Expert: Bill DeShawn - 2/21/2008

Question
When I am in a drawing my units are defaulting randomly.  I want them set to decimal, but they go back to architectural every few commands.  How do I make it stop doing this?

Answer
Meridith:

You know what core commands are.  They are the ones like COPY, MIRROR, ROTATE, MOVE, LINE, PLINE, etc.  But every now and then, you type in a command that isn't one of the core commands.  You're getting that from either a LISP, ARX, or VBA routine that is programmed to react in a non-standard manner when you type in a command or sometimes even when you type in core command.  "Even when you type in a core command, you say?"  Yes, even then.  Because sometimes a LISP routine is written to replace a core command.  The core command is undefined and a LISP routine is written with the same name as the command.  These routines are either loaded by residing within ACAD200xDOC.LSP, ACAD.LSP, or similarly loaded file, or within individual routines that you loaded or that are getting automatically loaded when you start up.  

Do you load third-party software with AutoCAD?  Do you manage your own computer's CAD software?  Or do you perhaps have a CAD manager or IT guy that can check things like this out?  

There is no way I can know which routine you run is doing this without having all the routines at my disposal.  If it's a LISP routine, I am able to look for problems therein and hopefully correct them.  If it's a FAS file, then it's encrypted and I can't see the code.  

If you find a LISP routine that you suspect is causing the problem, let me know, and I'll provide you with an email address so you can send it to me.

Keep in touch
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn