Instructions for using Excel Batch files developed by Paul Wyly

Note: Although these files should produce accurate results, they are provided "as is" for instructive purposes. They were initially developed for use with Generic Cadd 6.0, but have been slightly modified for use with General Cad Pro. You must also have MS Excel on your system.

Place the unzipped .xls file in a convenient place on your computer ie: \My Documents. Note: For convenience I also created a folder on my desktop and placed shortcuts to all Excel batch files in that folder. An icon file is also provided. Place the icon file in an existing folder or in a new folder (ie: C:\icons). To apply the custom icon, right click the shortcut icon that you want to customize; go to "properties"; "change icon"; enter the path C:\icons; "Browse"; select icon from list.


To use this batch file:

1) Create a new folder on your hard drive C:\patterns.  (This file will be used by a macro in Excel when the batch file is saved.) Otherwise, you will need to edit the macro within Excel to save the batch file in the location of your choice.

2) Open the appropriate .xls file. Enable macros.

3) Enter the parameters for the given object in the appropriate cells (blue cells with red headings). Useful information based on your input appears in other cells for your convenience. Do not input information in these cells.

4) Click on the floating button to save the batch file. (This will hide all the cells to the left of the CAD batchfile and save the remaining range of cells to the C:\patterns folder)

5) If prompted to replace an existing .prn or.gxm file, click yes.

6) Close Excel. (When prompted to save changes, select no.)


7) Open GCP with a blank screen. (if the batch file is loaded over an existing drawing, you will very likely end up with a jumbled mess)

8) Type LB

9) Enter the name of the appropriate batch file in the dialog box (ie: C:\patterns\pipe.prn or pipe.gxm) If the file has a .gxm extension, choose directly from the list of files displayed.

GCP does the rest.



