Pgp File/2 key macros

[andy]

I have a user who is trying to use EX for the shortcut for EXTEND instead it is using EX for EXPLODE. I have modified every ACAD.PGP file on the computer and it still doesn’t work. I am running Civil 3D and LDT 2007. Anyone seen this problem or know of a solution to fix this.



Thanks in advance

[rkmcswain]

Are you sure you are modifying the right "acad.pgp"?

Try this at the command line:



(startapp "notepad" (findfile "acad.pgp"))


You will also have to shut down and restart AutoCAD, or run the REINIT command after making the edit.

[andy]

I used a lisp command to define the macros i wanted and then put it in the startup suite and everything seems to working like I want it to now. I was using the command alias editor, and All of the PGP FIles on the Computer had teh exact same aliases in them.

Thanks for the help

[rkmcswain]

You might consider dropping the 'startup suite' and putting your load statements in an "acaddoc.lsp" file. The startup suite is notorious for double loading files and it's more difficult to back up, share, and migrate.

[tedg]

Are you sure you are modifying the right "acad.pgp"?

Try this at the command line:



(startapp "notepad" (findfile "acad.pgp"))


You will also have to shut down and restart AutoCAD, or run the REINIT command after making the edit.
Mr. McSwain is right, since Acad 2005 there seems to be many places the acad.pgp file can live.
I don't know about 2007 but what I found was the one my 2005 and 2006 lives in
C:\Document and Settings\<MY NAME\Application data\Autodesk\ADT 2006\enu\Support\acad.pgp. I have had no luck using the alias editor, it doesnt seem to edit the correct one. I put a line right in my pgp file in the "external commands for windows" section to open and edit the correct one.
The command is "pgp" and opens the acad.pgp with notepad.


PGP, START NOTEPAD C:\Docume~1\ted\Applic~1\Autodesk\ADT200~2\enu\Support\acad.pgp, 1,,


Ted

[rkmcswain]

Tedg - just be aware that there is no "right" acad.pgp. AutoCAD will load the first one it finds in the support file search path. Your hard coded path may work for now, but if your support file search path changes (due to a profile change, 3rd party add-on's, etc) - then you may be editing the wrong file again.

The only sure way to make sure you are editing the same file that AutoCAD is reading (for the current session) is by using the (findfile) trick.

(startapp "notepad" (findfile "acad.pgp"))

[tedg]

Tedg - just be aware that there is no "right" acad.pgp. AutoCAD will load the first one it finds in the support file search path. Your hard coded path may work for now, but if your support file search path changes (due to a profile change, 3rd party add-on's, etc) - then you may be editing the wrong file again.

The only sure way to make sure you are editing the same file that AutoCAD is reading (for the current session) is by using the (findfile) trick.

(startapp "notepad" (findfile "acad.pgp"))

Thanks for the info.
I'm just used to the pgp file being in the Program Files\AutoCAD\support folder like in the "good ol' days".
When we upgraded to 2005, I had to go hunting for the one it was using.
I didn't know why it was using that one though, I think at the time I just did a search through exlplorer for all the "acad.pgp" files, and there were many!

I'll be using your findfile trick in the future!

Do you know why Autodesk has these many pgp file locations?

Thanks again for the info
Augi Rocks!

[rkmcswain]

Thanks for the info.
I'm just used to the pgp file being in the Program Files\AutoCAD\support folder like in the "good ol' days".

Starting with 2004 I believe, Autodesk chose to support Micro$oft roaming profiles. That is the reason for the long "\documents and settings...." paths, etc.

There was a lot of moaning and groaning when this happened, but in reality it doesn't matter if the files are located in "C:\ACAD" or "C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Autodesk\Autodesk Land Desktop 2006\R16.2\enu\Support" - because AutoCAD will always search the support file search path (in order) for files like "acad.pgp", "acad.lsp", "acaddoc.lsp", etc. The computer really doesn't care how long or short the path is (Ok, there is a limit on how long it can be - but it's a way off)

Here are some more tips for custom setups that are easy to backup, copy, and migrate.
http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com/2006/07/autocad-customization-setup-and.html