Course Description:

AutoLISP is a powerful programming tool built right into AutoCAD. In addition to basic AutoLISP, AutoCAD also contains Visual LISP. This course is an introduction to basic AutoLISP and Visual LISP programming. Students will learn to automate frequently used AutoCAD commands. Topics include system variables, input functions, defining points, redefining AutoLISP functions, program control functions, working with external file, entities and selection sets, advanced techniques, and controlling the screen display.

Course Length - 3 days

Because we know that students learn best by doing, all Cybertek classes are instructor-led classes featuring "hands-on" lectures with students participating with the instructor step-by-step through commands and application features augmented by detailed step-by-step exercises.

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Getting Started with AutoLISP

• The Four Principles of AutoLISP
• Basic AutoLISP Functions
• Assigning Values to Symbols
• Executing AutoCAD Commands through AutoLISP
• Storing and Setting AutoCAD's System Variables

Creating Usable AutoLISP Routines

• Setting Up an AutoLISP Routine
• Typical Structure of a Routine
• Prompting for User Input
• Creating an AutoLISP File
• Loading an AutoLISP File
• Using the Visual LISP Console Window
• Troubleshooting AutoLISP Files
• Defining AutoLISP Functions
• Creating AutoCAD Command Functions
• Automatic Loading of LISP Files
• Utility Functions to Improve Performance

Creating Lists and Error Trapping

• Creating Lists
• Telling AutoLISP Not to Evaluate an Expression
• Creating a Point List from Symbols
• Extracting Elements from a List
• Using Additional Point List Functions
• Error-Trapping Functions
• Restricting Acceptable Input Values
• Limiting Acceptable String Input Values
• Good AutoLISP Programming Techniques

Repeating Actions and Branching

• The Simplest Looping Functions
• Processing the Elements of a List
• Creating a List of Points
• Conditional Expressions
• A More Versatile Loop: the (while) Function
• The Simplest Program Branch: the (if) Function
• A More Versatile Program Branch: the (cond) Function

Accessing the Drawing Database

• Entity Definition Lists
• The Entity Definition List
• Association Lists
• Changing Entity Properties
• Review of Entity Modification
• Creating Entities
• Creating a Selection Set in AutoLISP
• Manipulating Selection Sets
• Processing Entities within a Selection Set
• Creating Selection Sets Using Filters
• Additional Filter Options for (ssget)
• Accessing Symbol Tables
• Modifying Table Entries

Data Formatting and Text Files

• Data Manipulation Tools
• Working with String Data
• Formatting Strings with Control Codes
• Converting Data Types
• Advanced List Functions
• Advanced File Handling
• Working with External Files
• Reading and Writing ASCII Text Files
• Printing Information to Files
• Dialog File Access
• Converting Lists to Strings Using an External File

Optional Topics

• Angles in AutoLISP
• Accessing Subentities
• Extracting Subentity Namesds
• Extracting Block Entities
• Accessing Subentities (Alternate)
• Accessing Subentities without User Input