I have established an extensive VBA and Python documentation covering AutoCAD automatization. In this article I demonstrate some of this in Python, using pyautocad and win32com. I do so by creating a factory layout drawing in AutoCAD. It is a simple layout with a few machines.

The example is provided in below Python code:

import math
import win32com.client
from pyautocad import Autocad, APoint

# AutoCAD instance
acad = Autocad(create_if_not_exists=True)

# Set the drawing units to millimeters
acad.doc.Units = win32com.client.constants.acMillimeters

# drawing limits
acad.doc.SetLimits(APoint(-5000, -5000), APoint(5000, 5000))

# machine dimensions
machine_width = 500
machine_length = 1000
machine_height = 500

# machine positions
machine_positions = [
    APoint(1000, 1000),
    APoint(2500, 1000),
    APoint(2500, 2500),
    APoint(1000, 2500)
]

# machine names
machine_names = ["Machine 1", "Machine 2", "Machine 3", "Machine 4"]

# machine colors
machine_colors = [1, 2, 3, 4]

# new layer for the machines
machines_layer = acad.doc.Layers.Add("Machines")

# create the machines
for i, position in enumerate(machine_positions):
    # Create the machine block
    machine_block = acad.model.InsertBlock(
        APoint(position.x, position.y, 0),
        "MACHINE",
        machine_width,
        machine_length,
        machine_height
    )
    
    # set machine name
    machine_block.GetAttributes()[0].TextString = machine_names[i]
    
    # machine color setting
    machine_block.TrueColor = machine_colors[i]
    
    # add machine block to desired layer
    machine_block.Layer = machines_layer
    
    # save AutoCAD drawing
    acad.doc.SaveAs("factory_layout.dwg")

This code creates a basic factory layout with four machines, each with a different color and name. You can modify the machine positions, names, and colors to create your own factory layout.

Related content

If you are interested in Python for AutoCAD you can check our documentation on SCDA. Below are some exemplary contributions to our documentation:

• Link: Extending the objects in AutoCAD using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Using Python lists and dictionaries to work with AutoCAD objects with pyautocad
• Link: Hatching objects on AutoCAD template using pywin32 in Python
• Link: Raster image object in AutoCAD with pyautocad in Python
• Link: Working with 3D mesh object in AutoCAD using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Creating adouble constructor using pywin32 in Python
• Link: Creating apoint method using pywin32 in Python
• Link: Python integration with AutoCAD using pywin32 and win32com
• Link: Deleting objects in a AutoCAD template with pyautocad and pywin32 in Python
• Link: Mirror object on a 2D plane with pyautocad in Python
• Link: Working with texts in Autocad using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Polar arrays in AutoCAD using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Rectangular arrays in AutoCAD using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Operations with AutoCAD objects using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Solid objects in AutoCAD using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Working with helices in AutoCAD using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Drawing splines in AutoCAD with pyautocad in Python
• Link: Polylines in pyautocad for drawing AutoCAD polygons in Python
• Link: Drawing ellipse arcs in AutoCAD using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Drawing arcs in AutoCAD using pyautocad in Python
• Link: Near simultaneous factory design and process optimization with Promodel AutoCAD edition
• Link: Python for AutoCAD pyautocad module
• Link: Region object in AutoCAD with Python
• Link: AutoCAD Application object class in Python
• Link: AutoCAD Document object in Python
• Link: AutoCAD Block object in Python
• Link: AutoCAD Attribute object in Python
• Link: DimAligned object in AutoCAD using Python
• Link: SelectionSet object in AutoCAD with Python

Linnart Felkl

Data scientist focusing on simulation, optimization and modeling in R, SQL, VBA and Python