Topic: Lisp to open a note pad

[CadFrank]

Hi, I would like to know if a lisp routine exist for the fallowing explanation.

Ok well i have a Notepad saved as TimeTracker.txt in my desktop.

Would it be possible that when i press CTRL+S in AutoCad drawing that the file .txt open.

I would also like to know how i keep a .lsp loaded in a .dwt file.

Thx alot for all the help.

Cheers & Beers

[Lee Mac]

Code: [Select]

(startapp "notepad" "C:\\YourFilename.txt")

[CadFrank]

Ok, lets say I do not know how to creat a lisp routine.

where would i put the script you posted?

[Lee Mac]

At the point in your program at which you want the Text file to open, for example:

Code: [Select]

(defun c:test ( )
    (getstring "\nPress Enter to open Notepad...")
    (startapp "notepad")
    (princ)
)
Or, as a better example:

Code: [Select]

(defun c:test ( / file )
    (if (setq file (getfiled "Select Text File to Open" "" "txt" 16))
        (startapp "notepad" file)
    )
    (princ)
)

[CadFrank]

Would this work?

(defun c:timet()

(startapp "notepad" "C:\\TimeTracker.txt")

)

(princ)

[CadFrank]

So this would make it start when i press Ctrl+s or Save

[Lee Mac]

So this would make it start when i press Ctrl+s or Save

No, for that you would need to alter your cui.

[CadFrank]

Would altering my cui. be hard or creat problems?

[Lee Mac]

Would altering my cui. be hard or creat problems?

Not too difficult...

Type CUI at the command-line, navigate to 'Keyboard Shortcuts' > 'Shortcut Keys' > 'Save'

Alter the macro to call the LISP function before (or after) executing the 'qsave' command, e.g.:

Code: [Select]

^C^C(c:test);_.qsave

[CadFrank]

Ok it works when i Save.. But if the text file i only want to open is TimeTracker.txt and i want it to open when i press Ctrl+S what should i change in the routine.

Code: [Select]

(defun c:timet ( / file )
    (if (setq file (getfiled "Select Text file To Open" "" "txt" 16))
        (startapp "notepad" file)
    )
    (princ)
)

[alanjt]

You can also do this from the commandline by default (defined in acad.pgp). just type NOTEPAD

[Lee Mac]

Ok it works when i Save.. But if the text file i only want to open is TimeTracker.txt and i want it to open when i press Ctrl+S what should i change in the routine.

Code: [Select]

(defun c:timet ( / file )
    (if (setq file (getfiled "Select Text file To Open" "" "txt" 16))
        (startapp "notepad" file)
    )
    (princ)
)

Hint:

Code: [Select]

(startapp "notepad" "C:\\YourFilename.txt")

You can also do this from the commandline by default (defined in acad.pgp). just type NOTEPAD

That's a new one for me, thanks. 

[CadFrank]

So it writes impossible to open file

Code: [Select]

(defun c:timet ( / file )
        (startapp "notepad" "C:\\Timetracker.txt")
    (princ)
)
Where should i put my .txt file for it to be found?

[Lee Mac]

Where should i put my .txt file for it to be found?

Anywhere - as long as the filepath in the startapp expression matches the location of the text file.

Code: [Select]

(startapp "notepad" <filepath of textfile>)

[CadFrank]

well i found the problem i guess i took out one of the 2 "\" int the C:\\TimeTracker.txt and it worked

Well Thx alot for your help Lee

Cheers & Beers !

[Lee Mac]

well i found the problem i guess i took out one of the 2 "\" int the C:\\TimeTracker.txt and it worked

You will need to use two backslashes or a single forward slash to specify the filepath since a single backslash is used in LISP as an escape character.

[alanjt]

That's a new one for me, thanks. 

I use it, pbrush and word all the time.

[CadFrank]

Well this code works.

Code: [Select]

(defun c:timet ( / file )
        (startapp "notepad" "C:\Timetracker.txt")
   
(princ)
)
And this one doesn't

Code: [Select]

(defun c:timet ( / file )
        (startapp "notepad" "C:\\Timetracker.txt")
   
(princ)
)
But anyways i'm not sure I understand what you mean.

[CadFrank]

Well this code works.

Code: [Select]

(defun c:timet ( / file )
        (startapp "notepad" "C:\Timetracker.txt")
   
(princ)
)
And this one doesn't

Code: [Select]

(defun c:timet ( / file )
        (startapp "notepad" "C:\\Timetracker.txt")
   
(princ)
)
But anyways i'm not sure I understand what you mean.

You will need to use two backslashes or a single forward slash to specify the filepath since a single backslash is used in LISP as an escape character.

[CadFrank]

Oh!!  how the heck those the Quote Work!! I repeated myself now :S

[alanjt]

Code: [Select]

(defun c:timet (/ file)
  (if (or (setq file (findfile "c:\\Timetracker.txt"))
          (setq file (getfiled "Select Text File to Open" "c:\\" "txt" 16))
      )
    (startapp "notepad" file)
    (alert "No file for you!")
  )
  (princ)
)

[jaydee]

I used command "start"
to initial window default app to open a particular file extension.
this also avoid having application version issue.

Code: [Select]

(command "start" "c:\\Timetracker.txt"")


[zanze02]

Code: [Select]

;;;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
;; function Start default application for opening files
;;;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(defun OpenFile (filename / shell)
  (vl-load-com)
  (setq shell (vla-getinterfaceobject (vlax-get-acad-object)"Shell.Application"))
  (vlax-invoke-method shell 'Open filename)
  (vlax-release-object shell)
)

Code: [Select]

(OpenFile (findfile "YourFilename.txt"))

[Lee Mac]

CadFrank,

What is the filepath of your .txt file?

But anyways i'm not sure I understand what you mean.

You will need to use two backslashes or a single forward slash to specify the filepath since a single backslash is used in LISP as an escape character.

Escape Character.

The backslash is used as an escape character to give a sequence of characters an alternative meaning, e.g.:

Code: [Select]

"\n" = new line character
"\t" = tab character

...

Hence, if you need to use a literal backslash you need to mark it as a literal by prefixing it with another backslash ("\\").

Test these expressions in your console to understand:

Code: [Select]

(princ "C:\timetracker.txt")
(princ "C:\\timetracker.txt")