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DCL Tile Attributes

by Kenny Ramage

This tutorial will give you a detailed explanation of all attributes used in the design and implementation of dialogue boxes used within AutoCAD/AutoLisp.

I have provided a sample dialogue image of each of the various aspects of attributes, and the sample DCL Coding that was used to create the dialogue. The sample AutoLisp coding required to display each dialogue can be found in the downloadable tutorial.

Attributes in DCL define the layout and functionality of tiles. If you are familiar with Visual Basic, you will find that they are very similar to properties. DCL Attributes consist of a name and a value.

Attribute Values

Note: The value of certain attributes can change at run-time, with user input or "set_tile" calls. The value of a tile's attribute must be one of the following type :

Integer: Numeric Values (integer or real number) that represent distances such as width, or height of a tile.

Real Number: A fractional real number must have a leading digit. e.g. "0.1" not ".1".

Quoted String: A quoted string consists of text enclosed in quotation marks ("text"). Attribute values are case sensitive. "RB1" is not the same as "rb1".

Reserved Word: A reserved word is an identifier made up of alphanumeric characters, beginning with a letter. e.g. true or false. Reserved words are case sensitive: "True" does not equal "true".

Attributes Listing

Global Attributes

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • All Tiles

Attributes Associated with Action Tiles

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • button;
  • edit_box;
  • image_button;
  • list_box;
  • popup_list;
  • radio_button;
  • slider;
  • toggle;
  • radio_column;
  • radio_row

Attributes Associated with Tile Clusters

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • row;
  • column;
  • radio_row;
  • radio_column;
  • boxed_row;
  • boxed_column;
  • boxed_radio_row;
  • boxed_radio_column

Attributes Associated with Specific Tiles

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • edit_box; image_button; list_box

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • image;
  • image_button

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • slider

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • image;
  • image_button

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • edit_box

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • edit_box;
  • popup_list

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • edit_box; popup_list

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • dialog

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • button

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • button

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • boxed_row;
  • boxed_column;
  • boxed_radio_row;
  • boxed_radio_column;
  • button;
  • dialog;
  • edit_box;
  • list_box;
  • popup_list;
  • radio_button;
  • text;
  • toggle

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • slider

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • list_box;
  • popup_list

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • slider

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • slider

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • list_box

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • edit_box

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • slider

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • list_box;
  • popup_list

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • list_box; popup_list

Attribute :

Applies to :

  • text;
  • all active tiles (except buttons and image_buttons)

To download all DCL and AutoLisp Code samples, stand up, go into the bathroom, look in the mirror and stick your tongue out. Then return to the computer, place your mouse here, and click as hard as you can. Enjoy…