AutoCAD Automation Tools

About | Download | System requirements | Purchase
Documentation | License agreement | Revision History | Customers

About

Multiple drawings can be automatically created from a typical drawing or updated based on a control file that can be created with an Excel template. Make the changes in Excel and let the program do all the work for you. This is a real time saver if you need to make adjustments on hundreds or thousands of drawings.

Optionally an AutoLISP file (*.lsp;*.vlx;*.fas) can be loaded for each drawing. Each drawing can use a separate AutoLISP file if needed. This gives you almost unlimited flexibility when it comes to what task you want to automate.

Example of usages: Add a stamp block; insert a title blog; update text in the title block; insert text, block or xref; change text or attribute values and more. Change all external references (xrefs) from absolute paths to relative paths for archive purpose. Find and replace attribute or text values.

Bulk updating AutoCAD drawings in most any way that you would like.

If you have an idea of what you want to automate but don't know how to realize it, contact us for a solution.

AutoGen

AutoGen creates new drawings based on one or more template drawings based on the control file. In the process text, mtext and block attribute values can be changed individually on each new drawing.

It is possible to change only a part of the text string. If the template drawing contain the text "SHEET #sheetno#" it can be updated to for example "SHEET 1" by specifying #sheetno# as the text to change.

Depending on your computer performance and the complexity of the drawing you can generate around 100 drawings in just 60 seconds.

AutoIns

AutoIns inserts text, blocks or xrefs into drawings based on the control file.

These are the properties that can be set using the control file.

In case you want to insert for example a circle or more complex geometry you can make a block of it and the insert it with the Explode property set to Yes.

AutoUpd

AutoUpd updates existing drawings based on the control file.
In the process text and attribute values can be changed individually on each new drawing.

It is possible to change both the whole text string or only a part of the text string. If the template drawing contain the text "SHEET #sheetno#" it can be updated to for example "SHEET 1" by specifying #sheetno# as the text to change.

Example on how to search and replace attribute values or text.

Customer testimonials

"I am very happy with this product."

One user had "4700 drawings to update" with different titleblocks and was able to do it quickly with AutoCAD Automation Tools.

Download

Trial version available for download or via AutoCAD 2012 (see the Autodesk Exchange Apps guide):

AutoCADAutomationToolsTrial.zip (1.2MB). for AutoCAD
Extract to C:\ and the folder C:\AutoCAD Automation Tools will be created with all files.

CADAutomationToolsTrial.zip (1.46MB). for Bricscad 10 or later
This is version 3.4. Contact us if there is a need for a newer version.
Extract to C:\ and the folder C:\CAD Automation Tools will be created with all files.

Full support is provided during trial period.

Customers can contact us directly for access to download the full version.

System requirements

AutoCAD 2000 or later or verticals based on AutoCAD, Bricscad 10.
Tested on AutoCAD 2004 up to AutoCAD 2012 and Bricscad 10.

All verticals or flavors based on AutoCAD should be working like AutoCAD Architecture (ACA), Architectural Desktop (ADT), AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Electrical , AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP (AMEP, ABS), AutoCAD P&ID.

Compatible with those operating systems AutoCAD runs on like Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Purchase

25 EUR for one license or less depending on the amount of licenses.
2 licenses 22 EUR each
3-5 licenses 20 EUR each
6- 9 licenses 18 EUR each
10-15 licenses 17 EUR each

Click here to Purchase with PayPal (Use your credit card or bank account where available) and you will be emailed the software (this is done manually but normally within 24 hours). Calculate the price based on above price list and enter the total price in the Unit Price text box and click on Update. Quantity will say 1 no matter the number of licenses but the total sum determines the number of licenses so that is ok.

Contact us for a quote and include how many licenses you want to purchase and your preferred payment method. If you have a really many users that you want to give access to this software we can discuss a discounted price based on your particular situation. Educational discounts available. Network license needs can be met.

The license is perpetual and support is included.

PayPal, share-it, Mastercard/Eurocard, Visa, American Express, and Diner's Club online are accepted. Alternatively, there is support for bank transfer/wire transfer, or Checks and Money Orders through postal mail. Online transfers via giropay and Nordea Solo are also supported.

