Learning AutoLISP & Visual LISP

Course details

Due to its relative simplicity and historical integration within the AutoCAD environment, LISP is a natural first programming language for CAD managers. In this course, Josh Modglin walks through the fundamentals of LISP for AutoCAD, so that you can start using this language to simplify tedious tasks and ease the implementation of standardization. Josh explains what LISP is, the differences between AutoLISP and Visual LISP, how to write it, as well as how to create objects and store information that you can use later. Plus, throughout the course, he shares coding best practices that can help you work efficiently with this functional language.

Learning objectives
Reviewing LISP formatting
Creating a defined function
Getting and setting variables
Using an if condition function
Using a cond condition function
Working with strings and lists
Getting data from users
Working with loops, selection sets, and geometry
Creating and editing graphic entities
Reviewing Visual LISP director functions
Reading and writing to the registry
Loading LISP files
Error trapping

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - Exercise files

1. LISP Formatting

03 - History
04 - Visual LISP IDE

2. LISP Functionality

05 - Creating a defined function
06 - Creating and using variables
07 - Getting and setting variables
08 - Using an if condition function
09 - Using a cond condition function

3. Visual LISP Introduction

10 - Function - vl-Load-Com
11 - Function - vlax-get-acad-object
12 - Function - vla-get-preferences
13 - Function - vla-get-activedocument
14 - Function and command - vl-cmdf

4. Working with Strings

15 - Function - strcase
16 - Function - strcat
17 - Function - strlen
18 - Function - substr
19 - Visual LISP methods

5. Working with Lists

20 - List and dotted pairs overview
21 - Functions - nth and length
22 - CDR, CAR, CADR, and more
23 - Function - append
24 - Function - subst
25 - Visual LISP methods

6. Getting Data From Users

26 - Function - getstring
27 - Function - getpoint
28 - Function - getdist
29 - Function - getreal
30 - Functions - getkword and initget
31 - Functions - entsel and entget
32 - Funtion - getfiled

7. Loops

33 - Function - while
34 - Function - repeat
35 - Function - foreach

8. Selection Sets

36 - Function - ssget
37 - Functions - sslength and ssname
38 - Selection set filters

9. Working with Geometry

39 - Function - polar
40 - Function - angle
41 - Function - distance
42 - Function - inters

10. Creating and Editing Graphic Entities

43 - Functions - assoc and subst
44 - Function - subst
45 - Function - entmod
46 - Function - entmake
47 - Function - entdel
48 - Visual LISP entity functions

11. Creating and Editing Non-Graphic Entities

49 - Function - tblsearch
50 - Function - tblobjname
51 - Visual LISP methods

12. Storing Data

52 - Function - namedobjdict
53 - Visual LISP dictionary functions
54 - Reading and writing to the registry

13. Loading LISPs and Error Trapping

55 - Loading a LISP file
56 - Using acad.lsp and acaddoc.lsp
57 - Error trapping

Conclusion

58 - Next steps