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Create New Objects with AddSelected
Posted on August 25, 2018by AutoCAD Tips
The tool ADDSELECTED has been in AutoCAD since ACAD 2011 and It has
saved me a lot of time.

Regardless of your current settings, such as Layer, Dim Style, Text Style… You
can easily recreate an existing object by simply selecting the object, Right-click
and select “Add Selected” from the right-click menu.

In the video below, I create a new dimension and a new center line without
knowing what layer or style they have. Even if the object has property overrides
such as color, linetype, Linetype Scale… Add Selected will set those properties
and start the command for you to create a similar object.

Give it a try and see how much it helps!!

There are some limitations to this command to also be aware of.

If you have objects that were created using the Rectangle tool (alias REC) or
Polygon tool (alias POL), the resulting object is a polyline. So the Add Selected
tool does not know by what means that polyline was created, so it simply starts
the Polyline tool (alias PL).
One other issue that I run into is that if I select a polyline that has global width
applied, Add Selected doesn’t apply the width.
If you are interested in a LISP alternative, Kent Cooper put together a LISP that
allows for versions of AutoCAD prior to ACAD 2011 to be able to have this
command. He even addressed the issue of Polygons and Rectangles. He posted
the original code [Here].
And I made a blog post showcasing it [Here]
BTW – One of my first blogs posts is about the ADDSELECTED command back
in 2010. Check it out here: https://autocadtips1.com/2010/12/09/add-selected/
Posted in AutoLISP: Creating, BASICS, New in 2011, TIPS | Tagged ADDSELECTED | 2 Comments

Change XREF Layer Colors to One Color

Posted on March 7, 2018by AutoCAD Tips
Here is a great lisp routine that lets you simply select an XREF and change all of
the XREF’s layers to a specific color (color 253 in this case).

This is useful in some of my work’s drawings because we work with existing

conditions as an XREF to the “Proposed” design which is also an XREF. To
make the “Proposed” drawing have a good contrast while both drafting and
printing, we override the existing drawing XREF’s colors on color 253. With this
LISP routine, we can easily do so in one click (as shown below).

~enjoy
;;; Changes the selected XREF's Layer color to AutoCAD Color 253 in the current
drawing only
;;; Useful for Existing Base (E-Base) XREFs
(defun c:XR253 (/ xr1 xr2 xr3 xr4 xr5 xr6 tx1 tb1)
(if (setq
xr1 (entsel "\nSelect Xref to change all layers to color 253: ") ;; <---
Change color number as needed
) ;_ end of setq
(progn
(setq xr2 (entget (car xr1)))
(setq tx1 (cdr (assoc 0 xr2)))
(if (and (= tx1 "INSERT")
) ;_ end of and
(progn
(setq xr3 (cdr (assoc 2 xr2)))
(setq xr4 (tblsearch "block" xr3))
(if (setq xr5 (cdr (assoc 1 xr4)))
(progn
(setq xr6 (strcat xr3 "|*"))
(command "-layer" "c" "253" xr6 "") ;;; <---Change color number as
needed
) ;_ end of progn
(prompt (strcat "\n" xr3 " is not an X-Ref."))
) ;_ end of if
 ) ;_ end of progn
(prompt "\nNo valid XREF selected")
) ;_ end of if
) ;_ end of progn
(princ " ...Nothing selected")
) ;_ end of if
(princ)
)
Posted in AutoLISP, AutoLISP XREFs, XREFs | 7 Comments

Fixing Your Broken Concrete Hatch Pattern

Posted on July 24, 2017by AutoCAD Tips
I hope that you noticed something in my previous blog post about fixing holes in
hatchesthat didn’t have anything to do with that topic. In fact, this is a very
common issue that plagues AutoCAD Civil 3D users. As you can tell by the title
of the post, it is the fact that AutoCAD and the OOTB (Out Of The Box) concrete
hatch pattern seem to not get along very well.
Sidenote: I think that the problem still persists on other custom concrete
patterns as well.

As seen below, The issue seems to be only one triangle that is repeated.
Here is a good rule of thumb when it comes to AutoCAD. The further away your
drawing elements are from the “Origin” (0,0,0) the more weird stuff tends to
happen in your drawing. And since Civil 3D works in real-world coordinates,
our drawings are far away from the origin. I live in the Denver Colorado area, so
my drawings are not only far from zero, zero but also the 3rd zero as we are a
mile high…
Luckily, there is an easy solution to this. You can give hatches a new origin while
leaving your UCS alone.

