AutoLISP & Dynamic Blocks - Part 1

**Note*** I only just noticed the red rectangle on the screen as I was uploading the last video in this playlist. Unfortunately it will have to stay that way for a while as I won't have time to re-export and upload these videos in the near future. Hopefully it's not too much of a distraction.
This series covers some advanced topics in AutoLISP programming. You'll see how I actually code. I only had this weekend to complete this whole project, start to finish, so unfortunately that means no re-takes or preparation. None the less, if you want to see more advanced AutoLISP code in action, and can spare a few hours, this playlist is for you.
First, we make a very useful Grid Bubble dynamic block. This block works great on it's own, no LISP required, but also serves as a great vehicle to demonstrate some advanced LISP techniques.
Thereafter, we build a LISP routine from scratch that will 1) Automatically adjust the grid number (and letter) sequences, and 2) Apply an alignment property to the block.
IMPORTANT:
If you create your own block, either use the same attribute and property names as me, or make sure you adjust your own code to suit.

[@ryanmoore6956]

HA! Few min in and I can promise you I will watch the whole 4 hrs. Thank you so much for these vids been learning a lot and having a lot of fun making useful tools for work

[@randomCADstuff]

Thanks for the comment! My videos aren't exactly the crown jewel of AutoLISP resources out there. I originally started making videos basically because nobody else really does - kind of sort of... my aim is to conclude the tutorial with something a person can maybe use in their day-to-day work. As I dabble in other programming languages I've come to realize how good the AutoLISP resources actually are (Start with AfraLISP.NET because it's pretty amazing itself but has links to many other great resources as well).

[@ryanmoore6956]

@@randomCADstuff vids are awesome man and they help a lot of people. Something about programming for cad that helps with your day to day stuff is addicting, I deff got bit by the lisp bug.

[@georgekhabaze6619]

time table @2:57 1-2- create a dynamic block @12:33 creating lookupset to change the position of the block @19:31 lisp intro @21:56 determine user input @22:28 fav lisp reference @23:11 function string to list @27:43 explaining the routine

[@vashistfood]

Hi, @kcs ! Unending thanks and gratitude for your efforts and initiative to put this together. The videos on this channel definitely took a lot of time to get going, but my thanks specifically for the time you've spent learning this on your own, and then distilling the knowledge gems for your viewers. I've just about begun dabbling in AutoLISP, and been vpraciously digging up blog posts and other LISP code snippets. I see you following many of the things Lee Mac and the likes indicate as being best practice, and this tells me how much tie and effort you've spent in including all the best parts of your knowledge. Most guys would just put this kind of knowledge sharing under a paid course... To think we get to learn with you right here on youtube, its just fabulous mate ! Warm regards, many thanks, and the best wishes for the success of yur channel. I'm sure this is going to become a go-to resource soon enough for students of all skill levels. Cheers !

[@randomCADstuff]

Thanks so much for your feedback! What I found with AutoLISP is that the online resources are incredible. Lee Mac as you mentioned. And AfraLISP.net. And people aren't afraid to share really good code; you can find all sorts of various tools available for free. I'm far from a natural presenter but I noticed there wasn't very many AutoLISP videos. My specific niche was to try and create tutorials that culminate with having useable code. I found other lessons were very 'abstract' and users wouldn't be able to use their code and tweak it. I think that's the biggest advantage with AutoLISP, that being that you can put your code into action right away. To learn what I have I took advantage of the free resources available online, so I figured I'd add some "free" stuff of my own. The tutorials aren't perfect but at least they exist ;-) .

[@rxmoutonmouton5595]

Thanks for this tutorial. I've learned a lot of new tricks.

[@randomCADstuff]

It's not a quick/concise tutorial but it definitely gives away my best AutoLISP tricks, or half of them... for those that find enough time to watch all the videos.

[@alicesun4777]

Thanks a lot for this helpful video. Do you have any tips to create lisp to add room dimensions automatically?

[@randomCADstuff]

That would be hard because the LISP would have to "guess" what you want; you'd need far smarter code than anything you'll see on my channel. Room areas are pretty easy if you're okay with drawing a polyline around the room.

[@kaisj7]

Thank you for this TUTU Can you please make some video to learn US a lisp code please?

[@randomCADstuff]

I will post the code, probably under the last video, once I have time to clean it up and add some notes to it. Maybe within the next month or so?

[@georgekhabaze6619]

hello there, thank you for the helpful video, i wounder what the way to create multiple blocks with a fix spacing aligned with a poly line

[@randomCADstuff]

This might be possible using the "measure" command (It will definitely work for lines I just can't remember if it works for polylines). I'll have to look at it when I get home from work.

[@randomCADstuff]

The "measure" command definitely works for this. If you always use the same block(s) you could then make a LISP script really easily.

[@georgekhabaze6619]

thank u so much for the respond and hopefully it will work, i had a project in mind that made blocks in path with an attribute numbring somthing like path markers in civil 3d