read layers in from a comma delimited file

I don't know how to get data from a quattro pro spreadsheet, so our layer master list is exported into a series of .txt files, comma delimited with a .lay extension. This function reads them in and creates the layers. You can use and modify to your hearts desire. It also loads all linetypes from .lin file if you want them.


Just thought I'd like to share with this ng some of the work I've been able to do with guidance from the top 10...

Jamie Duncan

(defun c:arctlaysin (/ ans filena fn temp temp2)
;;;(arctvsav) put your variable save function call here
;;;this part loads linetype definitions
(setvar "expert" 3)
(while (/= ans "N")
(setq temp (getstring "\nLinetype file to load <ACAD>: ")
ltfile (if (= temp "") "ACAD" temp)
temp (findfile (strcat ltfile ".lin"))
)
(if temp
(progn
(command "linetype" "l" "*" ltfile "")
(setq ans "N")
)
(prompt (strcat "\nLinetype file <" ltfile "> not found - try again."))
)
)
;;;this part loads paperspace layers for titleblocks, legends etc from a file called sheet.lay
;;;modify or delete as you need.
;;;note the filename and path is easily modified for your own use

(setq filena "sheet") (if (null (setq fn (open (strcat ARCTDRVE "/archr/" filena ".lay") "r")))
(progn
(setq temp nil)
(prompt (strcat "\nFile "(strcase filena)" not found - try again."))
)
)
(jddreadlayernames filena fn)

;;;allow user to select which set of layers - floor plans, details, elevations etc
;;; you can modify this to your own layers and paths

(setq temp nil)
(prompt (strcat "\nLayer Config. files will be loaded from the < " ARCTDRVE "/archr > subdirectory. "));;; arctdrve setup at startup
(while (null temp)
(initget "Floorplan Detail Siteplan Elevation")
(setq temp2 (getkword "\nSelect Layers to Load: Floorplan/Siteplan/Detail/Elevation <Floorplan>:"))
(cond
((= temp2 "Floorplan")(setq filena "flrlayer" temp "y"))
((= temp2 "Siteplan")(setq filena "site" temp "y"))
((= temp2 "Detail")(setq filena "detail" temp "y"))
((= temp2 "Elevation")(setq filena "elev" temp "y"))
((= temp2 nil)(setq filena "flrlayer" temp "y"))
)
(if (null (setq fn (open (strcat ARCTDRVE "/archr/" filena ".lay") "r")))
(progn
(setq temp nil)
(prompt (strcat "\nFile "(strcase filena)" not found - try again."))
)
)
)
(jddreadlayernames filena fn)
(prompt "\nImporting of Layer Configuration for this drawing now complete.")
(setq c:arctlaysin nil)
;;;(arctvrst) restore any variables
(princ)
)
(princ)
(defun jddreadlayernames (filename filepathname / lin pos1 pos2 lname1 lntype1 lcr1 LayerTable theLayer nplt1 flagc)
(setq lin (read-line filepathname)
LayerTable (vla-get-layers *doc*)
)(prompt (strcat "\nAdding new layers, colors and linetypes from " filename " ...\n"))
(while (and lin (/= lin ""))
(setq lst2 (cdf_list lin)
lname1 (nth 0 lst2)
lntype1 (nth 2 lst2)
lcr1 (nth 1 lst2)
flagc T
lcr1 (if (= (atoi lcr1) 0)(progn (setq flagc nil) 1 )(atoi lcr1))
)
(if (not (tblsearch "ltype" lntype1))(setq lntype1 "CONTINUOUS" flagl nil))
(if (not (< 0 lcr1 257))(setq lcr1 1 flagc nil))
(setq thelayer (vla-add LayerTable lname1))
(vla-put-linetype thelayer lntype1)
(if flagc (vla-put-color theLayer lcr1))
(if (wcmatch lname1 "*NP*")
(vla-put-plottable theLayer :vlax-false)
(vla-put-plottable theLayer :vlax-true)
)
(setq lin (read-line filepathname))
)
(close filepathname)
)

 

Thanks for the contribution, I have one comment:

Generally, I advise against changing the EXPERT
system variable, as long as there is a remote
possibility it will not get reset back to what
it was when the program began. There's two ways
that can happen:

1. Provide no error handler to restore
system variables you changed.

2. Provide an error handler, which is
stopped prematurely by pounding on
the ESCape key many times.

Pounding on the ESCape key many times in rapid
succession can stop an error handler before it
gets a chance to complete (e.g., before it has
restored system variables that were changed).
However in your case, I see no error handler for
your command (that's not saying there isn't one,
just that I didn't see it the code you posted).

