Tool Palette Commands with Custom MText Lisp

[JoeyNine]

I am trying to create some Tools on the Tool Palette where Dtext and Mtext would be created on specific layers (One for Curb Text, One for Building Text, etc.). When I try to use it with a custom Lisp I have set for MText, it never creates the text on the correct layer; it always ends up on the current layer instead. Here is the LISP I am using:

; Mtext at Viewtwist rotation
(defun c:mtr()
  (setq twang (-(/ (* (GETVAR "viewtwist") 180.0) PI))
  )
  (initdia)
  (command "mtext" PAUSE "R" twang "J" "TC")
)

Any help would be appreciated.

[Tom Beauford]

This is what I've always used
Mtext at Viewtwist rotation as a macro:

^C^C_mtext;\r;(/ (* 180 (- (getvar "viewtwist"))) pi);

Don't know if that will work any different for assigning the correct layer. Tool Palettes aren't my strong suite.

[Tom Beauford]

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/suppo...fic-layer.html
To draw an object directly in a specific layer without making the layer current

Insert the command or object as a tool in a tool palette (dimension, hatch, circle, and so on).
Right-click on the tool. Click Properties.
In the Tool Properties dialog box, set the layer.
When you draw the object using the tool in the tool palette, it will be drawn on the layer specified.

Note: If the layer does not exist in the drawing, it will be created.

[BIG-AL]

You need to set the layer 1st
mtrK mtext kerb layer

; Mtext at Viewtwist rotation
(defun c:mtrK()
(setvar 'clayer "Kerb")
  (setq twang (-(/ (* (GETVAR "viewtwist") 180.0) PI))
  )
  (initdia)
  (command "mtext" PAUSE "R" twang "J" "TC")
)

You can via a reactor actually trap command errors and convert them to commands so for me I would type mtxtk this command does not exist but I check the error look at the mtxt bit and pull the k of the end and set the correct layer, then run mtr.

So final comment much simpler just repeat for each layer required.

[JoeyNine]

Thank you for the replies. I tried your Command String, Tom, and it still creates the text in the current layer. I have attached an image of my Tool Properties.

Big_Al, I would prefer to not have to create a lisp for every layer but instead just edit the Command String and have the Layer be properly set by the Tool. Am I able to do that or am I forced to set the layer in the lisp?

[Tom Beauford]

Looks like it should have placed it on layer V-SITE-DECK-TEXT. What layer was it placed on?

[JoeyNine]

Whatever the current layer is. So in the picture above the 0 layer. I thought maybe it was something wacky with the 0 layer but it behaved the same way on other layers as well. When you select the command it temporarily changes the layer to V-SITE-DECK-TEXT. But as soon as you make the text box to type in it goes back to the Current Layer.

[BIG-AL]

Ok you will still need a button for kerb path road etc but 1 program, I would put the lisp as autoloaded on startup

; Mtext at Viewtwist rotation
(defun mtr (curlayer / )
(setvar 'clayer curlayer)
  (setq twang (-(/ (* (GETVAR "viewtwist") 180.0) PI))
  )
  (initdia)
  (command "mtext" PAUSE "R" twang "J" "TC")
)

your buttons

^c^c^p(mtr "Kerb")
^c^c^p(mtr "Road")
^c^c^p(mtr "Pipe")

if you want a keyboard option you will need another lisp as you are changing layer name. Could be as simple as a number of defuns

(defun c:mtrk ()  (mtr "Kerb"))
(defun c:mtrp ()  (mtr "Pipe"))
(defun c:mtrr ()  (mtr "Road"))

[JoeyNine]

Big-Al, the issue I am having with your button is that it changes my current layer. I want to use the tool function to add text on different layers without changing my current layer.

[Tom Beauford]

Modification of BIG-AL's code should reset the current layer:

; Mtext at Viewtwist rotation
(defun mtr (curlayer / clayer)
  (setq clayer(getvar'clayer))
  (setvar 'clayer curlayer)
  (setq twang (-(/ (* (GETVAR "viewtwist") 180.0) PI))
  )
  (initdia)
  (command "mtext" PAUSE "R" twang "J" "TC")
  (setvar 'clayer clayer)
)

From home, untested!