Simply select the hatch so that the “Hatch Editor” contextual tab is shown, Then
click on “Set Origin” as shown below and then click on a point that is within the
area where your drawing objects are located. I would suggest using a common
point as the new origin. Something like the corner of a building. That way if you
have two areas that are hatched separately but are right next to each other, they
will have the same pattern.
Enjoy!
Posted in BASICS, Civil 3D, Civil 3D Tips, Hatch, Modifying, TIPS, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Fix Your AutoCAD Hatch Holes

Posted on July 17, 2017by AutoCAD Tips

Does your drawing have holy hatches? Some of the drawings I work on have
these annoying outline/remnants of objects that have been moved or deleted.
And now I have to clean them up.

Some of these objects could have been geometry that has moved, but the most
common culprit is text objects that were included when the hatch was made.
Some people opt for this method as a way of masking their text. But the problem
with that method is what we are dealing with in this blog post – holes in the
hatch.

Here’s how to fix it:

 Select the hatch or use the command HATCHEDIT first and then select
the hatch.
 Click the “Remove” button in the “Hatch Editor” contextual ribbon tab.
 Select the boundaries that you want to be removed.
 Hit enter to finish
As a side note, if you need to include an object, you can click the “SELECT”
button to add objects to the hatch.
Posted in Hatch, Modifying, TIPS | 3 Comments

LISP version of Closest Distance Between Two Objects

Posted on March 13, 2017by AutoCAD Tips
The previous tip showcased a command that is available in Civil 3D that lets you
find the closest distance between 2 objects and even draws a line at the closest
points.

Here is a LISP routine that lets you do the same thing without having Civil 3D.

The LISP routine is found at the swamp.org and is by Joe Burke, Charles Alan
Butler and VovKa.
Here’s How:

 Load the LISP file.

 In the command line use MD to select the 2 objects. The routine will
show the minimum distance in the command line.
 If you would like for there to be a line drawn that shows the minimum
distance, enter MDL in the command line and a line will be drawn that
shows the closest distance.
~enjoy
;; http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=23170.60
;; By Joe Burke, Charles Alan Butler and VovKa at theswamp.

;; Bug reports may be sent to me (Joe Burke) directly at

;; lowercase@hawaii.rr.com

;; Version 1.0 - 5/28/2008.

;; Find the minimum distance between two vlax-curve objects.
;; Supported object types: line, circle, arc, ellipse, polyline and spline.
;; Shortcut: MD

;; Notes version 1.0:

;; If two lines are parallel they are reported as such.
;; If the Z values of the two points found are not equal,
;; report at command line Z1 = x Z2 = x. When the objects
;; are not coplanar, the apparent minimum distance will
;; usually differ from the actual minimum distance.
;; There's an option to add a line on the current layer
;; drawn between the two closest points.
;; The object types selected are reported at the command line.

;; Version history:

;; Version 1.2 beta - 5/31/2008

;; Added the MinDistLine routine. Shortcut: MDL.
;; Allows the user to place a line between the last two closest points
;; calculated by MinDist after it ends. This avoids having to choose
;; whether a line is placed within MinDist itself. The idea is MinDist
;; is primarily a measuring tool. As such a minimum distance line is
;; rarely needed. Note, If the line drawn by MDL is off-screen it is
;; selected, otherwise not.

;; Version 1.3 beta - 6/8/2008

;; Added support for nested objects in blocks and xrefs.
;; Added MD:GetXrefs, MD:GetObject, MD:UnlockLayers, MD:RelockLayers
;; and MD:XMark sub-functions.
;; The first object selected is highlighted until the the second
;; object is selected similar to the fillet tool. If the first object
;; is contained in an xref it is not highlighted. Rather a temporary
;; X mark is placed where the object was selected to indicate the
;; the object is contained in an xref.

;; Version 1.4 beta - 6/10/2008

;; Added error checking for non-uniformly scaled blocks.
;; Version 1.4a - 6/21/2008
;; Bug fix for 2D (heavy) and 3D polylines.
;; Bug fix to avoid error if a dimension is selected.
;; Revised report when the Z values of the two points are not the same.

