Autodesk - Free AutoLISP Course

AutoLISP Course
By Jos van Doorn. AutoCAD specialist and AutoLISP programmer.

Also publisher ACAD Newsletter. About AutoCAD and AutoLISP.
FREE. To subscribe send an e-mail to:
mailto:acadnewsletter-subscribe@topica.com
© Jos van Doorn 2003 1

AutoLISP Course
Overview
Overview ....................................................2
Introduction ................................................3
Lesson 01: About AutoLISP ...................................5
Lesson 02: Entities .........................................7
Lesson 03: Setting Values ...................................9
Lesson 04: Arithmetic Functions 1 ..........................12
Lesson 07: Creating Drawings 1 .............................22
Lesson 08: Creating Drawing 2 ..............................26
Lesson 09: Getting Information 1 ...........................30
Lesson 10: Getting Information 2 ...........................33
Answers ....................................................36
What next? .................................................40
ACAD Newsletter ............................................42

AutoLISP Course
Introduction
Thanks for requesting the AutoLISP course. After reading and
studying this course you will be able to write your own Auto-
LISP routine.
AutoLISP is a very powerful feature of AutoCAD. In AutoLISP

you can write your own routines that can be used for creating
AutoCAD drawings.
That's what you will see. AutoLISP is very fast. Using an

AutoLISP routine an AutoCAD drawing is created in less than
one second.
You want to learn programming in AutoLISP. That's why you are

doing this course. I think that's a very wise decision. That
will help you a lot.
You know how it is. You're working with AutoCAD. All the time
you've got these repetitive tasks. Don't do them by hand. Use
an AutoLISP routine.
I mentioned it before. AutoLISP is very powerful. Anything

you can do in AutoCAD can be done using an AutoLISP routine.
Anything!
You can use AutoLISP routines to create parts of an AutoCAD

drawing. But you can also use it to create a complete AutoCAD
drawing.
To create an AutoCAD drawing by hand takes hours. Sometimes

it takes days. An AutoLISP routine can do the job within one
second. That's a time saver.
This course will help you to get started with programming in

AutoLISP. In every lesson is an exercise. The exercise is
about what has been explained in the lesson.
Maybe you've got a problem. If so come to me. Ask me what's

bordering you. Or what you cannot solve. And I'll give you an
answer.
You can send me an e-mail. Write "Problem" in the subject

line. Then I can see where your e-mail is about. This is my
e-mail address:
mailto: chi@barnsco.com
Steal this e-book
Easy. Give this e-book away to other people that are inter-
ested in AutoLISP programming. Or send it to them by e-mail.
Or put it on your web site.
One thing. This e-book is a no cost e-book. It cannot be

sold. It can only be given away. Because I’m giving it away.
At no cost.

AutoLISP Course
Have a good course.
Jos van Doorn. AutoCAD specialist and AutoLISP programmer.


AutoLISP Course
Lesson 01: About AutoLISP

AutoLISP is one of the dialects of the programming language
LISP. LISP has been developed by John McCarthy in the fif-
ties.
LISP was the second higher programming language after FOR-

TRAN. I was never really popular. That changed in the eight-
ies.
LISP is short for LIst PRogramming or LIst PRocessing. But

they say it is also short for "Lots of Stupid Parentheses".
AutoLISP is a programming language that is interpreted. Auto-

LISP is not compiled. The advantage is that mistakes can eas-
ily be detected.
Why wait for hours or even days? Get your AutoCAD

drawings right away! Find out how. Send an e-mail
to: mailto:acadconsult@sendfree.com
A further explanation of AutoLISP will be given later. But

let's start with an example of how AutoLISP can be used when
drawing in AutoCAD.
Suppose we want to insert a block. And the block must have a

scale of three divided by seven. You can calculate that num-
ber or use AutoLISP.
This is how you can do it:
For the x-scale (/ 3.0 7) is entered at the prompt. That

means three divided by seven. AutoLISP makes the calculation
and comes with 0.428571.
This is a feature of AutoLISP you can use right away. But

there is more to do than division. Here's an overview of
other arithmetic functions:
Action Function
Addition (+ <number> <number ..)
subtraction (- <number> <number ..)
multiplication (* <number> <number ..)
You can work with two numbers. But you can also put more num-
bers between the brackets. Then the same operation is done on
more numbers.

AutoLISP Course
Exercise
I want you to make a calculation in AutoCAD. You're a farmer
and you've got 96 cows. You are giving them away to eight
people.

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 02: Entities

In AutoLISP we work with entities. The names of these enti-
ties are:
Atom Description
Atoms Elements consisting of one or more numbers and
characters. Examples are: ABC, 123, A1, P6, etc.
In the examples the atoms have a value. If the

atom has no value then the value is nil
Lists A number of elements placed between brackets. The
elements can be atoms or other lists. Examples:
(A B C), (1 2 (34) 5).
A list can also contain no elements. Then it is

represented as () or nil
Functions Functions are the bread and butter of AutoLISP.
We'll use functions all the time. We already have
used a function. Remember the use of (/ 3.0 7) in
the previous lesson?
This is an explanation:
Atom Type
(/ 3.0 7) List
/ Function
3.0 Real Number
7 Integer
/, 3.0, and 7 Atoms
The function always comes directly behind the opening

bracket.
Later all AutoLISP functions will be explained

An atom can be:
Atom Description
Symbol A symbol is used to store values in
it. The name of the symbol can be
made up. But the longer the name the
more memory is used
String A string is a text placed between
quotation marks. Examples of texts
are:
"This is a text"
"Anyone in for AutoLISP"

