Compiling an shp file

[beakerboy]

I'm using AutoCAD LT 2004. I would like to create a custom linetype of a straight line with a "sine wave" at certain intervals. The sine wave is just a circle arc above the line followed by an arc below the line.

Based on all the reading I've done, I'll need to create an shp file defining the wave (should be simple) and then compile it into an shx file to use within my aclt.lin file. Unfortunately, AutoCAD LT does not have the abilty to compile shx files and it doesn't look like the LT Express Tools bring in that functionality. Is there a free tool out there I can use? Alternatively, would a kind person out there be able to compile this for me? A free tool would be best in case I need to tweak the look.

I think the shp code would be:
*1,13,SINE,11,(159,97,0,1,-030),11,(97,159,0,1,047),0

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[CarlB]

I revised the format to the following so it would compile:

*1,13,SINE
11,(159,97,0,1,-030),11,(97,159,0,1,047),0

The resulting shape is probably not what you intended...

 

[beakerboy]

Hmmm

The autodesk example was unclear on one of the parameters so I think it should actually be:
*2,13,SINE2
11,(159,97,0,1,-033),11,(97,159,0,1,043),0

However, this is probably simpler:
*3,9,SINE3
13,(5,0,-95),(5,0,95),(0,0)

Thanks for your help Carl!
Anyone have any compiler recommendations?

 

[CarlB]

I haven't come across any free compilers, looked for them a few years ago, not recently.
You could try a free download of Intellicad/ProGE cad or similar aAutoCAD clone...good for 30 days usually.

I tried to compile both definitions at once, got this message:

Compiling shape/font description file
Bad shape definition at line 4 of Cxxxxxxx\Sineshape.shp:
No end-of-shape marker

then removed the Sine 3 definition and got the attached.

 

[beakerboy]

OK. We're getting closer. Last try...I promise.
*2,13,SINE
11,(97,159,0,1,-044),11,(97,159,0,1,044),0
*3,10,SINE1
13,(5,0,-95),(5,0,95),(0,0),0

The fractional arc form has some unexpected behavior. It seems like the offset from the octet boundary is measured dependent on the direction of the curve. For example, if a curve is to start at 95 degrees and travel clockwise, it would be defined as the 3rd octet, with an offset of 40 degrees (135-40). If it's traveling counter-clockwise, it would be the 2nd octet with a 5 degree offset (90+5). It would be nice if the online user documentation went into a little more detail on this point as wasn't plain confusing on the meaning of the "(-)0SC" terms.

 

[CarlB]

Bingo that did it. The 2 shapes appear to be exactly the same, just differnt sizes.

No problem, was pretty quick once I remebered the basic commands, "compile" and "shape", and learned Eng-Tips can upload about any file type.