;; Version 1.5 beta - 6/30/2008

;; Added support for object types point, ray and xline.
;; If a ray or xline is involved the search for closest point along its
;; length is limited by the current view. The search extends beyond the
;; limits of the current view by a factor of approximately two both ways.

;; Version 1.5a beta - 7/1/2008

;; Fixed a bug with rays and xlines.
;; Both MD and MDL now report when both closest points are off screen.
;; Revised the MDL routine so it will not draw a very short or zero
;; length line. Added report for this case.
;; Added miscellaneous error checking.

;; Version 1.5b beta - 7/2/2008

;; Enter at select object prompt ends the routine.
;; Revised the UniformScale sub-routine to allow operation with objects
;; nested in dimensions. Thanks to Steve Doman.

;; Version 1.5c beta - 7/14/2008

;; Revised the fuzz factor in the MD:UniformScale function.

;; Version 1.5d - 8/24/2008

;; Added vla-StartUndoMark and vla-EndUndoMark. An undo after the
;; routine would restore a copied object.
;; Added function MinDistMove (MDM). Moves a selection set from
;; the first MinDist point to the second. The first object selected
;; within MinDist is the first point.

;; Version 1.5e - 9/6/2008

;; Fixed a minor bug which effected the MinDistMove function when
;; a ray or xline is involved.

;; Version 1.5f - 10/1/2008

;; Added Copy version of move. Shourtcut MDC.

;; Both MinDist and MinDistLine use the following two functions.

;; Returns the coordinates of the current view, lower left and upper right.
 ;; Works in a rotated view. Returns a list of two 2D UCS points.
(defun MD:GetScreenCoords ( / ViwCen ViwDim ViwSiz VptMin VptMax)
(setq ViwSiz (/ (getvar "VIEWSIZE") 2.0)
ViwCen (getvar "VIEWCTR")
ViwDim (list
(* ViwSiz (apply '/ (getvar "SCREENSIZE")))
ViwSiz
)
VptMin (mapcar '- ViwCen ViwDim)
VptMax (mapcar '+ ViwCen ViwDim)
)
(list VptMin VptMax)
) ;end

;; Arguments:
;; p1 - WCS or UCS point which defines the first corner of area
;; p2 - WCS or UCS point which defines the second corner of area
;; pt - point translated to UCS.
;; Returns: T if pt falls within area.
(defun MD:PointInside (p1 p2 pt / xval yval)
(and
pt
(setq pt (trans pt 0 1)
xval (car pt)
yval (cadr pt)
)
(< (min (car p1) (car p2)) xval (max (car p1) (car p2)))
(< (min (cadr p1) (cadr p2)) yval (max (cadr p1) (cadr p2)))
)
) ;end

(defun c:MinDist ( / *error* doc blocks units obj1 obj2 typ1 typ2 pkpt p2 sc
div fuzz d bd len inc idx resdist dellst res1 res2 pts
locklst interflag z1 z2 diff temp reverseflag
MD:Wait MD:NormalAngle MD:ParallelObjects MD:Pick
MD:GetXrefs MD:UnlockLayers MD:RelockLayers MD:GetObject
MD:XMark MD:UniformScale MD:XlineOrRay)
;; global vars: *mdp1* and *mdpt*

(vl-load-com)

(defun *error* (msg)

(cond
((not msg))
 ((wcmatch (strcase msg) "*QUIT*,*CANCEL*"))
(T (princ (strcat "\nError: " msg)))
)
(setvar "lunits" units)
(if
(and
obj1
(not (vlax-erased-p obj1))
)
(vla-highlight obj1 acFalse)
)
;; Objects may be switched when a ray or xline
;; is involved.
(if
(and
obj2
(not (vlax-erased-p obj2))
)
(vla-highlight obj2 acFalse)
)
(MD:Wait 0.2)
(redraw)
(foreach x dellst (vla-delete x))
(MD:RelockLayers locklst)
(vla-EndUndoMark doc)
(princ)
) ;end error

;;; START SUB-FUNCTIONS ;;;

;; Unlock locked layers.

;; Argument: document object.
;; Returns a list of layer objects which were locked,
;; or nil if none are locked.
;; Typically the function filters out xref layers,
;; but not in this case.
(defun MD:UnlockLayers (doc / laylst)
(vlax-for x (vla-get-Layers doc)
(if (eq :vlax-true (vla-get-lock x))
(progn
(setq laylst (cons x laylst))
(vla-put-lock x :vlax-false)
)
)
 )
laylst
) ;end

;; Argument: a list of layer objects from UnlockLayers above.

;; Use vl-catch-all-apply in case a locked
;; layer was deleted in the calling function.
(defun MD:RelockLayers (lst)
(foreach x lst
(vl-catch-all-apply 'vla-put-lock (list x :vlax-true))
)
) ;end

(defun MD:GetXrefs (blklst / lst)

(if (vl-every '(lambda (x) (= (type x) 'ENAME)) blklst)
(foreach blk (mapcar 'vlax-ename->vla-object blklst)
(if (vlax-property-available-p blk 'Path)
(setq lst (cons blk lst))
)
)
)
(reverse lst)
) ;end

(defun MD:Wait (seconds / stop)

(setq stop (+ (getvar "DATE") (/ seconds 86400.0)))
(while (> stop (getvar "DATE"))
(princ)
)
) ;end

;; Argument: angle in radians, any number including negative.

;; Returns: normalized angle in radians between zero and (* pi 2)
(defun MD:NormalAngle (a)
(if (numberp a)
(angtof (angtos a 0 14) 0))
) ;end

;; Returns T if two lines, rays or xlines are parallel.

(defun MD:ParallelObjects (obj1 obj2 fuzz / ang1 ang2)
(if (eq "AcDbLine" (vlax-get obj1 'ObjectName))
(setq ang1 (MD:NormalAngle (vlax-get obj1 'Angle)))
(setq ang1 (MD:NormalAngle
(angle (vlax-get obj1 'BasePoint) (vlax-get obj1 'SecondPoint)))
 )
)
(if (eq "AcDbLine" (vlax-get obj2 'ObjectName))
(setq ang2 (MD:NormalAngle (vlax-get obj2 'Angle)))
(setq ang2 (MD:NormalAngle
(angle (vlax-get obj2 'BasePoint) (vlax-get obj2 'SecondPoint)))
)
)
(or
(equal ang1 ang2 fuzz)
(equal ang1 (MD:NormalAngle (+ pi ang2)) fuzz)
(equal ang2 (MD:NormalAngle (+ pi ang1)) fuzz)
(equal (MD:NormalAngle (+ pi ang1)) (MD:NormalAngle (+ pi ang2)) fuzz)
)
) ;end

(defun MD:Pick (msg / typlst e obj typ scflag)

(setq typlst '("AcDbLine" "AcDbArc" "AcDbCircle" "AcDbEllipse"

"AcDbPolyline" "AcDb2dPolyline" "AcDb2dVertex"
"AcDb3dPolyline" "AcDb3dPolylineVertex" "AcDbSpline"
"AcDbRay" "AcDbXline" "AcDbPoint"))

(setvar "errno" 0)

(while
(or
(not (setq e (nentselp msg)))
(not (setq obj (vlax-ename->vla-object (car e))))
(not (vl-position (setq typ (vlax-get obj 'ObjectName)) typlst))
(and
(cadddr e)
(not (apply 'and (mapcar 'MD:UniformScale (last e))))
(setq scflag T)
)
)
(cond
((= 52 (getvar "errno"))
(exit)
)
((not e)
(princ "\nMissed pick. ")
)
(scflag
 (princ "\nNon-uniformly scaled block detected, try again. ")
(setq scflag nil)
)
(typ
(princ (strcat "\n " (substr typ 5) " selected, try again. "))
(setq typ nil)
)
)
)

(if
(or
(eq "AcDb2dVertex" typ)
(eq "AcDb3dPolylineVertex" typ)
)
(setq obj (vlax-ename->vla-object (cdr (assoc 330 (entget (car e)))))
typ (vlax-get obj 'ObjectName)
)
)

;; Used to mark xref. Point passed to MD:XMark.

;; The variable is local in the main routine.
(setq pkpt (cadr e))
(if (= 2 (length e))
(list obj typ)
(list obj typ (caddr e) (cadddr e))
)
) ;end

;; Argument: UCS point.

;; Returns: nil
(defun MD:XMark (pt / len p1 p2 p3 p4)
(setq len (/ (getvar "viewsize") 75.0)
p1 (polar pt (* pi 0.3) len)
p2 (polar pt (* pi 0.7) len)
p3 (polar pt (* pi 1.3) len)
p4 (polar pt (* pi 1.7) len)
)
(grdraw p1 p3 7)
(grdraw p2 p4 7)
) ;end

;; Test for uniformly scaled block reference.

