Automatically converting non-standard DWGs to standard DWGs

[CEHill]

A new assignment brings new challenges in how best to apply Auto CAD customization.

PROBLEM
All the legacy files I have revised follow no consistent CAD standard and must be manually updated to match the current CAD standard.

CURRENT WORK'SLOW'
In addition to re-designing structures and process diagrams, quick-selecting by object property and converting to CAD standard properties and yes, even exploding (non-attributed) blocks (gasp!) are a part of the revision process.

A BETTER WAY
After studying some of the various programming options, I need direction as to whitch programming language that you have found to be simple(r) to learn for automating:

1. Converting block properties to new standards
2. Selecting entities by object type (text, lines arcs, etc.) and updating each to a specific CAD standard set of properties (line type, line weight, layer.
3. Importing settings from a template file
4. Importing page setups from a template file

Can one routine do all of the above?

[Opie]

Have you looked at the CAD Standards tools that come with AutoCAD?

The programming language depends on what you want to do and which ones you are familiar with. If you already know one, I would stick with that one for the time being. You can move on to the other languages as you have time.

[Ed Jobe]

As far as item 4 is concerned, I don't worry about updating legacy files with page setups, because they can continually change as plotters change, etc. I just have a vba solution that allows me to import from a pre-chosen template with a single mouse click. You can find it on the Exchange. You can also modify it to take care of Item 3.

[CEHill]

Ed,

Thanks for the solutions on the Exchange to help solve my standardization issues.

Would you also recommend applying VBA for performing the tasks in items 1 & 2?