To pay by PayPal you can also send payment to the account of info@jtbworld.com at www.paypal.com.

Documentation

Installation

Extract the zip file to C:\ and the AutoCAD Automation Tools folder will be created. If you select another folder you will need to change the path in some files.

Loading

If download has been done via Autodesk Exchange Apps the application will automatically load and also add the AutoCAD Automation Tools panel to the Ribbon tab Plug-ins.

Control file creation

This shows an example how to use AutoGen and the steps are similar for the other commands.

Open AutoGenTemplate.xls

Specify path and name for the drawing to be created as well as the path and name for the template to be used.

Use a button to select and populate the template sheet with the path and name for the drawings.

Use a button that automatically save the Excel template to the correct format.

The Control file should be in TXT tab delimited format.
Start with AutoGenTemplate.xls and when ready save as Text (Tab delimited) (*.txt).

Excel 2007 and Excel 2010 supports more than 256 columns. Make sure to save the Excel file to the XLSM format that allows macros.

Usage

Recommendation is to close all drawings and start a new empty drawing.
Start with the commands AutoGen, AutoIns or AutoUpd.
The first time you may be asked for the location of program file.
When asked for control file browse for and select the control file to be used.

Download AutoGen documentation.pdf

Download AutoIns documentation.pdf

Download AutoUpd documentation.pdf

Vault tips:

Check out a folder to Work Space.
Run AutoCAD Automation on the files.
Check folder back into vault.

Tips and tutorial from the blog:

• AutoCAD Automation Tools attribute text search and replace

**IGNORE** can be used as a value if you don't want AutoCAD Automation to affect the value for a specific combination of drawing and attribute/text.

Known limitations

• For attributes with multiple lines only the first line is processed.
• Only mtext with less than 250 characters are searched and replaced.
• Multileader text is not supported.
• Search and replace is case sensitive.
• Search and replace, replaces only the first found occurrence.

Revision History

• 2011-06-14 - version 3.5
  • AutoUpd has support for layouts
  • It is possible to search for a part of TEXT, MTEXT or block attribute and replace the whole with a new value.
  • 30-day trial available
  • Wcmatch logic used to search for values using wildcards.
  • The Excel templates have been changed, make sure to use the new ones.
• 2010-08-03 - version 3.4
  • Support for dynamic blocks added.
  • Cells with “**IGNORE**” will not be considered.
  • Fixed bug so that different AutoLISP files can be loaded on different drawings.
  • Minor bug fix in reading the control file.
• 2010-01-03 - version 3.4 beta available upon request
  • Support for dynamic blocks added.
• 2010-01-02 - version 3.3
  • Minor fixes to improve export from Excel
• 2009-12-23 - version 3.2
  • Minor fixes that for some users might make the commands not working at all.
• 2009-12-14 - version 3.1
  • Fixes some problems found after version 3.0
• 2009-11-09 - version 3.0
  • Works now with MDI (SDI=0) instead of SDI (SDI=1).
  • Find and replace attribute values.
  • Works with Bricscad 10.
  • After upgrading you might need to recreate the control files with the new Excel sheet.
• 2009-06-08 - version 2.2
  • Makes it possible to insert objects to all layouts with the AutoIns command.
  • Remember the folder browsed for.
  • Minor bug fixes.
• 2008-12-06 - version 2.1
  • Minor update to allow only execution of an AutoLISP file without having to add any other action.
  • Installer added to simplify the installation process.
  • Add files in the Excel templates improved. Now a folder can be selected and all drawing files in the folder and subfolders are added. New files are also added at the row you have selected making it easier to select files from different folders.
• 2008-07-14 - version 2.0
  • Added support to execute an optional AutoLISP file on each drawing.
• 2008-03-11 - version 1.0
  • First release

Some AutoCAD Automation Tools reference customers

"This is a super helpful tool for us and I cannot describe how many hours I have saved thanks to this program" - says a happy user.

"The AutoCAD Automation Tools from JTB World save me a lot of time when editing individual files, and there have been many times when I couldn’t have met deadlines without them."
Don McLeod, Electrical Engineer
PENTA Engineering, P.A.
Charlotte, NC

More customers are found here.

If you want other features added feel free to contact us with your wishes.