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I think there’s other reasons too! CAD, VisualLISP, have been around for more than a quarter century, AutoLISP, like 40 years, either people have moved on to other software packages, or use an already existing solution People at stack overflow started to complain about it being toxic, people downvote legitimate questions where the question was a bit hard to understand, i.e. where the OP’s first language isn’t English. I use the heck out of AI though; I even run local models. The issue is, people expect LLMs to “one shot” solutions, it’s unlikely to happen. If you spend time and find a system to work with the models, they are amazing.

What are you trying to accomplish with this code? First and foremost vla-CopyObjects doesn't support Layouts in the manner you are attempting, AFAIK. You need to use -LAYOUT command or pretty much need to use LeeMac's Steal or at least determine the method he uses for Layouts, which if I am looking at it correctly uses the Block Table record maybe more as I quickly glanced at it.

I worry that information will become like entertainment. We used to have a few TV channels, they were free, and we trusted their information. Then came cable, which grew into a mess of garbage that came through one provider, so you paid for things you mostly didn't want. Then came streaming, which is turning into a handful of providers with even more garbage, and you pay for each provider. AI may turn out like that: a few providers, with answers of questionable quality, at prices we can't afford. What would make sense to me is to create repositories of knowledge, curated by an AI. As it is, you have to ask similar questions, and the AI starts from scratch every time. Wouldn't it make more sense to treat the AI like someone with institutional knowledge? If you had a repository for AutoLISP code, for instance, all of us could contribute to it and maintain it. You might have to pay for your answer, but you would know it was correct and useful.

Like @Steven P How do you look at the data now ? Is it just displayed when you run a program ? If so what is the program ? Some one must have written it.

I think you would need Python, .NET, or ObjectARX as Autolisp does not have an on idle event that I can see. According to AI, you can read the input stream in a background thread, then use AutoCAD’s on idle event to update geometry in AutoCAD. I asked AI about using PyRx and it spit out a bunch of code converting $GPGGA $GNGGA to Lat/Log and stuff, I attached it. scratch.txt

Like @mhupp may need to run an external program that writes current location to a file, then you can read that file and update say text. Depending on the program may run a BAT file or run the program or use powershell to run. I think can look at a file date has changed via reactor but manual much easier. I did a Google and did start to find hints of save to a txt or csv file but that is as far as I went. It is something you need to do, yje googling. Talk to who you bought the device from they may have something.

Would need a Reactor and connect to some type of database.

Not sure, can the GNSS write / overwrite or updated a text file continuously? Reading a text file is easy with CAD, copy that to a block and the rest is all possible - not sure the interface yet. BigAl might know something later today.

Back to your code, using OBDX you get the layout list like this. ; example code by AlanH June 2026 (setq fname (getfiled "Select dwt File" "D:\\alan" "dwt" 16)) (setq impdoc (vla-getinterfaceobject (vlax-get-acad-object) (strcat "ObjectDBX.AxDbDocument." (itoa (atoi (getvar 'acadver)))) ) ) (vl-catch-all-apply 'vla-open (list impdoc impdwg)) (setq layout (vlax-get-property impdoc 'layouts)) (setq lst '()) (vlax-for lname layout (setq lst (cons (vlax-get lname 'name) lst)) ) (if (not AH:Butts)(load "Multi Radio buttons.lsp")) (if (= but nil)(setq but 1)) (setq ans (ah:butts but "V" (cons "Please choose" lst))) (command "layout" "T" lname ans) You can then feed that lst to say a dcl and choose, this is using a library function that returns the layout name, save multi radio buttons in a support path or edit the (load to full path where saved. It will work for up to about 20 layout names, a screen limitation. Give it a try let me know how it works, Multi radio buttons.lsp

Perhaps it's easier than it seems. If it is an integrated receiver and Windows is able to obtain location data from it, then you should be able to access that data through the 'Windows Location API'. In that case, it should be possible to write a script to be executed from PowerShell that creates a loop to poll the receiver and write the data to a file. That loop would run in parallel with AutoCAD, allowing Lisp to read the new data as it is written. This method would be "intrusive", since it would occupy AutoCAD's command stream for as long as the command is running. However, there is another, less intrusive option that could operate in the "background": write the data to a system variable ('USERS#') and create a reactor that responds to changes in that variable: 'vlr-sysvar-reactor'. If the script is executed in a background PowerShell instance, you would also need to write a Lisp command capable of closing that instance when necessary. Once the script has been debugged, it could be incorporated into the Lisp code itself, making the whole solution completely self-contained. I haven't had much free time lately, but I'll try to investigate all of this a bit further.