AutoLISP Course
Atom Description
Real or float Reals or floats have a decimal part.
Examples are:
3.4256
1.5
Integer Integers are numbers without a deci-
mal part. Examples are:
3
56
Subrs These are built-in function. Auto-
LISP has a number of built-in func-
tions. You don't really want to know
these functions. You don't need to
know these functions
File descriptor A file descriptor is given to every
external file AutoLISP works with.
This is an example of a file de-
scriptor:
<File #E872>
AutoCAD entity name Every element that is placed in an
AutoCAD drawing gets an entity name.
That's done automatically. This is
an example of such a name:
<Entity name: 60000014 >

AutoCAD selection set A selection set is created by Auto-
CAD when the Select objects prompt
appears. This is how it may look:
<Selection set: 1 >
Exercise
What's the type?
1. 3
2. 1.23
3. (1 2 3)
4. /
5. <Selection set: 5>
6. <File #A315>

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 03: Setting Values

We're now going to talk about one function we'll use a lot in
AutoLISP and two more functions. The functions are:
SETQ
EVAL
QUOTE
Let's start with the SETQ function. We have a symbol and now
we want to store a value in that symbol. Let's say we have
the symbol NR.
The symbol is a number. And we want to store the number 56 in

that symbol. This is how we do it:
Type this at the command line of AutoCAD. Press the Enter key
when done. What do we see? The number 56 is displayed at the
command prompt.
What is displayed at the command prompt is what's given back

by the function. In this case 56 is given back by the func-
tion.
The number 56 is stored in the symbol NR. We can see that

that number is stored in the symbol. Type !nr at the command
prompt.
When that's done the value of the symbol is displayed. The

number 56 is displayed at the prompt. That's the number we
stored in the symbol.
There is something special we can do with the SETQ function.

We can shorten the use of the SETQ function significantly.
Suppose we want to assign values to three different vari-

ables. One way of doing that is if you do it like this:
Here's the shorter way:
Now the name of the SETQ function is used only once. And
there is only one opening bracket and one closing bracket.
But there is more.
A lot have spaces have been added to the second listing. And
also carriage returns have been added. Those spaces and car-
riage returns make no difference for AutoLISP.

AutoLISP Course

This is a nice option. Suppose you want to draw a circle with

a radius of 56. You stored 56 in the symbol NR. This is how
you do it:
At the second prompt you enter !nr. The value that has been
stored in the NR symbol will be used. A circle with a radius
of 56 is drawn.
Watch out with naming symbols. Don't use names of functions

for a symbol name. So you cannot say:
With the EVAL function the value of a symbol can be checked.

It works the same as placing an exclamation mark before the
symbol name.
We have stored 56 in the symbol NR. Now type (eval nr) at the
command prompt. What do we get? We'll get 56. That the value
stored in the symbol.
The QUOTE function doesn't evaluate a symbol. You can use it

with a symbol name. The symbol name is then written out in
capitals.
See for yourself. Type (quote nr) at the command prompt.

Press the Enter button. And NR is displayed at the prompt.
Not the value.
We've talked about three functions. And what have we seen?

This is very important. Each function gives something back. A
function always gives something back.
The SETQ function gives a value back. It gives back the value
that is stored. The EVAL function gives back a value. And the
Quote function a name.
Let's use this feature now in a proper and a more or less so-
phisticated AutoLISP way. We have used functions in a list.
We're going to do it more.
We've used (/ 3.0 7). But also (/ 3.0 (setq nr 7)) can be
used. If we do a couple of things happen. I'll tell. Try to
find out why.
Go ahead. Type (/ 3.0 (setq nr 7)) at the command prompt and

press the Enter key. On the next line the number 0.428571 is
written.

AutoLISP Course
That number is given back by the division function. But more

has happened. The number 7 is stored in the symbol NR. See
for yourself.
Type !nr at the command prompt. And the number 7 is dis-

played. That's the value that has been stored in the variable
NR.
The SETQ function has given back the number 7. That number is
now used to divide the number 3.0. That's why 0.428571 is
displayed.
What we've seen here is an example of nesting functions.

We'll do that a lot later as we work with AutoLISP.
But easy, my dear subscribers. We don't want to go too fast.

Let's first take a rest. Next time I'll tell about arithmetic
functions.
Exercise
In lesson 1 we did a calculation. Now let's do another calcu-
lation. I want to divide the number 9632 by the product of 63
times 13.
But let's do it in a proper way. I want to make the calcula-

tion in one line. And I want to store values in the CC and
the PR variable.

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 04: Arithmetic Functions 1

Now it's time to go to AutoLISP functions. Here' we'll talk
about arithmetic functions first. AutoLISP has got a lot of
them.
Here's a list of ten of these functions:
Let me first make some remarks about the notification. Each

function starts with an opening bracket. Then comes the func-
tion.
Next to the function you find written <number>. That means a

number is expected. You cannot enter a text or a string
there.
The three dots indicate that more numbers can be entered be-
tween the brackets of the function. For the first function
you could write:
(+ 1 2 3 4 5)
At the end is always a closing bracket. In AutoLISP the num-

ber of opening and closing brackets is always equal. Also
here.

And now what the functions do. That's not too complicated.
The first four functions add, subtract, multiply, or divide
numbers.
Just to make it a little bit clearer. Suppose you have (* 2 3

4). What does this function give back? It gives back 24.
That's 2 times 3 times 4.
Or suppose we have (/ 30 5 2). What does the function give

back? The function gives back 3. Because that's 30 divided by
5 divided by 2.
The function 1+ and 1- add or subtract one from the number.

So (1+ 5) would give back 6. And (1- 10) would give back 9.
We don't have (2+ <number>).

