Need a push in the right direction with this one

My company has seen fit to record every 11x17 and 24x36 size AutoCad prints. And until a better system comes along (6mos. to 1 yr) It's my job to make this happen. Well anyway, I've created an Excel spreadsheet to have people printing to track what they have done. But you know people...sometimes they forget. well I'm trying to create a reminder at plotting to go to the excel spreadsheet. what I would like is to put a reminder after the plot window closes
and give them a choice. If they took care of their responsibilities then move on, if not I would like to direct them to the spreadsheet automatically.

I've started this lisp

(command "undefine" "plot")
(PRINC)
(defun clot ()
(alert "PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL IN PRINTER/PLOTTER LOG....")
(Command "redefine" "plot")
(initdia)
(command ".plot")
(princ)
(alert "DID YOU REMEMBER TO FILL IN PRINTER/PLOTTER LOG???")
(PRINC)
)

problem 1. it only works once per drawing
problem 2. it needs some kind of an if /and/or statement to
tell the lisp program what/where to go.
My expertise in lisp is limited. I've lurked and learned quite a bit about lisp stuff, but I think I'm over my head with this one. Sorry for being so long winded, any help would be appreciated. TIA
Brad

 

i've also tried adding stuff like:
(setq "y" nil)
(setq "n" (startapp "c://microsoft office//office10//excel.exe)
(prompt "\nY or N")
I know i'm way off...please help

 

Fill in the blanks.


; Lisp Skeleton for Dialog: dialog1
;


(vlr-editor-reactor
nil
'(vlr-commandended . testplot))
)

(defun testplot (func val / func_called val_list)
(setq func_called func
val_list (car val)
)
(if (= val_list "PLOT")
(progn
(if (= (getvar "diastat") 1)
(progn
(if (and
(not (wcmatch (strcase (getvar"plotid")) "PRINTER*"))
(not (wcmatch (strcase (getvar"plotid")) "REPRO*"))
)
(c:TESTPLOTPASS)
)
)
)
)
)

(princ)
)

--

AUTODESK
Authorized Developer
http://www.Cadentity.com
MASi

prints. And until a better system comes along (6mos. to 1 yr) It's my job to
make this happen. Well anyway, I've created an Excel spreadsheet to have
people printing to track what they have done. But you know
people...sometimes they forget. well I'm trying to create a reminder at
plotting to go to the excel spreadsheet. what I would like is to put a
reminder after the plot window closes

move on, if not I would like to direct them to the spreadsheet
automatically.

lisp stuff, but I think I'm over my head with this one. Sorry for being so
long winded, any help would be appreciated. TIA

 

would it be possible to direct the program to a "shortcut" on the desktop pointing to the spreadsheet in question?

 

Ok, I've managed to fix prob.1....any more help? TIA. I'll provide open source code for anyone who wants it when completed

 

Or, just to fire-up the Existing .xls, you could do something like:
(startapp "c:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\Office\\Excel.exe"
"G:\\apps\\Printer Utilization.xls")
.....with proper pathes for your system.

Bob

 

This is what I finally came up with last night. you just half to have the excel program, the spreadsheet, and the lisp file all included on the file support path.
It ain't pretty but here's what I came up with:

(command "undefine" "plot")
(PRINC)
(defun clot ()
(Command "redEfine" "plot")
(initdia)
(command ".plot")
(princ)
(command "undefine" "plot")
(princ)
(alert "DID YOU REMEMBER TO FILL IN PRINTER/PLOTTER LOG???")
(startapp "excel.exe" "s:/cadd/printer_utilization")
(PRINC)
)

seems to work well, any improvements are welcome. and thanks guy's, you rock!!

 

I really need to use that "what-do-you-call-it" spellcheck thingie........LOL

 

And he grins

 

now I seem to have a new problem. I can only make it work on my machine. Others get the Reminder alert box...but then nothing.....I guess I'll have to work out the dynamics of how the IT loaded Excel on everybody's confuser...Thanks again all.

 

what u did was help me out alot...I've gotten it to work on two 'puters today... had to plat with the front/back slashes
but it works Exactly the way I needed it to. Thanks again to help figure out a very untypical solution to such a specific need. again, you da' man!!

 

bsteele,
You are very welcome.
Bob