ADT 2 & 3 Tools
All Commands work on ADT 2i, ADT 3
& ADT 3.3
v3.10- 09/26/2001
Copyright 2001 PC Troubleshooters,
CADBazaar.com and Nauman Mysorewala
These routines were
developed to overcome some limitations and some annoying features in Architectural
Desktop
V3.10 adds command/dialog driven version of the nm_ADTxx functions.
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1. NMACAD - Place ACAD Objects on Layers YOU WANT using
a DIALOG/Command version of NM_ADTLYRSET |
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2. NMADT - |
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3. NM_ADTOBJONLYR - Place ADT Objects on Layers YOU WANT not Layers ADT Wants. |
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4. NM_MTXTLYR & NM_DTXTLYR - Autolayering Mtext and Dtext with sizes you specify. |
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5. NM_DSCLSET - Update Dimscale based on your location or turn off Dimension Overrides completely.. (Companion command to above functions) |
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6. NM_EXTENDER.LSP - Lisp File to hold all your Shortcut Customizations. Autoloaded with NM_TOOLS |
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7. NM_ADTLYRSET - Turn any Autocad Drawing command into an Auto Layering command |
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8. GotoADTContent - Easily Navigate to your Custom Folders in Design Center |
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Those who are
intimidated with the concept of minor programming or setting up Toolbars, you
can use the dialog driven version of the command that utilizes NM_ADTLYRSET for
AutoCAD drawing commands.
Turn off
Autolayering.
If you want to place objects on CURRENT layer, then select
CURRENT in the list of layers. This is same as having autolayer off
function. If autolayering is off
and you pass a layer via NMACAD then the objects will still be placed on the
current layer.
USAGE:
Type NMACAD or
select from the Toolbar. 
<DIMANGULAR/A-Dimline-d>
C to Change or Enter to accept:
The command
defaults are shown as <COMMAND / LAYER to PUT Objects on>.
Press C to invoke
the dialog box shown above and, make changes.
If you hit OK the command continues with the new settings and the layer setting
for the command is remembered, even if you restart AutoCAD.
If you would like to trim the list of available commands, then please send
email to support@cadbazaar.com for instructions.
Those who are
intimidated with the concept of minor programming or setting up Toolbars, you
can use the dialog driven version of the command that utilizes NM_ADTOBJONLYR
for ADT commands.
Turn off
Autolayering.
If you want to place objects on CURRENT layer, then select
CURRENT in the list of layers. This is same as having autolayer off
function. If autolayering is off
and you pass a layer via NMACAD then the objects will still be placed on the
current layer.
USAGE:
Type NMADT or
select from the Toolbar. .
<WALLADD/A-Clng-Iden-DEMO/CMU-8>
C to Change or Enter to accept:
The command
defaults are shown as <COMMAND / LAYER to PUT Objects on>.
Press C to invoke
the dialog box shown above and, make changes.
If you hit OK the command continues with the new settings and the layer setting
for the command is remembered, even if you restart AutoCAD.
You can select the style to use the current style or a
different style. The style setting
is remembered for the command even in a new AutoCAD session. If you would like to trim the list of available
commands, then please send email to support@cadbazaar.com
for instructions.
One of the issues
with ADT is that it will always put certain objects on its hard coded
Layerkeys. Like Wall objects will always go on WALL Layerkey, no matter how you
have defined the sub-component layers. Doors will always go on DOOR LKEY, etc.
This function overcomes this limitation and allows you to ADD AEC Objects on
the LAYERKEY you want. You are still limited to using the LAYERKEY or current
Layer but lets say you do a lot of renovation jobs and draw many Demo Walls and
Doors. With the function you can define a DEMO Layerkey and your objects will
be drawn on the Layer associated with DEMO LKEY or Current Layer
(autolayeroff).
The Actual AEC Object will be placed on the Layerkey you specify. The sub-components that are set to Layer 0 (zero) and BYLayer will inherit the properties of the Layer generated by the layerkey, which is true for the regular AECADDWALL command.
