lt extender en

Version for AutoCAD© LT 2000-2004

LT-Extender 2000 PlusVersion v1.8

AutoCAD LT© without Limits – Software to enable Arx- and Lisp-Interfaces and to reactive disabled Commands

TM-CAD EngineeringTorsten Moses

Hauptstrasse 4310317 Berlin

Tel. 030 / 5530620Fax 030 / 5530620

[email protected]

Edition November 2003Copyright by TM-CAD Ingenieurbüro Torsten Moses 2001-2003

This manual is also available as Online-Helpsystem inside LT-Extender program. The Online-Help-system offers context-sensitive access to all help-topics, index-list, complete fulltext searchfunctions and favourite help-topics may be stored for fast access.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.layermanager.de/

© 2001-2003 TM-CAD Engineering Torsten Moses. All Rights reserved.TM-CAD Engineering Torsten MosesHauptstrasse 4310317 BerlinGermanyPhone/Fax: ++49 30 5530620Intenet: www.LT-Extender.comSupport: [email protected]

Copyrights:AutoCAD, AutoLISP, Visual LISP, ADS, ARX, ObjectARX and ExpressTools are registered trademarks ofAutodesk, Inc.DOS, Windows, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP are registeredtrademarks of Microsoft Corporation.All other brands and product brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

License conditions:This software is protected by national and international copyright laws. The licensee is granted thepermission to use the software on one place at a time only and to make backup copiesTM-CAD Engineering makes no warranty, including but not limited to any implied warranties ofmerchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, regarding the software and accompanying materials. Thesoftware and accompanying materials are provided solely on an "as-is" basis. In no event shall TM-CADEngineering be liable to any special, collateral, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with orarising out of the use of the software or accompanying materials.

Content

Introduction 5Overview.................................................................................................................................... 5System Requirements ............................................................................................................... 6Installation ................................................................................................................................. 6Start with AutoCAD© LT ............................................................................................................ 7Online-Help................................................................................................................................ 7De-Installation ........................................................................................................................... 7

Registration 8Register your License................................................................................................................ 8

Configuration 8Language Selection................................................................................................................... 8

Features and Usage 9What LT-Extender offers ........................................................................................................... 9Activating disabled AutoCAD©-commands.............................................................................. 10

Drawing commands ...................................................................................................... 10Extended Attribute Commands ..................................................................................... 113D Surfaces commands................................................................................................ 113D Operations ............................................................................................................... 11Raster-/Image commands............................................................................................. 11ACIS commands ........................................................................................................... 12Pan/Zoom/3D-Orbit commands .................................................................................... 12Viewport Shading Modes .............................................................................................. 13Renderer commands .................................................................................................... 13Common commands..................................................................................................... 14Special commands........................................................................................................ 14

Freeware Features .................................................................................................................. 14Activating disabled System-Variables ..................................................................................... 15Appload – Loading applications .............................................................................................. 17ARX interface .......................................................................................................................... 17LISP interface.......................................................................................................................... 18Processing Acad.rx file............................................................................................................ 18Processing Acad2000.lsp and Acad2000Doc.lsp files............................................................ 19Processing MNL files............................................................................................................... 19'DemandLoad' for ARX Applications ....................................................................................... 20Automatically loaded Applications........................................................................................... 20AutoCAD©-compatible environment ........................................................................................ 20Interactive Lisp-Prompt ........................................................................................................... 21Toolbars................................................................................................................................... 21LayerTools............................................................................................................................... 22

Running LayerTools ...................................................................................................... 22Using LayerTools .......................................................................................................... 22

Autodesk ExpressTools........................................................................................................... 23Supported ExpressTools versions ................................................................................ 23ExpressTools Volumes 1-8 ........................................................................................... 24ExpressTools Volumes 1-9 ........................................................................................... 25

Troubleshooting 26Known Limitations ...................................................................................................................26Limitations, Solutions and Alternatives....................................................................................27Debugging and Erorr-Analysis.................................................................................................28Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).........................................................................................28

Software-Updates 29Installing LT-Extender Updates ...............................................................................................29

Translations 29Some Notes about Translations ..............................................................................................29

LT-Extender 2000 Plus Introduction •••• 5

IntroductionOverviewLT-Extender 2000 Plus for AutoCAD© LT 2000 (or higher) is the most advanced software for customisingAutoCAD© LT. Using several advanced technologies, LT-Extender 2000 Plus offers the unique power tobreak through (nearly) all AutoCAD© LT limitations – activating and enabling hidden features, emulating non-existing features and providing easy-to-use interface, users will get AutoCAD© power running AutoCAD© LT !

Extend your AutoCAD© LT capabilities to (nearly) complete AutoCAD© !

LT-Extender 2000 Plus extends your AutoCAD© LT by implementing the following features:Activating disabledAutoCAD© commands

activates more than 60 (up to 90) AutoCAD© commands disabled inAutoCAD© LT (Image, Acis, 3d drawing&surface, 3dOrbit, Render commands)

Activating the ARX-Interface

allows you to load & run AutoCAD©-ARX-Programs like they are used underAutoCAD©

Activating the Lisp-Interface

allows you to load & run AutoLisp-Programs like they are used underAutoCAD©

Activating disabledSystem-Variables

Activates more than 75 System-Variables, which are deactivated inAutoCAD© LT – more than 30 are directly accessible from the menu

'Appload' command Appload allows you to load & run Arx- and Lisp-ApplikationsInteractive AutoLisp-Prompt

Lisp offers a new command prompt that features (like AutoCAD©) to enter andevaluate AutoLisp expressions

automatically Load ofApplications

loads Arx/Lisp-Applications automatically as defined by the user; theseapplications are directly loaded at AutoCAD© LT startup

automatically Load ofAcad.rx file

this support file is managed under AutoCAD© LT in compatible way as underAutoCAD© to ensure highest compatibility for applications

automatically Load ofAcad*.lsp files

these support files are managed under AutoCAD© LT in compatible way asunder AutoCAD© to ensure highest compatibility for applications

automatically Load ofMenu-Lisp files

automatically loads all those Menu-Lisp (*.mnl) files related to active menus toensure highest compatibility for applications

DemandLoad for ArxApplications

the so-called 'DemandLoad' technology for Arx applications is completely andcompatible emulated by LT-Extender under AutoCAD© LT

AutoCAD compatibleenvironment

emulates most compatible AutoCAD© environment for highest compatibility forapplications by providing all AutoCAD© support files even under LT

ExpressTools Support allows the usage of Autodesk ExpressTools even under AutoCAD© LT

LayerTools included the LayerTools offer highly effective methods to control the drawing layers withreference entities – incl. Restoring and reverse selection

AccuRender Support installed AccuRender 3.1 is automatically detected and prepared to run in LT

After installing LT-Extender 2000 Plus, a new pulldown menu column "LT-Extender" is shown automatically,providing access to all the new features and commands – additionally, there are some usual entries aroundLT-Extender like Online-Help, Registration and License dialog, and access to LT-Extenders homepage. Withits easy installation and problem-free intgration into AutoCAD© LT, even unexperienced users will be able touse all the new features and possibility provided by LT-Extender 2000 Plus.

Users will take advantage of LT-Extender 2000 Plus in several way:1. all important, missing AutoCAD© commands are enabled, that are available with AutoCAD©, but

disabled with AutoCAD© LT.2. Arx- and Lisp applications may be loaded and run: therefore, all possibilities are opened to use

AutoCAD© applications even with AutoCAD© LT.3. the feature to automatically load Arx- and Lisp applications allows you to have your most

important and required applications loaded and ready-to-use directly with AutoCAD© LT startup.4. the interactive Lisp prompt features the direct use of AutoLisp expressions at the prompt5. software costs: it is possible now to use LT without missing the most important AutoCAD© features

Some notes on LT-Extender's Trial version:After installing the LT-Extender Trial version, the program works for 200 AutoCAD© LT sessions.

6 •••• Introduction LT-Extender 2000 Plus

System RequirementsFor LT-Extender 2000 Plus, you only need a valid AutoCAD© LT 2000 or higher version installed runningWindows 95/98/ME/NT4.0(Servicepack 5 or higher)/2000/XP for PC with x86 compatible processor.

LT-Extender 2000 Plus works with AutoCAD© LT in all language versions !

InstallationImportant: please close all running AutoCAD© LT sessions before installing LT-Extender 2000 Plus !

Installation is very simple: Please run the LT-Extender installation program "Setup.exe" from yourinstallation package (on CD or downloaded), i.e. from Windows-Explorer.

Especially when installing from CD: if the CD Autorun function is active, the installation is automaticallystarted after inserting the CD into the CD drive; otherwise please run the installation program "Setup.exe"manually as described.

Setup only needs to know where you wantLT-Extender to be installed – please use aseparate folder (i.e.: "x:\Programs\LT-Extender").

After copying all LT-Extender files, the LT-Extender program group is created on theWindows' Startmenu (with online help,registration tool "Register 2 AutoCAD©

LT" and Uninstallation-Routine).

At last, the registration tool "Register 2AutoCAD© LT" will be started to register LT-Extender with AutoCAD© LT.

Please select all AutoCAD© LT installations,where you want LT-Extender to beintegrated – that’s all.

With this registration tool "Register 2 AutoCAD© LT" you may change the LT-Extender integration intoAutoCAD© LT at any time later – please note ; AutoCAD© LT must not be running then !

