How Do I Write a Script in AutoCAD?

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In this tutorial, we will learn how to write a script in AutoCAD. Writing scripts in AutoCAD can greatly improve your productivity by automating repetitive tasks. Whether you want to create custom commands or automate complex drawings, scripting in AutoCAD is a powerful tool that can save you time and effort.

Getting Started

To start writing a script in AutoCAD, you need to open the Script Editor. You can access it by typing “SCRIPT” in the command line or by navigating to “Manage” > “Action Recorder” > “Scripts”. Once the Script Editor is open, you can begin writing your script.

Creating Commands

One of the main purposes of scripting in AutoCAD is to create custom commands that perform specific actions. To create a command, you need to use the Command function followed by the desired AutoCAD command. For example:

Command("LINE")
Command("CIRCLE")
Command("ERASE")

You can also include additional options and arguments with each command. For example:

Command("LINE 0,0 10,10")
Command("CIRCLE 5")
Command("ERASE ALL")

Recording Actions

The Script Editor also allows you to record your actions as you perform them in AutoCAD. This can be useful for automating complex drawings or sequences of commands. To start recording an action, click on the “Record” button in the Script Editor toolbar.

All the commands and actions you perform will be recorded in real-time. Once you are done recording, click on the “Stop” button to finish recording. You can then save the recorded script for future use.

Running Scripts

To run a script in AutoCAD, you need to use the Script command followed by the file path of the script. For example:

Script("C:\Scripts\my_script.scr")

You can also drag and drop the script file directly into the AutoCAD window to run it.

Tips and Tricks

  • Commenting: It is good practice to add comments in your scripts to explain what each section does. You can use a semicolon (;) or double forward slashes (//) to add comments.
  • Error Handling: If you encounter errors while running a script, you can use error handling techniques such as try-catch blocks to handle them gracefully.
  • User Input: You can prompt the user for input within your scripts using the getXXX functions, where XXX represents the type of input you want (e.g., getString, getReal, getPoint).
  • Saving Scripts: It is recommended to save your scripts with a .scr extension for easy identification and execution.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have learned how to write a script in AutoCAD. We covered creating commands, recording actions, running scripts, and some tips and tricks.

Scripting in AutoCAD opens up endless possibilities for automation and customization. With practice and experimentation, you can develop powerful scripts that streamline your workflow and boost your productivity.

Now that you have a basic understanding of scripting in AutoCAD, it’s time to unleash your creativity and explore the vast capabilities of this powerful tool!