Lost

[lwhitney.133796]

I have a spreadsheet listing XY coordinates for multiples of the same object, and would like a block with attributes to be inserted using the spreadsheets XY coordinates. I have no clue how to automate this, is it possible? Is this question in the right place? What is the best way to learn this?

[CAB2k]

Yes it can be done. I think I saw no too long ago.
http://forums.augi.com/search.php

[irneb]

Firstly, save the spreadsheet to CSV. Then find a routine to read csv into a LISP list. Then step through the list inserting the block at the points defined.

Your CSV file would look something like this:

456.65,234.56
234.56,1221.45
56.45,234.50

Your lisp function to place the blocks. I've included a quick port from CSV to LISP, this may not work in all instances.

(defun CSVtoLST (fn / file lst lst1 str n)
  (setq file (open fn "r") lst nil);Open the file and start empty list
  (while (setq str (read-line file)) ;Read the next line in the file
    (setq lst1 (read (strcat "(" (vl-string-subst " " "," str) ")")));Convert string to real list
    ;;Check if only 2 items in list, then change to dotted pair
    (if (= 2 (length lst1))
      (setq lst1 (read (strcat "(" (vl-string-subst " . " "," str) ")")));Convert string to real list
    )
    ;; Add line as item of list
    (setq lst (cons lst1 lst))
  )
  (close file)
  lst
)

;; Command function to insert blocks according to csv values
(defun c:InsBlkXY (/ fn xylst blkname n)
  (setq blkname "BLK1") ;Change this to the block you wish to insert
  (if (setq fn (getfiled "Select CSV" "" "csv" (+ 4 8)))
    (progn
      (setq xylst (CSVtoLST fn))
      (setq n 0)
      (while (< n (length xylst))
    (command "-insert" blkname (nth n xylst) "" "" "")
    (setq n (1+ n))
      )
    )
    (princ "Canceled by user")
  )
  (princ)
)

Save this to a LSP file, load into AutoCAD using Tools --> Application Load. Then run by typing InsBlkXY at the command prompt.