AutoLISP Documentation Updates - Windows and Mac

Must be Fall... and someone left the door open. So that means one of two things, I either escaped or a product was recently released.  Now time to see if the long Summer days paid off.

Some of you might have heard that AutoCAD 2014 for Mac has recently been released, but that does not mean that those on AutoCAD Windows do not have something to celebrate as well.  Of course the latest version of Microsoft's Surface has hit the streets today as well, but that is not what I am talking about.

As part of the AutoCAD documentation team, and more precisely the developer documentation, I am always looking at ways to improve the way our documentation works and the type of content that is offered.  Several of these changes can now be seen and accessed by AutoLISP developers, whether you develop for the Mac or Windows.

Below is a summary of the changes that have been recently released as part of the AutoCAD for Mac release that AutoLISP developers should enjoy. (These changes are only part of the AutoCAD for Mac Help):

• New AutoLISP navigation links. The AutoLISP documentation is much easier to locate now and navigate from the main AutoCAD Help landing page.
  
• Function Listing (by Name and Feature) - Provides you with access to AutoLISP functions not only by alphabetic names but also by feature classification.
  
  
• AutoLISP Developer's Topic Map - It is in all in the name right. Listing of all essential topics in a flat scan able page, now this page is not everything that you might need but this should help guide you in the proper direction as to what is available.
  
  
• AutoLISP is now a platform documentation set. Gone is the separate Windows and Mac AutoLISP documentation, the function reference topics now call out what platform they are supported on. This will aid in those that plan to support their programs on both platforms, and give you an understanding of what function is not supported or what the differences might be.
  
  
• Reference topics updated. As part of the updates, the function reference topics have a new look to them.  Some content on the pages have been restructured and placed under specific section titles, thereby making it easier to find information on the page. Argument listings and return values now not only provide you with a brief description like they have before, but they now include information as to the type of data is expected or will return.
  
  
• Tutorials. Ready, Set, CODE!!! While not a huge offering, there are three new tutorials that are very basic for those that are looking to get started with AutoLISP for the first time.  These are much easier to understand than the previous Garden Path tutorial for those that are new to the language, but the existing Garden Path tutorial is just a click away as well once you are ready.
• It is all in the title. Topic titles have been updated to include AutoLISP, DCL, ActiveX, Visual LISP IDE, or a combination of several to give you an idea of what the information on that topic covers.
• Help Search Filters. Switch from All Content to Developer and use the Filter button to indicate what topics you want to filter on. All of the AutoLISP topics have been updated to work with this filter now, and should help you narrow down what you are looking for if you cannot find it as part of the new function listings or the topic map.

I am sure there are some other updates that I have missed as part of this posting, but will update this posting if I remember any of the other changes that have been made.

If you like or dislike the changes made, feel free to let me know.  Feedback is important either way so we can deliver the documentation you need to be successful at what you do.  If you want to see some additional changes made in the future, please let me know as well.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Comments

[Rusty Gesner]

Hi Lee,

I see the "About the AutoCAD Object Model illustration (which went AWOL sometime after 2009) is back http://docs.autodesk.com/ACDMAC/2014/ENU/index.html?url=files/GUID-FC6FC3E3-ED3E-4E4D-9766-8E4D037241A5.htm,topicNumber=d30e342375
However it is a static image, unlike the interactive Object Model explorer of 2009 and prior, which enabled you to drill down and see which properties, methods, and events apply to which objects.
Any chance this might be resurrected?
- Rusty

[Lee Ambrosius]

Hello Rusty,

A clickable object model is something that others have requested as well and something that was previously available as you note. As to if or when such a thing might be available, I can't say for sure one way or another. :)

Sincerely,
Lee