How to Update Lisp in AutoCAD?

Steps to Update LISP in AutoCAD

Updating LISP routines in AutoCAD can enhance your workflows by allowing you to adapt existing functionalities to meet your project needs. Below is a detailed guide on how to effectively update LISP files within AutoCAD.

Step 1: Access the APPLOAD Command

Begin by launching AutoCAD. To do this, type APPLOAD in the command line and hit Enter. This command opens the Load Application dialog, which allows you to manage your LISP routines.

Step 2: Navigate to the Startup Suite

Once the Load Application dialog is open, look for the "Startup Suite." Click the "Contents" button to view the existing LISP routines that are set to load automatically upon starting AutoCAD.

Step 3: Add New or Updated LISP Files

To incorporate your newly updated or additional LISP files, click the "Add" button. This action will open a file explorer window where you can browse to the folder containing your updated LISP files.

1. Locate the LISP file you wish to update or add (.lsp format).
2. Select the file and click "Open" to include it in the Startup Suite.

Step 4: Confirm Changes

After adding your files, ensure they appear in the list within the Startup Suite. Click "Close" to exit the dialog box, saving your updates in AutoCAD’s settings.

Step 5: Reloading LISP Files When Necessary

If you find that subsequent changes to the LISP file did not take effect, you can simply return to the APPLOAD command. Repeat the steps above to re-add or load the updated LISP files.

Locating AutoCAD LISP Files

You might need to know where your existing LISP files are stored:

• Typically, LISP files can be found in directories like C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025\Support.
• To view these locations, open the Options dialog in AutoCAD and navigate to the "Files" tab to see the designated support paths.

Editing LISP Files

If modifications are necessary for your LISP commands, you can edit the files using a text editor:

1. Open Visual LISP Editor: Launch AutoCAD, then access the Visual LISP Editor by selecting AutoLISP from the Tools menu or typing VLIDE in the command line.
2. Modify Your File: Open the relevant LISP file to read or edit its contents.
3. Save Changes: After editing, save the file to ensure your updates are retained.

Running LISP Files in AutoCAD

To run your updated LISP files, you may follow these steps:

1. Go to the command line and type AP or APPLOAD.
2. Select your desired LISP file from the dialog and click "Load".
3. Utilize the command associated with your LISP function to see the changes in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I load multiple LISP files at once?
Yes, you can load multiple LISP files by using the APPLOAD command and adding each file into the Startup Suite sequentially.

2. Is AutoCAD LT compatible with LISP routines?
AutoCAD LT does not support LISP routines or the APPLOAD command, so you will not be able to use LISP in that version.

3. What file extensions are associated with LISP files?
LISP files typically use the .lsp extension for source files, while compiled versions will have the .fas extension.