Users often want to add miscellaneous lisp routines to their system, having them automatically loaded and available at all times. The intentions of this procedure is to allow the customization to survive a reinstallation or upgrade of AutoCAD.
Autoloading of these files will be controlled by a special file called ACAD.LSP, which will load the custom routines. Note that AutoCAD does not create or use this file.
- Create a separate ‘unique’ subdirectory such as C:\CADSTUFF using Windows Explorer.Add the directory C:\CADSTUFF to the AutoCAD Support File Search Paths. For those unfamiliar:
A) Issue the OPTIONS command.
B) Click the Files tab.
C) Expand the Support File Search Path section.
D) Choose the Add button.
E) Choose the Browse button.
F) Navigate to and choose the C:\CADSTUFF folder. - Place all your LSP and related files into the C:\CADSTUFF directory.
- Using Windows Notepad (or another ascii editor) create a new file named ACAD.LSP in the C:\CADSTUFF directory containing a load statement for each routine to be loaded.
An example is shown in the following lines.
(load “ROUTINE1.LSP”)
(load “ROUTINE2.VLX”)
Now whenever you start/restart AutoCAD, it will locate the ACAD.LSP file and load it. Loading of ACAD.LSP will in turn load your designated files. Since these files are loaded, you will be able to initiate these added commands by typing the command defined in each routine.
You may also wish to add buttons or aliases to speed up the initialization of these commands.