Objective: To explore the latest AutoCAD features, cloud collaboration tools, and introduce AutoLISP programming for automation and customization.
Module 1: Staying Current & Cloud Integration
Lesson 1: DWGCOMPARE Command (Drawing Version Comparison for Revisions)
Lesson 2: Shared Views for Web-Based Collaboration
Lesson 3: Exploring AutoCAD Web & Mobile Access (Features and Limitations)
Lesson 4: Understanding Autodesk Licensing & User Accounts
Lesson 5: Using Autodesk Docs (formerly A360/BIM 360) Cloud Storage and Project Sync Basics
Practical Exercise: Compare Drawing Revisions and Share a View
Quiz & Module Summary
Module 2: Introduction to AutoLISP Programming
Lesson 1: What is AutoLISP? (Benefits, Use Cases in AutoCAD Automation)
Lesson 2: The AutoLISP Environment (Visual LISP IDE (VLIDE), Command Line Interaction, Loading LSP files)
Lesson 3: AutoLISP Syntax Basics (Comments, Case Insensitivity, Parentheses)
Lesson 4: Fundamental Data Types (Integers, Reals, Strings, Lists, Symbols, T, nil)
Lesson 5: Variables (setq) and Basic Functions (Arithmetic, String Manipulation)
Practical Exercise: Writing Simple LISP Routines for Calculations and Variable Assignment in VLIDE.
Quiz & Module Summary
Module 3: AutoLISP Program Structure & Control Flow
Lesson 1: Defining Custom Commands (defun, c: prefix, argument handling)
Lesson 2: Working with Lists (car, cdr, cons, list, nth, foreach, mapcar)
Lesson 3: Getting User Input (getpoint, getstring, getint, getreal, getkword, initget)
Lesson 4: Conditional Statements (if, cond, progn)
Lesson 5: Looping Constructs (while, repeat)
Practical Exercise: Creating a Simple Custom Command with User Input and Conditional Logic (e.g., draw a shape based on user input).
Quiz & Module Summary
Module 4: Interacting with AutoCAD Drawings using AutoLISP
Lesson 1: Understanding Entities and Entity Names
Lesson 2: Entity Data (entget, DXF Group Codes introduction)
Lesson 3: Selecting Objects (entsel for single selection, ssget for selection sets)
Lesson 4: Iterating Through Selection Sets (sslength, ssname)
Lesson 5: Modifying Object Properties (entmod, vla-objects for ActiveX basics)
Lesson 6: Creating New Objects using the (command) function
Practical Exercise: Write an AutoLISP routine to query or modify properties of selected objects or create simple geometry.
Quiz & Module Summary
Module 5: Practical AutoLISP Applications & Best Practices
Lesson 1: Example: Automating a Repetitive Drawing Task (e.g., inserting a block and setting attributes)
Lesson 2: Example: Extracting Information from a Drawing to a file or command line
Lesson 3: Basic Error Handling (error function, vl-catch-all-apply)
Lesson 4: Debugging Techniques in VLIDE (Breakpoints, Watch Window, Trace)
Lesson 5: Loading and Managing AutoLISP Files (Startup Suite, acaddoc.lsp, .mnl files)
Lesson 6: Resources for Further AutoLISP Development (Autodesk Knowledge Network, Forums)
Practical Exercise: Develop a small, useful AutoLISP utility that automates a common task, including comments and basic error handling.
Quiz & Module Summary
Final Project for AutoCAD Pro:
Objective: Develop a custom AutoLISP utility that solves a specific drawing problem or automates a multi-step, common task.
Demonstrate: Application of AutoLISP for automation, user interaction, and drawing modification/creation. The utility should be well-commented.
Consider integrating with advanced AutoCAD features (e.g., an AutoLISP routine that works with specific block attributes or helps manage layers based on certain criteria).
Deliverables: DWG files used for testing, a well-commented .LSP file(s), and a brief report explaining the utility’s purpose, how to use it, and the AutoLISP concepts applied.