AutoCAD 2004 Customization Tutorial: Modifying
Objects with Scripts
By Alireza Parsai,
June 3, 2003
Scripts are incapable of accepting user input. However, if the
modifying commands do not need user input, scripts can be
useful. If you are not familiar with script files, please read
through the following tutorial:
► AutoCAD 2004 Tutorial:
Setting Up a Drawing with a Script
In the following tutorial you will write a script for rotating
the second hand of a clock.
1.
Download R16 - Clock.dwg.
Note: If you are using an earlier release of
AutoCAD download
R15 -
Clock.dwg.
2. Open the drawing in AutoCAD [Figure 1].
Figure 1 - Click on image to
enlarge
3. The clock circumference is 360 degrees. Since a full rotation
of the second hand is equivalent to 1 minute and every minute is
60 seconds each second is equal to 6 degrees (1 minute = 360
degrees = 60 seconds × 6 degrees). The following sequence will
rotate the second hand by 1 second:
Command:
rotate8
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: c8
Specify first corner:
1.5,-1.58
Specify opposite corner:
-1.5,1.58
3 found
Select objects:
8
Specify base point: 0,08
Specify rotation angle or [Reference]:
-68
Notes:
► User entries are in bold.
► The 8 means press Enter.
► The crossing selection method is used to select the smallest
circle and the lines that build the second hand. Here selecting
the small circle is not necessary but harmless.
► The base point for rotation is the base point for circle (here
0,0).
► The rotation angle is negative as it is clockwise.
4. In command line type Notepad and then press enter twice. The
Notepad window appears.
5. Type the proper text [Figure 2].
Figure 2
6. Save the file as "clock.scr" in a folder that belongs to
AutoCAD file search path.
Note: If you are not familiar with AutoCAD file
search path read the following tutorial:
► AutoCAD 2004 Customization
Tutorial: Search Paths
7. Switch to AutoCAD window.
8. Alter the FILEDIA system variable to 0. This will skip
showing dialog boxes when you invoke many of AutoCAD commands
including SCRIPT, OPEN, and SAVEAS.
9. Invoke SCRIPT and then enter clock. The second hand
rotates 1 second (or rather 6 degrees) clockwise.
Command:
scr8
SCRIPT
Enter script file name <…>:
clock8
10. To create animation you need to modify
the script as shown in figure 3.
Figure 3
Note:
► The "delay 1000" interrupts the
script for about 100 milliseconds or rather 1 second.
► The
"rscript" repeats the script from the first
line.
11. Save the new file.
12. In AutoCAD load the script again.
13. The animation starts. Press Esc to cancel
the running script.
14. Alter the FILEDIA system variable to 1.
Click here
to download the script file.
About the Author
Alireza Parsai is the founder of cadpanel.com. He is a
mechanical engineer with more than 12 years experience with
AutoCAD. Alireza is an Autodesk Authorized Author, the AutoCAD
consultant for Al Khawarizmi Institute, a contributing editor
for Augiworld magazine, a writer for CAD Digest, an instructor
for AUGI Training Program, and an elected speaker for Autodesk
University 2002. He has written 7 books in Farsi, 3 booklets in
English, and more than 30 articles for different magazines and
newsletters. You can reach him at
alireza.parsai@cadpanel.com or visit his website
www.cadpanel.com.
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