AutoLISP Course
The ABS function gives the absolute value of a number. So

(abs -100) gives back 100. Do you see? You can only place one
number between the brackets.
What the MAX and the MIN function does is clear. They give
the maximum number or the minimal number of a list of num-
bers.
The GCD is a very nice function. It gives the biggest common

divider of two numbers. The numbers must be integers and
positive.
Here are some examples:
Function Given back

(gcd 81 57) 3
(gcd 12 20) 4
We've got nine more arithmetic functions. In the next lesson

we'll talk about them. But let's first do some AutoLISP pro-
gramming.
You can do it directly at the prompt. Enter (gcd 12 20) at

the prompt. And see what happens. The number 4 is displayed.
That's given back by the function.
But you can also put the function in an ASCII file. Load the
file in AutoCAD and run it. Let's go a little bit further
than what has been explained.
Type the following in an ASCII file. Open Notepad and type it

in it. Than save the file under the name ARITH.LSP. Use that
name with the extension.
Next load the file in AutoCAD. You know how to do it. Click
on Tools on the menu bar and on Load Application on the pull-
down menu.
The Load AutoLISP, ADS, and ARX file dialog box opens. Click
on the File button and locate the AutoLISP file in the Select
AutoLISP, ADS, or ARX file dialog box.
When that's done click on the Open button. The dialog box
closes. Next click on the Load button of the first dialog
box. And the AutoLISP file is loaded.
Type ARITH at the command prompt. And the AutoLISP file runs.
A lot of text is displayed at the command prompt. See for
yourself.
But first let's type our AutoLISP file. This is how it looks:

AutoLISP Course

AutoLISP Course
When finished typing the AutoLISP program you must save it on

your hard disk. Save the AutoLISP program under the name
ARITH.LSP.
Forget about the PRINC function, about "\n", and about "\t".
We'll talks about them later. Just concentrate on the numbers
N1, N2, and N3.
The number N1 is 12.0. That number is a real number. It has a

decimal part. The other numbers are both integers. It have no
decimal part.
Look at what type of number is given back by the functions.

If one number of the function is a real number than a real
number is given back.
The MAX function even converts the number 20 into a real num-
ber. It gives back 20.0 as the maximum number of the two.
One more thing we've done now. And that's good. That saves me
a lot of work. I've shown how to write an AutoLISP program in
an ASCII file.
And did you write the program in a Notepad file? Very good.
Congratulations. You can now call yourself an AutoLISP pro-
grammer.
Nice to have you around, fellow AutoLISP programmers. OK. I

need to tell a few things more. But you're on your way to be-
come a number one AutoLISP programmer.
Exercise
Do the following calculations:
1. 12 + 345 + 24.4
2. 96 - 23.7 - 34.4
3. Absolute value of - 123
4. Maximum value of the numbers 12 45 23 78 34
5. Biggest common divider of 2345 and 555

AutoLISP Course

We've got nine more arithmetic functions in AutoLISP. I told
you, remember? Well. Here they are. Here's a list of the re-
maining functions:
The REM function gives the remainder of a division. So (rem

42 16) would give back 10. Because that's left after dividing
42 by 16.
The EXP function is created for the people with an academic

background around us. It gives back the number e to the power
of the number.
So (exp 1.0) gives back 2.71828. What's given back is always

a real number. And do we want to know how the number e is
calculated?
The EXPT function gives back the base number to the power of
the exponent number. So (expt 2 4) would give back 16.
The SQRT function gives back the root of the number. Couldn't
we have guessed it? So (sqrt 4) gives back the number 2.
The LOG function gives back the natural logarithm of a num-

ber. Here's an example. The function (log 4.5) gives back
1.50408.

PI is not really a function. It's a number we use for calcu-

lating angles and so. PI stands for 3.1415926. You know what
it means.
The meaning of the COS and the SIN function is clear. And now
we want the tangent of an angle. That's the sinus dived by
the cosines. Right?
For using the COS and the SIN functions the angle must be ex-
pressed in radians. And let's forget about the ATAN function.
I never use it.
I told you. The angle must be given in radians. How many ra-
dians does a circle have? Wait. You know. You went to univer-
sity.

AutoLISP Course
I also went to university. I met the man at the door. He was

very nice. And a full circle ahs got 2 pi radians.
I must make one more remark about the notification. I already

explained for what the dots stand. But we also have square
brackets.
What's placed between square brackets is optional. You can

place it in the function or leave it out. But when left out
the function works differently.
OK. Time for a little exercise. Remember the last time I cre-
ated a little program to demonstrate the working of the func-
tions.
Go ahead. You now know how to write a program. So write a

program yourself. Write a program to demonstrate the men-
tioned functions.
One more tip. In the last lesson I was talking about using
Notepad of Windows. Forget about Notepad. I've got a better
idea.
Go to HTTP://WWW.TEXTPAD.COM. There you can download a text

editor that's much better than Notepad. One thing. They want
you to buy it.
Still download the program. The download is a fully func-

tional evaluation version. It only has one disadvantage.
Every now and then when you save a file a dialog box shows
up. The dialog box asks you whether you want to buy the pro-
gram.
When the dialog box shows up you have two choices: Purchse
Now and Continue Evaluation. Up to you. But I always click on
Continue Evaluation.
Exercise
1. What's the remainder of 45 divide by 8 and divided by 3?
2. What's the square root of 1526?
3. How many radians is an angle of 45 degrees?
4. What's the cosines of an angle of 135 degrees?

