Custom#Menu, copyright (c) 1990,91 by Mountain Software



Custom#Menu




AutoCAD Menu Customizing Tool
Version 1.8
November 11, 1991





(R)
o
Association of
Shareware
o Professionals

MEMBER







Jerry Workman, P.E.
1579 Nottingham Road
Charleston, WV 25314
CIS 70717,3564


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7






Table of Contents



I. U s i n g C u s t o m # M e n u . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Running Custom#Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

II. A d d e n d u m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

III. L i c e n s e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Definition of Shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Registration Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Trademark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Site Licenses and Quantity Purchases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Revision History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

IV. I n d e x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7



I. U s i n g C u s t o m # M e n u

Purpose
-------

The AutoCAD menu system can be a powerful user interface to the AutoCAD
drawing editor and for custom applications. Modifying the menus is,
however, not easily accomplished. The menu files must be modified using an
ASCII editor external to AutoCAD. It is difficult to locate the precise
location of tablet menu items, and the menu language is somewhat cryptic.

Custom#Menu is a utility that provides the ability to an inexperienced user
to easily modify an AutoCAD menu. Custom#Menu runs from within the drawing
editor, the user can pick the location of menu items using a mouse or
digitizer pointer, and assistance is provided in constructing the menu
command. Buttons, tablet boxes, first level popup, and the main screen menu
items can be added, inserted, or deleted.

Two versions of the program are provided. The original Custom#Menu is
executed through an AutoLisp program (CMENU.LSP) and an external executable
program (CMENU.EXE). Custom#Menu works on any IBM PC compatible computer
capable of running AutoCAD.

The ADS version is also loaded with CMENU.LSP, but the entire ADS version
of the program is contained within the file CMENU.EXP. The AutoLISP program
CMENU.LSP will detect which version of AutoCAD in use at run time and load
the appropriate file.



























Chapter 1, Using Custom#Menu Page 3


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Installation
------------

Custom#Menu can be used to install itself as follows:

First, make a backup copy of ACAD.MNU and other menus files that you intend
to modify.

NOTE: The menu source file (eg ACAD.MNU) _MUST_ be in the same
directory as the compiled menu file (eg ACAD.MNX) for Custom#Menu
to work. CMENU.EXE modifies the .MNU file.

You _MUST_ copy or install the file ACAD.MNU from the "SOURCE"
"Support Source" diskette from the AutoCAD diskettes to the same
directory as ACAD.MNX.

Copy the CMENU files from the distribution diskette (or extract them from
the archive file) to your AutoCAD subdirectory, or to sub-directories where
DOS and AutoCAD can find them. CMENU.EXE can be in any directory that is on
the DOS PATH. CMENU.LSP and INSTALL.SCR must be in a directory that is in
the AutoCAD library path. If you are not sure of your DOS or AutoCAD paths,
place both files in the same directory as ACAD.EXE (usually C:\ACAD). To
insure that AutoCAD (and CMenu) can find files in your support directory,
ad the following to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

SET ACAD=C:\ACAD\SUPPORT (or where ever your support files are located)

Load AutoCAD, and enter the drawing editor.

Enter the following from the AutoCAD Command prompt:

Command: SCRIPT INSTALL
Pick Tablet, Button or Screen Menu Location with cursor...

CMENU.EXE will now execute and insert the new menu item. You may also move
the CMenu command to another location (using CMenu) later if you wish.

NOTE: The AutoCAD command SHELL must work so that CMENU.EXE
can execute.
















Chapter 1, Using Custom#Menu Page 4


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Running Custom#Menu
-------------------

If you have installed Custom#Menu select it from the AutoCAD menu, else
load and run CMENU.LSP from the Command: prompt.

eg:
Command:(LOAD"CMENU")
Command:CMENU

Follow the prompts to:

1 - Select the location of the menu item to modify:

Pick Tablet, Button or Screen Menu Location with cursor...

You may select a location from any of the first level popup or
main screen menus, any pointer device button (other than the pick
button) or any tablet location.

2 - If a popup or screen menu was selected:

Add/Insert/Overwrite/Delete/Edit/Undo[Insert]:

Enter: A - to add the item to the bottom of the menu list or..
I - to insert above the selected location or..
O - to overwrite (replace) the selected item or..
D - to delete the item.
E - to edit the submenu
U - Undo the last CMenu action.

3 - If Add, Insert, or Overwrite is selected:

Enter menu title:

Enter a name or short description for this item.

