ADT/ABS List Definition freeware tip

Here is a tip on practical usage of the newly released ADT/ABS List Definition freeware.

Say you have a List Definition and want to add some new items to the list. As you know they will not be sorted alphabetically when you select the list in the Properties palette.

1. Run ListDefinitionExport.
2. Open the AutoCAD Text Window (F2).
3. Look for the List Definition and its items.
4. Copy them to Excel.
5. Add the new items.
6. Use Find and Replace of four spaces to nothing to remove the first four spaces.
7. Sort the list.
8. Copy the list.
9. Start ListDefinitionImport and paste into the text box.

Or if the list is already sorted.

1. Run ListDefinitionExport.
2. Open the AutoCAD Text Window (F2).
3. Look for the List Definition and its items.
4. Copy the items to the clipboard.
5. Start ListDefinitionImport and paste into the text box. (No need to bother about the extra spaces in to the left. They will be automatically removed anyway since List Definition Values cannot start or end with a space character.)
6. Add the new items at the correct location.

Wish list items I have for future versions of ADT/ABS.

• List Definition Items and Classification Definition Items should allow all characters. I don't want this limitation. List/Classification Items should allow even <>/\":?*|,=`
• It should be possible to specify sort order and rearrange the items in a List Definition. Drag and drop of items in a Classification Definition could also be improved.
• API to support specifying what List Definitions should apply to. Now it's only possible to apply to all or none using AppliesToAll on Autodesk.Aec.DatabaseServices.ListDefinition.