LT-Extender 2000 Plus Introduction •••• 7

Start with AutoCAD© LTThe "Register 2 AutoCAD© LT" tool registers LT-Extenders with AutoCAD© LT – therefore, LT-Extender isautomatically loaded at startup and all program features are immediately active and available.

At startup, LT-Extender 2000 Plus loads its own menufile abd shows the pulldown menu column "LT-Extender" – there you will find all new AutoCAD© commands and features, and all advanced LT-Extenderfeatures like setup, AutoLoad management, registration/licensing, online-help and version info.

LT-Extender also searches for the Autodesk ExpressTools at LT startup – if the ExpressTools are found (inall Support Pathes defined for current LT configuration), LT-Extender automatically loads & activates theExpressTools menu, and also loads its own program file "AcedUtil.lsp", which contains program support andfunctions emulations for ExpressTools. After startup, ExpressTools functions are immediately available …There are more detailled informations on ExpressTools in chapter "Autodesk ExpressTools".

Online-HelpLT-Extender 2000 Plus uses Microsoft's "HTML-Help" - a help system that is based on the Microsoft Internettechnology, which combines text-, graphics- and video-information in highly compressed files (*.chm). Thesehelpfiles are represented by a special browser similar to the Internet Browser. The HTML help offers searchfunctions, an index, a glossary, excellent navigation, as well as the possibility of storing often used topicsas favorites. In order to use HTML Help there must a special run-time-modul be present. In contrast to thestandard Windows Help, which is integrated in all Windows systems, the HTML Help is a separate,standalone program in Windows 95 and Windows NT 4,0 - the HTML assistance is integrated by default withWindows 98/2000 (or later versions); on other systems, it is only present, if the Internet Explorer 4 (or higher)is installed.

Therefore, the HTML Help should be installed on Win95/NT systems. This is done by implementing the file"HHUPD.EXE" from the directory "Htmlhelp.upd" on the LayerManager's installation CD. In generally,applying this HTML-runtime-update is always suggested to use the most current version of HTML-runtime.

Attention: The MS Internet-Explorer 3.02 (IE5.0 or later is suggested) must be present on your system. Itmust NOT be the systems default Internet Browser (you may also use Opera or Netscape), but somecomponents of the MS Internet Explorer are needed for using HTML-Help. Under all circumstances,executing the HTML-runtime-update HHUPD.EXE is preferred in order to have the most current versioninstalled. By MS IE 4.01 or Win98, there is version V.1.1 of HTML-Help-runtime-module supplied, but thereare new version available meanwhile. The most current version may be downloaded from Microsoft'swebsites on Internet (search for HHUPD.EXE).

De-InstallationIf you would like to uninstall LT-Extender 2000 Plus, please follow these 2 steps:

1. Close running AutoCAD© LT sessions and run the standard software uninstallation (control panel ->software or from LT-Extender startmenu program group)

2. now you can manually remove the LT-Extender folder from disk (i.e. with Windows-Explorer)

Alternatively, you can also delete the LT-Extender folder from disk – because of specific method ofintegration of LT-Extender into AutoCAD© LT there is no risk to damage your AutoCAD© LT installation.

8 •••• Registration LT-Extender 2000 Plus

RegistrationRegister your LicenseAfter installation, LT-Extender will run in trial mode for 200 starts without limitations. After 200 starts a regularlicense is required; but some features will continue to work as Freeware features (see "Freeware Features").

These commands will remain to work after trial period as Freeware:all Image commands, ShadeMode, VpClip, XClip, LayerTools, Hatch2Solid, Solid2Hatch

The License dialog will show your serial number, theprogram code and your license code, if provided before.

If you are using the trial version, you may enter your Licensecode here.

To obtain a regular LT-Extender license, please send serial-number and program-code together with yourpersonal informations to the given email address or fax – alternatively, you may get your license online fromLT-Extender website www.LT-Extender.com. After receiving your license code (by email or online), openLicense dialog again and enter your license code – after LT restart LT-Extender will run without limitations.

Alternatively you may also purchase the registered LT-Extender version online (secure with SSL !):http://shareit1.element5.com/programs.html?productid=155815&language=English

ConfigurationLanguage SelectionLT-Extender 2000 Plus may be configured very flexible for available and desired language support :

1. Command file: defines all re-activated AutoCAD© commands using selected language2. Menu file: select the menufile in desired language3. Message file: Program messages are displayed using selected language4. Online-Help: selects the online-help file in desired language

Using separate languages may be useful in situations when not all components are not available in desiredlanguage (i.e. Menu and message files are used in Spanish, Online-help is used in English language).

The filenames indicate the language used – there isa 2/3 character language key (de, en, fr etc.).

When the configuration dialog is closed, all settingsbecome immediately active – except for thecommand file, that is activated after restartingAutoCAD© LT.

http://www.lt-extender.com/

LT-Extender 2000 Plus Features and Usage •••• 9

Features and UsageWhat LT-Extender offersAutoCAD© LT is based on absolutely the same software kernel as AutoCAD© – in fact, AutoCAD© LT is onlya feature limited edition of the AutoCAD© software. Just other than with AutoCAD© LT 97/98, that is muchmore different to AutoCAD© 14, Autodesk has chosen to build AutoCAD© LT (since version 2000) on thesame kernel as AutoCAD© (in technical realisation).

During LT-Extender 2000 Plus development lots of interesting details about LT and its design were found :1. AutoLisp: is really existing and active inside AutoCAD©-LT2. ARX-Interface: is also existing and active inside AutoCAD©-LT3. Commands: nearly all AutoCAD© commands, officially not existing in LT, are re-activated

In fact, both the Lisp- and ARX-interface are used by AutoCAD© LT itself. But Autodesk has implementedseveral locks to prevent the interfaces' usage for external (Lisp/Ads/Arx) programs :

LT-Extender provides a user-friendly and compatible access to all these unlocked components and features:

Activating disabledAutoCAD© commands

activates more than 60 (up to 90) additional AutoCAD© commands,(Raster/Image-, ACIS-, 3D drawing, 3D-Orbit-, and Renderer commands)

Activating the ARX-Interface

allows you to load & run AutoCAD©-ARX-Programs like they are used underAutoCAD©

Activating the Lisp-Interface

allows you to load & run AutoLisp-Programs like with AutoCAD©

Activating disabledSystem-Variables

activates 75 System-Variables, which are deactivated in AutoCAD© LT – morethan 30 system variables are directly accessible from the menu

'Appload' command Appload allows you to load & run Arx- and Lisp-ApplikationsInteractive AutoLisp-Prompt

Lisp offers a new command prompt that features (like AutoCAD©) to enter andevaluate AutoLisp expressions

automatically Load ofApplications

loads Arx/Lisp-Applications automatically as defined by the user; theseapplications are directly loaded at AutoCAD© LT startup

automatically Load ofAcad.rx file


automatically Load ofAcad*.lsp files


automatically Load ofMenu-Lisp files

automatically loads all those Menu-Lisp (*.mnl) files related to active menus toensure highest compatibility for applications

DemandLoad for ArxApplications

the so-called 'DemandLoad' technology for Arx applications is completely andcompatible emulated by LT-Extender under AutoCAD© LT

AutoCAD-compatibleenvironment

emulates a most compatible AutoCAD© environment for highest compatibility forapplications by providing all AutoCAD© support files even under LT

LayerTools included the LayerTools offer highly effective methods to control the drawing layers withreference entities – incl. Restoring and reverse selection

ExpressTools Support allows the usage of Autodesk ExpressTools even under AutoCAD© LT

AccuRender Support installed AccuRender 3.1 is automatically detected and prepared to run in LT

LT-Extender 2000 Plus marks a new milestone in customizing AutoCAD© LT – both the number of featuresand the technical solution are highly sophisticated. The most special fact, in opposite to any other softwarethat is customizing AutoCAD© LT, is given with the LT-Extender technology: only AutoCAD© LT internalfeatures and technologies are re-activated and enabled, there is nothing brought into AutoCAD© LT from'outside'. Therefore, the highest level of compatibility is ensured for users and applications.In summary of all details, LT-Extender 2000 Plus is the most complete, compatible and valuable solution topush your AutoCAD© LT to AutoCAD© level. To ensure a comfortable environment for AutoCAD© LT users,LT-Extender offers a set of toolbars, one for each sub-menu – these toolbars are nearly identically to theoriginal AutoCAD© toolbars.

10 •••• Features and Usage LT-Extender 2000 Plus

Activating disabled AutoCAD©-commandsOne of the most interesting features provided by LT-Extender is called "command activation": Nearly allAutoCAD© commands, which are claimed to be not existing under AutoCAD© LT, will be re-activated. Thismeans, LT-Extender will enable these missing, native AutoCAD© LT commands. LT-Extenders does notneed to re-program these commands with its own code; instead, all re-activated commands are native,internal AutoCAD© LT commands – the simple truth: Autodesk has locked these commands for the users …

Enabling these AutoCAD© LT native commands also ensures highest compatibility and comfort for users andapplications, those enabled commands act like original AutoCAD© commands (they are original commands).Only those non-existing commands are provided by LT-Extender itself. Additionally, LT-Extender provides anew pulldown menu which contains all those enabled commands.

