads in the industry as a great AutoCAD resource site

HyperPics.com is sure turning heads these days making it in many newsletters and websites in the industry. Some of these sites have recently listed HyperPics as a great resource for AutoCAD 2005 range from small to large sites. I would like to thank everyone that has visited and has found value in my site. Some of the links are below.

Tenlinks.com - Lists HyperPics as "Site of the Week" for March 15, 2004
CADALYST Newsletter - Vol. 9 No. 11
CAD Digest.com - Has been posting many of the Tips and Tricks found on our site.
Autodesk's first Blog by Shaan Hurley - Shaan is a great friend and has a great Blog full of AutoCAD and technology related topics.

Keep an eye open as we forge ahead with more content for AutoCAD 2005. We are going to keep on the road of providing a site full of excellent content. If there is something that you would like to see let us know.

Sincerely,
  Lee Ambrosius