This is the title displayed on popup and screen menus.
For button and tablet menus it serves as a keyword
label to describe or document the menu item in your
menu file.

4 - AutoLisp/Insert block/Command/Learn[]:

Enter: A - to load and run an AutoLisp program.
I - to insert a block.
C - to enter an AutoCAD command.
L - for CMENU to learn the command sequence as you enter it
from the keyboard and pick points.

The last used mode is displayed as the default and will be
selected if you press or .



Chapter 1, Using Custom#Menu Page 5


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


4a - If AutoLisp is selected:

Autolisp filename:

Enter the filename of the lisp program without the .LSP
extension. (eg LEXPLODE or C:/ACAD/LISP/LEXPLODE or
C:\\ACAD\\LISP\\LEXPLODE).

Autolisp command to execute "." for none[]:

Enter the command the executes the program (usually the same as
the filename but not always). If enter a period "." to the prompt
then no command will be executed. This is useful to execute
AutoLISP programs that have no "defuns" and run as they load, or
to just load an AutoLISP file.


4b - If Insert is selected:

Block name[]:

Enter the name of the block to insert, the name of the last block
accessed is displayed, and used if a blank line is entered.

X scale factor \ to prompt <1>:

Enter the X scale factor or a backslash "\" to prompt for the X scale
factor when the menu item is selected.

Y scale factor \ to prompt (default=X):

Enter the Y scale factor or a backslash "\" to prompt for the Y scale
factor when the menu item is selected. The default value is the X
scale factor.

Rotation Angle \ to prompt <0>:

Enter the rotation angle for the block or a backslash "\" to prompt
for the value when the menu item is selected.

4c - If Command is selected:

^C^C = Cancel, ^P = Toggle menuecho, ; = Return, \ = Pause for input
Enter menu command:

Enter any valid AutoCAD command. Note that in a menu spaces are
significant and that the following characters have a special
effect:

* repeat command until is pressed
^C cancel
^P toggle echo of menu commands
; same as
\ pause for user input

Chapter 1, Using Custom#Menu Page 6


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Example: *^C^C^PINSERT DOOR;\;;\ ^P

This would cancel any pending commands, insert a block named DOOR
pause for the user to enter the location, accept the default X and Y
scale, and pause for rotation angle. The command would not echo to the
screen and repeat until is pressed.

See appendix B.4 of the AutoCAD reference manual.

4d - If Learn is selected:

"*** Learn Mode Active ***" will display on the top line of the screen
as well as on the screen menu area. The LEARN: prompt will be
displayed.

Enter AutoCAD commands from the keyboard and pick points on the
screen. The commands that you enter will be executed AND they will be
recorded by CMenu. Commands can not be selected from any of the menus
while in learn mode, only keyboard commands and screen point picks.

If you wish to execute an AutoLISP command during "Learning", enter it
in parenthesis. Example: (C:SETUP) or (SSX). Of coarse, the AutoLISP
file must be loaded in order for it to execute.

You may add prompts for variables into your scripts by entering
"PAUSE" from the LEARN: prompt. This will allow you to add custom
prompts for text and variable values during playback of the script.

Press the Escape key to exit Learn mode and record your commands.

5. The Undo option will undo the last Custom#Menu change to your menu by
copying the backup file .CMU to .MNU and then
recompiling the menu.

6. The Edit option will copy the submenu that you select to a temporary
file and then execute your ASCII editor. The ASCII editor program is
specified by executing the DOS command SET EDITOR=. For
example, if you use program QEdit as your editor then execute the DOS
command SET EDITOR=C:\UTIL\Q.EXE prior to running AutoCAD.

Once the prompts are completed, the AutoLisp program will shell to DOS and
execute CMENU.EXE which will create a backup file of the existing menu
named .CMU, where menu, CMENU.EXE then modify the menu file. The menu file will be compiled
and reloaded when AutoCAD returns.










Chapter 1, Using Custom#Menu Page 7


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Limits
------

Custom#Menu can not be used to alter screen menus (the menu on the right
side of the display) below the first level. Nor can it alter popup menus
below the first level. It can not create a new menu or submenu. It can not
create or edit an icon menu. Menu commands are limited to one line. These
features may be added in future releases.















































Chapter 1, Using Custom#Menu Page 8


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


II. A d d e n d u m


Error Messages
--------------

Error - Invalid type code

Reason: An invalid type code was read from the file CMENU.DAT.

Error - Cannot open file XXXX

Reason: Disk error (possibly full), corrupted or missing CMENU.DAT.

