Tips & Tricks
AutoCAD® AutoLISP® in NATIVE LANGUAGE
Since AutoCAD® 2021, Autodesk has introduced Microsoft Visual Studio (VS) Code as an alternative LISP Editor. In the background, an enhanced AutoLISP engine, and a new AutoLISP compiler which fully supports Unicode has been used. The legacy AutoLISP engine and VISUAL LISP IDE are still available. Users can switch between 2 AutoLISP mode by changing LISPSYS system variable.
Also, since AutoCAD® LT 2024, Autodesk has unlocked the LISP feature for AutoCAD® LT. Millions of LT users can now utilize the automation power of AutoLISP , which in turn makes AutoLISP more popular.
With the new AutoLISP engine, users can use LISP in their native languages. Let's have a look....
1. AutoCAD® 2023 support for comsLevelIt!
About comsLevelIt!: A great FREE App of Massimo Cicognani for creating & managing groups of level indicators, often used in architecture and building design. Levels are block attributes which are updated automatically when moved; multi independent level group support; 3 built-in groups & unlimited custom groups.
About the Author: Mr. Massimo Cicognani has published a series of useful Apps with wide-range platform support since 2012. However, on Sep 3rd, 2021 version 1.5.2 is announced to be "Final release. There won't be any update to 2023". We respect Mr. Massimo Cicognani for his great, selfless contribution. It's time for him to rest, perhaps.
2. Make Apps work with more old & new AutoCAD® versions (64-bit only)
If the Apps are build for recent AutoCAD® 64-bit versions, then it is likely to be compatible with older versions (2014 - 2023 64-bit), or even compatible with newer version.
Also, if Apps can run in AutoCAD® platform, then it should work properly in all AutoCAD® verticals (aka AutoCAD® platform-based applications)
But in most case, such wide-range compability is narrowed. It's you, that may "unbox the treasure" by a simple text edit action.
3. AutoCAD® 2023 support for comsCountIt!
About comsCountIt!: A great FREE App of Massimo Cicognani for counting block references, texts, lines/ polylines counting. Multi drawings support. Counting result can be grouped by layer/color/drawing/ layout/ thickness and exported to Excel table/ AutoCAD table.
About the Author: Mr. Massimo Cicognani has published a series of useful Apps with wide-range platform support since 2012. However, on August 27th, 2021 version 2.0.2 is announced to be Final release. "There won't be any update to 2023". We respect Mr. Massimo Cicognani for his great, selfless contribution. It's time for him to rest, perhaps.
4. AutoCAD® 2023 support for comsDrawIt!
About comsDrawIt!: Another great FREE App of Massimo Cicognani . It is a collection of parametric functions for general-purpose profiles (L-shape, U-shape, square, etc.) and commands that will allow you to convert polylines into sheet metal sections or waterproofing membrane
About the Author: Mr. Massimo Cicognani has published a series of useful Apps with wide-range platform support since 2012. However, on August 27th, 2021 version 1.5.2 is announced to be "Final release. There won't be any update to 2023". We respect Mr. Massimo Cicognani for his great, selfless contribution. It's time for him to rest, perhaps.
5. AUTODESK App Store: Most Popular & Free Apps for highway design
For the last 12 years, Autodesk App Store (formerly named "Autodesk Exchange Apps") has accumulated an enormous number of Apps (~ 3725 Apps are live on store), of which ~ 1233 Apps are free; ~908 Apps are trial and ~1547 Apps are paid. (Numbers are collected on March 7th, 2023)
Oh wait, 1233 + 908 + 1547 = 3688 < 3725 (What's wrong with the counting? I don't know.). Anyone that want to check the number may go to https://apps.autodesk.com/ .
*
The Apps cover a wide range of Autodesk software: AutoCAD, AutoCAD verticals (Civil 3D, MEP, Architecture, Electrical...), Revit, Inventor, 3ds Max.... Among them, Apps for AutoCAD accounts for ~25% of all Apps (~ 993 items). Many of them are free Apps, some also have friendly interface with powerful features.
6. AUTODESK App Store: Most Popular Apps for Title block autofill
It was 4 month since my first review. For the past 4 months, 149 new Apps (4% of total number) have been added to the store. The total number of Apps now reaches 3874.
Last night, I did a brief survey on most download PAID Apps. Some interesting facts can be derived from survey result:
Among the Top 64 Paid-App List, 24 Apps (38%) are for Revit, 17 Apps (27%) for Fusion 360, 11 Apps (17%) for AutoCAD, 12 Apps for remaining application (Civil 3D, Plant3D, Navisworks, Maya....). That means, Revit users are the most generous;
Average price of 24 Revit Apps is $84.4; of 11 AutoCAD Apps is 53.7$; of 17 Fusion 360 Apps is 20.28$. This fact further reinforces the assumption that Revit users are willing to pay;
37 Apps (58%) are under 20$. Only 9 Apps (14%) are over 100$. 20$ or less maybe a good App price to start with;
About Automating Title block data
For decades, AutoCAD has introduced the Sheet Sets feature. With a well-prepared template, user can easily batch insert title blocks into sheet drawings. However, to automatically fill the variable content with Sheet-set fields is quite complicated and not flexible enough.
That's why some Apps have developed another way to automate title block data with the help of Microsoft Excel Autofill.
7. AutoCAD Alternatives comparison
AUTODESK® AutoCAD® is such a great software that there are so many AutoCAD alternatives. The following brand names can be mentioned: Bricsys® BricsCAD®, progesoft® progeCAD®, CIC® enjiCAD®, ZWSOFT® ZWCAD®... (Be aware that, these are not free applications) Among them, Bricsys® BricsCAD® and ZWSOFT® ZWCAD® are good candidates for their competitive price, AutoCAD most-similar and stability.
However, there are some more aspects to consider before choosing an alternative, as described in the following series...