SCRIPT FILES

"Script files" can be used within the drawing editor to do anything you could do with typing on the keyboard, but it will do it automatically. They are text files created in ASCII Text Format. To create a Script File, use the Notepad which is built into Windows (this is the most convenient), or any other word processing program which has the ability to create text files which are written in ASCII format. The ASCII text file format produces a pure and simple sequence of letters or words which are the same letters or words which you would type on a the keyboard to effect the process desired, without any hidden coding for "word wrap" or other specialized functions. These text files must be carefully written to avoid "bugs," for instance, in AutoCAD Script Files, spaces are interpreted by the program to mean a <RET>.

One of the most useful kinds of Script Files are slide show scripts. The following Script File will play a series of six previously made slides:

Example Filename: SLIDE.SCR (note that all script files created in the word processor must have the filename extension ___.SCR)

vslide slide1

delay 4000

vslide slide2

delay 20000

vslide slide3

delay 1000

vslide slide4

delay 5000

vslide slide5

delay 5000

vslide slide6

delay 30000

rscript

 The vslide command is the same as if you wanted to View a Slide while in the drawing editor.

The "delay 5000" or similar command, means that the showing of the slide will be for 5000 milliseconds (about 5 seconds). Small numbers could be used here, but AutoCAD still will need to paint the slide file to the screen which will take at least one to several seconds, depending on the complexity of the slide image and the speed of the graphics board in your computer.

The "rscript" command will continuously repeat the showing of the slides from the beginning (this is optional).

To get the script file working in AutoCAD, type SCRIPT <RET>. In answer to the prompt "Script File:", type in the name of your script file, but omit the filename extension "SCR.". If the script file is stored on the c:\student subdirectory, as it normally would if you prepared the text there, you would not need to preceed the name of the script file with its "path." When the script file is finished running you will be returned to the Command: prompt.

To terminate a repeating slide show, type a <backspace> key or <Esc>