With only a few exceptions, all those enabled commands are available with all supported versions ofAutoCAD© LT (2000-2004) – all exceptions are explained in the following chapters

Overview on re-activated commands :

Drawing commands 3dface, Edge, 3dmesh, Tabsurf, Edgesurf, RevSurf, Rulesurf, Sphere, Pface,Mline, MlEdit, MlStyle, Sketch, Trace

ext. Atrribute commands AttRedef, eAttEdit, eAttExt, BAttMan3D-Surfaces Box, Wedge, Pyramid, Cone, Sphere, Dome, Dish, Torus3D Operations 3dArray, Rotate3d, Mirror3d, AlignRaster/Image commands ImageAttach, ImageClip, ImageQuality, ImageAdjust, Transparency, Advanced

ClipACIS commands Cylinder, Torus, Box, Cone, Extrusion, Interfere, Union, SolidEdit, Rotation,

Section, Slice, AcisIn, AcisOut, StlOut, AmeConvert, SolDraw, SolView, SolProf;and also the complete set of Solid Edit commands

Pan/Zoom/3D commands 3dOrbit, 3dcOrbit, 3dZoom, 3dZoomTransparent, 3dPan, 3dPanTransparent,3dclip, 3dSwivel, 3dRender, 3dDistance, Camera

Shading commands offers the permanent shading for viewports using all 6 Shading modes :2D Wireframe, 3D Wireframe, Flat, Gouraud, Flat+Edges, Gouraud+Edges

Renderer commands Render, Scene, Light, Mat, Matlib, Mapping, ShowMat, Background, Fog,LsNew, LsEdit, LsLib, Replay, ImageSave, 3dsout, 3dsin, Rpref, Stats

Common commands Xopen, XClip, VPClip, QDim, DXBin, Load, PsIn, PsOut, PsFill, Shell, Compile,Hatch2Solids, Solids2Hatch

Special commands appload (Loads ARX/LISP programs); lisp opens the interactive Lisp prompt

Drawing commandsAll drawing commands are available for all AutoCAD© LT versions 2000 and higher.

These following drawing commands are enabled:

3dface, 3dmesh, Tabsurf, Edgesurf, Revsurf,Rulesurf, Sphere, Pface, Sketch, Trace (Traceis not available from Toolbar)

Mline, Mledit, Mlstyle


Extended Attribute CommandsThe Extended Attributes commands can be made available for all AutoCAD© LT versions. These commandsare defined by additional Arx files, which are not shipped with LT. If you have a valid AutoCAD© license, or ifyou have an AutoCAD Trial version installed, even AutoCAD© LT can load these programs.

Nessecary program files:1. acEAttEdit.arx, acEAttEditRes.dll, acEAttExt.arx, acEAttExtRes.dll, Battman.arx, BattmanRes.dll2. if both AutoCAD© LT and Windows can locate these files (support pathes !), AutoCAD© LT will

load these programs automatically when entering the appropriate commands

These following Extended Attributes commands are enabled:

AttRedef, eAttEdit, eAttExtoptional: BAttMan

3D Surfaces commandsAll 3D Surfaces commands are available for all AutoCAD© LT versions 2000 and higher.

These following 3D-Surface commands are enabled:

Ai_Box, Ai_Wedge, Ai_Pyramid, Ai_Cone, Ai_Sphere,Ai_Dome, Ai_Dish, Ai_Torus

3D OperationsAll 3D Operations commands are available for all AutoCAD© LT versions 2000 and higher.

These following 3D-Operation commands are enabled:

3dArray, Rotate3d, Mirror3d, Align

Raster-/Image commandsAll Raster/Image commands are available for all AutoCAD© LT versions 2000 and higher.

These following Raster/Image commands are enabled:

ImageAttach, ImageClip, ImageQuality, ImageAdjust,Transparency, Advanced Clip

-Image, -ImageAdjust (special Commandline versionsare not available from Menu/Toolbar)


ACIS commandsAll ACIS commands are available for all AutoCAD© LT versions 2000 or higher; additionally there is anumber of variants implemented for the solidedit command.

These following ACIS commands are enabled:

Cylinder, Torus, Box, Cone, Extrusion, Subtract, Interfere, Union, SolidEdit, Rotation, Section,Slice, AcisIn, AcisOut, StlOut, AmeConvert, SolDraw, SolProf, SolView

Variants of SolidEdit

Pan/Zoom/3D-Orbit commandsAll Pan/Zoom/3D-Orbit commands are available for all AutoCAD© LT versions since 2000i or higher; forAutoCAD© LT 2000 the Pan/Zoom/3D-Orbit commands are not completely available, unfortunately !

These following Pan/Zoom/3D-Orbit commands are enabled:

3dOrbit, 3dcOrbit, 3dZoom, 3dZoomTransparent,3dPan, 3dPanTransparent, 3dClip, 3dSwivel,3dRender, 3dDistance, Camera


Viewport Shading ModesThe permanent Viewport shading is available for all AutoCAD© LT versions – all viewports can bepermanently configured to use one of the 6 available shading modes; the drawing model may be edited theneven in shaded representation.

These following Shading modes are available :

2D-Wireframe, 3D-Wireframe, Flat, Gouraud,Flat+Edges, Gouraud+Edges

Renderer commandsAll Renderer commands can be made available for all AutoCAD© LT versions 2000 and higher.

In original AutoCAD©, these commands are provided by some additional Arx programs – these Arx programsare not included in the AutoCAD© LT package. If you have a valid AutoCAD© license, or if you have anAutoCAD Trial version installed, even AutoCAD© LT can load these programs.

Nessecary program files:

1. acRender.arx, acLsObj.arx, Render.xmx, RendComm.dcl, Render.dcl, Render.lli, Render.mli,Rm_Sdb.dwg, Sitename.txt

2. if both AutoCAD© LT and Windows can locate these files (support pathes !), AutoCAD© LT willload these programs automatically when entering the appropriate commands

These following Renderer commands are enabled:

Render, Scene, Light, Mat, Matlib,Mapping, ShowMat, Background, Fog,Lsnew, Lsedit, Lslib, Replay, ImageSave,3dsout, 3dsin, Rpref, Stats


Common commandsAll the following common commands are available for all AutoCAD© LT versions 2000 and higher.Additionally, some further commands are provied for the command line: _Shell, _Compile.

These following common commands are enabled:

ImageClip, XClip, VPClip

Appload, DXBin, Load, PsIn, PsOut, PsFill,Hatch2Solid, Solid2Hatch, XOpen

QDim

Special commandsThe following special commands are available for all AutoCAD© LT – they are all directly provided by LT-Extender, because AutoCAD© LT does not offer these commands as built-in features.

These following special commands are directly provided by LT-Extender 2000 Plus :

Appload, Lisp

Appload : opens the file dialog to select Arx/Lisp application to be laodedLisp : opens the interactive lisp prompt to enter & evaluate Lisp expressions

Starting with version v.1.7, Lisp processing is available at command prompt like with AutoCAD© - forcompatibility, the special Lisp prompt still remains available.

Freeware FeaturesAs a special bonus, LT-Extender offers a range of free function and commands (so-called Freeware).

After installing the Trial version, LT-Extender will work for 200 program starts, without any limitation – afterthis trial period has expired, LT-Extender will stop working, until a regular license is provided. But even if thetrial period has expired, some important "freeware" features will continue working without limitations, thatmeans, you can still use those functions without regular license.

The following commands are provided for free, without License, and for all LT versions:

1. all Image commandsImage. –Image, ImageAttach, ImageAdjust, -ImageAdjust, ImageClip, ImageQuality,Transparency, Advanced Image Cut (ImgCut)

2. Viewport Clip (VpClip)3. Xref Clip (XClip)4. permanently Viewport-Shading (ShadeMode)5. LayerTools6. Hatch2Solid, Solid2Hatch


Activating disabled System-VariablesBesides reactivated commands, LT-Extender offers more than 75 reactivated system variables, which arehidden or not existing in AutoCAD©-LT – the most important system variables are accessible from the menu.There are many and important system variables which will effect several commands and the kind, structureand visual aspects of entities – in summary: nessecary additions to those reactivated commands …

List of reactivated System-Variables which are accessible from the LT-Extender menu :

2D-3D-Draw OffsetGapType, SurfType, SurfTab1, SurfTab2, SurfU, SurfV, TraceWid, HidePrecision,Compass

ACIS DispSilh, FacetRatio, SolidCheck, AcisOutVerM-Lines CmlJus, CmlScale, CmlStyleXRefs BindType, XFadeCtlSketch SketchInc, SkPolyCommon ProxyNotice, ImageHlt, PolarMode, PsVpScale, UcsVp, DragP1, DragP2, ShpNameSystem TreeDepth, TreeMax, WhipThread

Alphabetical list of all reactivated System-Variables :

acadlspasdoc Controls whether AutoCAD loads the acad.lsp file into every drawing or just the first drawingopened in an AutoCAD session.

acadprefix Stores the directory path, if any, specified by the ACAD environment variable, with pathseparators appended if necessary.

acadver Stores the AutoCAD version number. This variable differs from the DXF file $ACADVERheader variable, which contains the drawing database level number.

