Script Command in AutoCAD

What exactly is AutoCAD scripting?

Scripting is another means of automating processes in AutoCAD that does not need the use of programming languages such as VBA or Auto LISP. Script files allow us to build and control AutoCAD objects, as well as open and plot numerous drawings.

What exactly is an AutoCAD Script File?

Simply said, an AutoCAD script file is a collection of common AutoCAD commands. Therefore, creating script files is simple if you know how to enter instructions at the AutoCAD command line.

Why use Script files?

Script files are compact, portable, and simple to use. Most significantly, scripts reduce the amount of time needed for manual work, which saves a significant amount of time.

How can I make a script file for AutoCAD?

An AutoCAD script file may be created using any text editor. Notepad is the most popular text editor for this use. The.scr extension is used for AutoCAD script files.

Examples

script file that generates 'n' AutoCAD lines

I'll start by utilizing AutoCAD's command prompt to create two lines in AutoCAD.

The first line begins at and finishes at (500,500). (600,550). The second line begins at and finishes at (700,450). (575, 630).

A script file is a collection of AutoCAD commands, as I said in the beginning. To create the same objects using a Script file, we just need to "put in the aforementioned command sequence into a Text file," "save it as a Script file," and "load it into AutoCAD."

In order to paste the command sequence into a text file, let's copy it from the command prompt.

Now we need to delete everything but the command-prompt inputs that were utilized to produce the lines. The areas that need to be removed are marked in pink.

After cleaning, the following is what was left, and these two statements are sufficient to generate two AutoCAD lines.

Note that each point's Y coordinate is followed by a space character.

In an AutoCAD script, leaving a blank space is equivalent to pushing the Enter or Space bars.

Save the following text as Test. scr. The script file is given the name "Test," and the AutoCAD script file extension is ".scr."

This script file may be loaded into another AutoCAD design by:

Open the drawing and press the Enter key after typing SCRIPT in the command box.

The "Select Script File" box will open. Click Open after choosing the Test.scr file.

Great! We simply used an AutoCAD Script file to produce two AutoCAD lines.

Scripting-related commands that are helpful

The length of a pause during the script's execution may be set using the DELAY command.

The script's line Wait 1000 adds a one-second delay before the following command is executed. Our maximum allowable delay is 32767.

RSCRIPT

When a script has to run repeatedly, you can use the RSCRIPT command.

Observations when writing AutoCAD programmes

Dialog windows

When an AutoCAD command is followed by a dialogue box, the script will halt in between. Use a hyphen (-) before that specific command to prevent that.

In AutoCAD, for instance, the LAYER command opens the LAYER PROPERTIES MANAGER dialogue box.

However, if we use the expression "-LAYER," the LAYER PROPERTIES MANAGER dialogue box will be disabled and the command prompt will provide all available parameters for the LAYER command.

To give one example, the AutoCAD LAYER command opens the LAYER PROPERTIES MANAGER dialogue box.

AutoCAD script comments

'Comment' text, which is descriptive language, may be found in AutoCAD scripts. Any sort of script-related information can be included in comments.

In AutoCAD Scripting, lines that start with a semicolon (;) are viewed as comments and are not processed.

The AutoCAD script that will produce 4 circles and 3 lines is as follows.

Order Aliases

There is a chance that different versions of AutoCAD will have different command aliases. In script files, it is therefore best to stay away from utilizing command aliases.

Naming customs

File Names, File Paths, and Layer Names containing spaces must be contained in double quotes in order for the script to function properly. Open the Route Markings-R0 drawing at E: Smart City Project Reports and Drawings on my PC, for example, should be the statement.

OPEN "E:\Smart City Project\Reports and Drawings\Route Markings-R0"