While this is true for all system variables, this
rule is critical for EXPERT: Under no circumstances
should we ever change it without providing an error
handler to restore it. But even with one, a user
can stop it prematurely by doing what I say above.

The EXPERT system variable was provided as a way
to circumvent a lot of "are you sure" type prompts.

However, from a LISP programming perspective it
is the cure that's worse than the illness, because
there is no guarantee that EXPERT or any other
system variable's value will be restored by your
code. The last thing you want to happen is to have
your code change this variable without restoring
it, because that can suppress confirmation prompts
that a user may depend on. In the case that you're
changing it to the same value that its normally set
to by your users, that may not be a problem, but in
the context of posting this code for others, this
is a legitmate caveat.

My own approach is to test EXPERT whenever it's
value can alter a prompting sequence, and just
branch accordingly:

(defun redefine-some-block (name basept ss)
(command "._-BLOCK" name)
(if (and (tblsearch "block" name)
(> (getvar "expert") 1)
)
(command "_y")
)
(command basept ss "")
)






I don't know how to get data from a quattro pro spreadsheet, so our layer master list is exported into a series of .txt
files, comma delimited with a .lay extension. This function reads them in and creates the layers. You can use and
modify to your hearts desire. It also loads all linetypes from .lin file if you want them.


Just thought I'd like to share with this ng some of the work I've been able to do with guidance from the top 10...

Jamie Duncan

 

Thanks for the insight Tony,

the arctvsav & arctvrst functions save and restore the expert variable.
It's well advised that anyone using this routine should do the same.

this is one variable that can truly yield unpredictable results when
(command is invoked.


Jamie Duncan

master list is exported into a series of .txt

and creates the layers. You can use and

able to do with guidance from the top 10...

 

After rereading your post a second time, I realise that your method is
preferential to the method I now use (error trapping etc) due to the
vaguaries of human input

Thanks


Jamie Duncan

master list is exported into a series of .txt

and creates the layers. You can use and

able to do with guidance from the top 10...

 

EXCELLENT advice, thank you for posting this Tony.

 

oh you guys....

God forbid that a girl should write a nice program, and you should pounce
'cause she commented out the error trapping she had written, not foreseeing
the multiple esc's from inpatient users.

:-(

Jamie Duncan

 

I wasn't pouncing on you. That's an unfair perspective.

Look at it this way: You are able to take advantage
of lessons that I had to learn *the hard way*.

And yea, I've dealt with more than my fair share
of impatient users who insist on pounding on ESCape
until they see a "Command: " prompt, or the clock
strikes 5 PM.

 

I'm sorry you choose to interpret my acknowledgment of Tony's
staid advice as some kind of veiled shot at you or your fine
contributions in these forums, it is not. Please carry on.

oh you guys....

God forbid that a girl should write a nice program, and you should pounce
'cause she commented out the error trapping she had written, not foreseeing
the multiple esc's from inpatient users.

:-(

Jamie Duncan

 

Sorry Tony, that was all really tongue-in-cheek!

I appreciate all the help and insights from pioneers like yourself.

And sorry if I came off harshly, I really was trying to be humorous.

Jamie Duncan

 

Read above Michael...I was just playing the tired old card of 'a woman's
work is never acknowledged unless she errs'

really was tongue in cheek - other than an old dead CAD guy, I haven't
noticed much chavinism in this NG at all.

And thanks for help as well.

And I wish the both of you a very good day, and a happy long weekend....wait
that's a canuckleheaded thing.

"<g>

Jamie Duncan

 

WOW, I did not get humour from your post. Guess it's
time to change the babel fish!

Long weekend here I come, though I will be coding
at home for most of it (personal project).

Cheers and happy posting Jamie

Read above Michael...I was just playing the tired old card of 'a woman's
work is never acknowledged unless she errs'

really was tongue in cheek - other than an old dead CAD guy, I haven't
noticed much chavinism in this NG at all.

And thanks for help as well.

And I wish the both of you a very good day, and a happy long weekend....wait
that's a canuckleheaded thing.

"<g>

Jamie Duncan

 

I won't give up my day job and start doing stand-up.

Jamie Duncan

 

or your fine
contributions in these forums, it is not. Please carry on.


Thanks Michael!


Jamie Duncan

 

(if (= (getvar humor) 0) (post)(postanyway))

 

Jamie - No apology is necessary, no offence taken.

My failure to use emoticons when I should, often
results in the impression that I actually mean
what I say here