acisoutver Controls the ACIS version of SAT files created using the ACISOUT command.area The AREA system variable stores the last area computed by the AREA command.bindtype Controls how xref names are handled when binding xrefs or editing xrefs in place.cmljust Specifies multiline justification.cmlscale Controls the overall width of a multiline.cmlstyle Sets the multiline style that AutoCAD uses to draw the multiline.compass Controls whether the 3D compass is on or off in the current viewport.cprofile Displays the name of the current profile.dbmod Indicates the drawing modification status using bitcode.diastat Stores the exit method of the most recently used dialog box.dispsilh Controls display of silhouette curves of solid objects in Wireframe mode. Also controls

whether mesh is drawn or suppressed when a solid object is hidden.dragp1 Sets the regen-drag input sampling rate.dragp2 Sets the fast-drag input sampling rate.dwgcodepage Stores the same value as SYSCODEPAGE (for compatibility reasons).facetratio Controls the aspect ratio of faceting for cylindrical and conic ACIS solids.fullopen Indicates whether the current drawing is partially open.hideprecision Controls the accuracy of hides and shades.imagehlt Controls whether the entire raster image or only the raster image frame is highlighted.lastprompt Stores the last string echoed to the command line.loginname Displays the user's name as configured or as input when AutoCAD is loaded.menuname Stores the menu file name, including the path for the file name.nomutt Suppresses the message display (muttering) when it wouldn't normally be suppressed.offsetgaptype Controls how to offset polylines when a gap is created as a result of offsetting the individual

polyline segments.pfacevmaxplatform Indicates which AutoCAD platform is in use.


plotid Obsolete. Has no effect in AutoCAD 2000 and later releasesplotter Obsolete. Has no effect in AutoCAD 2000 and later releases except to preserve the integrity

of pre-AutoCAD 2000 scripts and LISP routines.plquiet Controls the display of optional dialog boxes and errors for batch plotting and scripts.polarmode Controls settings for polar and object snap tracking.product Returns the product name.program Returns the program name.projectname Assigns a project name to the current drawing.proxynotice Indicates wether to displays a notice when a proxy is created or not display a message.psvpscale Sets the view scale factor for all newly created viewports.refeditname Indicates whether a drawing is in reference-editing state and stores the reference file name.screensize Stores current viewport size in pixels (X and Y).shpname Sets a default shape name that must conform to symbol- naming conventions.sketchinc Sets the record increment for the SKETCH command.skpoly Determines whether the SKETCH command generates lines or polylines.solidcheck Turns the solid validation on and off for the current AutoCAD session.surftab1 Sets the number of tabulations to be generated for RULESURF and TABSURF commands

and sets the mesh density in the M direction for REVSURF and EDGESURF command.surftab2 Sets the mesh density in the N direction for the REVSURF and EDGESURF commands.surftype Controls the type of surface-fitting performed by the Smooth option of the PEDIT command.surfu Sets the surface density for PEDIT Smooth in the M direction.surfv Sets the surface density for PEDIT Smooth in the N direction.syscodepage Indicates the system code page specified in the acad.xmx file.tempprefix Contains the directory name configured for placement of temporary files.tracewid Sets the default trace width.treedepth Specifies the maximum depth, that is, the number of times the tree-structured spatial index

can divide into branches.treemax Limits memory consumption during drawing regeneration by limiting the number of nodes in

the spatial index (oct-tree).ucsvp Determines whether the UCS in viewports remains fixed or changes to reflect the UCS of

the current viewport.undoctl Stores a bitcode indicating the state of the Auto and Control options of the UNDO

command. It's the sum of the following values:undomarks Stores the number of marks placed in the UNDO control stream by the Mark option. The

Mark and Back options are not available if a group is currently active.useri1–useri5 USERI1, USERI2, USERI3, USERI4, and USERI5 are used for integer values.userr1–userr5 USERR1, USERR2, USERR3, USERR4, and USERR5 are used real numbers.users1–users5 USERS1, USERS2, USERS3, USERS4, and USERS5 are used text string data.whipthread Controls whether to use an additional processor (multithreaded processing) to improve the

speed of operations such as ZOOM and PAN that redraw or regenerate the drawing.worlducs Indicates whether the UCS is the same as the WCS.writestat Indicates whether a drawing file is read-only or can be written to.xfadectl Controls the fading intensity for references being edited in-place.

More System Variables available with LT 2004 :

toolpalettepath Defines where Tool Palettes files are stored.xrefnotify Controls the notification for updated or missing xrefs.

hpassoc Controls whether hatch patterns and gradient fills are associative.gfang Specifies the angle of a gradient fill.gfclr1 Specifies the color for a one-color gradient fill or the first color for a two-color gradient fill.


gfclr2 Specifies the second color for a two-color gradient fill.

gfclrlum Makes the color a tint (mixed with white) or a shade (mixed with black) in a one-colorgradient fill.

gfclrstate Specifies whether a gradient fill uses one color or two colors.gfname Specifies the pattern of a gradient fill (1-9).gfshift Specifies whether the pattern in a gradient fill is centered or is shifted up and to the left.

Appload – Loading applicationsOne of the most important features provided by LT-Extender 2000 Plus is given with the appload command,that allows the user (like the original AutoCAD© command) to select, load & run both Arx and Lisp programs.With this command the user is enabled to use AutoCAD© applications even under AutoCAD© LT, to improvecomfort, functionality and flexibility of AutoCAD© LT just as needed.

Important Specialty:As an improvement against the original appload command, LT-Extender additionally offers to load anyfiletype (*.*) at the file dialog. In generally, LT-Extender analyses the kind of selected program files to detectwether to load the specified program file as an Arx file or to load the file as Lisp program..The Filetype isonly used to filter the displayed files on the file selection dialog !

This means, that users may also select unusual AutoCAD© program files like Menu-Lisp files (*.mnl), beforeloading further Arx and/or Lisp programs – this is a very important detail to load more complex applications,that often need their Menu-Lisp files to be loaded before.

Currently, *.fas/*.vlx/*.dvb applications can not be loaded – development for this features is is on theway, and may be provided with future versions of LT-Extender

Additional informations are given in chapter "Automatically loaded Applications".

ARX interfaceAll AutoCAD© LT versionen since LT 2000 have a complete and active ARX interface included – you willrecognize that AutoCAD© LT uses lots of *.arx file to establish its functionality (like AutoCAD© does); the LTinstallation folder contains many arx files.

But Autodesk has blocked any access to the ARX interface for external applications – there is no (arxloadfilename) function and no original appload command available. This way, it looks like the ARX interfacewouldn't be existing ...

Based on our ARX activation technology "LTE", which is integrated into LT-Extender, there is a technicalsolution available to re-activate the ARX interface even under AutoCAD© LT, thus managing Arx applications– this includes loading and running those Arx applications.

Usage and handling of Arx applications under AutoCAD© LT is therefore absolutely the same as underAutoCAD©. In some details a very small number (of very specialised) AutoCAD©-Arx programs may havetrouble when running under AutoCAD© LT. This may range from minor, unimportant mailfunctions up to evencrashes of the applications and/or AutoCAD© LT itself.

There are many reasons possible for such incompatibilities:1- the program code may target exclusively and in a very special way to real AutoCAD©

2- it is possible, that arx programs will mistakenly use the wrong Registry parts of AutoCAD©

instead of using the AutoCAD© LT parts of the Registry (i.e. problems with DemandLoad)3- in very rare situations it may happen, that applications will use complex communication between

Arx and Lisp program code that is not exactly working as under AutoCAD©.

But most of all Arx applications written for AutoCAD© will also run under LT without problems – one exampleis "LayerManager Professional" (also by TM-CAD Engineering) that uses complex technologies and both Arxand Lisp interface -LayerManager is completely working under LT without any problems …


Usage of Arx-Interface and Arx applications from the users' point of view :LT-Extender offers several opportunities for managing and using Arx applications – all these opportunitiesare shown at the LT-Extender-Menu column, and will be explained here:

1. Appload: the Appload command allows you to manually load & run Arx/Lisp applications2. Lisp-Prompt: at the Lisp prompt, Arx applications may be loaded with (arxload filename)3. AutoStart: using the AutoStart dialog, Arx/Lisp applications may be placed into the list of

automatically loaded applications, that are available for use directly after AutoCAD© LT start

The re-activated Arx-Interface is also available for applications:The ARX-Interface is not only available in interactive mode (for the user), but also for applications incompatible way. This means, that both Arx and Lisp programs may dynamically load further Arx applicationsat runtime

LISP interfaceImportant note : with AutoCAD© LT 2004 the AutoLisp interpreter was removed by Autodesk – we arecurrently implementing a new Lisp interpreter to be intergrated with LT-Extender for LT 2004.

With all versions of AutoCAD© LT 2000-2002 the internal AutoLisp interpreter is present and active. ButAutoLisp was handicaped by Autodesk in some important details: at first, AutoLisp is not active at thecommand prompt, and both functions (load lispprogram) und (arxload arxprogram) have been removed. So itlooks as there would be no chance to get into AutoLisp, as first impression …

During development of LT-Extender 2000 Plus, a special technology was built which enables the access toAutoLisp in usual manner – the most interesting and important fact is, that LT-Extender uses the original,built-in AutoLisp, in opposite to other Lisp-enabling software. This ensures highest performance, compatibilityand stability in the context of AutoLisp under AutoCAD© LT.

