Topic: Batch: Open DWG plus Lisp from another lisp?

[Peter2]

Hi

this is a question out of the batch-family "run script from lisp / run lisp from script / run script from script / run lisp from lisp" ...

The first, common question is:
Who knows an info / link / doc which describes the basic behaviour and possibilities of these features?

The second, detailed questions is:
How to "open a batch of DWGs and run a defined lisp ("sub.lsp") and close the DWGs" from a lisp ("main.lsp")?

My current ideas / answers are:

a) Create and run a script:
"main.lsp" creates and writes a script like: "open test.dwg (load "sub.lsp") sub qsave close test.dwg"
Then I have "(command "script" "myscript.scr")
This could work, but I don't have control over a script which could crash or hang or ....

b) Use Starting-group
I use the starting-group (is this the right name in English?) where I add my "sub.lsp" which starts immediately when the DWG will be opened.
In "main.lsp" I use "(command open test.dwg)" to open the DWG which starts the lisp.

c) ObjectDBX:
The "sub.lsp" (there are many of it ...) should also be used within AutoCAD and this is why the code should be the same without optimization for ObjectDBX.

d) Others
I also use OpenDCL and DosLib on a low level (and don't know all commands at the moment), but it would be fine to have commands like:

Code: [Select]

open test.dwg
start sub.lsp inside test.dwg
close test.dwg
This ( d) ) would be perfect ...

Any help would be appreciated 


EDIT:
Here is a solution with VBA (from the year 2007), but VBA is nearly dead ...
Execute commands on all open drawings

[Locke]

I've seen option 'A' work well in a production environment.  The benefit is that it's very flexible, and can be modified quickly depending on the needs of the project. 

The downside is as you mentioned; no way to diagnose the job while it's running and react. 

Not sure how comfortable you are in .NET, but using a ServicedComponent interface bridge between AutoCAD in-process calls and interop, this sort of automation becomes effortless.

[Peter2]

Not sure how comfortable you are in .NET ...

   

[Locke]

Have you considered using something like Viru's ScriptPro?  When I originally looked at the source, I remember it invokes AutoCAD via Process.Start(), but it still has some intelligence for checking the health of AutoCAD, and restarting on failure.

[Peter2]

...something like Viru's ScriptPro?  ....

Who? Where? What?
I only know ScriptPro from Autodesk, which is fine in its way but not the solution that I need.

[Locke]

...something like Viru's ScriptPro?  ....

Who? Where? What?
I only know ScriptPro from Autodesk, which is fine in its way but not the solution that I need.

This is what I was referring to: http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2010/10/novembers-plugin-of-the-month-live-on-autodesk-labs-scriptpro-20-for-autocad.html

Also as I'm just realizing this is specifically in the forum section for Vanilla/AutoLISP I'll let someone with more brains take over so I don't muck up your thread any more. 

[cmwade77]

Perhaps AutoBatch from Ductisoft would help: http://www.ductisoft.com/en/drafters/Batch/AutoBatch.html

It seems to be the most robust system that I have seen.

[Peter2]

Hi
thanks for your hints, but I don't search a full-functional-batch software, I need the described (small?) function to integrate it into my own software.

[Bhull1985]

http://www.lee-mac.com/odbxbase.html

Lee Mac's Object DBX wrapper.
Simply wrap your "sub.lsp" using this tool and batch process all required dwgs.

[Peter2]

...Lee Mac's Object DBX wrapper....

This would be great, but will it work for all lisps? Lee writes there there a "no selection sets, no commands, no ent*-methods, no system-variables". If this is "a must" then I have a problem, because I need the "forbidden functions".

[Bhull1985]

Use the VLA/VLAX equivalents

[Peter2]

Use the VLA/VLAX equivalents

The idea is that any existing lisp should be used without recoding. I will see if I can keep this idea alive - or if I have to bury it.

[jbuzbee]

Publish?

[Lee Mac]

An old Script-based application without the restrictions of ObjectDBX: Script Writer

[Peter2]

At first: Thanks to all for replies. The "lucky bag" ("jack of all trades device") is still missing: Script has pros and ccons, ObjectDBX too ...

At the moment I have a trivial(?) problem on the lower level. My lisp creates a script and starts it:

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. ; write the script with open - call a lisp - close
2. (setq x (open (strcat dwgr_sourcefolder "\\automat.scr") "w"))
3. (princ (strcat "_.open " eintrag " taskerlisp _.close ") x)
4. (close x)
5.  
6. ; start the script
7. (if foundflag
8.     (progn
9.         (vl-registry-write "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\cadtool\\automat\\monitor" "workingflag"  1)
10.         (princ "\n1\n")
11.         (setq x (strcat dwgr_sourcefolder "\\automat"))
12.         (command "_.Script" x)
13.         (princ "\n2\n")
14.     )
15. )

The result is:

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. 1
2. ; Error: invalid AutoCAD command: nil

When I copy&paste the line (command "_script"...) to the command-line it works fine: the script exists, the script works, the lisp inside the script works - but I can not start the script via my mainlisp, although I found some lisp which starts script  ...