To accept input from
the keyboard or pointing device in the middle of a command, place
a backslash (\) in the macro at the point where you want input.
In the
circle example, \1 pauses for the user to specify the center point
and then reads a radius of 1. Note that there is no space after
the backslash.
In this example, the
macro starts -LAYER at the command
prompt, enters the Off option (off), and then pauses for the user
to enter a layer name (\). The macro then turns that layer off and
exits the -LAYER command (;).
NoteLAYER normally prompts
for another operation and exits only if you press SPACEBAR or ENTER.
In the macro, the semicolon (;) is the equivalent of pressing ENTER.
A macro typically resumes after one user input,
such as a single point location. Therefore, you cannot construct
a macro that accepts a variable number of inputs (as in object selection)
and then continues. However, an exception is made for SELECT: a backslash
(\) suspends the SELECT command until object selection has been
completed. Consider the following example:
select \change previous ;properties color red ;
In this macro, SELECT creates a selection set
of one or more objects (select \). The macro then starts CHANGE
(change), references the selection set using the Previous option
(previous;), and changes the color of all selected objects to red
(properties color red ;).
NoteThe backslash character
(\) causes a macro to pause for user input. You cannot use a backslash
for any other purpose in a macro. When you need to specify a file
directory path, use a forward slash (/) as the path delimiter: for example,
/direct/file.
The following circumstances delay resumption
of a macro after a pause:
- If input of a point location is expected,
object snap modes may be used before the point is specified.
- If X/Y/Z point filters are used, the
command remains suspended until the entire point has been accumulated.
- For SELECT only, the macro does not resume
until object selection has been completed.
- If the user responds with a transparent
command, the suspended macro remains suspended until the transparent
command is completed and the originally requested input is received.
- If the user responds by choosing another
command (to supply options or to execute a transparent command),
the original macro is suspended, and the newly selected item is
processed to completion. Then, the suspended macro is resumed.
NoteWhen command input
comes from a command, the settings of the
PICKADD and
PICKAUTO system variables
are assumed to be 1 and 0, respectively. This preserves compatibility
with previous releases of AutoCAD and makes customization easier
because you are not required to check the settings of these variables.
CommandsCHANGE
Changes the properties
of existing objects.
LAYER
Manages layers and layer
properties.
SELECT
Places selected objects
in the Previous selection set.
System VariablesPICKADD
Controls whether subsequent
selections replace the current selection set or add to it.
PICKAUTO
Controls automatic windowing
at the Select Objects prompt.