Features of AutoLisp-Activation:1. complete compatibility at applications' level: this means, that AutoLisp applications will run even

under AutoCAD© LT without differences and limitations2. both that missing AutoLisp functions (load lispprogram) and (arxload arxprogram) are provided

by LT-Extender in compatible way3. AutoLisp applications may use Standard-AutoLisp, Protected-AutoLisp and Kelvinated-AutoLisp4. nested and recursive loads of AutoLisp applications is working properly5. an interactive Lisp prompt is provided to enter and evaluate Lisp expressions; this is an

alternative and replacement for the missing Lisp evaluation at the command prompt

There were intensive tests made to ensure compatibility and stability of the AutoLisp integration: even mostcomplex AutoLisp applications with more than 1 MByte of program code were completely working withoutany problems and with full performance. It was very interesting to recognize, that applications usually run justfaster under AutoCAD© LT compared with AutoCAD© - because AutoCAD© LT is smaller and does not haveso much overhead, the overall performance is just better … an interesting side-effect !

There are some limitations known for using AutoLisp under AutoCAD© LT at this moment:1. there is no possibility for using VisualLisp files (*.fas, *.vlx) (we are working on that)2. some ActiveX based VisualLisp functions are not available: vlr-..., vla-..., vlax-...; all other vl-...

functions are available and working properly3. AutoLisp applications using those programming interfaces of several AutoCAD©-Extentions

(MAP, ADT, LDDT etc.) will not work, because these interfaces are not available under LT

Processing Acad.rx fileAutoCAD© LT shows some further limitations compared to AutoCAD© : the usual support file Acad.rx will notbe processed (because there is no Arx interface available, in official statements). This file is used in thecontext of user-customization of AutoCAD© to automatically load specified Arx applications, listed in that file.These specified Arx applications are normally loaded at AutoCAD© startup.

The main goal of LT-Extender is to provide the most compatible AutoCAD© environment even underAutoCAD© LT for users and applications – therefore, this missing feature of processing acad.rx file isprovided by LT-Extender now.


LT-Extender processes the file Acad.rx once per session at AutoCAD© LT startup and loads thespecified Arx applications automatically !

Some Notes: it is recommended to create a new, empty file Acad.rx in the Support folder of your AutoCAD©

LT installation – some applications will insert their program file(s) during installation. Additionally, users mayalso manually insert their most preferred Arx applications here. LT-Extender will search all support pathes forthe specified arx applications – so it is not nessecary to specify pathes if the application is located within oneof those support pathes.

Processing Acad2000.lsp and Acad2000Doc.lsp filesAutoCAD© LT shows another limitation: the usual support files Acad2000.lsp and Acad2000Doc.lsp arenot processed like they are processed under AutoCAD© (because there is no Lisp interface, as officiallystated). These 2 files are used in the context of user-defined AutoCAD© customization. Usually these filescontain pre-defined commands, loading of Lisp and/or Arx applications and many other customizations.There applies the following rules for processing these files:

1. the files Acad.lsp, Acad2000.lsp are processed once per AutoCAD©/AutoCAD© LT session2. the files AcadDoc.lsp, Acad2000Doc.lsp are processed once when a drawing is loaded

The main goal of LT-Extender is to provide the most compatible AutoCAD© environment even underAutoCAD© LT for users and applications – therefore, this missing feature of processing Acad.lsp,Acad2000.lsp, AcadDoc.lsp, Acad2000Doc.lsp files is provided by LT-Extender now.

LT-Extender loads the files Acad.lsp, Acad2000.lsp once when AutoCAD© LT ist started and the filesAcadDoc.lsp, Acad2000Doc.lsp are loaded once for eached opened drawing !

Some Notes: it is recommended to create new, empty files Acad.lsp, Acad2000.lsp, AcadDoc.lsp,Acad2000Doc.lsp in the Support folder of your LT installation – some applications will insert their settingsand program file(s) during installation. Additionally, users may add their own customizations there, of course.

Support for S::STARTUP function:Running AutoCAD© the function S::STARTUP may be used to run desired Lisp-code after AutoCAD startup.This feature is also provided for AutoCAD© LT by LT-Extender, so Lisp programs may use the S::STARTUPfunction in usual way.

Processing MNL filesThere are further limitations implemented with AutoCAD© LT in opposite to AutoCAD© : when usingadditional menu files (i.e. menu columns of loaded AutoCAD© applications) the related Menu-Lisp files *.MNLare ignored, they are simply not loaded. Usually these Menu-Lisp files contain small AutoLisp routines,functions and commands, that are used to ensure the menu's and the applications proper functionality;sometimes, the Menu-Lisp files may also contain the main application's loading code (that means,applications are loaded and initialised by the Menu-Lisp file). If such applications are loaded by LT-Extender,the missing MNL processing feature would prevent those applications from working properly …

But LT-Extender 2000 Plus also provides a simple, but most effective solution for this basic problem underAutoCAD© LT – this solution completely works without automatically and any further user interaction :

LT-Extender analyses all active menu files and searches for their related Menu-Lisp files*.mnl at AutoCAD© LT startup; all existing Menu-Lisp files are then loaded automatically !

There are no further requirements nor any user interactions nessecary – all that analysis and loading ofMenu-Lisp files is managed automatically. With this special LT-Extender feature, compatibility of AutoCAD©

LT from the applications and the users point of view is significantly improved.

As example, with this LT-Extender feature it is possible to provide a new Menu-Lisp file Aclt.mnl for the(standard) menu file Aclt.mnu to load commonly used Arx/Lisp applications and functions.


'DemandLoad' for ARX ApplicationsFor Ads/Arx applications, AutoCAD© offers the so-called "DemandLoad" technology – this allows thoseAds/Arx applications to be loaded automatically and/or by demand, when an appropriate command isentered. This 'DemandLoad'-technology for external applications is not supported by AutoCAD© LT – thismeans, AutoCAD© LT will not load and run those applications, based on the 'DemandLoad' technology.

LT-Extender 2000 Plus provides this 'DemandLoad'-technology even under AutoCAD© LT : at startup, LT-Extender analyses the Windows' Registry, loads all applications defined for startup activation, and alsodefines appropriate commands for all other Ads/Arx applications. From the applications' point of view, the'DemandLoad'-technology is completely and compatibly active even under AutoCAD© LT.

Automatically loaded ApplicationsAnother main target for LT-Extender development was to offer the maximum support for the user in all casesof customizing AutoCAD© LT. This includes to provide missing features for automatically loaded applicationsthe same way as this is possible under AutoCAD©.

Using the function "StartUp Applications"from the LT-Extender menu column, the showndialog will open. The user may add Arx/Lspprogram files, which shall be loadedautomatically; of course, entries may also beremoved and repositioned.

At AutoCAD© LT startup LT-Extender 2000 Pluswill process this list of applications in exactlythat defined order.

Important Notice:This dialog for automatically loaded applications also allows loading of any filetype (filter: all files (*.*)). Ingenerally, LT-Extender analyses the kind of each specified program file to detect wether the program file is tobe loaded as Arx or Lisp application. The filetype is only used as filter for the shown filelist at the fileselection dialog !

This means, there is no problem when selecting Menu-Lisp files (*.mnl) – this may be useful, if someapplications need their Menu-Lisp file to be processed before the main Arx/Lisp program code is loaded: avery important requirement for more complex applications that usually will use the menu file technology foractivating the application.

Many AutoCAD© applications will be loaded indirectly by means of their menu files – because AutoCAD©

normally loads the Menu-Lisp file (*.mnl) automatically for a given menu. When this Menu-Lisp file isprocessed by AutoCAD©, the main applications' Arx/Lisp program files will be loaded from inside the Menu-Lisp file. With this technology, AutoCAD© applications have a simple, stable, and especially profil-dependentmethod to activate or deactivate the application by loading resp. unloading the menu file.

Additionally, LT-Extender also offers direct support for MNL (Menu-Lisp) files, therefore, loading *.mnl fileswith this function "Automatically loaded Applications" should not be nessecary (except special conditions).For more informations about direct Menu-Lisp support, please see chapter "Processing MNL files".

AutoCAD©-compatible environmentUsually, in a typical installation, AutoCAD© uses a couple of so-called support files like Acad.lin,AcadIso.lin, Acad.pat, AcadIso.pat, Acad.dcl, Acad.slb, Acad.unt and some more; these support filesare also often used by AutoCAD© applications. Under AutoCAD© LT, these support files are also present, butthey are always named Aclt.*. Therefore, most applications will not find the Acad.* support files underAutoCAD© LT – this will lead into some irritations and further errors during program run.


LT-Extender offers an elegant solution for that problem :Controlled by a settings file named "LT-Extender.afc", LT-Extender will automatically create the typicalAutoCAD© support files Acad.* based on the same-named LT support files Aclt.*. The settings file "LT-Extender.afc" contains all usually reference definitions to create these AutoCAD© compatible support files.Each appropriate AutoCAD© support file is created in the same folder as the original AutoCAD© LT supportfile. This file generation process is executed automatically and in the background, when LT-Extender starts.

With this feature, LT-Extender ensures a typical AutoCAD© environment and thus, it provides the bestcompatibility for AutoCAD© applications running under AutoCAD© LT.

If the user encounters a missing AutoCAD© support file, it is easy to supply the missing definition using thesettings file "LT-Extender.afc" by using a text editor like Notepad.exe – simply add the appropriate entry …

Interactive Lisp-PromptStarting with version v.1.7, AutoLISP is completely available at the command prompt – without anyrestrictions ! The following explanations are only maintained for historical review …

Besides the main features of LT-Extender 2000 Plus to load & run Arx and Lisp applications, LT-Extenderalso offers the ability to evaluate AutoLisp expressions by means of a separate, interactive Lisp prompt. AllLisp expression input must be finished with <Return>/<Enter>.

