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View Full Version : AutoCAD menu utilities loaded. ERROR: malformed list on input

tom.g
2007-03-08, 04:54 PM
Hello All,
I just noticed this error message after I start a new drawing and when I open an old drawing.

Regenerating model.

AutoCAD Express Tools Copyright © 2002-2004 Autodesk, Inc.

AutoCAD menu utilities loaded.E R R O R: malformed list on input

I noticed in my search for "malformed list" that this is a parentheses problem.
Does this error mean that the problem is in express tools? I am assuming that when the error message refers to "menu utilities loaded" it means express tools. Do I need to look through all the .lsp in express tools?

Any help will be appreciated.

thanks,
Tom Goodman
Wilson, NC
Opie
2007-03-08, 05:03 PM
It is probably not your Express Tools. Do you have any other routine loading during opening of AutoCAD or a drawing?
tedg
2007-03-08, 05:29 PM
Did you or someone else load a lisp routine in your "start-up suite" lately?
If you or they did, the error is probably in that routine.
To check. type "appload" and look into the "start-up suite" and see if there's anything there.
That's where most people place lisp routines they want loaded in every drawing.

There are other ways to automatically load routines though, but your IT guy would have probably done it.

Just a thought.
tom.g
2007-03-08, 05:58 PM
Hi Ted,
Well, you caught me. I did look at a .lsp file that I thought was messing up and did some searching about malformed lists and tried to find the problem with VLIDE and probably misplaced a few parentheses. But the file still works. I got a copy of the file from a coworker and copied it over the suspect one. Could you look at the file or tell me how to find mismatched parentheses?

thanks, Tom
tom.g
2007-03-08, 06:02 PM
Hi Opie,
We do have an old ACAD.lsp that we still use in the start up.
Opie
2007-03-08, 06:13 PM
Hi Ted,
Well, you caught me. I did look at a .lsp file that I thought was messing up and did some searching about malformed lists and tried to find the problem with VLIDE and probably misplaced a few parentheses. But the file still works. I got a copy of the file from a coworker and copied it over the suspect one. Could you look at the file or tell me how to find mismatched parentheses?

thanks, Tom
Using the VLIDE you can use the Parenthesis Matching tool found under the Edit menu.

You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to find them. The shortcuts are listed in the menu.
tedg
2007-03-08, 07:14 PM
Using the VLIDE you can use the Parenthesis Matching tool found under the Edit menu.

You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to find them. The shortcuts are listed in the menu.Yea, what OPIE said. I don't use visual lisp much (VLIDE) but that would be a good thing to start with. I don't have any training in VLIDE, I've dabbled in it though.
AutoCAD has an old routine called PQCHECK.lsp which checks lisp programs for mismatched parentheses and closing quotes. While in autocad, you load it, and to run it, the command is "pqcheck" and then you need to type the path of the routine you want to check ( ie: c:\lisp\sample.lsp) and it will tell you where your problem is.

If you have an ACAD.lsp you may have some routines automaically loading through that.
kennet.sjoberg
2007-03-08, 10:14 PM
. . .an old routine called PQCHECK.lsp . . .
Copyright (C) 1992 by Autodesk, Inc.
Time to take a step forward ?
15 years later. . .VLIDE can do a LOT more than that.

: ) Happy Computing !

kennet
tom.g
2007-03-08, 10:29 PM
Hi,
Yeah, I remember, barely, using it years ago. It's a little touchy.
Do you, or anyone, know if there is a white paper or an ATP class on VLIDE?

THANKS
Opie
2007-03-08, 10:32 PM
Hi,
Yeah, I remember, barely, using it years ago. It's a little touchy.
Do you, or anyone, know if there is a white paper or an ATP class on VLIDE?

THANKS
I think one of the last Autolisp ATP courses had some information on it. I know it was not the last one though. You will probably have to wait another month or so till it is available.
kennet.sjoberg
2007-03-08, 10:39 PM
Just start VLIDE and play around . . .the buttons is enough in the beginning

: ) Happy Computing !

Kennet
tedg
2007-03-09, 02:47 AM
Copyright (C) 1992 by Autodesk, Inc.
Time to take a step forward ?
15 years later. . .VLIDE can do a LOT more than that.

: ) Happy Computing !

kennetI know, I said it was OLD!
I didn't use it much either.
I was trying to help and it's all I had.

I agree, VLIDE is the way to go.
I need some training in it.

Maybe an ATP on VLIDE???