AutoLISP Course

Here are five more functions. At least four of them are very
important. We'll use them all of the time while programming
in AutoLISP.
Here are the functions:
The first four functions are very important. Those are the
functions we use all the time. Those functions help us to
write some good AutoLISP programs.
The first function calculates the angle between the two

points. It's the angle between the two points and the active
UCS.
If the points are 3D points then the angle is projected in

the XY-plane. So no 3D angle will be given. Only a projected
angle will be given.
The function gives back the angle in radians. So it doesn't

give back the angle in degrees. AutoLISP always works with
radians.
The second function can be used for measuring a distance be-

tween two points. What's given back depends on the value of
the FLATLAND system variable.
If the FLATLAND system variable is unequal to zero than 2D

points are expected. And a 2D distance is given back. Other-
wise a 3D distance is given back.

The INTERS function calculates at what point the lines be-

tween four points cross. The ON argument is optional. You can
use it or not.
If the FLATLAND system variable is unequal to zero than 2D

points are expected. A 2D point is then calculated. Otherwise
a 3D point.
If the ON argument is present and equal to nil then the lines

going through the points are considered to be without an end.
So there is always a crossing then.
If the argument is not present or the argument is unequal to

nil then the crossing must be on the lines between the
points.

AutoLISP Course
The POLAR function gives back a point under the specified an-
gle from the given point and on the specified distance. The
angle is given in radians.
What has been said about the FLATLAND system variable is also
valid for this function. So a 2D point or a 3D point is given
back.
The OSNAP function calculates a point on a line in accordance

with the MODE argument. The original point is lying on a
line.
For the mode the following can be used:
Let's write an AutoLISP program. This program demonstrates

the functions that are mentioned here. The program has some
new things.
Don't worry too much about the new things. Later I'll explain
how these new tings work. For now let's just make a good use
of them.
Here's the program:

AutoLISP Course
Type the program in TextPad or Notepad. And then save it un-

der the name GEOMT.LSP. It's important to add the LSP exten-
sion to the name.
Load the program in AutoCAD and run it. You run the program
by typing GEOMT at the command prompt. Then is asked for
points.
What does the program do? First it asks for two points. A
line is drawn between the two points. And the angle and the
distance is displayed.
Next two more points are entered. You're free to enter the
points where you want. The additional points can have a
crossing with the first line or not.
If they have a crossing with the first line then a donut is

drawn on that line. Otherwise a donut is drawn outside the
lines.
As you can see I've used the PRINC function again. That's
what I also did in the first program. Don't worry. Next we
talk about that function.
In the next lesson we're going to be more serious. Then we're

going to draw something with the help of AutoLISP. Where are
my seatbelts?
Exercise
I've got the following four points:
Point Value
P1 100,100
P2 200,200
P3 150,10
P4 150,20
I want to know:
1. What's the angle between P1 and P2?

2. What's the angle between P1 and P3?

AutoLISP Course
3. What the intersection between the four points?

if the lines are extended
if the lines are not extended
Let me give you a tip. We can find the answers by doing some-
thing at the command prompt of AutoCAD. But let's write an
AutoLISP program.
In teh AutoLISP program are four variables for the points.

The variables are P1, P2, P3, and P4. You can assign points
to the variables.
This is how the point 100,100 is assigned to the point P1. In

the AutoLISP routine you use the following line for doing
that.
The LIST function is used. Two numbers are placed between the
brackets of the LIST function. The numbers are not connected.
No comma.

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 07: Creating Drawings 1

We've done a lot of functions up till now. One aspect of
AutoLISP is making drawings. So it's time to get started with
making drawings.
Wait, wait, my fellow AutoLISP programmers. There are a few

things I must explain first. Otherwise you're completely
lost. And I don't want that.
I knew what you're going to say. Otherwise you're going to

complain. You're going to say that I'm trying to confuse you.
Not true.
I must first tell you something about:
Loading an AutoLISP program in AutoCAD

Defining a function in AutoLISP
Defining a new command in AutoLISP
Using standard AutoCAD commands in AutoLISP
I'll give an explanation about the above. When that's done

I'll come with an AutoLISP program. I'll do that in the next
lesson.
We can load an AutoLISP program over AutoCAD. We click on

Tool on the Menu Br and on Load Application on the pull-down
menu.

But there's another way. That's a more direct way. We use an

AutoLISP function for doing that. That function is more com-
fortable.
This is the syntax of the function:
A file name is entered. That can be the sole file name if the
file is in the search path of AutoCAD. Otherwise a path must
be specified.
But watch out. Use sledges for specifying a path and not back
sledges. This is how a path could be specified in the LOAD
function:
We don't have to mention the extension LSP. The file is sup-

posed to be a valid AutoLISP file. But when the file is saved
the LSP extension must be given.

AutoLISP Course
The LOAD function has the optional NOT PRESENT argument.

That's a text. The text is displayed when the file is not
present.
You don't have this optional argument when loading an Auto-

LISP file from within AutoCAD over Tools etc. You must select
a file.
A function in AutoLISP is defined using the DEFUN function.

We already have seen how that function is used. This is the
syntax of that function:
SYMBOL is the name of the function. That name is used to make

a call to the function. The name can never be the name as an
AutoCAD command.
There are two types of arguments. The first type of arguments

are arguments that are used by the function. The second type
are used in the function.
Those two arguments are divided by a sledge. In front of the

sledge and after the sledge is a space. The second type of
arguments are special.
The second type of arguments only have a value in the func-

tion. Outside the function they have no value. These argu-
ments are called local arguments.
Here's an overview:
Function Description
(defun test (a b) ...) the function works with
two arguments
(defun test (/ a b ...) the function has two
local arguments
(defun test (a / b) ...) the function works with
one argument and has one
local argument
(defun test () ...) the function works
without arguments and has
no local arguments
We must always try to specify arguments in a function as lo-

cal. That way they have no value outside the function. That
saves memory.
The DEFUN function always works with an argument list. But

the function can work without arguments and have no local ar-
guments.
In that case the argument list is empty. For the argument

list two brackets are placed in the DEFUN function.
This is how a function is defined using the DEFUN function.

