How to Draw With Visual LISP in AutoCAD

Using AutoLISP to make lisps routines in AutoCAD makes drawing repetitive things and assessing attributes that much quicker and easier. Lisps enable the drafting team to automate functions of AutoCAD and can enable quick take-offs, but using AutoLISP to create lisps is difficult unless you have a program like Visual LISP. Here's how to use Visual LISP to aid creating your lisps to automate repetitive AutoCAD drawing functions.

Instructions

1. Download and install the Visual Lisp Editor. Be sure to follow the installation instructions and close all open programs, especially AutoCAD, before installing any add-on program. Also check compatibility with your version of AutoCAD. Restart your computer after installing the software.

2. Open a new drawing in AutoCAD. From the "Tools" dropdown menu, select "AutoLISP," then "Visual LISP Editor." This will open up the Visual LISP editor console.

3. Type your AutoLISP commands at the Visual LISP console command prompt. This looks like "_$" and you can set variable values here so you can then do material take-offs. One of these variable settings may look like this, "(setq z "2X4 - 4LF - HDPE lumber")" which can then be interpreted by the software.

4. View the number of requested variables at the command prompt of AutoCAD by typing an "!" then the variable. This enables a quick assessment of how many of a particular material is needed.

5. Remember that you need to press "Enter" in Visual LISP to complete the expression, unlike where you can simply press the space bar at the AutoCAD command prompt. To continue lisps on a new line in Visual LISP, you need to first hold down the "Control" key and then press "Enter."