Chapter 1 - Episode 1 1.6.1 (Not the remake) Walkthrough

Total Area Autocad Lisp [patched] (2024)

The Efficiency of Total Area LISP Routines in AutoCAD In the world of CAD drafting, precision and speed are the two pillars of productivity. While AutoCAD provides native tools like the command or the Properties

palette to find the square footage of objects, these methods often become tedious when dealing with dozens of scattered polylines. This is where

—specifically "Total Area" routines—becomes an essential asset for any serious drafter. The Problem with Native Tools

Manually calculating the sum of multiple areas in AutoCAD is prone to human error. Using the standard

command requires the user to select objects one by one, adding them to a running total. If you accidentally click the wrong point or miss a small polygon, you often have to start over. For large-scale projects like floor plans or site surveys, this manual entry is a significant bottleneck. How LISP Solves It

A "Total Area" LISP routine automates this calculation. Once loaded, the script allows a user to simply select a group of closed polylines, circles, or regions. The code then iterates through the selection set, extracts the area property of each entity, and calculates a grand total in seconds. The true power of these routines lies in their customization . A well-written LISP can: Convert Units:

Automatically switch between square inches and square feet or hectares. Place Text:

Automatically insert the total area value as a text label directly into the drawing. Filter Objects:

Calculate only the areas of objects on a specific layer, ignoring everything else. Workflow Integration

Integrating a Total Area LISP into a daily workflow is seamless. By adding the script to the "Startup Suite," the command becomes a permanent part of the user's toolkit. Instead of juggling a calculator and a notepad, a drafter can type a shortcut like

(Total Area), window-select a whole building wing, and immediately see the result in the command line or an alert box. Conclusion

The Total Area LISP is a prime example of why AutoCAD remains a dominant force in design; its open architecture allows users to build the tools they need. By automating repetitive math and reducing the risk of manual error, these scripts allow designers to spend less time on arithmetic and more time on actual design. sample code for a basic Total Area LISP, or help you troubleshoot an existing one?

While AutoCAD has built-in ways to add multiple areas using the standard AREA command, using an AutoLISP script is the most efficient way to sum the areas of multiple closed polylines, hatches, or circles instantly. AutoLISP Code for Total Area

You can copy and paste this code into the Visual LISP Editor (type VLISP in AutoCAD) to create your own "Total Area" command:

(defun c:TOTALAREA (/ ss i ent area total) (setq total 0) (princ "\nSelect closed objects (Polylines, Circles, Hatches): ") (if (setq ss (ssget '((0 . "LWPOLYLINE,POLYLINE,CIRCLE,HATCH")))) (progn (repeat (setq i (sslength ss)) (setq ent (ssname ss (setq i (1- i)))) (command "._area" "_O" ent) (setq total (+ total (getvar "AREA"))) ) (princ (strcat "\nTotal Area: " (rtos total 2 2))) ) (princ "\nNo valid objects selected.") ) (princ) ) Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard How to Use the LISP

Load the Script: Save the code above as a .lsp file and drag it into your AutoCAD drawing, or use the APPLOAD command. Run the Command: Type TOTALAREA in the command line.

Select Objects: Select all the polylines or hatches you want to measure.

View Results: The command line will display the combined sum of all selected areas. Alternative Built-in Methods total area autocad lisp

If you don't want to use a script, you can use these native tools:

Hatch Method: Select all areas and apply a single hatch; the "Area" property in the Properties Palette (Ctrl+1) will show the cumulative total.

Area Add: Type AREA, then type A (Add), then O (Object). This allows you to click objects one by one to see a running total.

