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Calculating Total Area of Multiple Objects in AutoCAD using Lisp
AutoCAD is a powerful computer-aided design (CAD) software that offers a wide range of tools and features to create, edit, and manage 2D and 3D models. One of the common tasks in AutoCAD is to calculate the total area of multiple objects, such as rooms, buildings, or landscapes. While AutoCAD provides a built-in AREA command to calculate the area of a single object, it can be tedious to calculate the total area of multiple objects manually.
This is where Lisp comes in – a programming language that allows you to create custom functions and automate repetitive tasks in AutoCAD. In this article, we will explore how to write a Lisp program to calculate the total area of multiple objects in AutoCAD.
The Code
Here is the Lisp code that calculates the total area of multiple objects:
(defun c:totalarea ()
(setq total-area 0)
(setq ss (ssget "X"))
(if (/= ss nil)
(progn
(setq i 0)
(repeat (sslength ss)
(setq ent (ssname ss i))
(setq area (cdr (assoc 41 (entget ent))))
(if (/= area nil)
(setq total-area (+ total-area area)))
(setq i (+ i 1)))
(princ (strcat "Total Area: " (rtos total-area 2 2) " sq. units"))
)
(princ)
)
Let's break down the code:
(defun c:totalarea ()defines a new Lisp function calledc:totalarea.(setq total-area 0)initializes a variabletotal-areato 0. This variable will store the total area of all objects.(setq ss (ssget "X"))gets a set of all objects in the drawing using thessgetfunction with the"X"filter, which selects all objects.(if (/= ss nil)checks if the set of objects is not empty.(progn ...)is a block of code that executes if the set of objects is not empty.(setq i 0)initializes a counterito 0.(repeat (sslength ss) ...)loops through each object in the set.(setq ent (ssname ss i))gets the current object in the set using thessnamefunction.(setq area (cdr (assoc 41 (entget ent))))gets the area of the current object using theentgetfunction, which returns a list of the object's properties. Theassoc 41function finds the area property (which is stored in the 41st attribute of the object).(if (/= area nil) ...)checks if the area is not nil (i.e., the object has an area).(setq total-area (+ total-area area))adds the area of the current object to the total area.(princ (strcat "Total Area: " (rtos total-area 2 2) " sq. units"))prints the total area to the command line using theprincfunction. Thertosfunction converts the total area to a string with two decimal places.
How to Use the Code
To use this Lisp code in AutoCAD, follow these steps:
- Open AutoCAD and create a new drawing or open an existing one.
- Type
APin the command line and press Enter to open the Load/Unload Applications dialog box. - Click the "Load" button and navigate to the Lisp file (e.g.,
totalarea.lsp). - Click "Open" to load the Lisp file.
- Type
c:totalareain the command line and press Enter to run the Lisp function. - Select all objects for which you want to calculate the total area using the standard AutoCAD selection methods (e.g., window, crossing, etc.).
- Press Enter to execute the function.
The Lisp function will calculate the total area of all selected objects and print the result to the command line. total area autocad lisp
Conclusion
In this article, we explored how to write a Lisp program to calculate the total area of multiple objects in AutoCAD. The code provided can be easily modified to suit specific needs, such as calculating the total area of objects with specific properties (e.g., by layer, color, etc.). With this Lisp function, you can automate the process of calculating total areas in AutoCAD and save time and effort.
In AutoCAD, calculating the total area of multiple objects—like polylines, circles, or regions—can be tedious if done manually using the standard AREA command. AutoLISP routines automate this by summing the areas of all selected objects and displaying the result instantly. How to Use a "Total Area" LISP Routine
Obtain the Code: You can find various versions of this script online, such as those from Lee Mac Programming or JTB World. Load the LISP: Open AutoCAD and type APPLOAD in the command line. Navigate to your .lsp file and click Load.
Alternatively, drag and drop the .lsp file directly into the AutoCAD drawing window.
Run the Command: Most "Total Area" scripts use commands like TAREA, AREAM, or QSTA.
Select Objects: Select the closed polylines, circles, or hatches you want to measure. The routine will calculate the sum and display it in the command line or an alert box. Popular LISP Routines for Area Calculation Command Functionality TAREA
Displays the total area of selected circles, ellipses, polylines, and splines at the command line. Lee Mac Programming AREAM Calculating Total Area of Multiple Objects in AutoCAD
Measures total area of many objects at once and reports the total to the command line. JTB World SAL Calculates total area and sums it specifically by layer. CADTutor AMO
Adds the area of multiple objects and places a text label with the area at each object’s center. ESurveying A2F
Creates an MText object with a Field Expression that automatically updates if object boundaries change. Arkance Community Key Benefits of Using LISP for Areas
;; ============================================================
;; TOTAL AREA.LSP
;; Command: TA
;; Purpose: Calculate and display total area of selected objects
;; Supports: Circles, Arcs, Ellipses, Polylines, Regions, Hatches, Splines
;; ============================================================
(defun C:TA ( / ss ent obj area total cnt)
;; Set area units precision (adjust as needed)
(setq prec 2) ; decimal places
;; Initialize total area
(setq total 0.0)
(setq cnt 0)
;; Prompt user to select objects
(prompt "\nSelect objects to calculate total area: ")
(setq ss (ssget '((0 . "CIRCLE,ARC,ELLIPSE,LWPOLYLINE,POLYLINE,REGION,HATCH,SPLINE"))))
;; If selection set exists
(if ss
(progn
;; Loop through each object in selection set
(repeat (setq i (sslength ss))
(setq ent (ssname ss (setq i (1- i))))
(setq obj (vlax-ename->vla-object ent))
;; Check if object has Area property
(if (vlax-property-available-p obj "Area")
(progn
(setq area (vla-get-area obj))
(setq total (+ total area))
(setq cnt (1+ cnt))
)
(prompt (strcat "\nSkipped: " (cdr (assoc 0 (entget ent))) " - No area property"))
)
)
;; Display results
(princ "\n========================================")
(princ (strcat "\nTotal Area of " (itoa cnt) " object(s):"))
(princ "\n----------------------------------------")
;; Show in current drawing units
(princ (strcat "\nSquare units: " (rtos total 2 prec)))
;; Convert to common units (optional - adjust conversion factor)
;; For meters to square meters: no change
;; For millimeters to square meters: divide by 1e6
;; For inches to square feet: divide by 144
;; For feet to square feet: no change
;; Example: If drawing units are millimeters, show square meters
;; (princ (strcat "\nSquare meters: " (rtos (/ total 1000000.0) 2 prec)))
;; Example: If drawing units are inches, show square feet
;; (princ (strcat "\nSquare feet: " (rtos (/ total 144.0) 2 prec)))
(princ "\n========================================")
;; Optional: Add text to drawing
(if (yes-or-no-p "\nAdd total area text to drawing? ")
(insert-area-text total)
)
)
(prompt "\nNo valid objects selected!")