(defun MD:UniformScale (obj / x y z)
 (if (= (type obj) 'ENAME)
(setq obj (vlax-ename->vla-object obj))
)
;; Added 7/2/2008.
(if (wcmatch (vlax-get obj 'ObjectName) "*Dimension")
T
(progn
(setq x (vlax-get obj 'XScaleFactor)
y (vlax-get obj 'YScaleFactor)
z (vlax-get obj 'ZScaleFactor)
)
(and
(equal (abs x) (abs y) 1e-12)
(equal (abs y) (abs z) 1e-12)
)
)
)
) ;end

;; Argument: a list returned by MD:Pick.

;; Returns: a vla-object. The first object in list if the object is
;; not nested. Otherwise a transformed copy of the object.
(defun MD:GetObject (lst / blkref blk obj)
(cond
;; Object is not nested.
((= 2 (length lst))
(setq obj (car lst))
)
;; Object is nested in an xref. Copy it within the xref database.
;; The owner is not specified within the CopyObjects function.
((setq blkref (car (MD:GetXrefs (last lst))))
(setq blk (vla-item blocks (vlax-get blkref 'Name)))
(setq obj
(car
(vlax-invoke
(vlax-get blk 'XRefDatabase) 'CopyObjects (list (car lst)))))
(vla-transformby obj (vlax-tmatrix (caddr lst)))
(setq dellst (cons obj dellst))
;; Grdraw X mark on xref where it was selected
;; if it is the first object selected.
(if (not obj1) (MD:XMark pkpt))
)
;; Object is nested in a block reference.
;; Copy it from the block and highlight in the main
 ;; routine if it is the first object selected.
(T
(setq obj
(car (vlax-invoke doc 'CopyObjects (list (car lst))
(vlax-get (vla-get-ActiveLayout doc) 'Block))))
(vla-transformby obj (vlax-tmatrix (caddr lst)))
(setq dellst (cons obj dellst))
)
)
obj
) ;end

;; Argument: ray or xline vla-object.

;; Returns: a list of two 3D WCS points beyond where the object
;; intersects the edges of the current view.
;; The base point of a ray may be returned depending on its
;; location relative to the view.
;; Revised 6/30/2008.
(defun MD:XlineOrRay (obj / basept zval secpt lst p pts p2 d typ
expt1 expt2 MD:RectanglePts MD:RectangleList
MD:FarthestPoint)

;;;; Sub-functions...

;; Pass two points representing a diagonal.

;; Returns a list of four UCS points.
(defun MD:RectanglePts (p1 p2)
(list
p1
(list (car p2) (cadr p1) (caddr p1)) ; revised 6/27/2008
p2
(list (car p1) (cadr p2) (caddr p2)) ; should be OK within context, testing
)
) ;end

(defun MD:RectangleList ( p1 p2 / rpts)

(setq rpts (MD:RectanglePts p1 p2))
(mapcar '(lambda (a b) (list a b)) rpts (append (cdr rpts) (list (car rpts))))
) ;end

(defun MD:FarthestPoint (pt ptlst / x dist res)

(setq x 0)
(foreach p ptlst
(setq dist (distance p pt))
 (if (> dist x)
(setq x dist res p)
)
)
res
) ;end

;;;; End Sub-functions

(setq basept (trans (vlax-get obj 'BasePoint) 0 1)

zval (caddr basept)
secpt (trans (vlax-get obj 'SecondPoint) 0 1)
typ (vlax-get obj 'ObjectName)
)

;; two 2D UCS points

(if (not sc)
(setq sc (MD:GetScreenCoords))
)

(setq d (distance (car sc) (cadr sc))

sc (mapcar '(lambda (x) (append x (list zval))) sc)
lst (MD:RectangleList (car sc) (cadr sc))
sc nil
)

(foreach x lst
(if
(and
(setq p (inters basept secpt (car x) (cadr x) nil))
(inters basept p (car x) (cadr x))
)
(setq pts (cons p pts))
)
)