The Toolbar contains All Items to be on Layerkey WALLFIRE to be compatible with all users since it is a base ADT Layerkey. You can easily edit the Toolbar Layerkey to your liking with instructions explained under USAGE.
Turn off
Autolayering.
Added to this
version update is the ability to disable the Auto layering and when that is
done, the objects are created on the current layer. There is a new Tool
bar button, with red and green dot which toggles the behaviour of the command.
The value is not stored and will apply to current drawing.
USAGE:
The function will
only accept AEC ADD Commands, i.e. AECWALLADD, AECCEILINGGRIDADD, AECDOORADD,
AECWINDOWADD, AECROOFADD, etc. There is a list of the commands in a ADTCMDS.TXT
file in the nm_tools folder
From the command
line
(nm_adtobjonlyr
"LAYERKEY" "AECcommandADD" [options list])
you can put this
in the toolbar menu
^C^C^P(nm_adtobjonlyr
"LAYERKEY" "AECcommandADD" nil); (nil is needed if there
are no options.)
or can be used in a lisp command in NM_EXTENDER.LSP
(defun
c:Myshortcut ()
(nm_adtobjonlyr "LAYERKEY" "AECcommandADD" nil)
)
e.g.
(defun c:Dwall ()
(nm_adtobjonlyr "DEMOWALL" "AECWALLADD" nil)
)
or
(defun c:Dwall ()
(nm_adtobjonlyr "DEMOWALL" "AECWALLADD" '(style
MyDemowall))
)
OPTIONS:
The options are optional. They are forwarded to the function as a list. Nnotice the ' appostophie in front of the paranthesis. This will set your current style to the MyDemowall style and then lets you draw the wall. Just separate each command with a space and it will be processed before you draw.
Also there is already a toolbar setup for you as an example. You can customize them yourself to point to appropriate Layerkeys.
To
Customize:
Right click
on any button and select customize, after the dialog pops up, right click again
and an edit window pops
up, edit the
layerkey there and click apply, when done, just select close on the first
window. You are ready to go.
Missing the
Softdesk(tm) Large Text, Medium Text, Small Text? Or want to have the textsize
correct everytime you issue your Text command? Or want to set your Textsize
based on the annotation size?
These two functions should help you customize the Layerkeys and Textsizes. The Textsize is changed based on your drawing space.
1. ModelSpace -
The Size is based on the Scale of the Drawing
2. PaperSpace -
Specified Size.
3. Paperspace Active Viewport - Scale of the Viewport governs the Size.
NM_EXTENDER.LSP
has 6 preset comands as examples. If you do not want those or want to change
the shortcut if they conflict with your existing commands, you can type VLIDE
at the command prompt and edit the NM_EXTENDER.LSP file.
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NM_MTS - Mtext Small 0.09375 - 3/32" |
NM_DTS - Dtext Small 0.09375 - 3/32" |
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NM_MTM - Mtext Medium 0.125 - 1/8" |
NM_DTM - Dtext Medium 0.125 - 1/8" |
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NM_MTL - Mtext Large 0.1875 - 3/16" |
NM_DTL - Dtext Large 0.1875 - 3/16" |
TEXTSIZE: The value is a number. Pass a 0 (zero) to draw using the Drawing Annotation Size set in AECDWGSETUP. Otherwise provide a value i.e. 0.09375, 0.125, 0.1875, etc. Note that the TEXTSIZE must have the 0(zero) in front of the decimal point.
USAGE:
From the command
line
(nm_mtxtlyr
"LAYERKEY" TEXTSIZE)
(Note that the
TEXTSIZE is a number and is not enclosed in quotes.
you can put this
in the toolbar menu
^C^C^P(nm_mtxtlyr
"LAYERKEY" 0.9375); (0 if size is based on the Annotation Size.)
or can be used in a lisp command in NM_EXTENDER.LSP
(defun c:MTM ()
;;for Mtext Medium
(nm_mtxtlyr "LAYERKEY" 0.09375) (3/32" text)
)
(defun c:MTS ()
;;for Mtext Small
(nm_mtxtlyr "LAYERKEY" 0.0625) (1/16" text)
)
Also there is already a toolbar setup for you as an example. You can customize them yourself to point to appropriate Layerkeys.
To
Customize:
Right click
on any button and select customize, after the dialog pops up, right click again
and an edit window pops
up, edit the
layerkey there and click apply, when done, just select close on the first
window. You are ready to go.
Annotation Scale Override
This command works
in conjunction with NM_ADTLYRSET function. It only affects ANNOTATION
commands. To have you Dimension Scale updated with the Drawing
Scale or not you have the choice of:
1. Override
Dimension Scale in ModelSpace
2. Override
Dimension Scale in PaperSpace - Set it to 1
3. Override the
Scale in the Viewport based on the scale of the Viewport. Turn it off to base
it on the Drawing Scale.
4. Turn Dimension
Scale Override OFF.
5. Turn Dimension
Scale Override OFF even for ADT when changing DRAWING SCALE.
A lisp file that is loaded with the NM_TOOLS which contains user customizations and contains the examples shown in the commands. Even if you do not know lisp programming you can still add your customizations to the file. If you want help or are not sure or are having problems, send the file to support@cadbazaar.com and I can help you with the customizations. But here are the basic concepts of Lisp shortcuts
- start with a Open Paranthesis.
- use DEFUN C: to specify it as a command. i.e. DEFUN C:MYSHRTCUT
- use ( ) open paranthesis close paranthesis after the shortcut name.
- use (nm_function "LAYERKEY" "COMMAND" [options]) -Dont forget the paranthesis and the quotes.
- and Close with a paranthesis
- A semicolon means it is a remark and anything after that is not considered a part of the shortcut. like
(defun c:MYS ( ) ;
this is my Shortcut for Text XYZ Sized.
You can use this to
help you in future to get an idea why you created the shortcut.
To make your life easy, just copy an existing shortcut and modify.
(
defun c:Myshortcut
()
(nm_adtlyrset "LAYERKEY" "COMMAND")
)
e.g.
(defun c:QL ()
(nm_adtlyrset "ANNOBJ" "qleader")
)
The purpose of the function is to provide a routine to allow users utilize the ADT Layerkeying system without having to go through the design center. The function works with lisp routines to create key shortcuts, via command line or via the Toolbars or menus.
Basically it
works with most all AutoCAD DRAWING COMMANDS, i.e. line, pline,
qleader, dimensions,
arc, circle, bhatch you name it.......
though I have tested
it with dimensioning, Qleader, line, pline, rectangle, and hatching
Turn off
Autolayering.
Added to this
version update is the ability to disable the Auto layering and when that is
done, the objects are created on the current layer. There is a new Tool
bar button, with red and green dot which toggles the behaviour of the command.
The value is not stored and will apply to current drawing.
USAGE:
From the command
line
(nm_adtlyrset
"LAYERKEY" "COMMAND")
make sure that the
Layer key is UPPERCASE
you can put this
in the toolbar menu
^C^C^P(nm_adtlyrset
"LAYERKEY" "command");
or can be used in a lisp command in NM_EXTENDER.LSP
(defun
c:Myshortcut ()
(nm_adtlyrset "LAYERKEY" "COMMAND")
)
e.g.
(defun c:QL ()
(nm_adtlyrset "ANNOBJ" "qleader")
)
Also there is already 2 toolbars setup for you. One is for Annotation and Dimensioning and the other for Drawing Commands. You can customize them yourself to point to appropriate Layerkeys.
To Customize:
Right
click on any button and select customize, after the dialog pops up, right click
again and a edit window pop
up , edit the
layerkey there and click apply, when done, just select close on the first
window.
You are ready to go.
GOTOADTCONTENT
GOTOADTCONTENTIMP
GOTOADTCONTENTMET
GOTOADTCONTENTMETDACH
The purpose of these
functions is to provide an easier way to access Custom Content directories.
Currently the ADT 2 & 3 are limited by certain preset directories. If a
user wants to add their own directory there is no easier way to get to it
besides having to go through the design center and rummaging through the
tree. These functions work with lisp routines to create key shortcuts,
via command line or via the Toolbars or menus.
There are certain
things that need you need to make sure for this routine to work correctly. I
have explained all the scenarios below. This is a ADT bug and not a
limitation of my routines. Because of this bug and the hassle of
understanding how to write code I have created these routines.
The key to using
these functions successfuly is that you need to make sure the CASE of the input
characters matter a lot, i.e they are case sensitive. Please see KNOWN ISSUES
section for more info.
USAGE:
The functions take a
input variable, which is the directory path. Separate each folder with a
forward slash "/"
GOTOADTCONTENT -
This will take you to folders under the Root Content folder
GOTOADTCONTENTIMP -
This will take you to folders under the Imperial folder
GOTOADTCONTENTMET -
This will take you to folders under the Metric folder
GOTOADTCONTENTMETDACH
- This will take you to the Metric D A CH folder.
Essentially you
can just use the GOTOADTCONTENT function to accomplish what the other functions
do. The other functions are just there for your convenience
In all cases please
note that you need to add forward slash in between directories.
from the command
line
(GOTOADTCONTENT
"Imperial/Design/Div06 - Wood & Plastics")
(GOTOADTCONTENTIMP
"Design/Div06 - Wood & Plastics")
(GOTOADTCONTENTMET
"Design/Site")
(GOTOADTCONTENTMETDACH
"Design/Site")
you can put this
in the toolbar menu
^C^C^P(GOTOADTCONTENTIMP
"Design/Appliances")
or can be used in a lisp command in NM_EXTENDER.LSP
(defun c:Wood ()
(GOTOADTCONTENTIMP
"Design/Div06 - Wood & Plastics")
)
1. Run NM_TOOLS.EXE file and specify the folder where you need to install it, by default it is C:\NMTOOLS
UNINSTALLATION:
1. From the
Start Menu/Settings open Control Panel
2. Open
Add/Remove Programs
3. Select NM
ADT Tools 2
After you remove the
program, You will get the message "Menu NM_tools not found" the first
time you run Autocad. Just click ok and it will not bother you again.
In qleader command the error handling does not work depending on when you cancel the command. If you start the command and cancel it right away the original layer is not restored (i.e. not made current). There could be other commands that might reflect this behavior, but this I have seen it with non native Acad commands, i.e. qleader.
If you get this error:
ERROR: Unable to obtain a list
of layer keys for the current style.
Layer Key Not Found,
Make sure that Layer Key is UPPERCASE
It means that you have not set a Layer Standard in your drawing and the layering is set to CURRENT layer. To use this routine you must have a Layer Standard Defined in the drawing. To set one up you need to point to the correct AecLayerStd.dwg file and then select a Layer Standard from the list. Issue the AECDWGSETUP command and look under Layering Tab.
There is a minor issue that affects the functionality of the functions. This issue is inherently in the commands that Autodesk has built into the product and is not a limitation of my routines. The issue is that when you use the functions and go navigate to the content directory, no icons are displayed. To fix this problem start a DOS window. Then go to the root directory and issue the DIR command. (or if you have Windows Active Desktop installed browse to the directory and read the case in the Address bar).
04/05/00
11:33a
<DIR> .
04/05/00
11:33a
<DIR> ..
04/05/00
11:33a
<DIR> Styles
04/05/00
11:33a
<DIR> Schedules
04/05/00
11:33a
<DIR> Documentation
04/05/00
11:33a
<DIR> Design
04/14/00
11:26a
<DIR> NAUMAN
<<<NOTICE CAPITAL
7
File(s)
0 bytes
14,544,273,408 bytes free
(GOTOADTCONTENTIMP
"Nauman");; Function written this way will demonstrate the problem
(GOTOADTCONTENTIMP
"NAUMAN");; This will work correctly.
If you get an error:
Unable to resolve complete path there may be two issues:
1) Make sure that
you type in the exact spaces, characters, etc.
2) If you have
already started a session of ADT and have opened Design Center in Custom Mode
and then CREATE a directory, sometimes you will get this error message. Just
quit ADT and try the function again.
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