Hello. You might have to code a listener on COM or TCP/IP to read nmea stream (depending how you cast your GNSS stream). It is possible with .net to code a plugin that read a com port or TCP/IP stream and then follow the GNSS position in many ways. Inserting Block to the last position Drawing any entities following the GNSS position. Soeren Le Berre

Why not just use "Layout T" Template it asks for the dwg and which layout i have always used it and no problems. Can run as a (command

https://www.lee-mac.com/steal.html (Steal "C:\\My Folder\\MyDrawing.dwg" '(("Layouts" ("Page1" "Page2"))))

Are you able to dive into Windows itself a little - been a while since I needed to do anything similar though so this might not be possible. Close everything and set the receiver going, record some data, say 5 mins or something. Windows of old let you search the whole system for every file... might be able to limit that to 'modified in last hour' (or whatever). This might bring up the saved data, might be able to open in notepad and see if it is encrypted / compressed (all the weird characters) or raw data. If is is raw data then you are away and running able to read and modify as you want. Think you would need to show hidden and system files to get the best chance of finding the data. Might work.

As an dilettante, I want to say that AI exists only thanks to professionals like you. All the training materials and a lot of codes are written by real people. Therefore, all the applause is for you and only for you!!!

Some suggestions. Go back to who you bought the device from, they may have something. If it was say Amazon not sure. Look on the manufacturers web site for more info contact them. Brand, model etc ?

In real time? I think is saw one for like $300 will post later tonight. -edit I can't find it was like dtool or something

Yeah, my thought would be to use an external app to talk to the receiver, save the coordinates to a text file somewhere continuously - probably by overwriting a simple text file 'X-Coord Y-Coord Z-Coord Description' - same format all the time - all done outside of CAD. Have CAD running and using a delay (https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/visual-lisp-autolisp-and-general/using-delay-command-in-scripts/td-p/5497881 for an example) get CAD to read this file as necessary, plot the point

Your trying to talk to an external device, something that Autocad was never really designed to do out of the box.. Other than say a Digitiser. Yes in survey software including CIV3D there are programs that talk to survey instruments, but some one has writen say a .NET interface to do the talking part. So you need a external program Python may do it for you, Lisp is a pretty low level language when it comes to interfaces. You need functions that do that and they are probably not built into the Lisp interpreter. Bricscad has added lisp functions to its software they are not available to say Acad as improvements. In the case of mobile phone photos I used a 3rd part program to read the details from the jpg images so could get the lat and long and insert in a dwg at correct location. Using lisp could call the other external program. look at Startapp can call a bat file. "Need a thread" then why not talk to hand held distance measures, I am sure others would come up with other devices also that they would like plug and play.

Hi Daniel (Its_Alive) and everyone in this thread, I have been analyzing this project thoroughly, and the architectural concept behind your SQLiteLsp extension is brilliant. Having a dedicated BRX module with an embedded SQLite engine that exposes clean AutoLISP functions like (DSQL_OPEN), (DSQL_ASSOCQUERY), and (DSQL_CLOSE) is exactly how professional data-driven CAD/CAM applications should be built. However, after running a deep compatibility check for our current enterprise furniture design engine (project ZEN PRACA V2B34), we hit a classic deployment bottleneck. The original module was compiled for BricsCAD V12 around 2011. Even looking at later iterations for IntelliCAD, relying on a pre-compiled binary extension (.brx / .irx) creates a heavy production risk regarding x64 architecture alignment, modern compiler library dependencies, and strict binary compatibility with newer host CAD versions. Because we are currently stabilizing our central parametric engine, we have made a strategic decision not to plug the old V12 BRX module as a production dependency right now. Introducing an external binary at this critical stage could create a second "source of truth" and lead to dependency hell, distracting us from core geometric validation. That being said, the SQLite philosophy is absolutely a GO for our next development phase, but as a clean data persistence layer structured into a strict three-tier architecture: Data Layer (SQLite): To store externalized project profiles, global cabinet variables (PARAMETRY_SZAF), construction tolerances (PROFILE_KORPUSU), zoning maps (MODULE_MAP), internal equipment payloads (shelves, rods, drawers), and manufacturing logs (BUILD_MANIFEST, BOM). SQLite is the perfect serverless, file-based standard for this, especially with the engine being actively developed (up to version 3.53.2 in mid-2026). Logic Layer (Central LISP Engine): Our pure AutoLISP core that reads these parameters, validates manufacturing constraints, and calculates the exact spatial coordinate plans. Presentation Layer (DWG): The clean, visual 3D output generated by a fully controlled and audited geometry builder. Our Roadmap: We are first finalizing the central engine and rule registry using native, structured LISP association lists (which perfectly mimic the flat row-and-column layout of a relational database). Once the geometry is 100% robust, we plan to write a lean, modern SQLite adapter tailored specifically for our V2B34 schema, completely free of legacy binary dependencies. Thank you for this thread—it completely validated our choice to move towards a relational database structure for complex parametric wood-engineering projects! Best regards, Zen