(cond
((eq "AcDbXline" typ)
(setq expt1 (polar (cadr pts) (angle (cadr pts) (car pts)) (* 2 d))
expt2 (polar (car pts) (angle (car pts) (cadr pts)) (* 2 d))
pts (reverse (list expt1 expt2))
)
)
;; Revised 6/29/2008
 ((eq "AcDbRay" typ)
(setq expt1 (MD:FarthestPoint basept pts)
expt1 (polar expt1 (angle basept secpt) (* 2 d))
pts (list basept expt1)
)
;; If base point is far away attempt to get a closer point
;; by testing for param at point.
(setq expt2 (polar expt1 (angle secpt basept) (* 5 d)))
(if (vlax-curve-getParamAtPoint obj (trans expt2 1 0))
(setq pts (reverse (list expt2 expt1)))
)
)
)
;; Trans UCS points to WCS as needed.
(mapcar '(lambda (x) (trans x 1 0)) pts)
) ;end MD:XlineOrRay

;;; END SUB-FUNCTIONS ;;;

;;; START MAIN FUNCTION ;;;

(setq doc (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-acad-object))

blocks (vla-get-Blocks doc)
locklst (MD:UnlockLayers doc)
units (getvar "lunits")
)

(vla-StartUndoMark doc)

(sssetfirst)

(princ "\nSelect line, circle, arc, ellipse, polyline, spline, point, ray or xline.")

(if
(and
(setq res1 (MD:Pick "\nFirst object: "))
(setq typ1 (cadr res1))
(princ (substr typ1 5))
(setq obj1 (MD:GetObject res1))
(not (vla-highlight obj1 acTrue))
;; Get the screen coordinates here in case
;; the user pans between select objects.
(if
(or
 (eq "AcDbRay" typ1)
(eq "AcDbXline" typ1)
)
(setq sc (MD:GetScreenCoords))
T
)
(setq res2 (MD:Pick "\nSecond object: "))
(setq typ2 (cadr res2))
(princ (substr typ2 5))
(setq obj2 (MD:GetObject res2))
)
(progn
(cond
((equal obj1 obj2)
(princ "\n Same object selected twice. ")
(setq resdist 0.0
interflag T
)
)
((vlax-invoke obj1 'IntersectWith obj2 acExtendNone)
(princ "\n Objects intersect. ")
(setq resdist 0.0
interflag T
)
)
((and
(eq typ1 "AcDbPoint")
(eq typ2 "AcDbPoint")
)
(setq *mdpt* (vlax-get obj1 'Coordinates)
*mdp1* (vlax-get obj2 'Coordinates)
d (distance *mdpt* *mdp1*)
)
)
((or
(eq typ1 "AcDbPoint")
(eq typ2 "AcDbPoint")
)
(if (eq typ1 "AcDbPoint")
(setq *mdpt* (vlax-get obj1 'Coordinates)
*mdp1* (vlax-curve-getClosestPointTo obj2 *mdpt*)
)
(setq *mdpt* (vlax-get obj2 'Coordinates)
*mdp1* (vlax-curve-getClosestPointTo obj1 *mdpt*)
 )
)
(setq d (distance *mdpt* *mdp1*))
)
;; Core stuff follows.
(T
(if
(or
(eq typ2 "AcDbRay")
(eq typ2 "AcDbXline")
)
;; Reverse the objects and set a flag to reverse
;; the points later.
(setq temp obj1 obj1 obj2 obj2 temp reverseflag T)
)

(if (vlax-curve-getEndParam obj1)

(setq len (vlax-curve-getDistAtParam obj1 (vlax-curve-getEndParam obj1)))
;; Obj1 is an xline or ray.
(progn
(setq pts (MD:XlineOrRay obj1)
len (distance (car pts) (cadr pts))
idx1 (vlax-curve-getParamAtPoint obj1 (car pts))
idx2 (vlax-curve-getParamAtPoint obj1 (cadr pts))
)
(if (< idx1 idx2)
(setq idx idx1)
(setq idx idx2)
)
)
)

(if (not idx) (setq idx 0))

;; Number of divisions seems more than sufficient.

(setq div 200
inc (/ len div)
fuzz 1e-8
)

;; Check first object for the closest point on second object.

