Topic: Need guidance with batch processing

[debgun]

I need guidance from the experienced users.  I’ve been working on a project to automate IO (input/output) drawings and have asked several questions pertaining to a small portion of the project.  Of course, it doesn’t help that this is my first attempt at LISP.

Let me start by describing the project, please keep in mind that this is based on AutoCAD Electrical.
1.   Excel document is prepared for AutoCAD.
2.   AutoCAD will read excel document.
3.   Create new drawing based on given filename indicated in excel document.
4.   Insert circuits and prepare drawing.
5.   Create next new drawing
6.   Repeat steps 4 & 5 to EOF
Yesterday, I learned that LISP is document-centric and cannot communicate between drawings.  Please direct me to the most efficient route in order to batch process this routine.  I would like to avoid using VBA since it could disappear soon.  I have dabbled in VB.NET, but not put it to use, yet.  I’m not comfortable with using scripts to complete complicated process such as the electrical commands are.

I’ve attached a sample of the excel document and the lisp routines that will work per drawing.

Thank you for your help!
Debbie

[T.Willey]

Either you have to change the code to use none of the Electrical commands ( as I'm sure they are coded to only use the current drawing ), and no ' ssget ' calls, or...

You can use a lisp on multiple files, if you use Acad in SDI mode, or....

You can create a lisp, that will write a script, that will run your commands ( lisps and/or commands ), but this cannot have any user interactions.

[VovKa]

here's an unintelligent way to communicate between drawings

Code: [Select]

(defun test (/ f fn)
  (and (setq c (getint "\nEnter starting number: "))
       (setq f (open (setq fn (vl-filename-mktemp nil nil ".lsp")) "w"))
       (write-line (vl-prin1-to-string
     '(progn (alert (itoa c)) (setq c (1+ c)) (vl-propagate 'c) (princ))
   )
   f
       )
       (not (close f))
       (vl-propagate 'c)
       (vl-load-all fn)
  )
)don't forget to delete any temporary files created

[debgun]

Thanks for the quick responses.

Tim,

I was reading http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2009/06/batch-processing-autocad-drawings-from-lisp-without-sdi.html about SDI.  Should I be concerned about using the SDI method?

[JohnK]

> Batch-processing AutoCAD drawings from LISP without SDI ...
what does that mean? ...How old is that article? ...2009?! *gack*

I will take part in a group Batch processing project if there are any other takers?  I already have one Ive been using for years but it would need some updating because its not really that "user friendly" but i would offer it up so i can get us started.


BTW
>  "choose to break binary application compatibility"
what da heck does that mean? Who comes up with this crap?

[Lee Mac]

Would this help you at all?   

http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=31827.0

[JohnK]

Dont put on those "Mr. cool" glasses just yet.

What can i do TO a drawing without:

;;            - No SelectionSets               (ssget,ssname etc.)               ;;
;;            - No Command calls                                                 ;;
;;            - No *Ent Methods                (entget,entmod etc.)              ;;
;;            - No Access to System Variables  (vla-Set/GetVariable, etc)        ;;

;P

[T.Willey]

I have written quite a bit of batch processing code in Lisp.  Now if I need to do certain things, I just use a script writer, and let it to it's thing.  If I have to do the same thing over, and over again.  If it doesn't deal with changing text/attributes, then I use ObjectDBX.  If it does change those items, then I use C#.

Lee,

ObjectDBX would not work in this case, as the code is written.

7,

Not sure how the OP wants to handle this, but I can help also, as time allows.  I have posted my script writing routine before.  I'll see if that can be found.

Edit: [ http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=8264.msg105871#msg105871 ] here is the script writing program.

fyi.. The Tim that posted in there was me also.

[Lee Mac]

Dont put on those "Mr. cool" glasses just yet.

What can i do TO a drawing without:

;;            - No SelectionSets               (ssget,ssname etc.)               ;;
;;            - No Command calls                                                 ;;
;;            - No *Ent Methods                (entget,entmod etc.)              ;;
;;            - No Access to System Variables  (vla-Set/GetVariable, etc)        ;;

Hehe - quite a lot actually 

[debgun]

So I've been digging around in the Electrical help files and noticed it creates batches with script files.  I'm considering this option some more.  Apparently, it uses the DCL file called ace_proj_matrix.dcl, which I don't totally understand.

Thanks for all your input.  It has benefited me.

[JohnK]

Lee Mac,
but you are limited.

T.Willey,
Let's exchange some email's tomorrow. I'll send you some files so you can check out my method (-i.e. tell me if its worth while) but I dont use script files.

debgun,
So does that mean your out?

[T.Willey]

T.Willey,
Let's exchange some email's tomorrow. I'll send you some files so you can check out my method (-i.e. tell me if its worth while) but I dont use script files.

Sounds good.  You were easy to work with before, and you're knowledgeable, so should be fun.   

[JohnK]

I dont know about `knowledgeable' but if you deem that its a good enough method, then i will be willing to post it as-is so we can get a few others involved.

[T.Willey]

Whatever you want to do, I will take a look at it.

I do seriously respect you knowledge as a coder though.

[uncoolperson]

could this all be done via VBA in excel?