2012

Directory Structure
AutoCAD for Mac uses tree-structured directories and subdirectories. It is
recommended that you keep supplemental files (such as AutoLISP applications
and customization files) separate from the AutoCAD for Mac program and
support files. This makes it easier to track possible conflicts and to upgrade
each application without affecting the others.
The default location for AutoCAD for Mac is in the Applications folder. You
can create a new directory on the same level (for example, /AcadApps) and
store your custom AutoLISP and ObjectARX application files, custom linetypes
and hatch pattern files, and other third-party applications in subdirectories
on the next level. If you want to maintain multiple drawing directories (for
separate job files), you can create a directory such as /AcadJobs with
subdirectories for each job.
Command Search Procedure
When you enter a command, AutoCAD for Mac goes through a series of steps
to evaluate the validity of the command name. A command can be a built-in
command or system variable, an external command or alias defined in the
acad.pgp file, or a user-defined AutoLISP command. Commands can also be
defined by ObjectARX applications or a device driver command. You can enter
a command on the command prompt or choose a command from the
appropriate menu. Commands can also be entered from a script file or by an
AutoLISP or ObjectARX application.
The following list describes the search order AutoCAD for Mac uses to validate
a command name.
1 If the input is a null response (Spacebar or Enter), AutoCAD for Mac uses
the name of the last command issued.
2 AutoCAD for Mac checks the command name against the list of built-in
commands. If the command is in the list and is not preceded by a period
(.), AutoCAD for Mac then checks the command against a list of
undefined commands. If the command is undefined, the search
continues. Otherwise, the command is run, unless another reason
prevents it from doing so. Running it transparently or in Perspective
mode might be impossible.
3 AutoCAD for Mac checks the command name against the names of
commands defined by a device driver, and then by those defined by the
display driver.
4 AutoCAD for Mac checks the command name against the external
commands defined in the program parameters file (acad.pgp). If the
4 | Chapter 1 Basic Customization