2011

Macro Basics
A macro in a user interface element can be as simple as a command (such as
circle) and some special characters (such as ^C^C).
For example, the macro ^C^C_circle \1, draws a circle with a radius of 1 unit.
The components that define this macro are explained in the table below.
Components in CIRCLE macro
ResultComponent typeComponent
Cancels any running commandsSpecial control char-
acter
^C^C
Automatically translates the command
that follows into other languages
Special control char-
acter
_
Starts the CIRCLE commandCommandCIRCLE
Creates a pause for the user to specify
the center point
Special control char-
acter
\
Responds to the prompt for the circle's
radius (1)
Special control char-
acter
1
For a list of special control characters that you can use in macros, see
Use
Special Control Characters in Macros
on page 154.
Cancel Running Commands
Make sure that you have no AutoCAD commands in progress before you
execute a macro. To automatically cancel a command before executing a
macro, enter ^C^C at the beginning of the macro (which is the same as pressing
ESC twice). Although a single ^C cancels most commands, ^C^C is required to
return to the command prompt from a dimensioning command and ^C^C^C
is required based on the current option of the Layer command. ^C^C handles
canceling out of most command sequences and therefore is the recommended
sequence used to ensure no command is active before the macro is started.
Verify Macro Characters
Every character in a macro is significant, even a blank space.
152 | Chapter 4 User Interface Customization