Error reading parameter file

Reason: Unexpected error or end of file reading CMENU.DAT.

Error - Unable to open menu file

Reason: Disk error or corrupted CMENU.DAT

Error locating target - XXXX

Reason: CMENU.DAT or the menu file may be corrupted.

Error closing menu file - ACAD.MNU

Reason: Disk error (usually disk full).

Error flushing temporary menu file buffer XXXX

Reason: Disk error (usually disk full).

Error closing temporary menu file XXXX

Reason: Disk error (usually disk full).

Error renaming file - XXXX

Reason: Disk error or file is read only.

Error renaming temporary menu file - XXXX

Reason: Disk error or menu file is read only.

Error reading menu file at line X

Reason: Unexpected end of file encountered or Disk error.






Chapter 2, Addendum Page 9


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Suggestions
-----------

Make your own custom menu system with Custom#Menu. Duplicate the file
ACAD.MNU by copying to a new file. (eg COPY ACAD.MNU MYCUST.MNU) Modify
this (and others if you wish) for each application or users preference.

Experienced users and developers will find Custom#Menu a useful development
tool. Menus can be modified "on the fly" thus making testing and debugging
fast and easy.

A disk spooler will speed the execution of CMENU (as well as AutoCAD and
many other programs).


Liability
---------

This program modifies and deletes portions of your menu files! Careful
testing has been made to ensure that the processes perform correctly. No
liabilities are assumed in the use or misuse of this program resulting in
data loss or damage. It is the users responsibility to be sure that the
results are as expected.


Author
------

If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact me.

Jerry Workman, PE
1579 Nottingham Rd.
Charleston, WV 25314
CIS 70717,3564
304-744-7748 (after 7:30 ET)

Copyright 1990,91 by Mountain Software All rights reserved


III. L i c e n s e


Shareware
---------

This version of Custom#Menu is NOT public domain or free software, but is
"Shareware". You may try it out to see if it is useful for you. If you use
it you must register and pay for one license per CPU. With the license,
instructions will be provided to eliminate the starting delay. The program
in the form of the original archived file only may be freely distributed,
but not sold (except under license or by ASP approved vendors). A disk with
the latest version will be provided for and additional $10 media fee.



Suggestions Page 10


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Non-registered users of this software are granted a limited 14 day license
to make an evaluation copy for trial use for the purpose of determining
whether Custom#Menu is suitable for their needs. At the end of this trial
period, you should either register your copy, or discontinue using
Custom#Menu.

All users are granted a limited license to copy Custom#Menu only for the
trial use of others and subject to the above limitations. This license does
NOT include distribution or copying of this software package:

1. In connection with any other product or service.
2. For general use within a company or institution except for evaluation
purposes.
3. For any consideration other than a nominal copying charge.
4. For distribution in modified form; i.e., the file containing this
license information MUST be included, along with the full Custom#Menu
documentation.

Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (Sysops) are encouraged to
post CMENUXX.ZIP for downloading by their users, as long as the above
conditions are met.


Definition of Shareware
-----------------------

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying
it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected
to register. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
software,and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers,
just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality.
(In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference
is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right
to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before
a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find
software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or
Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because
you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low
also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use
the product, you don't pay for it.


Registration Information
------------------------

A Custom#Menu registration licenses you to use the product on a regular
basis. Individual registrations for Custom#Menu cost $20 for registration
only, or $30 for the latest Custom#Menu diskette, with documentation on the
disk. West Virginia residents should include 6% sales tax.


License Page 11


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Educational institutions, full-time students and BBS sysops can apply a 50%
discount - $10 per copy. PLEASE include your educational institution
letterhead (with your title), or a photocopy of your most recent
registration slip, or the name and number of your BBS along with any other
relevant information.


Disclaimer
----------

Users of Custom#Menu must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "Custom#Menu
is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or
implied, including, without limitation,the warranties of merchantability
and of fitness for any purpose.The author assumes no liability for damages,
direct or consequential, which may result from the use of Custom#Menu."

Custom#Menu is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the
user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please
do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of
"user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with
quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for
programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program
useful and find that you are using Custom#Menu and continue to use
Custom#Menu after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration
payment of $30.00 to Mountain Software. The $30.00 registration fee will
license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must
treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may
be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at
one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be
read by two different persons at the same time.

Commercial users of Custom#Menu must register and pay for their copies of
Custom#Menu within 14 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.
Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Mountain Software.