Did you have a look at this? SQLite for AutoLisp https://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=28286.0 I haven't updated it in a while though

Also, this work was the whole reason I made SQLite for Autolisp, to handle the zillions of parameters. Could automatically select the correct drawer hardware, I only had Grass and Blum though, they both sent me all the blocks too so I could use them in sections, I should have saved all that stuff

I think you’ll get into trouble with the way your parameters are laid out. Example, the user may not have access to vertical grade laminate, or may wish to use cabinet liner, or just melamine. These thickness changes will have a big impact. You will need parameters for the possible, inside, inside finished, outside, outside finished T_SIDE, the left might have a finished end while the right might not. MAT_OUTSIDE_FINISHED + T_LEFT_SIDE + MAT_OUTSIDE_UNFINISHED Edging is another item, i.e. 0.5mm vs 3mm banding will affect the overall depth

I personally do not need any software, as Cabinets etc are not in my usual skill set, but keep working on it. Just a comment the house package that I worked on took 12 months to develop. We worked out from day one had to have an integrated package with every module having links to master defuns. Using common variable names throughout code then others can add to code. In one of your other posts you have hinted that is the way you are approaching the task which is good. If you need to save values in the dwg avoid the USER?? variables. I use Ldata it seems to work well.

AI really is helpful but often takes re.ques. Without having been so inspired and learning from y'all, I would have no language to com with. One recent review wow for me is HATCHB.lsp. Without it (JTB) ..I'd Not be able to get a hatch boundary period.

What about kitchen cupboards do you have those as well ? Indicative cost ?

Wow thank you everyone for the comments, general consensus is AI is still not getting close to 100% solutions or when solving very complex task. Yes part of the answer may be that there is just so much code out there now, so a search finds an existing answer.

I think the issue is more generational than anything else. In the forums I keep up with, including here, theswamp.org, and MikeHolt.com, I've noticed that most of the core group have been Boomers. As a whole, younger generations have seemed to visit to get help, but not stay to help others. [There are notable exceptions like Lee.] AI is being oversold. I've tried both Claude and ChatGPT for programming help with LISP. Neither has produced code that worked on the first pass for anything more than a trivial case. We're about even on times when I've had to point out syntax errors in AI code and times AI has found syntax errors in my code. AI is a great replacement for most search engines, but it is not all that great at writing code, at least on the free tiers. AI output is only as good as the instructions it is given. Writing good instructions is hard. AI and the dot com bubble have a lot in common. In five years I expect we will have fewer AI companies, mostly paid tiers, and lots of empty data centers.

Hi, everyone, My name is Lĩnh, from Vietnam. I've done the initial release of an app to unfold a Solid to paper layout. I am waiting the Autodesk App Store to publish it but these days the store takes very long to review anything. It is a free app. Purposes to create it are to master the polyline and 3d geometry programming technique in AutoCAD, and to promote my custom programming service. I will be very happy if someone like it, use it, or point out the direction for it progress futher. Currently I see I can use it to make some toy in paper for my son Also, I see I can make an web app out from it via Forge: you upload your drawing with the 3D model to the web then the web return the unfold layouts for you to process further. Anyway, currently, it is only available as a bundle to install to your local desktop PC. The 7cad 3D Unfold.bundle.zip download link is here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!ArVZkS2ji0h0yoIU9FPZCKVnXfOSUA?e=g6KjRa --------------------- To install, just unzip it to the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins folder. That is one of default locations for all addin for AutoCAD. 1st Command: 7cad_Unfold: It has 2 tabs. The General Tab is for general shape. The second tab is for revolve shape which the unfold layout should be arrange smarter. 2 other commands are 7cad_FoldUp and 7cad_CutOut. FoldUp is just a demonstration command, animate the Unfold-FoldUp routine to check if everything are fit as expect. CutOut command is to join pieces together, like union command in AutoCAD, so you have cutout polylines ready for print. Thank you, Lĩnh The General Unfold routine is like this: