Lisp that will search for criteria in closed drawings?

Question

I want to be able to search for a certain criteria in drawings that are not opened. Basically have many files in my acad directory relating to different plate thickness and contract numbers. My file numbering system goes by "contract number" "n" "nest number" eg. 250n25. Each drawing has a text in the corner showing the pale thickness. When I look at any one file number, I have no way to tell what plate thickness I used on that drawing, unless I actually open the drawing. I wonder if there is a away to check for a certain criteria (plate thickness) for drawings that are closed. Often I am searching for all the files relating to a certain plate thickness and contract number, so I have to open as many as 20 files to verify the plate thickness. Sounds complicated does it not? As far as I can tell that is not possible to do with a list, if the drawing is closed.

p.s. I don't want to change the numbering system for naming my AutoCAD files, other wise I could have included the plate thickness as part of file name system.

bestafor · Accepted Answer

HiHo;Use a script to open each drawing, then run the lisp, In the same script,that checks for text is the corner or each drawing.  If you have a problemwith scripts, there are ScriptMakers on the web.  I use one from "Gibb &Pilcher" that will create a list of drawing and/or full path names.  Thenadd some lisp or "commands" to do the work on hundreds of drawings.

Steven (remove wax for reply) · Answer

There is at least one program that opens AutoCAD drawings and reads their contents into databases. There you can search the text entities and find the text that is at the right X-Y location. It's made to read and manipulate hundreds or even thousands of files at a time. May be overkill for what you want, but if you don't get an answer here, write to me.

Steven

bestafor · Answer

Opps;I use "CADieu" to make my file list.  Its a freebie also.

lbbs · Answer

Yes that sounds like what I am looking for.   What is your program called?So it does not have to actually open all those cad files?     Sometimes Ineed tosearch a couple of hundred of files, to open them all is time consuming(it has to regenerate each drawing, which involves lost of cpu usage)."Steven (remove wax for reply)"  wrote inmessage news:

Steven (remove wax for reply) · Answer

It's not my program, but I have an arrangement with the developer.Please write to me off-list.Steven    remove wax for reply

Terry W. Dotson · Answer

Take a look at the Drawing Search functionality in ToolPac 7.0 from

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With an easy to use dialog

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you can quickly add which files to search (including subfolders) along with which fields to search. It uses the ObjectDBX functionality of AutoCAD 2000 or higher to quickly return the results, which can be opened in a click.

Terry

lab · Answer

is there any software like it, that is free?

Smackypete · Answer

Yes, write it yourself.

Duff · Answer

What I try to do at work is to add tidbits of information using thedrawing properties tool in the file menu. any information in therebecomes searchable using windows or autocad design center. could behelpful on future projects.b.d.

Lisp that will search for criteria in closed drawings?

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