)
(princ)
)
;; Helper function to insert total area as text in drawing
(defun insert-area-text (area / pt)
(setq pt (getpoint "\nPick insertion point for text: "))
(if pt
(entmake
(list
'(0 . "TEXT")
'(100 . "AcDbEntity")
'(100 . "AcDbText")
(cons 10 pt)
(cons 40 (getvar 'TEXTSIZE))
(cons 1 (strcat "Total Area: " (rtos area 2 2) " sq units"))
'(50 . 0.0)
'(7 . "Standard")
'(72 . 0)
'(73 . 0)
)
)
)
)
;; Alternative: Quick total area with selection window
(defun C:TAQ ( / ss total area obj)
(setq ss (ssget '((0 . "CIRCLE,ARC,ELLIPSE,LWPOLYLINE,POLYLINE,REGION,HATCH"))))
(setq total 0.0)
(if ss
(repeat (setq i (sslength ss))
(setq obj (vlax-ename->vla-object (ssname ss (setq i (1- i)))))
(if (vlax-property-available-p obj "Area")
(setq total (+ total (vla-get-area obj)))
)
)
)
(princ (strcat "\nTotal Area = " (rtos total 2 2)))
(princ)
)
;; Alternative: Area of polylines only (with option for multiple selections)
(defun C:TAP ( / ss total)
(setq ss (ssget '((0 . "LWPOLYLINE,POLYLINE"))))
(setq total 0.0)
(if ss
(repeat (setq i (sslength ss))
(setq total (+ total (vla-get-area (vlax-ename->vla-object (ssname ss (setq i (1- i)))))))
)
)
(princ (strcat "\nTotal Polyline Area = " (rtos total 2 2)))
(princ)
)
;; Helper function to check if object has area property
(defun vlax-property-available-p (obj prop)
(not (vl-catch-all-error-p (vl-catch-all-apply 'vlax-get-property (list obj prop))))
)
;; Load command
(princ "\nTotal Area LISP loaded successfully!")
(princ "\nType 'TA' to calculate total area of selected objects")
(princ "\nType 'TAQ' for quick total area")
(princ "\nType 'TAP' for total area of polylines only")
(princ)
;; Make commands available
(autoload "C:TA" '("TA"))
(autoload "C:TAQ" '("TAQ"))
(autoload "C:TAP" '("TAP"))
Total Area LISP for Specific Industries
Available Commands:
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| TA | Main command - calculates total area with options |
| TAQ | Quick total area (command line only) |
| TAP | Total area of polylines only |
How to use:
-
Save the code as
TOTALAREA.LSPfile -
Load in AutoCAD:
- Type
AP(APPLOAD) and select the file, OR - Type
(load "TOTALAREA")at command line
- Type
-
Run the command:
- Type
TOTALAREAorTAat command line
- Type
-
Select objects:
- Select one or more objects (supports circles, polylines, hatches, regions, etc.)
- Press Enter to complete selection
-
View results:
- Individual areas for each object
- Total area sum
- Optional unit conversion (sq ft, sq m, sq yd)
- Optional clipboard copy
3. The "Dynamic Update" Lisp
This routine links the total area to a FIELD or RTEXT so that if you stretch a polyline, the total updates automatically (requires advanced Visual LISP using reactors).
2. The "Area Subtract" Lisp (NETAREA)
For calculating net floor area (Gross area minus cores and shafts). It sums "Addition" objects (green layer) and subtracts "Subtraction" objects (red layer).
Mastering the "Total Area" in AutoCAD: The Ultimate Guide to Lisp Routines
Introduction: The Pain Point of Polyline Area Calculation
For architects, civil engineers, and interior designers, calculating the total area of multiple spaces is a daily, yet tedious, task. AutoCAD’s native AREA command is powerful for single objects, but what happens when you need the combined square footage of 50 apartments on a floor plan, or 200 different lawn sections in a landscape master plan?
Manually adding each area using a calculator is not only slow but also prone to human error. This is where the magic of AutoLISP comes in. A well-written "Total Area Lisp" routine can instantly sum the areas of selected objects (polylines, circles, hatches, or regions) and present the result in your desired unit—square feet, meters, or even acres.
In this article, we will explore what a "Total Area Lisp" is, how to install and use the most popular routine (TOTAREA), how to modify it to display totals in different units, and how to troubleshoot common errors.
Step 3: Loop through selection set
(repeat (setq i (sslength ss)) ... )