(setq bd
(distance
(setq *mdp1* (vlax-curve-getPointAtDist obj1 idx))
 (vlax-curve-getClosestPointTo obj2 *mdp1*)
)
)
(repeat (1+ div)
(if
(and
(setq *mdp1* (vlax-curve-getPointAtDist obj1 idx))
(setq p2 (vlax-curve-getClosestPointTo obj2 *mdp1*))
)
(progn
(setq d (distance *mdp1* p2))
(setq idx (+ idx inc))
(if (<= d bd)
(setq bd d *mdpt* *mdp1*)
)
)
)
)
;; Refine the minimum distance as needed. Start with closest
;; point on first object. Bounce the closest points back and
;; forth between the two objects until delta distance is less
;; than the fuzz factor.
(while
(not
(minusp
(- (distance *mdpt*
(setq *mdp1* (vlax-curve-GetClosestPointTo obj2 *mdpt*)))
(setq d
(distance *mdp1*
(setq *mdpt* (vlax-curve-GetClosestPointTo obj1 *mdp1*))))
fuzz
)
)
)
)
)
) ;cond

(if (and d *mdpt* *mdp1*)

(progn
(setq resdist d)
;; Added 9/6/2008.
;; If objects were reversed, reverse the points.
(if reverseflag
 (setq temp *mdpt* *mdpt* *mdp1* *mdp1* temp)
)
(grdraw (trans *mdpt* 0 1) (trans *mdp1* 0 1) -7 1)
(if
(and
(or
(eq "AcDbLine" typ1)
(eq "AcDbXline" typ1)
(eq "AcDbRay" typ1)
)
(or
(eq "AcDbLine" typ2)
(eq "AcDbXline" typ2)
(eq "AcDbRay" typ2)
)
)
(if (MD:ParallelObjects obj1 obj2 1e-8)
(if (and (eq "AcDbLine" typ1) (eq "AcDbLine" typ2))
(princ "\n Lines are parallel. ")
(princ "\n Linear objects are parallel. ")
)
)
)
;; Check the Z values of the two closest points.
(setq z1 (caddr *mdpt*) z2 (caddr *mdp1*) diff (abs (- z1 z2)))
(cond
((equal z1 z2 1e-10))
;; Units are scientific, decimal or engineering.
((< units 4)
(princ
(strcat "\n Z values of the points differ by: "
(rtos diff units 10)
)
)
)
;; The maximum display accuracy of architectural or
;; fractional units is 0.00196. If diff is less,
;; change units to decimal.
((and
(> units 3)
(< diff 0.00196)
)
(princ
(strcat "\n Z values of the points differ by: "
 (rtos diff (setvar "lunits" 2) 10)
)
)
(setvar "lunits" units)
)
;; Otherwise display diff in architectural or fractional units.
(T
(princ
(strcat "\n Z values of the points differ by: "
(rtos diff)
)
)
)
) ;cond
) ;progn
) ;if
) ;progn
) ;if

(if (and resdist *mdpt* *mdp1*)

(progn
(princ (strcat "\n Distance: " (rtos resdist)))
(if (not interflag)
(progn
(setq sc (MD:GetScreenCoords))
(if
(or
(MD:PointInside (car sc) (cadr sc) *mdpt*)
(MD:PointInside (car sc) (cadr sc) *mdp1*)
)
(princ " Enter MDL to place minimum distance line. ")
(princ " Off screen points. MDL to place minimum distance line.")
)
)
)
)
(princ "\n Could not calculate minimum distance. ")
)

(*error* nil)
) ;end MinDist

;shortcut
(defun c:MD () (c:MinDist))
;; Added 8/24/2008.
;; Allows a selection set to be moved from the first MinDist point to
;; the second MinDist point. So the order of object selection within
;; MinDist is important in terms of which way the selection set will move.
;; IOW, if the user anticipates using this function after MD, the first object
;; selected determines move from point. The second object selected is
;; the move to point.
(defun c:MinDistMove ( / *error* doc osm ss)

(defun *error* (msg)

(cond
((not msg))
((wcmatch (strcase msg) "*QUIT*,*CANCEL*"))
(T (princ (strcat "\nError: " msg)))
)
(setvar "osmode" osm)
(vla-EndUndoMark doc)
(princ)
) ;end error

(setq doc (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-acad-object)))

(vla-StartUndoMark doc)
(setq osm (getvar "osmode"))
(if (and *mdpt* *mdp1* (setq ss (ssget)))
(progn
(setvar "osmode" 0)
;; Added trans 8/27/2008.
(command "._move" ss "" (trans *mdpt* 0 1) (trans *mdp1* 0 1))
)
(princ "\nNothing selected or minimum distance points not set. ")
)
(*error* nil)
) ;end
;shortcut
(defun c:MDM () (c:MinDistMove))

