FREE Download:

Email calfredwright@gmail.com for a free trial copy of MYCADHELPER program software.

This offer  may be withdrawn if support becomes too burdensome...so get yours early.

MYCADHELPER is easily installed:

A small problem - The program was originally called MYCADKEYS but has since been re-profiled as MYCADHELPER to cover the four function groups.  The installation folders and files remain named MYCADKEYS.  The program sub-group of commands MYCADKEYS will continue to function as previously.  All of this is invisible to the user of MYCADHELPER suite of programs: MYCADKEYS, MYCADLAYERS, MYCADFUNS  and MYCADZONES may still mention the names MYCADKEYS, MYCADFUNS MYCADLAYERS and MYCADZONES but will be progressively edited..

 

MYCADHELPER does not alter your computer’s registry and all changes are easily reversible.

MYCADHELPER is compatible with most AutoCAD-like CAD programs that provide LISP program support. Apart for some minor differences relating to file support locations and names of start-up Lisp files such as MYLISP.LSP, ON_START.LSP etc installation is otherwise the same regardless of which CAD program you prefer. Read the documentation that comes with your CAD program to find out what to call and where to place your particular lisp loading start-up file(s).

User Profile:

If you work on a shared computer or move between different  computers - such  as in an office it might be desirable to set up a personal user profile so that your preferences do not affect other users of the machine(s). Before you install MYCADHELPER start your program and save the current User Profile (Tools/Options/Profiles) with a suitable name to ensure that you can return to it at any time.

Install:

Unzip the file “MYCADKEYS.ZIP” (old name retained) to the root C:\ of your computer’s hard-drive or an external drive. Do not change the folder structure of the MYCADKEYS folder. You should then have subfolders: MCKLSP, MYLISP, ACADBAK1 and ACADBACK2 .   MCKLSP contains all the files that run MYCADKEYS.  MYLISP contains two sample files mylisp.lsp and myvars.lsp.  You may edit these to autoload your own preferred  lisp functions and system variables but doing so may affect parts of MYCADKEYS.  Keep your own Lisp files in MYLISP folder to avoid loss when MYCADKEYS is updated.

ACADBAK1 and ACADBAK2 are alternately used by MYCADKEYS to automatically save your current drawing file every half  hour. A useful extra security backup.

MYCADKEYS sets a path string “mckpthstr” in MYCADKEYS\MCKLSP\#mycadkeys.lsp that points MYCADKEYS to the drive where you installed it. Thus MYCADKEYS can be run from and external drive. (a little slower of course if you have a slow drive.) Edit #mycadkeys.lsp to change the path string to show the drive where it is loaded. Only required if you use an external drive or some other custom arrangement.

For most programs we are told that if the file ACAD/YOURPROGRAMNAME/ON_START.LSP is in the main folder where the EXE file is stored it will be loaded automatically on start up. However depending on which program you have this may not exist or is present but not editable due to file permissions settings applied by the software designer. For some programs it might be necessary to manually start MYCADKEYS by entering (load “mck”) at the Command prompt once your CAD program is loaded. This is true for those programs that do not provide an option to load on every new drawing.

For some programs a support-files path needs to be set in OPTIONS to point to C:/MYCADKEYS/MCKLSP/
For programs that do not offer a file path option...start AutoCAD then...at the Command  prompt...enter
Command:  (load “C:/mycadkeys/mcklsp/#mycadkeys”).
New drawings in the same session should need you to only type “MCK <enter>” at the Command: prompt.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Function Key Customization:

MYCADHELPER provides optional customization for Function Keys; for example "F7" that controls the length of MYCADLAYERS layer-names and Keyboard Shortcuts such as Ctrl+E for "END+<enter>" for use in your CAD generic commands.  Some CAD programs may not allow such customization as it might interfere with their own customization. If you do plan to customize your Keyboard Shortcuts check to see whether you can save the original file first to aid quick recovery should you change your mind.  Most  CAD programs  provide a MENULOAD dialogue that allows addition of MYCADKEYS prepared ACCELERATORS subset to the main customization file provided by the program. This may however overwrite some function key settings predefined by the program. For some programs the customization of shortcut keys and function keys  must be done manually for each key combination.

The Ctrl+chr Keyboard Shortcuts provided by MYCADKEYS would rarely be needed if you avoid use of your CAD program's generic commands and use mostly MYCADKEYS commands.   MYCADKEYS ACCELERATORS can be left unloaded if you prefer your program's Function Key settings. If you chose not to redefine the Function Keys there are alternative MYCADKEYS ALIASES starting with “$” such as “$9<enter>” instead of Function Key 9 for “CLEANSCREEN”.

Starting MYCADHELPER automatically for every drawing:

Go to TOOLS>>Options>>System and confirm that “Load acad lisp with every drawing.” is checked. For other programs you may need to provide a function similar to Autocad's ACADLSPASDOC.lsp such as ON_START_DOC.lsp for Bricscad.  Read the documentation with the program.

Loading MYCADHELPER .

When successfully loaded MYCADKEYS will provide a welcome message but just to satisfy yourself it is working press L <enter> <enter>. If you see the CADLAYER optional layer Dialogue Box then that's it. Congratulations. 

If you have problems email calfredwright@gmail.com.

Uninstall MYCADHELPER:

To disable MYCADHELPER edit ACAD.LSP etc. to type “;” (semicolon) in front of the line “(load …..#mycadkeys”) and or Autocad edit ACAD.LSP to remove the instruction to load #mycadkeys.lsp and delete ACCELERATORS from the MENU list. Manually change them if your program requires. Restore your saved profile and you will be back to normal.

You may delete the folder MYCADKEYS from your hard drive.

Automatic optimization of program environment:

MYCADHELPER automatically sets up some AutoCAD system variables that enable MYCADHELPER to function in a preferred manner and give you a better working environment. (author's opinion).  Refer to #ENV.LSP in MYCADKEYS\MCKLSP.LSP for the list.

It is strongly recommended that you set your screen background to black (for easy color recognition and maximum clarity) but that is your choice.

Save the settings created as a personal User Profile under a suitable name such as “MYCADHELPER” or your own name.

Any special lisp functions of your own may be moved to C:\MYCADKEYS\Mylisp.

 

NOTE: When you load MYCADHELPER for the first time you may need to confirm each new or edited lisp file is OK to load.