Efficiency at Your Fingertips: The Power of Total Area AutoLISP in AutoCAD

In the world of professional drafting, speed and accuracy are the ultimate goals. While AutoCAD comes with built-in measurement tools, they often fall short when you need to calculate the cumulative area

of dozens of separate rooms or complex shapes. This is where

—AutoCAD’s specialized programming language—becomes a game-changer. Why Use an AutoLISP for Total Area? Standard AutoCAD commands like MEASUREGEOM

are excellent for single objects. However, if you need to find the total square footage of a building with 50 unique rooms, clicking each vertex manually is both tedious and prone to error. A "Total Area" LISP routine automates this by: Selecting Multiple Objects : Grabbing all polylines, hatches, or regions at once. Instant Summation

: Automatically adding the area of every selected object and displaying the total. Data Export

: Many routines can even paste the result directly into your clipboard or as text on your drawing. Top Tools for Calculating Total Area

If you aren't ready to write your own code, there are powerful pre-made tools available: TotalLength + / TotalArea : This popular plugin from the Autodesk App Store

allows you to select object types and get a comprehensive total of both length and area in seconds.

: A streamlined utility that measures the total area of hatches and polylines and copies the value directly to your clipboard for use in Excel or Word. : A free architectural toolkit that includes the

command, specifically designed to display areas in square meters ( ) instantly. How to Create Your Own Routine

You don't need to be a software engineer to use AutoLISP. You can create your own custom scripts using the Visual LISP Editor Open AutoCAD and type in the command line.

Write your script in the console window. A simple routine typically iterates through a selection set of "AcDbPolyline" or "AcDbHatch" objects and sums their Save the file as a and use the command to load it into any drawing. Practical Applications Cost Estimation

: Quickly calculate total flooring or roofing material needed. Zoning Compliance The Efficiency of Total Area LISP Routines in

: Ensure your total built-up area meets local regulatory limits. HVAC Sizing

: Determine the total volume or surface area for climate control calculations.

Introduction

AutoCAD provides various tools for calculating areas, but sometimes you need to calculate the total area of multiple objects. This can be achieved using AutoLISP, a programming language used for automating tasks in AutoCAD. In this guide, we will create a Lisp routine to calculate the total area of multiple objects.

Prerequisites

• AutoCAD (any version)
• AutoLISP (built-in with AutoCAD)

Step 1: Create a new Lisp file

1. Open a text editor (e.g., Notepad, TextEdit, or any other plain text editor).
2. Create a new file and save it with a .lsp extension (e.g., total_area.lsp).

Step 2: Define the Lisp function

In the total_area.lsp file, add the following code:

(defun total-area ()
  (setq total 0)
  (setq ss (ssget "_:L"))
  (setq count (sslength ss))
  (repeat count
    (setq ent (ssname ss 0))
    (setq area (vla-get-Area (vlax-ename->vla-object ent)))
    (setq total (+ total area))
    (ssdel ent ss)
  )
  (princ "Total Area: ")
  (princ total)
  (princ "\n")
)

Let's break down the code:

• (defun total-area () defines a new Lisp function named total-area.
• (setq total 0) initializes a variable total to 0. This variable will store the total area.
• (setq ss (ssget "_:L")) gets a selection set of all objects in the drawing.
• (setq count (sslength ss)) gets the number of objects in the selection set.
• The (repeat count ...) loop iterates through each object in the selection set.
• (setq ent (ssname ss 0)) gets the first object in the selection set.
• (setq area (vla-get-Area (vlax-ename->vla-object ent))) gets the area of the current object using the vla-get-Area method.
• (setq total (+ total area)) adds the area of the current object to the total variable.
• (ssdel ent ss) removes the current object from the selection set.
• (princ "Total Area: "), (princ total), and (princ "\n") print the total area to the command line.

Step 3: Load the Lisp file

1. Open AutoCAD and create a new drawing or open an existing one.
2. Load the Lisp file using the Load command: (load "C:\\path\\to\\total_area.lsp") (replace with the actual path to your Lisp file).
3. Alternatively, you can also load the Lisp file by dragging and dropping it into the AutoCAD drawing area.

Step 4: Run the Lisp function

1. In the AutoCAD command line, type (total-area) and press Enter.
2. The Lisp function will calculate the total area of all objects in the drawing and print the result to the command line.