(defun c:MinDistCopy ( / *error* doc osm ss)

(defun *error* (msg)

(cond
((not msg))
((wcmatch (strcase msg) "*QUIT*,*CANCEL*"))
 (T (princ (strcat "\nError: " msg)))
)
(setvar "osmode" osm)
(vla-EndUndoMark doc)
(princ)
) ;end error

(setq doc (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-acad-object)))

(vla-StartUndoMark doc)
(setq osm (getvar "osmode"))
(if (and *mdpt* *mdp1* (setq ss (ssget)))
(progn
(setvar "osmode" 0)
;; Added trans 8/27/2008.
(command "._copy" ss "" (trans *mdpt* 0 1) (trans *mdp1* 0 1))
)
(princ "\nNothing selected or minimum distance points not set. ")
)
(*error* nil)
) ;end
;shortcut
(defun c:MDC () (c:MinDistCopy))

;; Revised 6/30/2008.
;; Draw minimum distance line on the current layer.
(defun c:MinDistLine ( / d sc ss)
(cond
((not (and *mdpt* *mdp1*))
(princ "\n Minimum distance points not found. Run MD and then MDL to draw
line.")
)
((and
(setq d (distance *mdpt* *mdp1*))
;(print d) ;testing
(< d 1e-5)
)
(princ "\n Minimum distance points are too close together. ")
)
(T
(entmake
(list
'(0 . "LINE")
(cons 8 (getvar "clayer"))
 (cons 10 *mdpt*)
(cons 11 *mdp1*)
)
)
(setq sc (MD:GetScreenCoords))
(if
(or
(MD:PointInside (car sc) (cadr sc) *mdpt*)
(MD:PointInside (car sc) (cadr sc) *mdp1*)
)
(princ "\n Minimum distance line placed. ")
(progn
(princ "\n Minimum distance line placed off screen and selected. ")
(sssetfirst nil (setq ss (ssget "L")))
)
)
)
)
(princ)
) ;end MinDistLine

;shortcut
(defun c:MDL () (c:MinDistLine))
Posted in AutoLISP, AutoLISP: Creating, AutoLISP: Dimensions, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Civil 3D: Closest Distance Between Two Objects

Posted on September 20, 2016by AutoCAD Tips
There are so many useful drafting tools within Civil 3D, many of which could be
great additions to “vanilla” AutoCAD. Today’s post will be the first of many
helpful tools found in Civil 3D and if possible, I will post LISP routines that
provides the same functionality available to AutoCAD.

While working on some road access areas that lead into parking lots, I need to
find and measure the closest points between two objects to verify that cars &
trucks can fit in the lane.
Shown below is an example of an access point along a roadway. These are not
parallel, so I am unable to measure at a nearest spot along a curb and find the
distance perpendicular to the other side of the road.
The handy tool that is found within Civil 3D is found on the “Analyze” tab and in
the “Inquiry” panel’s dropdown list. The tool is named a long one… “Minimum
Distance Between Entities”

The command is MinDistBetweenEntities

Here’s how:
 The tool is as easy as selecting two objects. After selecting the objects, the
results are listed in the command line.
 You are then asked if you would like a line to be drawn that connects the 2
closest points. I selected Yes because I need to place a dimension at these
points.
In the example shown below, the objects selected are Polylines.

~Enjoy
 Posted in Civil 3D, Civil 3D Tips, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Civil 3D 2017: Restore Missing Style Drop-Down Lists

Posted on August 10, 2016by AutoCAD Tips
Well, I am currently a (novice) Civil 3D user, and I do a lot of annotating. But I
noticed that when I need to change styles for Multileaders and Tables, the drop-
down list in the ribbon is missing. The obvious workaround is to use the
properties palette. But I am so used to having the drop-down lists in the ribbon.

Luckily there is a system variable to restore these drop-down lists.

By setting the system variable GALLERYVIEW to 0 (zero),
Below quote from the “Help menu”
GALLERYVIEW
Controls the type of preview in the ribbon drop-down galleries.
0 (zero) = Displays the list view.
1 = Displays the thumbnail view.
The drawback to turning this off is that you no longer have the new gallery
preview functionality. So keep that in mind as you use this variable…

Posted in Civil 3D, User Interface | Leave a comment

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