Using the new command Lisp (resp. using the menufunction) the shown Lisp prompt is opened – there youmay enter and evaluate AutoLisp expressions.

Please note these comments:Opposite to AutoLisp evaluation with AutoCAD©, LT-Extender does not support AutoLisp directly at thecommand prompt ! Instead, there is a special Lisp prompt provided – this Lisp prompt is compatible withstandard AutoLisp; but AutoLisp expressions must be finished using the <Return>/<Enter> key.

Some details about technical backgrounds:Of course, it has always been the development target to achive the direct AutoLisp compatibility for thecommand prompt. LT-Extender just contains appropriate program code inside … But there were lots ofdifficulties in many details, that all guided to the decision to deactivate that feature. As example: it would benessecary to "filter" all input from the prompt, which must be manipulated in such a way that AutoCAD© LTwould not recognise this input as an AutoLisp expression. Additionally, that manipulated input would go intocommandline history, that might be recalled with the cursor keys … even editing the recalled commandlineinput had to be manipulated, and so on. In summary, there would be a high risk to disturb the completecommandline processing ! Additionally, even if AutoLisp would be available at the prompt, another problemcan't be solved this way: handling Menu-Lisp expressions is not enabled, because this is processed by aninternal interpreter …

ToolbarsTo improve comfort and to provide fast access to all features, LT-Extender offers a range of toolbars. Thereis a toolbar for each pulldown sub-menu. All Toolbars may be managed using the standard toolbar functions.

Troubleshooting: In very rare situations it may happen, that only 'smilies' are displayed for the toolbars. Inthat case, LT was not able to locate the bitmap files for the icons – but solving this problem is simple:

1. Please check, if the 'MenuSource' folder below LT-Extender's home path is defined to be anAutoCAD© LT support path – if not, please add that folder 'MenuSource'

2. Re-Compile LT-Extender menu file: under "Tools->Customize->Menus" you should first unloadthe LT-Extender menu, then select the same menu (*.mnu !) and load this (ignore the warning).The menu file is re-compiled now and the Toolbars should be displayed using proper icons


LayerToolsLayerTools is a set of layer handling functions designed for fast, easy layer configuration by graphicallyselected entities to determine layers to be effected. The user may apply layer functions like "Freeze/Thaw","On/Off", "Lock/Unlock" directly inside the drawing by selected reference entities. There is an opportunity toselect sub-entities resp. their layers (block attributes), if the user answers with <Return> key instead ofselecting entities: a new prompt is displayed to select sub-entities.

A very special, powerful and user-friendly feature is offered with reverse selection: that means, all layeroperations are executed with those layers, which are not selected by entities : in other words, the user mayselect all those entities, for their layer should not be effected by LayerTools functions.

LayerTools records all layer changes – using Restore function, layer changes can be undone stepweise andwithout limits, in modelspace, paperspace and layouts. All changes to drawing entities are not effected ! Thisway, LayerTools allows comfortable entities editing and restoring layers to their previous states !

Running LayerToolsCommand: DDLTOOLS (also as small icon on AutoCADs statusbar)

When LayerTools is started, a small dialogbox appears, that will always remains in AutoCAD's windowforeground and works simultaneously and parallel to AutoCAD – even better than a ToolBar.

If you have finished LayerTools, the program could be re-opened with command "DDLTOOLS" or from LT-Extender's Pulldown menu or from LayerTool's Icon at the LT statusbar.

Using LayerToolsTake a look at LayerTools' options: right click into empty dialogbox area - the contextmenu will be shown.

"Minimize when focus is lost": reduces the dialog to the titlebar ifLayerTools is not active, i.e if the user works inside the AutoCAD drawing"Active mouse tracking": LayerTools will watch the mouse andautomatically activate the drawing window or LayerTools dialog box

LayerTool functions will process those layers of selected (or not-selected) entities. When a function starts,the user is asked for entities selection first – select the entities to determine the layers to be processed.

You may also answer with <Space>/<Return> key at the entities selection prompt: then it is possibleto select sub-entities to determine layers (like block attributes and XRef entities)

Layer:Current: changes the current layer to reference entity's layerFreeze: changes all reference entities' layer to frozenOff: changes all reference entities' layer to offVP-Freeze: changes all reference entities' layers to vp-frozenLock: changes all reference entities' layer to lockedUnLock: changes all reference entities' layer to unlockedEntities:Copy: copies all entities on reference entities' layers to another layer thatis also determined by reference entityChange: moves all entities on reference entities' layers to another layerthat is also determined by reference entityShow: QuickView all entities located on layers of reference entitiesErase: erases all entities located on layers of reference entitiesForeground: positions all entities located on layers of reference entitiesinto foregroundBackground: positions all entities located on layers of reference entitiesinto backgroundRestore: restores the previous layer situation

Not-selected Layer: if this option is active, all functions will process all those NOT SELECTED layer !

Restoring layer situations will NOT effect other edit operations you made with drawing entities !


Some Examples:

"Lock" & "Not-selected Layer": assume, layer "XYZ" is determined by reference entities – that means, allother layers will be locked, "XYZ" remains unlocked, and you may only edit entities on layer "XYZ"

"Off" & "Not-selected Layer": assume, layer "XYZ" is determined by some reference entities – all otherlayers will be changed to OFF, except layer "XYZ" that remains visible.

The Restore stack is unlimited in size and depth, that means you may restore all previous layer situationseven back to the beginnig of your LayerTools operations.

Autodesk ExpressToolsStarting with version v.1.6, LT-Extender offers direct support for the popular Autodesk© ExpressTools – thatmeans, LT-Extender enables loading & running ExpressTools even under AutoCAD© LT by emulating allExpressTools kernel functions with its own program code – these kernel functions are originally provided bythose "AcetUtil*.fas" program files, which can't be loaded under LT. Because LT-Extender automaticallydetects the presence of ExpressTools, they are completely loaded, activated and managed by LT-Extender.

By providing ExpressTools support, users will take advantage in several ways :• nearly all ET functions and tools are available under LT, so users will find their commonly used tools

and technologies even when running AutoCAD© LT• those drawings created under AutoCAD© using the ET and ET specific entities are now displayed

correctly and without proxies (i.e. WipeOuts, RText, ArcAlignedText, etc.)

These major ET tools and functionen are now available in LT:• LMan LayerStates-Manager• WipeOut "Invisible" images to hide & mask entities• Revisionswolke revision text for entities• RText "Reactive Text" – links to external text files• ArcText Arc-aligned text entities• TextMask masking text entities• SuperSchraffur creates hatch patterns from images• Pack&Go reference summary on all resources used by the drawing

Supported ExpressTools versionsThere are 2 major ExpressTools versions available for AutoCAD© 2000/2000i/2002 : Volumes 1-8 andVolumes 1-9. Both versions are described here to prevent irritations and misunderstandings.

ExpressTools Volumes 1-8: the ET Vol.1-8 are shipped with all versions of AutoCAD© 2000 (Vanilla, MAP,MDT, LDT etc.) – and they are not Freeware ! This means, you will need at least one valid license ofAutoCAD© 2000/2000i/2002 to install and use ET Vol.1-8.Because ET Vol.1-8 are automatically installed together with AutoCAD©, there is no specific "LicenseAgreement" available for ET – due to Online help, the installed ET Vol.1-8 "are free examples of those mostpopular tools …". This means, you can install and use ET Vol.1-8 with both AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT !

ExpressTools Volumes 1-9: Starting with AutoCAD© 2000i, there are no free-of-charge ExpressToolsavailable on your AutoCAD© installation CD – now you are free to buy those ExpressTools Vol.1-9 which areupdated and improved for AutoCAD© 2000i/2002 from the Autodesk Online Shop (149 USD - Juli 2002).Based on the "License Agreement" for ET Vol.1-9 you will need a separate license of ET Vol.1-9 for eachmachine; but using the ET Vol.1-9 is not limited to AutoCAD© only by refering to the "License Agreement" -therefore, using ExpressTools is valid under AutoCAD© LT ! It is suggested to purchase a valid ET licensefrom Autodesk© Online Shop (www.autodesk.com/expresstools) for each machine.

Which ET version is installed ? If you have already installed ET, or if you are currently using the ET withAutoCAD©, you might need to know, which version you are running – neither the Online help nor the "About"will give the answer. Please have a look into the folder named ".\Express" of your AutoCAD© installation andcheck the presence of the following files, which are specific for the appropriate ET version :

ExpressTools Volumes 1-8 ExpressTools Volumes 1-9acetloc.lsp, isort.lsp, acetflt.lsp, acetmain.hlp acetmail.arx, acetftp.arx, acetutil2.fas (- acetutil4.fas)


ExpressTools Volumes 1-8This chapter provides all nessecary informations to install and activate ExpressTools Vol.1-8 successfullyunder AutoCAD© LT. You can use the ExpressTools Vol.1-8 regardless of their language version with allversions of AutoCAD© and LT 2000/2000i/2002 and all derivated products.

