The AutoLISP Message Box

by Kenny Ramage

This library of AutoLisp Functions closely emulates the Visual Basic Message Box Function. It will display 5 different types of message boxes and allows you to enter 3 text message lines and customise the Message Box title.

The message boxes available are :

• OK Only
• OK Cancel
• Rentry Cancel
• Yes No
• Yes No Cancel

The syntax for usage is as follows :

	(function name "message1" "message2" "message3" "title")

For example:

	(lspokcancel "This is the first line" "This is the second line"
		     "This is the third line" "This is the title")

Here is a detailed explanation of each message box:

OK Only

Syntax : (lspOkOnly "message1" "message2" "message3" "title")

This message box returns nothing as it is used to convey a message only.

OK Cancel

Syntax : (lspOkCancel "message1" "message2" "message3" "title")

This message box returns True if OK selected and nil if Cancel selected.

Rentry Cancel

Syntax : (lspRentryCancel "message1" "message2" "message3" "title")

This message box returns True if Rentry selected and nil if Cancel selected.

Yes No

Syntax : (lspYesNo "message1" "message2" "message3" "title")

This message box returns True if Yes selected and "F" if No selected.

Yes No Cancel

Syntax : (lspYesNoCancel "message1" "message2" "message3" "title")

This message box returns True if Yes selected, "F" if No selected and nil if Cancel selected.

Source Coding

Here is the DCL Source Coding:

lspOkCancel : dialog {
 
	key = "main";
 
	: column {
 
	: text {
	key = "message1";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message2";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message3";
	       }
	}
   	: row {
 
	: spacer { width = 1; }
 
	: button {
	label = "OK";
	key = "accept";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "O";
	is_default = true;
	}
 
	: button {
	label = "Cancel";
	key = "cancel";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "C";
	is_cancel = true;
  	}
 
	: spacer { width = 1;}
 
	}
 
  		 }
 
////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
lspYesNo : dialog {
 
	key = "main";
 
	: column {
 
	: text {
	key = "message1";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message2";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message3";
	       }
	}
   	: row {
 
	: spacer { width = 1; }
 
	: button {
	label = "Yes";
	key = "yes";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "Y";
	is_default = true;
	}
 
	: button {
	label = "No";
	key = "no";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "N";
	is_cancel = true;
  	}
 
	: spacer { width = 1;}
 
	}
 
  		 }
 
////////////////////////////////////////////
 
lspOkOnly : dialog {
 
	key = "main";
 
	: column {
 
	: text {
	key = "message1";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message2";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message3";
	       }
	}
   	: row {
 
	: spacer { width = 1; }
 
	: button {
	label = "OK";
	key = "accept";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "O";
	is_default = true;
	alignment = centered;
	}
 
	: spacer { width = 1;}
 
	}
 
  		 }
 
////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
lspYesNoCancel : dialog {
 
	key = "main";
 
	: column {
 
	: text {
	key = "message1";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message2";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message3";
	       }
	}
   	: row {
 
	: spacer { width = 1; }
 
	: button {
	label = "Yes";
	key = "yes";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "Y";
	is_default = true;
	}
 
	: button {
	label = "No";
	key = "no";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "N";
  	}
 
	: button {
	label = "Cancel";
	key = "cancel";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "C";
	is_cancel = true;
  	}
 
	: spacer { width = 1;}
 
	}
 
  		 }
 
////////////////////////////////////////////
 
lspRentryCancel : dialog {
 
	key = "main";
 
	: column {
 
	: text {
	key = "message1";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message2";
	       }
 
	: text {
	key = "message3";
	       }
	}
   	: row {
 
	: spacer { width = 1; }
 
	: button {
	label = "Rentry";
	key = "rentry";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "R";
	is_default = true;
	}
 
	: button {
	label = "Cancel";
	key = "Cancel";
	width = 12;
	fixed_width = true;
	mnemonic = "C";
	is_cancel = true;
  	}
 
	: spacer { width = 1;}
 
	}
 
  		 }
 
////////////////////////////////////////////

And the Autolisp Code:

(defun lspOkCancel (message1 message2 message3 main)
 
