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Text into it's own layer

Text into it's own layer

Text into it's own layer

(OP)
I am producing drawings for laser cutting. The text needs to be in it's own layer, with it's own parameters. Can I set this up so that when I draw text this happens automatically.

Also, each part that I draw is made into a block. To get to the define block area. requires 3 operations. Draw, Block, Define. Is there a way to make this a one click operation.

Thanks in advance for your help.

BC

RE: Text into it's own layer

Barry... How about some useful details. What software are you using?

Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com

RE: Text into it's own layer

Keith/Dan, I'll bet you both a beer in the Pub that he's using Autocad.
Barry, you can write an AutoLisp routine to do just about anything.

STF

RE: Text into it's own layer

Yes
I use lisp routines every time I use ACAD.
I have a package of customized config files that I drop into the folders of every year's distribution.
My "interface" is a text editor (notepad!)
What "interface" did you have?

STF

RE: Text into it's own layer

(OP)
Sorry Guys,
I am using Draftsight. Long time AutoCAD user, spent Many £k on AutoCAD over the years, for my business. Now retired and designing model aircraft. I wrote to AutoCAD and asked them for a copy to use, but never even got a reply.

Thanks for your help.

BC

RE: Text into it's own layer

@SparWEB, Notepad++ has LISP contextual highlighting. I switched to using that, back in my parenthesis-wrangling days. It helps figure out where you're lost, stupid parenthesis are, or to double check your strings are all in the right place.

@OP - I do the same thing for our laser etcher, using Autocad LT or Draftsight, depending on which computer I'm at. When I'm done drawing everything, I just use the 'quick select' command (see this blog for a quickly-googled how-to: http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/acadblog/use-quick... ) to quickly "select all text" then set to the layer. Then select everything-but-text and set to that layer. Then you can turn off the text layer, select everything-but-blocks and set it to whatever layer/color you want.

RE: Text into it's own layer

(OP)
SW ??

BC

RE: Text into it's own layer

Quote (Spar)

What "interface" did you have?

I've always just used the mouse and the 'control panel' with ACAD. After starting with AutoCad 2.5 and working my way up to somewhere around ACAD12 I got fed up with their idiotic prices and constant version-churn and I switched to ACAD LT. I've finally had to abandon ACAD LT because it couldn't hack moving to my Windoz7 computer and the price went up to $1.5k from $249, and now overpriced subscription only. So I now fight with DraftSight which idiotically needs to be re-registered randomly. Well not randomly, but every time it senses I'm in a hurry.

Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com

RE: Text into it's own layer

(OP)
Well, Thanks for your help. Nice to know that I am not the only one that feels ripped off by AutoCAD over the years.

My DS, must be a friendly one, and never asks to be re-registered.

I guess it was my fault for asking 2 questions at the start, but can anyone help with this:-

Also, each part that I draw is made into a block. To get to the define block area. requires 3 operations. Draw, Block, Define. Is there a way to make this a one click operation.

As ever, your help much appreciated.

This is what it is all in aid of. Keeps me sane in retirement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKgfLccpR5A

BC

RE: Text into it's own layer

Barry, do you realize there's a DraftSight forum?
I haven't used it enough to answer your question.

forum1480: DASSAULT: DraftSight


Dang, that's a beautiful glider you have there!! Nice. Forward swept wings? I never seen that before.



Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com

RE: Text into it's own layer

(OP)
Keith,
Thanks for that. I have re-posted there.

I think the forward swept wings were to give the rear pilot a better view, and to help with balance.

I am going to build one of these next:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ET_VEnVYBY

Enjoy.

RE: Text into it's own layer

Quote (BarryCole)

Draw, Block, Define. Is there a way to make this a one click operation.

I know of no way to reduce that. I don't know of any way you could avoid having to draw a block before making it one. Since there are a few different ways to specify /what/ is being included in the new block definition, I don't think there's a way to automatically have it start the 'select objects' method, as it's a GUI-based command. There may be a -commandline version of the block command - I just never used it, or had cause to.

/edit/ Upon further investigation, there is a commandline version but it would require more work than the traditional, it seems. You would have to do something like this:

CODE -->

-block;
new; ///instead of specifying a block name as requested, type 'new'
0,0; ///specify insertion point (alternatively you can click the block base/insertion point)
[select objects] ; 
After the commandline version of the block command is finished, though, it deletes the objects you made into a block. You'd have to then insert that block. There may be a sysvar you can toggle to change this behavior - it seems like something that should be customizable. I don't know. This is already beyond inefficient.

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