Installing ET Vol.1-8 for LTInstalling ExpressTools Vol.1-8 under AutoCAD© LT is a really simple task, and will only need the followingtwo steps described here (AutoCAD© LT must be closed !) :

• Step 1: locate the ExpressTools folder ".\Express"Usually, ExpressTools are installed into a folder named “.\Express“ – check your PC to locate theposition of ExpressTools on your machine

• Step 2 : start LT and add a new Support-Pfad for the ".\Express" folderMenu->Tools->Options, Page "Files", "Support File Search Path"; this support path is nessecary tofind all ET program files

After closing and restarting AutoCAD© LT, the ExpressTools will be activated and ready to use.

Activating and Using ET Vol.1-8 under LTAfter locating the ExpressTools folder ".\Express" on your PC and providing the support path for this folder,please close and restart AutoCAD© LT.

When restarting AutoCAD© LT, LT-Extender will automatically detect the presence of ExpressTools and willload its support program code for the ExpressTools. Additionally, the ExpressTools menu is loaded anddisplayed if nessecary – then, the ExpressTools are just ready to use…

LT-Extender will document the proper ExpressTools activation with the following command line message :

* LT-Extender 2000 Plus : ExpressTools Vol.1-8 Support - OK

Note 1: if the given message is not displayed after the first AutoCAD© LT restart, please close andrestart LT again – also, check for the proper support path definition.

Note 2: if the ExpressTools-menu is not displayed, you can also load and display the menu manuallyas usual under AutoCAD©,

Limitations and Problems with ET Vol.1-8Some ExpressTools commands are using ActiveX/VBA based VisualLisp functions – this is the major reasonfor a few ExpressTools commands not running properly under LT; ActiveX/VBA support is not availableunder LT in generally.

The following ET functions and commands are currently not or not completely working or will show someerror messages – this is caused by ActiveX/VBA based VisualLisp functions used by those programs :

Delete Layer (laydel) is currently not workingReplace Path (redir) works incomplete only and shows some error messagesMake Shape (mkshape) works nearly complete, but error message after shape creation

The future development of LT-Extenders will also include more emulations of ActiveX/VBA basedVisualLisp functions – then, the above mentioned tolls will probably work fine.

If you encounter any further problems with particular ExpressTools functions and commands, please send usa short bug report to [email protected], if nessecary, add example drawing(s) – properExpressTools support is of highest importance for LT-Extender and we will provide any bugfixing as soon aspossible – this is promised !



ExpressTools Volumes 1-9This chapter provides all nessecary informations to install and activate ExpressTools Vol.1-9 successfullyunder AutoCAD© LT. You can use the ExpressTools Vol.1-9 regardless of their language version with allversions of AutoCAD© and LT 2000/2000i/2002 and all derivated products.

Installing ET Vol.1-9 for LTInstalling ExpressTools Vol.1-9 under AutoCAD© LT is really a simple task, and will only need the followingtwo steps described here (AutoCAD© LT must be closed !) :

• Step 1: locate the ExpressTools folder ".\Express"Usually, ExpressTools are installed into a folder named “.\Express“ – check your PC to locate theposition of ExpressTools on your machine

• Step 2: start LT and add a new Support-Pfad for the ".\Express" folderMenu->Tools->Options, Page "Files", "Support File Search Path"; this support path is nessecary tofind all ET program files

After closing and restarting AutoCAD© LT, the ExpressTools will be activated and ready to use.

Activating and Using ET Vol.1-9 under LTAfter locating the ExpressTools folder ".\Express" on your PC and providing the support path for this folder,please close and restart AutoCAD© LT.

When restarting AutoCAD© LT, LT-Extender will automatically detect the presence of ExpressTools and willload its support program code for the ExpressTools. Additionally, the ExpressTools menu is loaded anddisplayed if nessecary – then, the ExpressTools are just ready to use…

LT-Extender will document the proper ExpressTools activation with the following command line message :

* LT-Extender 2000 Plus : ExpressTools Vol.1-9 Support - OK

Note 1: if the given message is not displayed after the first AutoCAD© LT restart, please close andrestart LT again – also, check for the proper support path definition.

Note 2: if the ExpressTools-menu is not displayed, you can also load and display the menu manuallyas usual under AutoCAD©,

Limitations and Problems with ET Vol.1-9Some ExpressTools commands are using ActiveX/VBA based VisualLisp functions – this is the major reasonfor a few ExpressTools commands not running properly under LT; ActiveX/VBA support is not availableunder LT in generally.

The following ET functions and commands are currently not or not completely working or will show someerror messages – this is caused by ActiveX/VBA based VisualLisp functions used by those programs :

Delete Layer (laydel) is currently not workingReplace Path (redir) works incomplete only and shows some error messagesMake Shape (mkshape) works nearly complete, but error message after shape creation

The future development of LT-Extenders will also include more emulations of ActiveX/VBA basedVisualLisp functions – then, the above mentioned tolls will probably work fine.

If you encounter any further problems with particular ExpressTools functions and commands, please send usa short bug report to [email protected], if nessecary, add example drawing(s) – properExpressTools support is of highest importance for LT-Extender and we will provide any bugfixing as soon aspossible – this is promised !


26 •••• Troubleshooting LT-Extender 2000 Plus

TroubleshootingKnown LimitationsThis chapter will summarize any known limitations. All these limitations are main targets for the continuingdevelopment of LT-Extender 2000 Plus, so these details may change in future releases of LT-Extender ….

Using AutoLisp expressions inside Menus:

Starting with version v.1.7, AutoLISP is completely available from inside menus – with only a veryminor limitation, as explained below …

There is a minor limitation related to "(load lispfile)" function:Syntax : (load lispfile) works fine without any problemsSyntax : (load lispfile OnError) can not be used from inside menu

Possible solutions and workarounds for the (load lispfile) Menu problem:1. use (load lispfile) syntax, T / NIL is returned2. use (ltload lispfile OnError) – T / OnError is returned

AutoLisp expressions are not available inside Menus ?:(only, if your LT version is not fully supported)At this time, the most important restriction is given with the impossibility to use AutoLisp expressions frominside pulldown menus – only error messages will appear at the prompt. This is caused by the differentevaluation of those Lisp expression by AutoCAD© - these expressions are not evaluated at command prompt(they are echoed there only), instead they are processed by a special menu expression evaluator that is notavailable with AutoCAD© LT.

Possible solutions and workarounds for the Menu problem:1. if any Arx/Lisp programs shall be loaded from within the menu, it is recommended to load these

programs i.e. with the list of "Automatically loaded Applications" feature.2. because LT-Extender emulates that (under AutoCAD© LT) missing feature of "Automatically load

of MNL files" , those menu Lisp expressions may be defined as simple helper command (defunc:command (/) …) functions within the related Menu-Lisp files *.mnl – this command may becalled from inside the menu thenLT-Extender offers a tool program "ConvertMNU.exe", that will convert the menu file(*.mnu/mns), so the converted menu will work with both AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT

Compiled menu files (*.mnc) are not compatible between AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT :The compiled menu files (*.mnc) are not compatible between AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT – for whateverreasons ! Usually, this is not a problem as long as you will not use the compiled menu with both AutoCAD©

and AutoCAD© LT simultaneously, but only from AutoCAD© or AutoCAD© LT. The problem will rise up, if youintend to use the menu with both AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT in case, the application is installed only once.Solution is very simple : Create a copy of the original menu system, including all mnu/mns/mnl files andrename the copied files to appropriate names: i.e. "MyApp.mnu/mns/mnl" could be copied to "MyApp-LT.mnu/mns/mnl" – don't forget the menu lisp files ! Run AutoCAD© LT and load & compile the new menufile; AutoCAD© will continue using the original menu - this way the compiled menus will not conflict anymore.

Usage of VisualLisp programs (*.fas, *.vlx) is not available:At this time, there is no chance for LT-Extender to load VisualLisp-specific files (*.fas/*.vlx) – but VisualLispfunctions may be used (even in *.lsp files) without problems !.You may expect, that future versions of LT-Extender will offer more support for VisualLisp program files.

Special programming interfaces are not available under AutoCAD© LT:Ads/Arx/AutoLisp applications using special programming interfaces like those of MAP, ADT, LDDT etc. willnot work or will not work properly, because these interfaces are not available under AutoCAD© LT.

"Object Properties" dialog might ignore applications-defined entities:Special application-defined entities (those entities that sometimes are shown as proxies) might be ignored bythe "Object Properties Manager" in most cases.- this seems to be related to the Demand-Load-Feature notworking properly. Like described above, manually/automatically loading the apropriate Arx application maysolve the problem.

LT-Extender 2000 Plus Troubleshooting •••• 27

Limitations, Solutions and AlternativesThis chapter discusses suitable solutions and alternatives for the most common problems arising when usingAutoCAD© applications under AutoCAD© LT.

Since version v.1.7, AutoLISP is completely available from inside menus for major LT versions – forparticular LT versions, AutoLISP is not yet supported inside menus; therefore, the following chapteris only of importance, if your LT version will not offer AutoLISP inside menus.

Solutions and alternatives for the Menu-Lisp problem:The most common problem when using AutoCAD© applications under AutoCAD© LT is related to the usageof Menu files, which includes Lisp expressions. As explained in chapter "Known Limitations" these Menu Lispexpressions are not evaluated and will lead into rror messages. In summary, using Lisp expressions insidemenus is not recommended : on one side, there are a number of other methods available, on the other side,it will need much more efforts to maintain such menus.

1. Avoiding AutoLisp expressions inside Menus:solution for this problem is really simple: AutoLisp expressions should not be used – instead, the menusshould contain commands only; therefore, it is recommended to place all lisp expressions from the menufiles (*.mnu) as small command definitions into the appropriate menu lisp files (*.mnl). This way, themenu system maintainance is much easierer, and the defined commands may be much more powerful.Alternatively, these small helper command definitions may also be placed in normal lisp program filesthat are then defined to be automatically loaded by LT-Extender's "Automatically Load of Applications"feature. But the best solution (and therefore recommended) is to use Menu-Lisp files (*,mnl).

2. Avoiding (load "lispprogram") / (arxload "arxprogram") expressions:Another commonly used (but unprofessional) method will load Arx and Lisp programs directly from insidethe menu – this will only lead into error messages under AutoCAD© LT … Besides that solution under 1.there are further solutions available: the Arx and Lisp programs may also be loaded a) from within theappropriate Menu-Lisp (*.mnl) file or b) by LT-Extenders "Automatically loaded Applications" feature

3. Converting the menu files (*.mnu/mns) using the tool "ConvertMNU.exe"This utility will remove all lisp expressions from the menu file (*.mnu/mns) and place appropriate lispcommands into the related menulisp file (*.mnl) – the menu will use those commands then.=> the newmenu will therefore work with both AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT.

Compiled menu files (*.mnc) are not compatible between AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT :The compiled menu files (*.mnc) are not compatible between AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT – for whateverreasons ! But this is usually no ptoblem as long as you will not use the compiled menu with both AutoCAD©

and AutoCAD© LT simultaneously, but only from AutoCAD© or AutoCAD© LT. The problem will rise up, if youwill use the menu with both AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT simultaneously and in case, the application isinstalled once only.Solution is very simple : Please create a copy of the original menu system, including all .mnu/mns/mnl filesand rename the copied files to appropriate names: i.e. "MyApp.mnu/mns/mnl" could be copied to "MyApp-LT.mnu/mns/mnl" – please don't forget the menu lisp files (.mnl) ! That’s all … Run AutoCAD© LT and loadand compile the new menu file; AutoCAD© will continue to use the original emnu files. This way the compiledmenu files will not overlap anymore.

Arx applications are not running properly ?:Unfortunately, there is no guarantee provided that all Arx applications will run properly under AutoCAD© LT –there are lots of possible and sometimes complex reasons that may prevent some applications from workingthe usual way (see chapter "Arx Interface"). One of the most common reason is that Arx programs could notdetect their own installation path, and therefore they will miss their *.dcl or *.ini files or similar files like that.

Possible Workarounds: sometimes it may be helpful to add the application's installation path to thoseAutoCAD© LT support pathes to ensure that the Arx application may find its related files.

28 •••• Troubleshooting LT-Extender 2000 Plus

Debugging and Erorr-AnalysisThis chapter describes some special LT-Extender features that may help you to detect and solve problemsrelated to LT-Extender. In order to provide assistance for both users and developers, LT-Extender offers aspecial Debug Mode, that will create detailled protocols. The Debug mode may be useful especially whenusing other Third-Parties' Arx- and/or Lisp programs, if any problems arise, an error analysis is available.

Recommandations:If possible, please test any Third-Party software which you plan to use with LT-Extender running AutoCAD©

LT under regular AutoCAD© - this will ensure that those applications run properly

Then activate the Debug mode as described below; the Debug and textscreen protocols will list all internalprocesses and loaded program code to allow detailled analysis.

Debug-Mode Activation:To activate the Debug mode, please create a simple, empty textfile named "Debug!" inside the LT-Extenderinstallation folder and restart AutoCAD© LT. At startup, LT-Extender wil create a protocol file named "LT-Extender.log" and will list another protocol inside the AutoCAD© textscreen with detailled informations oninternal processes of LT-Extenders.

Please send both the protocol file "LT-Extender.log" and the textscreen content together with all informationswhich seems to be helpfully via email to this address : [email protected] – we will get in contactwith you to provide any solution and bugfixing as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What about the legal situation when using LT-Extenders – or: is LT-Extender legal ?

The clear answer is : YES !

This is really two questions: "Is LT-Extender violating any laws by providing its features ?", and "Will the userviolate any laws when using LT-Extender ?" Almost certainly not ! Is LT-Extender violating any Autodesklicense agreements ? Not according to the opinions of some highly respected experts in the field of softwarecopyright.

LT-Extender is completely based on own technologies of the author TM-CAD Engineering Torsten Moses.

Both the LTE Kernel system and the LT-Extender technologies are explicitely not violating any copyrights ofAutodesk in any way, nor they are breaking any paragraphs declared in the user's AutoCAD© or AutoCAD©

LT license contract, regardless wether US or German laws are underlying. Additionally, many of the licensecontract's paragraphs are very disputed under European rights …

The US copyright related laws know about "Reverse Engineering" that is legal under defined conditions. Themain condition claims that any files and data under 'foreign' copyrights (in this case: under Autodeskscopyright on AutoCAD© and AutoCAD© LT) may not be manipulated in any way. Exactly this will absolutelynot happen in any way by either LTE and LT-Extender !

Neither LTE nor LT-Extender are manipulating any AutoCAD© and/or AutoCAD© LT files in any way;additionally, neither LTE nor LT-Extender are manipulating the effects or internal technologies of anyAutoCAD© and/or AutoCAD© LT files ! Therefore, the users position is absolutely legal when usingLT-Extender !

Some important notes:Users that would like to activate the 3D-Surface commands and/or Renderer commands will need to copysome original AutoCAD© files into any support path of AutoCAD© LT. It is absolutely nessecary to be inpossession of a valid AutoCAD© license to use those files under AutoCAD© LT, to have a minimum legalsafety ! In any case, the user will take all responsibility for using AutoCAD© files under AutoCAD© LT !


LT-Extender 2000 Plus Software-Updates •••• 29

Software-UpdatesInstalling LT-Extender UpdatesInstalling updates for LT-Extender 2000 Plus is a very simple procedure. All updates and bugfixes are free ofcosts and may be downloaded from LT-Extender's homepage www.LT-Extender.com.

After downloading the update or bugfix, simply re-install the new version into the existing installation path,thus overwriting the old files – your software registration remains vaild: trial version remains trial version, andlicensed version remains licensed version.

TranslationsSome Notes about TranslationsProviding LT-Extender 2000 Plus in any desired language is in the interest of both the software developerand the users, of course ! Therefore, LT-Extender has been designed to support translations and to madethis as easy as possible … All language dependent components (pulldown menu column, messages anddialogs, command names) are defined in simple text files, that may be edited with any ASCII Editor.

All users are hereby granted the right for LT-Extender translations under the following conditions !

Conditions for legitimated software translations:

1. all copyright statements must not be changed in any way !2. the names of translated files must comply with the file naming rules (see below)3. all translated files must be send as copy to the program author ([email protected]),

in order to publish the translation to the websites

Of course, any person and any company that has provided the translation, may include their own copyrighton transaltion into the headers of translated files – but this will also be provided by the program author, ifnessecary. All translations are then included into the LT-Extender installation package and provided fordownload.

Overview on the files to be translated :All language dependent files will include a 2/3 character indication xx in their filenames accordingly to theirlanguage.

If any developer would like to add further language(s), it is strongly recommended to follow the given rules :use a separate postfix "-xx" for each language to add; the following language postfixes are internally pre-defined for automatic language selection :

Bulgarian-bg Chinese-chCroatian-cr Czech-czDanish-dn Dutch-nlFinnish-fi French-frGreek-gr Hungarian-huIcelandic-ic Italian-itJapanese-jp Korean-koNorwegian-no Polish-plPortuguese-pg Romanian-roRussian-ru Slovakian-svSlovenian-sl Spanish-cst (castellano) cat (catalan)Swedish-sw Turkish-tu

For other languages not listed here, feel free to use any other postfixes (even with more than 2 characters).

http://www.lt-extender.com/


30 •••• Translations LT-Extender 2000 Plus

Please see the following tips and notes for translations :

Files to translate:

LT-Extender-xx.mnuMenu-Definition

only thos text parts appearing within […] brackets and helptexts may betranslated

LT-Extender-xx.msgMessage file

all entries will using the form "Key # Message"; all Message texts may betranslated

LT-Extender-xx.cmdCommand definition

all entries will use the form "internal_cmd # national_language_cmd";national_language_cmd is the command name in national language

Some notes on Command definitions:Its of essential importance to use all command definition entries with correct style and syntax – otherwise,some commands will not be available.

Example: _.3dface # 3dfläche

The original, built-in english AutoCAD© command name is given left of # character – this acts like a key andmust not be changed or tranlated in any way ! The name of that AutoCAD© command in local, nationallanguage is given right of # character – there may be used several names (i.e. several aliases).for each built-in command; the only important fact is that the original built-in command name left of # character must not bechanged !

Online-Help Translation :Translating the online help file is a much more complex job – but all interested parties are invited to get incontact with the program author, in order to find suitable procedures for the translation, depending on thespecific environment available … simply send an email to [email protected].

If there are any open questions, or any suggestions for LT-Extender or anything else regarding the softwareand/or its translation, anyone is invited to contact the author – we will be glad to provide any assistance asneeded !


LT-Extender 2000 Plus Translations •••• 31

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