Loading Laydel in a lisp

I am trying to add a function to a "file cleaning" lisp for our firm. I
wanted to use the Express Tools' Laydel to expedite the process. I have
been having some trouble getting it to run - I keep getting the "unknown
command" error. There has to be a way to get it to work .... has anyone
figured this out?

Here is what I have been trying:

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "_kti_control")
(command "-layer" "t" "_kti_control" "u" "_kti_control" "ON"
"_kti_control" ""))

(autoload "Lydelmrg") <--------------------

(Command "laydel" "t" "_kti_control" "" "y")

 

try:
(c:laydel)

or

(c:laymrg)

I'm using autocad 2004 and there is no express tools command 'laydelmrg'
this is a subroutine in the lisp (if I remember correctly)

Casey

 

I'm not familiar with the program, but you could try:
(laydel "t" "_kti_control" "" "y")
or
(C:laydel "t" "_kti_control" "" "y")

Bob

 

Thanks to both of you! ..... I think it is working well like this:

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "_kti_control")
(command "-layer" "t" "_kti_control" "u" "_kti_control" "ON"
"_kti_control" "")
(c:laydel "t" "_kti_control" "" "y"))

 

Seems as though it's not cooperating here. I run the lsp and get "too many
arguements"
Here is the code:

;Cleans Drawing with purge and audit
(defun c:cl()

(setvar "cmdecho" 0)

(setq $cla (getvar "clayer"))

(setvar "clayer" "0")

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "_kti_control")
(command "-layer" "t" "_kti_control" "u" "_kti_control" "ON"
"_kti_control" "")
(c:laydel "t" "_kti_control" "" "y"))

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "Ame_Frz")
(command "-layer" "t" "Ame_Frz" "u" "Ame_Frz" "ON" "Ame_Frz" "")
(c:laydel "t" "Ame_Frz" "" "y"))

(command "audit" "y")
(command "-purge" "a" "" "n")
(command "-purge" "a" "" "n")
(command "qsave")

(setvar "clayer" $cla)
(setvar "cmdecho" 1)
(princ)
)

 

Here's your problem. The Lisp just keeps chugging along..
After running the C:laydel function. It then feeds in the
remaining lisp statements..as input to the laydel function..
not good. What you need to do is to check the Cmdactive
variable, and wait for the C:laydel function to exit, .. then
continue. Search for Cmdactive in this news group..and
apply (if > (getvar "cmdactive") 0......... in your program.

Bob

 

I wrote something similar back when I worked in an office that previously
used Ketiv, which is where that layer comes from. Are you already deleting
the hidden block (can't recall the name of it off the top of my head)? I
remember I had to do a search to find which blocks in the drawing also had
them, and then have it alert me as to which blocks I needed to clean.

 

If I understand what you're trying to do, there's a missing a progn call in both if
functions.

If the layer is found, thaw, unlock, etc. If it's not found, run laydel. Hmm...

Joe Burke

 

Yeah, I saw that ... I changed it to:

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "_kti_control")
(command "-layer" "t" "_kti_control" "u" "_kti_control" "ON" "_kti_control"
""))

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "_kti_control")
(c:laydel "t" "_kti_control" "" "y"))

Would I still need the PROGN function then? It says you can use progn to
evaluate several expressions where only one expression is expected. I think
only one is expected and, therefore is unnecessary.

 

In 2004, the audit exposes the hidden block and the purge kills it. Don't
have to use something like Superpurge anymore. Actually the second purge
command is seemingly unnecessary ... just a safety net.

 

Progn isn't needed given your example below. Just keep in mind, it's not as efficient
as it would be using progn, because the same expression is evaluated twice.

The difference speedwise would be meaningless. But the difference in terms of how you
think about it has meaning, if code is more than a casual acquaintance.

Joe Burke

 

Ok ... I'm lost, how should properly be written?

 

I would write it like this.

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "_kti_control")
(progn
(command "-layer" "t" "_kti_control" ...)
(c:laydel "t" "_kti_control" "" "y")
)
)

As you mentioned, progn is used to evaluate several expressions where only one is
expected. It's often used with IF because only two expressions are allowed after test
expression, then and else. In the case above, progn allows multiple then expressions.
The optional else expression isn't used.

If else was needed, it could also be nested in a progn, if multiple else expressions
were needed.

(if (test expression)
(progn
(then this)
(and then this)
)
(progn
(else this)
(and else this)
)
)

Hope that's clear.
Joe Burke

 

Thanks for your help. As I get farther into writing stuff, I realize how
little I know. I think I understand how the progn works now. It allows me
to do several commands within the if/then. If I did not use it, I would
have to do this:

(if (test expression)
(do this)

(if (test expression)
(do this)
etc .....

Earlier in the discussion, Bob was talking about the cmdactive in regards to
a "too many arguments" error. I am trying to understand that too. Would it
then be written like the example below or can you do an if within an if?

(if > (getvar "cmdactive") 0
(if (test expression)
(progn
(then this)
(and then this)
)
)
or in context:

(if > (getvar "cmdactive") 0
(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "_kti_control")
(progn
(command "-layer" "t" "_kti_control" ...)
(c:laydel "t" "_kti_control" "" "y")
)
)
)

 

Here is the code to date. I tried inserting the cmdactive based on what I
have read here, but whe I run it, I get "too many arguements" and if I leave
it out, I get "too few arguements" ... what do I need to do to get the
right amount of arguements "-)?

;Cleans Drawing with purge and audit
(defun c:cl($cla)

(setvar "cmdecho" 0)

(setq $cla (getvar "clayer"))

(setvar "clayer" "0")

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "_kti_control")
(progn
(command "-layer" "t" "_kti_control" "u" "_kti_control" "ON"
"_kti_control" "")
(c:laydel "t" "_kti_control" "" "y")
)
)

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "Ame_Frz")
(progn
(command "-layer" "t" "Ame_Frz" "u" "Ame_Frz" "ON" "Ame_Frz" "")
(c:laydel "t" "Ame_Frz" "" "y")
)
)

(if (tblsearch "LAYER" "Ashade")
(progn
(command "-layer" "t" "Ashade" "u" "Ashade" "ON" "Ashade" "")
(c:laydel "t" "Ashade" "" "y")
)
)

(if> (getvar "cmdactive") 0
(progn
(command "audit" "y")
(command "-purge" "a" "" "n")
(command "-purge" "a" "" "n")
(command "qsave")
)
)

(setvar "clayer" $cla)
(setvar "cmdecho" 1)
(princ)
)

 

I believe Bob was mistaken about "cmdactive" playing some role in the problem you are
having with calling the Express Tools laydel command from within your routine.

As far as I know, you can start the laydel command, but you can't pass arguments.
You'll have to respond to the laydel prompts at the command line. Here's an example.

(defun c:test ( )
(c:laydel) ;respond to prompts
(command "pline")
(while (> (getvar "cmdactive") 0) (command pause))
)

Notice, the function waits for the laydel command to complete before the pline
command starts. And it does so without using (getvar "cmdactive").

I've included the pline command just to demonstrate how what Bob referred to is
typically used. It allows the pline command to continue until the user ends the
command.

Joe Burke

 

New problem:
(if> (getvar "cmdactive") 0
(progn
------ should be:
(if> (getvar "cmdactive") 0)
(progn
------- notice the closing ) on if statement.

Bob