#searching sub-dirs
3 messages in this thread
Duff,
Here's my wishlist:
Problem: As users build a large library of blocks over the years,
management becomes a problem. The usual solution is to seperate these file
into different sub-directories. It is not unusual to have a very long path
such as "c:\blocks\mech\bearings\roller\RB32899.dwg". Such long path names
prevent the user from using DOS's path command or AutoCAD's ACAD variable
due to DOS's limitations. In addition, as users add new sub-directories for
new classes of blocks, batch files must be updated. This also applies to
XREF files.
Wish: Provide the ability for AutoCAD to search all child sub-directories
of selected directories. This would allow the user to indicate the
parent(s) of blocks, without the need to specify additional child
directories. The suggested syntax is "SET ACAD=C:\ACAD;C\BLOCKS/S" for DOS.
Of course, this will not work for Unix, but another delimiter such as "[s]"
could be used.
Ken Elliott /// CAD Masters
Kenneth- (&Duff)
This one sure has my vote! But let me suggest a slight modification. Since
your wish seems to be specifically oriented towards inserting blocks, why
not another environment variable? IMHO, at least, I view the ACAD
environment variable as specific to *Autocad* support files, not as a place
to search for user defined blocks. But then again, INSERT would still have
to search both paths, as Autocad would still need to find blocks such as
BORDER.DWG, and all of the ANSI titlesheets that MVSETUP likes…
Peter,
Right. I thought about that, too. Actually, I'd like to see environmental
variables that specify specific directories for specific uses, such as
ACADXREF for Xref files, which are usually located in different directories
than blocks. Be nice to have a ACADBLOCK variable. This way I could have
it point to different high and low detail block directories.
Ken ///