But the DEFUN function can also be used to define a new com-
mand.

AutoLISP Course
That works the same as defining a function. The difference is

that the symbol name is preceded by C: like in (defun c:nwcmd
() ...)
Normally a new command doesn't work with arguments. But a new

command can have local arguments. They are specified as be-
fore.
Here is a simple function. See whether you can recognize what

have been said.
The function works with the argument NR. That argument is a

number. And the function gives back the number plus 10.
This is the function used to use AutoCAD commands in an Auto-

LISP program. The function has an argument. What comes next
depends on the command.
Here's how the command function could be used:
ET is an entity. The entity is placed in the command function

as an argument. The ERASE command is terminated by using "".
In this way we can use all the AutoCAD commands. What? You
don't know the names of all commands. But you know how to
start all the AutoCAD commands.
If you don't know all the AutoCAD commands then just start
them. After starting them look at the command prompt. There
the name of the command is displayed.
Each command works with arguments. How can you find all the
arguments. Again start the command and look at the command
prompt.
Here's how the TEXT command is used in AutoLISP:
Do you recognize all these arguments? If not start the TEXT

command in AutoCAD. See what arguments are needed for the
TEXT command.
Some commands start with a dialog box. But that's not what we
want. We want to see all the prompts of the commands.

AutoLISP Course
An example is the BHATCH command. Type that command at the

command prompt. And see that the Boundary Hatch dialog box is
displayed.
Instead of BHATCH type -BHATCH at the command prompt. Now no

dialog box is. Prompts are displayed. You can find all the
arguments.
There are also a lot functions for requesting information. We

need these functions very often in an AutoLISP program.
Later we'll talk about these functions. But first I want to

do something with a simple program. I want to give an expla-
nation about this program.
With the simple program we'll be drawing something with Auto-

LISP. And isn't that what we want to do with AutoLISP? We
want to use it for making drawings.
Exercise
Create an AutoLISP routine that draws a rectangle. The width
of the rectangle is 2. In the middle of the rectangle is a
circle.
In the center of the circle a text is written. The text is

"TEST". The height of the text is half the radius of the cir-
cle.
The corner points of the rectangle are 100,100 and 400,400.

The radius of the circle is 100. For the text any text style
can be used.

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 08: Creating Drawing 2

One aspect of AutoLISP is making drawings in AutoCAD with it.
You know why we want to do that. AutoLISP is real fast. We
will be saving a lot of time.
That's what I'm doing. And you can do it too when you know
AutoLISP. My AutoLISP programs make AutoCAD drawings within
one minute.
The drawings my programs make can also be made by hand in

AutoCAD. If that's done then hours or days are used. So an
AutoLISP routine is a big time saver.
So when a drawing is made by AutoLISP we save a lot of time.

And we save a lot of money. How much is one hour working with
AutoCAD?
That's what I promised. I promised to come with an AutoLISP

program that makes a drawing. And that's what I always say:
keep your promises.

No more talking. Let's go to the business for which we are

here. Let's get on with the AutoLISP program. Well. Here it
is:

AutoLISP Course
Type this program in Notepad or TextPad. And save it under

the name SDOOR.LSP. Next load it in AutoCAD and type SDOOR at
the prompt.
The program starts. It asks for the position of the door.

Pick a point in the screen. And then three sizes are asked
for.
You can enter the sizes in two ways. You can pick points or
you can enter a number. Up to you. But entering numbers is
the easiest way.
After picking a point and entering three numbers the door is

drawn. Also the posts are drawn. And an arc is drawn.
In the program are a couple of new things. Yes. I know. You

were thinking things are easy. Good. But I'll keep you busy.
First we see the SETVAR function and the GETVAR function. And
then there are functions which names start with GET. And we
see the PRINC function.
The functions which names starting with GET are functions to

get information from the user. I don't want to talk about
them now. That's later.
Let's go to the SETVAR function and the GETVAR function. You

know about system variables. AutoCAD has got a lot of them.
The SETVAR function is used to set a system variable. And the

GETVAR function is used to get the value of a system vari-
able.
I start the program with:
Do you know the CMDECHO system variable? When that system

variable is set to zero then no prompts of commands are dis-
played.
To see the effect of that setting place a semi colon in front

of that line. Load the program again in AutoCAD and run it.

AutoLISP Course
If a semi colon is placed in front of a line in an AutoLISP

program then that line is ignored by AutoLISP.
Now you see a lot of lines displayed. The lines come from the
LINE command and the CIRCLE command. We don't want those
prompts.
What the heck is the functions of these prompts? And then

these prompts will slow down your AutoLISP program very much.
I wanted to switch on ORTHO. Because if users want to end

distances by picking points the points must be under fixed
angles.
First I see what the value of the system variable concerned

is. I store that value in the OM variable. And then I set OR-
THOMODE.
At the end of the program I set ORTHOMODE back to its origi-

nal value. I use the SETVAR function for doing that. OM is in
that function.
Why did I look up the value of the ORTHOMODE system variable?

Well. Maybe ORTHO was switched on. If so I want to switch it
back at the end.
I didn't look up the value of the CMDECHO system variable. No

point. That variable always has got a value of 1.
If the system variable would have a value of zero then you

cannot work with AutoCAD. You don't know what to do when a
command is invoked.
I already explained how the COMMAND function works. So the

use of the COMMAND function is very clear for you. But
there's something to say.
This is about programming in AutoLISP. You must always do it

in a smart way. Don't use too many variables. Keep it simple.
That's what I did as I used the line command. I introduced

the PT variable and I used the variable all the time.
I also could have calculated nine points and draw lines and a
circle between these points. But that would be a waste. No
smart programming.
For setting the value of the PT variable I used the SETQ

function. That function gives a value back. That value is
used by the LINE command all the time.
One more thing I did. You don't have to do that. But I placed
all variables that are used by the commands on a different
line.
You can place the variables on a single line. You can place
them on the same line as the command. But then you'll get a
mesh.