Anyone distributing Custom#Menu for any kind of remuneration must first
contact Mountain Software at the address below for authorization. This
authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by
the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and
such distributors may begin offering Custom#Menu immediately (However
Mountain Software must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept
up-to-date with the latest version of Custom#Menu.).

You are encouraged to pass a copy of Custom#Menu along to your friends for
evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy.









License Page 12


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Trademark
---------

Mountain Software and Custom#Menu are trademarks of Mountain Software.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PC-DOS is a
registered trademark of IBM Corporation. AutoCAD is a registered trademark
of AutoDesk.


Site Licenses and Quantity Purchases
------------------------------------

Corporate site licensing agreements allow duplication and distribution of
specific numbers of copies within the licensed institution. Duplication of
multiple copies is not allowed except through execution of a licensing
agreement. Site license fees are based upon the number of users.

Number of Copies Cost

1-10 $10 media + $20 for each CPU
11+ call

Note that with a site license, only one copy of the program will be
shipped. You will be responsible for distributing additional copies.
Additional copies media and documentation may be purchased for $10.00 per
copy.





























License Page 13


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


Revision History
----------------

Version 1.0 (7/1/90)

. Original release

Version 1.1 (7/6/90)

. Bug fix, AutoCAD internal subroutine TYPE was being overwritten by a
CMENU variable.

Version 1.2 (7/28/90)

. AutoCAD menus on different disk drives can now be modified
. Fixed popup submenu bug. Popup menus are now popped one level prior to
user location select, and CMENU.EXE properly finds the first level
popup menu.

Version 1.3 (8/26/90)

. General streamlining - CMENU.LSP and CMENU.EXE now run faster.
. Documentation revisions

Version 1.4 (10/15/90)

. Fixed "Error locating target" problem when **S did not follow
***SCREEN in the menu file.
. Fixed menu file search problem when the DOS environment variable ACAD
has not been set.
. Reduced the price to 20 bucks.
. Added password code to disable the opening delay for registered users.

Version 1.5 (11/23/90)

. Learn routine added.
. Now properly handles '/' as well as '\' as path separator from AutoCAD
. Now handles "**" as well as "***" as the target for menu areas. (eg
***SCREEN or **SCREEN)
. The backup file now named .CMU instead of OLDMENU.MNU so
that each menu has it's own backup file. Undo will now undo only the
menu if the names and path match.

Version 1.6 (3/1/91)

. The AutoLISP option now will either load and run, or merely load a
.LSP file. This is useful for lisp routines that execute as they load.
. Insert mode now allows for the selection of X and Y scales as well as
rotation angle.
. Multiple BUTTON menus in a menu file now handled properly.
. Opening shareware message changed and delay reduced to 3 seconds.
. The menu file search path has been expanded to maintain compatibility
with AutoCAD Release 11. The entire Library path is now searched.


Revision History Page 14


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


. The LEARN routine will now exit pending commands when Escape is
pressed.
. Backslashes "\" are changed to slashes "/" in insert block filenames.

Version 1.61 (3/14/91)

. Fixed a bug where a multi-line menu item containing more than 1000
characters caused program execution failure. (variables overwritten)
The new limit is 5000 characters.
. Speed critical routines were optimized and additional file buffering
was added to increase program speed.

Version 1.7 (4/17/91)

. Added "Edit" command, CMenu can now grab a submenu and call your ASCII
editor to edit the file then reassemble the .MNU file after the edit.
. Increased record buffer size to accommodate some 3rd party menu files.
. Changed the shareware message screen routine from a nice popup window
to vanilla text to reduce program size and load time.

Version 1.8 (10/4/91)

. Initial release of the ADS version, functionally identical to the
AutoLISP / DOS executable version except written entirely as an ADS
application.






























Revision History Page 15


Custom#Menu for AutoCAD User's Guide, version 1.7


IV. I n d e x


ACAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 6, 9, 10, 14
ACAD.EXE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ACAD.MNU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 9, 10
ACAD.MNX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Add . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 7
archive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ASCII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 7, 15
ASP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 12
AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 3-7, 10, 13, 14
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7, 15
Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5, 14
Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7, 15
directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11, 14
DOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 7, 13-15
drawing editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4
Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 7, 8, 15
error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 14
Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4, 10, 15
Insert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7, 14, 15
Install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
INSTALL.SCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 7, 14, 15
license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
LISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 14
menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 3-15
menuecho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Overwrite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 7, 14
Pause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7
Revision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 7
SET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 7, 14
shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 10-12, 14, 15
SHELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 7
subdirectory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Undo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 7, 14
ZIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11












Index Page 16