- What is CadToolChest?
For the most part, CadToolChest is a collection of AutoLisp programs that run within AutoCAD (a popular, although expensive, 2D/3D Computer Aided Design and Drafting system).
For information on AutoCAD click
HERE.
In addition, there is a page offering AutoIt version 3 scripts that perform non-AutoCAD tasks and other pages to web sites of extraordinary freeware and payware programs that I use.
- How do I get the CadToolChest programs to work in AutoCAD?
a. Follow the instruction below to unzip the files downloaded from CadToolChest into an AutoCAD Search Path.
b. Start AutoCAD.
c. Load the desired program. On the AutoCAD command line, type (load "desired-file"), including the parenthesis and quotes, substituting, of course, the name of the .FAS or .LSP file that is to be loaded for "desired-file".
d. If it's a program with a command, type the command Name on the AutoCAD command line, press the Enter key, and respond to the prompts. If it's a sub-function, your program can call it using the syntax supplied on the web page for that program.
The program only has to be loaded once for each drawing session. The command can be used as many times as required until the drawing is closed.
To have a program load automatically when a drawing opens, add an AutoLisp load statement to your ACAD.LSP or ACADDOC.LSP file for each program, or use the AutoCAD APPLOAD command.
Note: there are other methods for loading and using sub-functions. They can be used instead of the technique defined above.
- Where do I put the CadToolChest programs?
Most downloads are ZIP files. In the case of the AutoCAD downloads, unzip them into a folder that is in the AutoCAD Search Path. AutoIT3 scripts can reside wherever you would like.
Be sure to download all support files required by a particular program you wish to use (look directly below the download link in the left margin), and unzip them into the same directory as the main program. Many CadToolChest programs use the same support files. If you already have that file, check anyway to ensure you have the latest version. When in doubt, always download and use a new copy.
- What is the AutoCAD Search Path?
The AutoCAD Search Path is actually a group of folders. AutoCAD searches these folders whenever a file is requested and no path is specified. To determine the current AutoCAD Search Path, in AutoCAD click the TOOLS menu item, then the FILES Tab, then the plus sign for SUPPORT FILE SEARCH PATH. You can add other folders using the ADD button. Folders are searched in the order they appear in the list. In addition to the listed folders, AutoCAD also considers the "Current Directory, the folder of the "Current Drawing" and the folder where "Acad.Exe" resides to be part of the AutoCAD Search Path.
The order in which AutoCAD searches:
Current Directory
Drawing directory
Directories specified under SUPPORT FILE SEARCH PATH
Directory containing the AutoCAD executable file Acad.Exe
The AutoCAD Search Path is a complex subject as there are several ways to affect the folders listed under SUPPORT FILE SEARCH PATH. For example, they can be altered by an AutoCAD Profile, or via the /s and /p switches in the "Target" for the icon used to start AutoCAD.
CadToolChest recommends having one or more separate folders for all programs not included in AutoCAD, and adding those folders to the AutoCAD SUPPORT FILE SEARCH PATH.
- A command name conflicts with one of my other programs or with an AutoCAD Command Alias!
There is a simple way around this problem. Download the CadToolChest-Alias program which includes two files. One is the AutoLisp program that is automatically loaded and called by the other CadToolChest AutoLisp programs. The other is a text file in which you define the name of the command you wish to substitute for the one provided by CadToolChest. Instructions are included in the latter file (
CadToolChest-Alisa.pgp). The technique is nearly identical to that used in the ACAD.PGP file to define AutoCAD Command Aliases. In general, the name of the command to be replaced is entered on a new line in the PGP file, followed by a comma, a space, an asterisk, and finally the name of the command you desire.
For example:
3dP, *PIPE
3dRedEll, *RED
The second example causes the command name provided by CadToolChest for the 3d Butt Weld Reducing Elbow program to be
RED. The original name,
3dRedEll, is not defined and will not interfere with other programs using the same name or with AutoCAD command Aliases.
Include as many name substitutions as required in the file. When a CadToolChest AutoLisp program is loaded into AutoCAD, it checks the PGP file. If a match is found for the command that would otherwise be produced, the substitution is made.
As with all other CadToolChest AutoLisp programs, these files must reside in the AutoCAD Search Path.
- I don't like the name of a CadToolChest AutoCAD command.
No problem, change it using the same procedures as in the FAQ above.
- Why is CadToolChest free?
Because I like and use freeware myself.
- Why are some AutoLisp files in FAS format and others in LSP format?
The simpler functions are usually released in LSP format. The others are much more complex and for the time being I wish to protect the code. However, in the case of the Butt Weld Pipe Reducers, not only was the LSP file released, additional material was provided showing precisely how to create 3D Eccentric Reducers in AutoCAD using standard AutoCAD objects. This was done because many forum posts claim it cannot be done.