AutoLISP Course
I like to place the variables on separate lines. That's also

useful if you want to print the program out. No wrapped
lines.
A few more words about PI. We know where PI stands for. I ex-
plained that one in one of the previous lessons. Here it's
used for angles.
AutoLISP only works with angles in radians. Maybe you cannot

imagine yet. But we can make a good use of PI for specifying
angles.
A circle consists of 2PI radians. We all know that. So 2PI

radians stands for 360 degrees. Right? Can you follow me? Do
you agree?
And now we want to have an angle of 90 degrees. How do we do

that? Let's do some calculations. We must do some arithmetic.
So get ready.
2PI stands for 360 degrees. So PI stands for 180 degrees.

Wait a minute now. If PI stands for 180 degrees then PI times
0.5 stands for 90 degrees.
I don't have to tell you. But it must be clear by now how to

calculate an angle of 30 degrees or an angle of 45 degrees.
Just calculate some more.
I showed you an AutoLISP program to make a drawing in Auto-

CAD. Use that program. Have a good look at it. And make your
own program.
I don't think it's too difficult to make your own program

now. Just follow my program. Use parts of it if you want. It
can be done.
Next time I'll talk about the functions for getting informa-
tion. I'll do it in two lessons. We have too many for doing
it in one lesson.
Exercise
No exercise in this lesson. You've had enough information.
You are exhausted now. So an exercise is not such a good
idea.
But this is what you do. Copy the AutoLISP routine from this
lesson in a file. Save the file and start working with the
AutoLISP routine.

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 09: Getting Information 1

Now let's talk about functions for getting information from
the user. AutoLISP has got a lot of them. We'll talk about
them in two lessons.
First let's talk about six of them. These six are pretty
straight forward. There are two more functions. They are a
little bit complicated.
Here are the six straightforward functions:
This is what we can see right away. The names of all these
functions start with GET. Of course. The functions are for
getting information.
And then you can add a prompt to each function. You can also
leave the prompt out. Adding a prompt is optional. You're
free to add a prompt.
I think it's always a good idea to add a prompt. Otherwise

users don't know what information is expected to be given.
They are left guessing.

The GETPOINT function is used for entering a point. We've

seen that function in the GEOMT.LSP routine and the SDOOR.LSP
routine.
If a prompt is added to the function the prompt is displayed

at the command prompt of AutoCAD. You could program like
(getpoint "\nEnter point: ").
If a point is added to the function then a rubber band is

drawn from that point. We already have seen how that's done.
The GETCORNER function is very much the same as the GETPOINT

function. The difference is that the function needs a base
point.
The function can be used for entering points of a rectangle.

The base point is one corner of the rectangle. And then there
is the point for the opposite corner.

AutoLISP Course
A rubber band is drawn between the two points. The rubber

band has the forma of a rectangle. But the rectangle is not
drawn as a point is entered.
We have seen the GETDIST function. A point can be added to

the function. Then the distance is calculated from the point
if a point is picked.
Otherwise you must pick two points to give a distance. But

there is another way. You can also enter a number for the
distance at the prompt.
The GETINT and GETREAL functions are used for entering an in-
teger or a real number. The integer can have a value between
-32768 and 32767.
With the GETANGLE function an angle can be entered. Two

points can be picked or a number can be entered at the
prompt.
The function gives back the angle in radians. So if you enter

30 at the prompt the function gives back the real number
0.523599.
You can also add a point to the function. If that's done you
don't have to point a second point. The point is to be con-
sidered as the first point.
The GETSTRING function is used for entering a string. Who

could have thought about that one? But there's something spe-
cial about the function.
That's AutoCAD. A space is the same as a carriage return. The

same for AutoLISP function. A space would terminate the GET-
STRING function.
But there is the CR argument. If that argument is present and

unequal to nil then a space doesn't terminate the function.
So. Suppose you use the GETSTRING function as:
Then you couldn't enter "Jos van Doorn". How did I come up
with that name?
If I would like to enter that name I had to use the GETSTRING

function as:
Now I can enter a full name with spaces. I must press the EN-
TER key to terminate the function.
Let me tell you something about T. T is short for TRUE. And

TRUE is the opposite of nil. A variable can be nil and it can
be T.

AutoLISP Course
If the variable is nil then it has no value at all. If it's T

then it has a value. You can use T if the value doesn't mat-
ter.
We wanted to give the CR argument a value in the GETSTRING

function. So we use T. We could also write "value". That's
the same.
We have two more functions for getting information. One of

them I've never used. But the other one I use all the time.
That's an important one.
See you next time.
Exercise
The user is asked for a text. He can only enter a word. After
entering the word he is asked for an insertion point and an
angle.
The text is written to the screen. The size of the text does-
n't matter. Because there is zoomed in and out of the text.
That's why the size doesn't matter.

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 10: Getting Information 2

Here are two more functions for getting information from the
user of your AutoLISP program. I never use the first func-
tion. But the second one ...
The GETORIENT function is used when the user has changed the
direction of the zero angle. By default that angle points to
the east.
This function is very much the same as the GETANGLE function.

Except GETANGLE measures starting from the zero angle.
GETANGLE measures relative angles. GETORIENT measures abso-

lute angles. For GETORIENT the zero angle always points to
the east.
Why did I never use the GETORIENT function? I don't really

mind how the angle is measured. And I can always use an angle
given back by the GETANGLE function.
Let's go to the GETKWORD function. That's a very nice func-

tion. Look at the name. That's short for GET KEY WORD. Isn't
that beautiful?
The GETKWORD function always works together with the INITGET

function. In the INITGET function the keywords are specified.
You can specify what input is valid for the GETKWORD func-
tion. If the input is not valid then the GETKWORD repeats it-
self.

Here's an example of how the GETKWORD function together with

the INIGET function can be used:
"Continue? (Yes/No) " is displayed at the prompt. The user

can only give an input of "Yes", "Y", "y", "No', "N", or "n".
He must give one of these answers.
The user cannot give an empty input by pressing the ENTER

key. That's not allowed. In the INITGET function is specified
what input is valid.
After giving a valid input the value of the AW variable is

"Yes" or "No". Even if the user gave the input was "Y", "y",
"N", or "n".

AutoLISP Course
Isn't that a nice feature? Yes. It is. That's why I use this
function all the time. I very often use the INITGET function
together with the GERTKWORD function.
Let's go to the INITGET function. Let's explain how that

function works. The explanation is a lot. But still you can
understand it.
This is the syntax of the INITGET function:
You can add bits to the INITGET function. You can also omit
adding bits to the INITGET function. But the integers are
added together.
Here's an overview of the bits that can be used:
Bit Meaning
1 Empty input not allowed
2 Zero value not allowed
4 Negative input not allowed
8 No check of limits, even with LIMCHECK = 1
16 3D points instead of 2D points
32 Dashes are used to draw a "rubber band"
Here's an example of how the bits can be used:
The user must enter a value. He cannot press the ENTER key.
Zero can not be entered. And a negative input is not allowed
either.
Instead of (initget (+ 1 2 4)) we also could have written

(initget 7). The three bits are added together. And the sum
of the bits is used.
The TEXT specifies the valid entries of the GETKWORD func-

tion. We already have seen that one. "Yes No' has been used.
The use of capitals is important. The capitals are the let-

ters that can be entered instead of the complete words.
One more thing. Suppose we can make a choice between LEFT and
LTYPE. If we type L then is not clear what choice we want to
make.
In the text for the INIGET function you write "LEft LType".
Now LE and LT re valid entries. L is not a valid entry.
The INITGET function is used for the GETKWORD function. You

have to use the INITGET function there. You cannot leave that
function out.
But the INITGET function can also be used for other functions
to get information from the user. Here's an overview:

AutoLISP Course
Function no no no no 3D Use
null zero nega- limits points dashes
tive
GETINT X X X
GETREAL X X X
GETDIST X X X X X
GETANGLE X X X
GETORIENT X X X
GETPOINT X X X X
GETCORNER X X X X
It's clear what this means. For the GETINT function you can
only use the 1, 2, and 4 bits. The other bits have no mean-
ing.
Now you've got all the functions for getting user input. Now
you're ready for programming in AutoLISP. You know how to use
the AutoCAD commands.
Exercise
No exercise this time. I mean. What exercise could I possibly
add to the lesson? We only talked about two functions. If we
were talking about more functions ...

AutoLISP Course
Answers
Lesson 1
Type (/ 96 8) at the command prompt and press the Enter key.
That will give you the correct answer. The correct answer is
12.
Lesson 2
Nr. Entry Type

1. 3 Integer
2. 1.23 Real or Float
3. (1 2 3) List
4. / Function
5. <Selection set: 5> Selection Set
6. <File #A315> File Descriptor
Lesson 3
This is to be typed at the command prompt:
(setq cc (/ 9632.0 (setq pr (* 63 13))))
I didn't write 9632. I wrote 9632.0. Now the number is a

float. And a float is given back after the calculation.
To find the values of the calculation and the product type

!CC and !PR at the command prompt. This is given back:
Variable Value
!CC 11.7607
!PR 819
Lesson 4
Nr. Function Value

1. (+ 12 345 24.4) 381.4
2. (- 96 23.7 34.4) 37.9
3. (abs -123) 123
4. (max 12 45 23 78 34) 78
5. (gcd 2345 555) 5
Lesson 5
Nr. Function Value

1. (rem 45 8 3) 2
2. (sqrt 1526) 39.064
3. 360 degrees is 2 pi radians. So 45 degrees is 2 pi divided
by 8. The answer is 0.25 radians
4. (cos (* 0.25 0.731689
3))

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 6
Here's the AutoLISP routine. First the point values are as-
signed to the variables P1, P2, P3, and P4. And then there is
a calculation.
What has been calculated is written to the text screen of

AutoCAD. To see it completely press the F2 key on the key-
board.
This is given back by the AutoLISP routine:
Nr. To measure Value

1. Angle P1 and P2 0.785398
2. Angle P1 and P3 5.21949
3. Intersection point:
(extension) 150.0 150.0)
(no extension) nil

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 7
This AutoLISP routine will draw the rectangle with a width of

2. It will also draw a circle in it and text in the circle.
At the start everything in the screen is deleted. That's done

by the ERASE command. At the end there is zoomed in and out
of the drawing.

AutoLISP Course
Lesson 9
Here's the AutoLISP routine with all the magic. First there
is asked for a word. And then there is asked for an insertion
point and an angle.
For getting the angle the GETANGLE function is used. The user
can pick a point or he can enter an angle in degrees.
The GETANGLE function gives back the angle in radians. But

that's a problem. Because the text command works with angles
in degrees.
So in the text command we must make a calculation. We must

find out what is the angle in degrees. We must transform the
AN variable.
At the end we zoom in and put of the word that has been writ-
ten to the screen.

AutoLISP Course
What next?
You can consider this course as an introduction to AutoLISP.
After doing this course you will be able to write your own
AutoLISP routine.
But there is more to AutoLISP then what has been explained in

the ten lesson of this course. Much more. This is what more
there is in AutoLISP:
Predicates
Test Functions
Repetition Functions
System Variables
Text Screen Functions
Graphical Screen Functions
Text Functions
Conversion Functions 1
List Functions 1
External Files
AutoCAD Database
Entity Name Functions
Selection Set Functions
Entity Data Functions
Tables In AutoCAD Database
System Management
This course only gives the first ten lessons of the AutoLISP
course I wrote. The complete AutoLISP course consists of 30
lessons.
If you want it. You can get the complete course. The complete
course is only $ 10. And it is very much the same as this
course.
In almost every lesson is an exercise that goes into what has

been explained in the lesson. You will also get the answers
to all exercises.
And that is a bonus that comes with the complete AutoLISP

course. You'll get full support. You can always come to me
with your questions.
I will help you to get started with programming in AutoLISP.

No matter what. If you’ve got a question you can always come
to me with your question
If you want the complete AutoLISP course then let me know.

Send me an e-mail with "Complete Course” in the subject line.
This is my e-mail address:
mailto: chi@barnsco.com

AutoLISP Course
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Jos van Doorn. AutoCAD specialist and AutoLISP programmer.


AutoLISP Course
ACAD Newsletter
The ACAD Newsletter is about AutoCAD and AutoLISP. In the
ACAD Newsletter you find AutoCAD articles. In the articles
aspects of AutoCAD are explained.
In the ACACAD Newsletter articles about paper space have been

published. In it were also articles about creating linetypes
and hatch patterns.
For AutoLISP you'll find many AutoLISP routines. The listings

of the AutoLISP routines are given. Complete with a thorough
explanation.
That was published in the earlier editions of the ACAD News-

letter. In those editions was the BLANK AutoLISP routine. It
was for drawing a blank.
A blank is a rectangle containing a code. In piping drawings

you always find a lot of blanks. The blanks routine was a
very useful routine.
The code was entered. Next the user could pick the position
of the blank. The blank was hanging on the cursor. The user
could move the blank and then pick a point.
The ACAD Newsletter was also publishing a profile applica-

tion. The application worked with dialog boxes. The user
could do a lot with it.
The user could select the type of profile to be drawn. And

then he could enter the size of the profile and the view of
the profile. Next the profile was drawn.
There is a lot more that can be found in the ACAD Newsletter.

In it you'll find AutoLISP tips, feedback, and other tips
that make working with AutoCAD easier.
The ACAD Newsletter is send out once a week. It has been up

for more than two years. And you don't have to pay to get it.
It's distributed at no cost.
Don't wait any longer. Get all the good information about
AutoCAD and AutoLISP. Take action right away. Send a blank e-
mail to:

This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.daneprairie.com.
The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only.

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AutoLISP Course

By Jos van Doorn. AutoCAD specialist and AutoLISP programmer.

© Jos van Doorn 2003 1

© Jos van Doorn 2003 2

AutoLISP is a very powerful feature of AutoCAD. In AutoLISP

That's what you will see. AutoLISP is very fast. Using an

You want to learn programming in AutoLISP. That's why you are

I mentioned it before. AutoLISP is very powerful. Anything

You can use AutoLISP routines to create parts of an AutoCAD

To create an AutoCAD drawing by hand takes hours. Sometimes

This course will help you to get started with programming in

Maybe you've got a problem. If so come to me. Ask me what's

You can send me an e-mail. Write "Problem" in the subject

Steal this e-book

One thing. This e-book is a no cost e-book. It cannot be

© Jos van Doorn 2003 3

Have a good course.

Jos van Doorn. AutoCAD specialist and AutoLISP programmer.

© Jos van Doorn 2003 4

Lesson 01: About AutoLISP

LISP was the second higher programming language after FOR-

LISP is short for LIst PRogramming or LIst PRocessing. But

AutoLISP is a programming language that is interpreted. Auto-

Why wait for hours or even days? Get your AutoCAD

A further explanation of AutoLISP will be given later. But

Suppose we want to insert a block. And the block must have a

This is how you can do it:

For the x-scale (/ 3.0 7) is entered at the prompt. That

This is a feature of AutoLISP you can use right away. But

© Jos van Doorn 2003 5

© Jos van Doorn 2003 6

Lesson 02: Entities

In the examples the atoms have a value. If the

A list can also contain no elements. Then it is

The function always comes directly behind the opening

Later all AutoLISP functions will be explained

Why wait for hours or even days? Get your AutoCAD

An atom can be:

© Jos van Doorn 2003 7

<Entity name: 60000014 >

<Selection set: 1 >

© Jos van Doorn 2003 8

Lesson 03: Setting Values

The symbol is a number. And we want to store the number 56 in

What is displayed at the command prompt is what's given back

The number 56 is stored in the symbol NR. We can see that

When that's done the value of the symbol is displayed. The

There is something special we can do with the SETQ function.

Suppose we want to assign values to three different vari-

Here's the shorter way:

© Jos van Doorn 2003 9

Why wait for hours or even days? Get your AutoCAD

This is a nice option. Suppose you want to draw a circle with

Watch out with naming symbols. Don't use names of functions

With the EVAL function the value of a symbol can be checked.

The QUOTE function doesn't evaluate a symbol. You can use it

See for yourself. Type (quote nr) at the command prompt.

We've talked about three functions. And what have we seen?

Go ahead. Type (/ 3.0 (setq nr 7)) at the command prompt and

© Jos van Doorn 2003 10

That number is given back by the division function. But more

Type !nr at the command prompt. And the number 7 is dis-

What we've seen here is an example of nesting functions.