  (setq dcl_id (load_dialog "msgbox.dcl"))
  (if (not (new_dialog "lspOkCancel" dcl_id))
    (exit)
  )
 
  (set_tile "message1" message1)
  (set_tile "message2" message2)
  (set_tile "message3" message3)
  (set_tile "main" main)
 
  (action_tile
    "cancel"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result nil)"
  )
  (action_tile
    "accept"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result T)"
  )
  (start_dialog)
  (unload_dialog dcl_id)
  (princ)
)
 
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
 
(defun lspYesNo (message1 message2 message3 main)
 
  (setq dcl_id (load_dialog "msgbox.dcl"))
  (if (not (new_dialog "lspYesNo" dcl_id))
    (exit)
  )
 
  (set_tile "message1" message1)
  (set_tile "message2" message2)
  (set_tile "message3" message3)
  (set_tile "main" main)
 
  (action_tile
    "no"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result \"F\")"
  )
  (action_tile
    "yes"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result T)"
  )
  (start_dialog)
  (unload_dialog dcl_id)
  (princ)
)
 
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
 
(defun lspOkOnly (message1 message2 message3 main)
 
  (setq dcl_id (load_dialog "msgbox.dcl"))
  (if (not (new_dialog "lspOkOnly" dcl_id))
    (exit)
  )
 
  (set_tile "message1" message1)
  (set_tile "message2" message2)
  (set_tile "message3" message3)
  (set_tile "main" main)
 
  
  (action_tile
    "yes"
    "(done_dialog)"
  )
  (start_dialog)
  (unload_dialog dcl_id)
  (princ)
)
 
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
 
(defun lspYesNoCancel (message1 message2 message3 main)
 
  (setq dcl_id (load_dialog "msgbox.dcl"))
  (if (not (new_dialog "lspYesNoCancel" dcl_id))
    (exit)
  )
 
  (set_tile "message1" message1)
  (set_tile "message2" message2)
  (set_tile "message3" message3)
  (set_tile "main" main)
 
  (action_tile
    "no"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result \"F\")"
  )
  (action_tile
    "yes"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result T)"
  )
  (action_tile
    "cancel"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result nil)"
  )
  (start_dialog)
  (unload_dialog dcl_id)
  (princ)
)
 
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
 
(defun lspRentryCancel (message1 message2 message3 main)
 
  (setq dcl_id (load_dialog "msgbox.dcl"))
  (if (not (new_dialog "lspRentryCancel" dcl_id))
    (exit)
  )
 
  (set_tile "message1" message1)
  (set_tile "message2" message2)
  (set_tile "message3" message3)
  (set_tile "main" main)
 
  (action_tile
    "cancel"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result nil)"
  )
  (action_tile
    "rentry"
    "(done_dialog)
     (setq result T)"
  )
  (start_dialog)
  (unload_dialog dcl_id)
  (princ)
)
 
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
 
(princ)

If you would like the source coding for the the Message Box routine, just place your mouse here and click… Enjoy.

Dialog Control Language (DCL)

• DCL Beginners' Tutorials
• DCL Intermediate Tutorials

AfraLISP Archive

‘Hey, what's happened to AfraLISP?’ If you've visited our site before, you'll notice some big changes. We're currently revamping the entire site to bring you updated tutorials and a better user experience. However, if there's something you can't find, the AfraLISP Archive contains a full copy of the original site as originally created by Kenny Ramage.

AutoLISP Learning Resources

• Lee Mac - AutoLISP Tutorials and Programmes
• Draftsperson.net - AutoLISP Tutorials
• Jeffery P Sanders - AutoLISP Tutorials
• Ron Leigh - AutoLISP Tutorials
• Pixel Graphics Inc. - AutoLISP Tutorials
• A'CAD Solutions - AutoLISP Tutorial
• CAD Digest - AutoLISP Tutorials

Online Books

• The ABC's of AutoLISP
• The Visual LISP Developer's Bible

AutoLISP Forums

• CADTutor
• Autodesk Discussion Groups
• Autodesk User Group International (AUGI)
• The Swamp