autolisp routines | CADcaster

How to Load an AutoLISP File

September 4, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD

If you’re using AutoCAD for long period of time and you know how to use the AutoLISP and the importance of it. You probably know how to load the AutoLISP file in AutoCAD, and you certainly don’t need to read this tutorial. But if happens that you are relatively new on using the AutoCAD and you want to expand your knowledge in this drawing application software, then this tutorial is for you.

AutoLISP a Brief Description

AutoLISP is based on the LISP programming language, which is simple to learn and very usefull in everyway. AutoLISP Applications or routines can interact in AutoCAD in many ways. These routines can prompt the user for input, access built-in AutoCAD commands directly, and modify or create objects in the drawing database. By creating AutoLISP routines you can add discipline-specific commands to AutoCAD. Actually, some of the standard AutoCAD commands are AutoLISP applications. Knowing how to load and use these routines can enhance your productivity.

Loading the AutoLISP

There are two methods to load an AutoLISP file, one is loading it by using the Customize User Interface editor or CUI, the other is by using the command Load Application or simply APPLOAD. Customize User Interface editor can be found by clicking the CAD Manager pulldown menu, then Customize, then Interface (fig.1).

Fig.1

Alternatively at the command prompt, key-in CUI. Then in the Customize Interface editor tab, in the Customizations in all CUI files pane, right-click LISP files, then click Load LISP. Then in the Load LISP dialog box, locate and select the AutoLISP file you want to load. Remember only files with the extension LSP can be selected here. After you selected the AutoLISP file that you want, click OPEN.

Fig.2

Load Application or simply APPLOAD, using this command is the easiest method in loading an AutoLISP file. You can find this command under CAD Manager pulldown menu on the same place where the Customize User Interface can be found. Or at the command prompt key-in APPLOAD. The good thing in using this method is, not only the AutoLISP files can be loaded but also some other AutoCAD Application files as well. Such as ObjectARX files (arx), VBA files (dvb), ObjectDBX files (dvx), Visual Lisp Executables (vlx), and Fast-load AutoLISP Format (das) [Fig.3].

Fig.3