Tips and Variations

• To calculate the total area of a specific type of object (e.g., only polygons), modify the selection set to only include those objects: (setq ss (ssget "_:L" (list (cons 0 "POLYGON"))))
• To calculate the total area of objects in a specific layer, modify the selection set to only include objects on that layer: (setq ss (ssget "_:L" (list (cons 8 "LAYER_NAME"))))
• To use this Lisp function regularly, add it to your AutoCAD startup suite or create a button to run it.

By following these steps, you can create a Lisp routine to calculate the total area of multiple objects in AutoCAD.

In AutoCAD, calculating the total area of multiple objects—like polylines, circles, or regions—can be tedious if done manually using the standard AREA command. AutoLISP routines automate this by summing the areas of all selected objects and displaying the result instantly.  How to Use a "Total Area" LISP Routine 

Obtain the Code: You can find various versions of this script online, such as those from Lee Mac Programming or JTB World. Load the LISP: Open AutoCAD and type APPLOAD in the command line. Navigate to your .lsp file and click Load.

Alternatively, drag and drop the .lsp file directly into the AutoCAD drawing window.

Run the Command: Most "Total Area" scripts use commands like TAREA, AREAM, or QSTA. AutoCAD (any version) AutoLISP (built-in with AutoCAD)

Select Objects: Select the closed polylines, circles, or hatches you want to measure. The routine will calculate the sum and display it in the command line or an alert box.  Popular LISP Routines for Area Calculation  Command  Functionality TAREA

Displays the total area of selected circles, ellipses, polylines, and splines at the command line. Lee Mac Programming AREAM

Measures total area of many objects at once and reports the total to the command line. JTB World SAL Calculates total area and sums it specifically by layer. CADTutor AMO

Adds the area of multiple objects and places a text label with the area at each object’s center. ESurveying A2F

Creates an MText object with a Field Expression that automatically updates if object boundaries change. Arkance Community Key Benefits of Using LISP for Areas 

For calculating the total area of multiple objects in AutoCAD, a high-quality AutoLISP routine is the most efficient method compared to the native, tedious manual selection process Autodesk Community, Autodesk Forums, Autodesk Forum Recommended LISP: AreaM (by Jimmy Bergmark)

This is a widely used and reliable routine for summing the areas of various closed objects. Autodesk Community, Autodesk Forums, Autodesk Forum Capabilities : Calculates the total area of selected How to Use AreaM.lsp code into a text file and save it with a extension. Drag and drop the file into your AutoCAD window or use the

in the command line, select your objects, and press Enter to see the total area. WordPress.com Advanced Option: Lee Mac's Total Area

For users needing precision and support for modern AutoCAD features, Total Length & Area program is a standard in the industry. Lee Mac Programming

: Displays total area at the command line with precision based on your system variable. Flexibility

: It filters out non-area entities like open polylines to ensure accuracy. Lee Mac Programming Detailed Pieces & Automation

If you need more than just a total sum, consider these specific tools: Area Tables

: To generate a table listing each individual area alongside the total, use the Area Table Lisp ) which labels each polygon. Automatic Text Labels

routine from ESurveying creates text at the centroid of each selected object, showing its specific area plus the grand total. Triangle Details

: For land surveying or verifying calculations manually, the command splits polygons into triangles and provides a detailed table of calculation for each piece. Autodesk Community, Autodesk Forums, Autodesk Forum Native Alternatives (No LISP Required) Lisp to calculate area of all closed polylines selected

Available Commands:

| Command | Description | |---------|-------------| | TA | Main command - calculates total area with options | | TAQ | Quick total area (command line only) | | TAP | Total area of polylines only |

The Most Popular Free Total Area LISP: TOTAREA.LSP

The most widely circulated free LISP for this task is often called TOTAREA.LSP or ADDTOTALAREA.LSP. While many versions exist, the core functionality is consistent.

Step 3: Loop through selection set

(repeat (setq i (sslength ss)) ... )