SLD Files

[CJJ]

In the company CAD Standards folder, i've come across some SLD "slide" files associated with some of our standard blocks and symbols. I would assume that they are used to put the images in a tool pallet, but we don't have a tool pallet for this set of blocks.

 

What are these? How are they made? Any ideas on why they are in here?

[David Bethel]

If they are Autocad slide files, they are made with the MSLIDE command. They can viewed using the VSLIDE command. They can also be incorporated into pulled down menus. They have fairly limited uses outside of autocad. -David

 

A menu of knobs I use regularly uses slide images

[rkmcswain]

Slide files are made using the MSLIDE command in AutoCAD. Tool palette buttons require regular raster images though (.bmp, .jpg, .png, .gif, .tif)

 

Slides were used mainly for the old image menus, an example of which is shown here:

http://www.markcad.com/autocad/imagetilemenu.gif

[CJJ]

That's exactly what it is. I was thinking that those previews were the block's DWG file and didn't realize that they were coming from the SLD file. I guess my next questions is: how do i convert in batch?

 

I've got a few hundred blocks that need to be updated and I just don't think i'll have the time/patience/sanity to do them all one at a time. Is there a batch converter or maybe a .bat file that I could use?

[David Bethel]

It can be done via Autolisp. I'd try posting a new thread in customization with some specifics about files names, slide names etc. -David

[rkmcswain]

... my next questions is: how do i convert in batch?

 

I've got a few hundred blocks that need to be updated and I just don't think i'll have the time/patience/sanity to do them all one at a time. Is there a batch converter or maybe a .bat file that I could use?

 

Assuming you have not found or written something already, don't waste any more time looking for it, just go get "SLIDEMAN" from http://dotsoft.com/legacy/slideman.htm (it will cost you a whole 1/2 hour billable time...) and batch convert them in a few minutes or less...

[MaxHeadRoom]

I have used Caddalog for some years to create menus with pull down slides, but the copy I use does not run with Acad14 under WinXP.

I am wondering if Slideman will do the same for me?

i.e. create pulldown slide menu's?

Thanks

[CJJ]

I didn't try slideman, so I can't answer your question. Without a budget, third party software was out of the question for me.

 

I just created a custom tool pallet. It was quick and easy, and will be very easy to modify in the future.

[BIGAL]

The tool pallet has taken over from slides but I still use them like david Bethel above, in answer to how do you make them its easy you just write a script to open the dwg's zoom e and then mslide, the menu is easy to write as autocad handes the viewing. you can also make a SLB which is a single file containing lots of sld's.

 

The main advatage I found with slides v's tool pallete is you can control the image that appears better. We have around 200 dwgs done this way using a script it is extemely quick as the drawings are very small.

[MaxHeadRoom]

Thanks for the replies.

I am using V14 under WinXP, the DOS utilities that come with V14 such as SlideLib do not work under XP?

What does XP versions use?.

Also I notice that SlideMan mentions operating from 98 up to XP+, but also mentions the use of DOS Slidelib?

Max.

[BIGAL]

Search for slidelib.exe the version I have is 29-11-1995 and it works with XP I would have posted it but its bigger than the allowable upload. Also MAKSLB

 

rezipped it ok now

slidelib.zip

[MaxHeadRoom]

Thanks, mine is dated 1997?

I will give yours a shot.

Max.