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How to Automate AutoCAD with command Macros

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In my last post for CAD Notes, I showed you how to take a task that you perform frequently, and automate it by turning it into an AutoCAD script.

In this post we will look at another automation tool – the command Macro. We will look at the difference between a Script and a Macro and discuss the possibilities of both.

To review:

  • An AutoCAD Script Is an ASCII text file, with the file extension .SCR, that contains a number of instructions for AutoCAD to perform at the command line.
  • An AutoCAD command Macro is also a list of instructions for AutoCAD to follow, but a Macro is run from the AutoCAD UI (A tool bar button, menu pull down or short cut key combination). A Macro usually lives within your CUI or on a Tool palette.

I hope to demonstrate that the process of writing a Macro is the same as that of writing a Script. All you really need to automate AutoCAD is a good understanding of the sequence of commands that you need to complete to get the job done.

AutoCAD Scripts

The Good – AutoCAD scripts can contain long lists of instructions for AutoCAD to follow. AutoCAD scripts can be stored in a central location on your server. Should you want to update a Script file, you only need to change it in one place for everyone to get the changes. AutoCAD scripts can contain comments, to remind you what the script does.

If you are using the full version of AutoCAD, you can use the LISP programming language within your script. This is not available to AutoCAD LT users.

The Bad – Loading Script files can be a fiddle, and your users will need to know where to find the Script files. Some internal training will be required to run your Scripts.

AutoCAD Macros

The Good – AutoCAD command Macros can be distributed via the CUI or tool palettes, making it much more intuitive for your users to use. AutoCAD Command Macro’s can contain LISP code, and they can also contain DIESEL code (which is good for AutoCAD LT users). Macros can contain pauses for user input, but be careful – there is no error handling method in a Macro.

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The Bad – Writing long, complicated command Macro’s can be very difficult to debug.

Tip: You can of course, get the best of both worlds by using a command Macro to call a Script…

Automate your plotting – reloaded

In the last post, we learned how to examine what we had previously written at the command line to write a script. We end up with this script to create an A1 PDF plot in our default plotting location:

-plot
y

DWG To PDF.pc3
ISO A1 (841.00 x 594.00 MM)
m
l
n
l
1:1
0.00,0.00
y
monochrome.ctb
y
n
n
n
n
y

To write the same routine as a macro, we would put it all on one line, like this:

^C^C-plot;y;;DWG To PDF.pc3;ISO A1 (841.00 x 594.00 MM);m;l;n;l;1:1;0.00,0.00;y;monochrome.ctb;y;n;n;n;;n;y;

Note that, instead of a carriage return macros use the semi-colon to indicate where you would usually press return on your keyboard. Spaces are also interpreted as hitting the return key (just like when you are operating AutoCAD manually). However, using spaces can make your code difficult to read and debug so I suggest that you replace the spaces with semi-colons.

The ^C^C at the beginning of the command is equivalent to pressing ‘Esc’ on the keyboard twice. This should cancel any other commands that are running before your Macro runs. You can read more about the Syntax for AutoCAD Macros here.

Running and Debugging your Macro.

You can run your Macro from the AutoCAD CUI (See Edwin’s post on creating new AutoCAD commands) however I am going to show you how to run your command from a tool palette.

First use the keyboard combination shortcut CTRL+3 to open your tool palettes. Right click over any blank area on your palette and chose ‘New Palette’ to create a new blank palette which we will use for testing our macro.

Tip: These instructions are for AutoCAD 2012. Previous releases may be a little different. If you are new to working with Tool palettes, read Edwin’s post ‘creating your own AutoCAD palette’ for more information on creating and working with tool palettes.

Creating an AutoCAD tool pallette command tool

(click image to enlarge)

  1. Right click over any blank area on your new palette and choose ‘Customize commands’. This will bring up the ‘Customize user interface’ dialogue.
  2. Type ‘script’ into the search box to bring up the run script command.
  3. Drag and drop the run script command from the customize user interface dialogue onto your palette.

You don’t have to use the run script command for testing Macro’s, but there isn’t a ‘Run Macro’ command, so it will have to do!

To add your command Macro to the new toolbar button, right click on the ‘Run script’ tool palette button, and chose ‘Properties’. You can now paste your Macro in under ‘Command string’.

An AutoCAD tool palette command tools properties

(click image to enlarge)

Click on the OK button to close the dialogue and save your Macro.

Finally, click on your new button… and see what happens!

You now have all the fun of debugging your Macro. I hope that it works for you first time. If it doesn’t – Hit ‘F2’ to bring up the AutoCAD text window to see what happened and what you might need to adjust to get your Macro working.

Macro examples

Here are some examples of command Macros that you could use, see if you can work out the commands and options used.

^C^C_fillet;r;0;

Start the fillet command with a radius of zero – Handy for joining reluctant polylines.

^C^C_pedit;m;\\;j;;;

Join multiple lines or arcs into a polyline in one go (this Macro assumes that the variable ‘PEDITACCEPT’ is set to 1)

^C^C_break;\@;

Break a line at the point you click on.

^c^_copy;\;\\_rotate;l;;@;

Copy and then rotate your selection

^c^_zoom;e;_zoom;0.95x;

Zoom a bit more than extents

^C^C-purge;r;*;n;

Purges all registered applications from memory.

^C^C_erase;all;;

Erase everything! – be careful with this one :D

What will you write a Macro for?

Writing Macro’s for AutoCAD can be simple and fun. You can create simple quick Macro’s that will save you time and effort every time you have to create a drawing.  You could create a Macro to plot your drawings at the click of a button, update your title block or create geometry on your company standard layers. Or you could create Macro’s to pull AutoCAD commands together that you use frequently.

What will you create today?

-Paul-

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  1. Hi
    My name is sunob

    If there is x multiplied with 10, then how the macro is written? X value is asked each time when run the macro… Please give a solution
    Thank you

    Reply

  3. Do you know if it is possible to insert a block found in another drawing using a macro or diesel?

    I am using a macro to insert a block, accept user input, and correct attribute rotation. Our block library consists of single drawings containing our blocks. I am trying to avoid converting our block library to individual drawings for each block in a folder(s).

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Hi Nathan,

      Yes, this is possible – sort off. You can use the INSERT command to insert the DWG file that contains the block in your current drawing, then explode the DWG, then delete any blocks you don’t really need.

      This is probably better done via a tool palette or LISP/VB.

      Paul

      Reply

  4. Thanks for the great article.

    I am trying to set the Author name by clicking a custom command button.
    Your blog got me 90% of the way there… I can get the macro to open the drawing properties dialog, but cant figure out how to set the Author….

    Any ideas?…

    Reply

  5. I am new to programming within / for Acad. Is Macro my best means for running checks or enquiries on a data set (drawing) or should I be using VB or Lisp?

    My task is not so much a list of commands repeated but, a search through a selection of the drawing and action according to yes / no checks.

    I can go into further detail with exactly what I am trying to achieve if you like but I am rather planning on learning and writing the ‘program’ myself.

    Many thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • Hi D,

      It sounds to me like you need some heavy lifting!

      AutoCAD has a number of API’s. Scripts,Diesel, Macros and the action recorder are the simplest to learn and implement.

      If you want to search the DWG database I recommend that you move up a notch to Lisp, AutoLisp and Visual Lisp.

      If you have a background in coding, and you want to run super fast searches you can operate at a code level using ObjectARX, Visual Basic and C.

      The best place to find out about all your options is Lee Ambrosious’s blog:
      http://www.hyperpics.com/

      Does this help?

      Paul

      Reply

  6. Very informative article, i’m regular reader of your website.

    I noticed that your website is outranked by many other blogs
    in google’s search results. You deserve to be in top ten. I know what can help you, search in google
    for:
    Omond’s tips outsource the work

    Reply

  7. Hi There,
    I have a macro string in my tool palette I want to repeat using the right mouse button, instead of repeating from the start it repeats from the last command in the string. Now if I put a * in the front I have read it should repeat, it does but it just keeps looping.
    my string
    ^c^c_SSX;;E;LWPOLYLINE,POLYLINE,LINE;;COPY;P;;0,0,0;0,0,0;FLATTEN;Y;P;;CS;P;;LA;2D;;RE;__d;\per;\SSX;;LA;2D;;ERASE;P;;

    this copys all lines to a 2D layer and then flattens, calls up a distance lisp so I can measure perp distances then deletes all lines on the 2d layer.
    Is there a way I could get this to repeat with the right click?
    thanks
    al

    Reply

    • Hi Al,

      The short answer is no – but let me explain.

      When AutoCAD is running a Macro (a list of commands) – it is basically running one command from your list (Macro) at a time – just like you were typing them. If you hit the F2 key after running your Macro you will see the command history.

      This means that, when you right click, you are running the last command in the list.

      To run the whole sequence again you would need to wrap this Macro into a command.

      You can do this easily with Lisp or VBA. If you want to do this with AutoCAD LT, you could try putting your list of commands in a script – and then using the Macro to call the script?

      Let us know how you get on.

      Paul

      Reply

      • Hi Paul,

        Thanks for your reply and help. I have made a start on trying to learn Lisp. Seems probably to be the best option at this stage. I used to be ‘very’ experienced in programming using Pascal in the ‘good ol’ days’, and so VB and C++ etc should not be too much of a struggle. I’s just getting hold of the info in relation to AutoCAD that could be the challenge. Plenty on Google searches though.

        Many thanks for the assist.

        Cheers,

        D

        Reply

  8. can i take a quantity of pipe and duct from hvac 2d drawings using this macro command…… say detaily and contact me 9940802883

    Reply

  9. Hi Paul,

    I am working as numberic codes layer example

    Layer F10 and it should change to Tarmac Road and final Layer will be F10_Tarmac Road
    Layer T10 and it should change to Tarmac Road and final Layer will be T10_Tarmac Road

    Reply

  10. Paul

    1. Is there any way to wrap text in a script file by adding a character at the end of the line?
    2. Can multiple script files be nested in one script file? Can the following be in one file and called from AutoCAD?

    ; RED BOX
    SCRIPT
    M:/Lisp-S/RS/RS_X-1-Shored.scr

    SCRIPT
    M:/Lisp-S/RS/RS_X-2-Reshored_Top.scr

    SCRIPT
    M:/Lisp-S/RS/RS_X-3-Reshored_Bot.scr

    SCRIPT
    M:/Lisp-S/RS/RS_X-4-Below.scr

    SCRIPT
    M:/Lisp-S/RS/RS_X-Grid.scr

    Reply

  11. Hi Paul,

    Thank you for this post that clearly explains the differences between scripts and macros.

    In the AutoCAD Macros summary you stated:

    “AutoCAD Command Macros can contain LISP code, and they can also contain DIESEL code (which is good for AutoCAD LT users).”

    Does this mean that AutoCAD LT can run LISP & DIESEL code as long as it is embedded in a macro?

    Reply

  12. I had a macro that would convert Sq Ft to Acrea
    getvar(area)/43650.
    Now however I can not get it to work on a new computer,

    Reply

  13. My compliments for the instruction on Macros. I have about 20 LISP commands that I am going to shorten to Macros. Thanks to what you provided, I anticipate several more. I foresee certain plots going faster. Thank you again for the instruction.

    Reply

  14. My printer at work is called: \\ijmmfdpr01\ijmfollewme1
    The macro is doing something weard with the two slashes.
    It doesnt work. But if I write it down manually it does work.
    What to do?

    Reply

    • Hi Daniel,

      AutoCAD reads slashes the other way around. Try //ijmmfdpr01/ijmfollewme1

      Failing that – try wrapping it in quotes, so that AutoCAD deosn’t try and parse the whole string – like this “\\ijmmfdpr01\ijmfollewme1”

      Paul

      Reply

  15. We have legacy drawings where the blocks for structural items (angle iron, c-channel, I-beam) have lines or poly-lines on 3 or 4 different layers, and different layers at different line weights. Additionally some layers are turned off and NEVER shown, but I am not allowed to delete them.
    I want to open up ‘block editor’ then by pushing 1 button, select all entities and set line-weight to ‘by layer’. Then save the block and close the block editor.
    Can anyone give me the Macro sequence to do this?
    p.s. I used the “action recorder” to record the steps, but don’t see how I can use that as a macro with related button.

    Thanks

    Reply

  16. I do everything on layer "0" then change entities as necessary. I have created macros that allow me to change entities to a pre-determined layer, but these are not at all robust as I can only either change two items or use "window" since "" in script is "user input" and my macros have two "" in them. Make sense?
    Here's what I'd like to do to update these macros I wrote nearly 20 years ago. . .
    I can switch them to the CLAYER command and select a specific layer. Then run the LAYCUR command to switch entities at will to the prescribed layer. Bang, it's that easy. However, I'd also like the same macro to switch me back to the current layer being 0. Any thoughts?

    Reply

  17. Hi,
    I was wondering if there is possible to create a macro that imports a object – I mean when you want to create a line you just hit 'L' + 'Enter', my question is if you could create a similar macro or shortcut, like hitting 'TH' + 'Enter' and a object, that i previously have created in another drawing, comes into the scene.
    Like instead of using the 'I' + 'Enter' [INSERT], just goes straight to that object?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Aaron,

      This sounds possible. If you can do it at the command line, you can make it into a Macro.

      Insert Block
      Zoom to object
      Select ‘Last’

      Paul

      Reply

  19. Hi,

    First I want to say thanks for the tips.

    How to open a drawing from my computer by the help of a macro. I mean a standard drawing should open when I click on a toolbar button. How can I ?

    * I put the drawing in support folder and apply the macro as "^C^C_open;XXX.dwg", but no way :(

    Reply

  20. Edwin, It is a common practice in the MEP filed to change the xref background to a dull solid color, usually color 8, so that your work is more visible than the architects stuff.

    Reply

  21. With my autocad 2004, there's a macro button I can load data from dbase to autocad. This is how I do it, first click on 'Load Project' under 'Macro', pick the drawings that I want which is a AutoCAD VBA Source file, then click on 'Load Macro" and type the requirement that match to the data that I want then click on 'Find', once the system find something match to my requirement, then click 'Draw' and all data will be in the pre-set position of the drawings so I don't have to type in every single time. Now I change a new computer with a 2013autocad, but I don't know how can I get this macro button setup. If you can help that would be much appreciate. Many thanks

    Reply

  22. Hello I'm a newbie to this macro, just thinking if you have a macro for autocad lt 2014 that can change all layers to colour 8. This will be very beneficial for all MEP cad people that used to setup xref drawings. Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  23. You can use this to change dimension style:
    -DIMSTYLE;R;STANDARD;
    You can change standard to any style you want. However, I recommend you to use tool palettes for this purpose.

    Reply

  25. really good….sir can u write something about how to program a auto cad command by c++… i will be very much grateful to you…

    Reply

  27. I don't know how old this artical is but after finding out how to use the CUI and make my own macros I have totally remade my right click default menu.  We use some standard geometery at work which when I got here was off to one side of the temple, if you needed it, you go over copy and bring back to where your working.  That didn't work well for me, to much zooming around the drawing.  I made them into blocks and put them on my Tool Palette, which worked well I didn't have to zoom around any more but still had to move my mouse over to screen two select and move back.  Now I created new commands with macros and put them into my default right click menu.  I don't even move my mouse, just right click select the block I need and place it.  So much of a time saver.  Now I am always looking for other macros that I can use.

    Reply

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