Function Syntax: para30 / 30para Version: 1.0 Date: 27.06.2026 08:25:12 Version: 1.1 Date: 27.06.2026 11:29:48 Ai+https://www.lee-mac.com/dynamicoffset.html Description Description This AutoLISP command creates an interactive AutoCAD tool named 30para, with PARA30 also available as an alias command. The program opens a DCL dialog where the user defines a parallel/profile run, optional 30 degree ending branch, chained continuation behavior, offset profile size, start-point behavior, reference angle behavior, Ortho mode behavior, centerline layer settings, and target offset layer settings. The tool allows the user to create parallel cable-channel/profile geometry either from a selected reference entity or from a picked reference angle. The first part of the command creates a straight parallel run with profile offsets. The command can then continue from the end of that run and add a 30 degree angled ending branch without a straight tail segment. After a first route is created, the Apply button can continue the route from the last endpoint with another 30 degree branch. This allows the user to build a chained angled route segment by segment. The command finishes when the user presses OK in the dialog or presses ESC during placement. The constructed centerline is automatically placed on the layer _Hilflinie, while the offset/profile edge lines can be placed on a selected target layer from the dialog. Functionalities • Opens a custom DCL dialog for configuring the parallel/profile generation before placement. • Allows the user to create the first run from either a selected reference entity or a picked reference angle. • Supports curve-like reference objects such as lines, polylines, arcs, circles, ellipses, and splines when entity mode is used. • Includes a Reference angle section where the user can optionally calculate the active reference angle by picking two points in the drawing. • Includes a Pick angle < button that temporarily returns to the drawing and asks the user to select two points used for angle calculation. • Displays the calculated reference angle in a dedicated Calculated angle field in degrees. • Includes a Use picked reference angle checkbox. When enabled, the calculated angle becomes the active reference direction for the parallel run. • If no reference angle is picked, or if Use picked reference angle is not enabled, the command uses the selected reference entity direction for the parallel run. • Allows the user to select a start point and dynamically define the end point of the parallel run with the mouse. • Dynamically previews the centerline and offset/profile edge lines while the mouse moves. • Includes an M offset value that controls the distance between the selected reference entity or reference axis and the generated centerline run. • Mouse position controls the M offset side, allowing the generated run to be placed to either side of the reference entity or reference angle. • Provides three start-point interpretation options: Centerline, Offset Up, and Offset Down. • Centerline is checked by default and treats the picked start point as the centerline start point. • Offset Up treats the picked start point as the upper/profile offset edge start point and shifts the centerline automatically according to the selected KK profile. • Offset Down treats the picked start point as the lower/profile offset edge start point and shifts the centerline automatically according to the selected KK profile. • Provides an After parallel run click section controlling what happens after the first parallel run is clicked. • The option End command after parallel run creates only the straight parallel/profile geometry. • The option Continue with 30 degree ending branch keeps the first run visible and starts a second dynamic step from the centerline endpoint. • During the second dynamic step, the command previews and creates a 30 degree angled ending branch from the endpoint of the parallel run. • The 30 degree ending branch uses the selected profile offsets and does not draw a straight tail segment. • Provides fields for End angle and End branch length, with typical defaults of 30 degrees and 2.00 m. • After a route has been created, pressing Apply continues from the last endpoint and starts another dynamic 30 degree branch placement. • Repeated use of Apply allows the user to chain additional 30 degree angled segments from the latest endpoint. • Pressing OK finishes the command without starting another placement. • Pressing ESC during dynamic placement finishes the current placement workflow and returns control to AutoCAD. • The offset/profile edge lines are mitered through the corners when angled continuation branches are used, producing clean chamfered transitions at the connections. • Provides an Ortho ON checkbox in the dialog, checked by default, so the command can keep AutoCAD ORTHOMODE / F8 active during placement. • The command does not force Ortho mode off after placement. • Provides a profile selection list containing predefined KK cable channel profiles. • Each profile stores left and right offset distances used to generate the visible offset/profile edge lines. • Uses AutoCAD undo marks so each committed geometry action can be undone cleanly. • Provides an Undo button in the dialog to undo the last generated geometry. After Parallel Run Area • Includes a dedicated After parallel run click section in the DCL dialog. • End command after parallel run creates only the straight parallel/profile run. • Continue with 30 degree ending branch creates the parallel/profile run and then starts a second dynamic branch step from the endpoint. • The first parallel run remains visible while the user moves the mouse to define the 30 degree ending branch. • The end branch has its own configurable angle and length fields. • After the first complete route is placed, Apply starts another 30 degree continuation branch from the latest endpoint. Reference Angle Area • Includes a dedicated Reference angle section in the DCL dialog. • The Use picked reference angle checkbox controls whether the picked and calculated angle is used instead of selecting a reference entity. • The Pick angle < button asks the user to pick two points in the drawing. • The command calculates the angle from the first picked point to the second picked point. • The calculated value is shown in the Calculated angle field. • When the picked reference angle is active, the parallel run and side logic are evaluated relative to that calculated angle. • When the picked reference angle is not active, the command uses the selected reference entity direction. Select Entity / Pick Point Area • Includes a dedicated Select Entity / Pick Point area in the DCL dialog, positioned between the Reference angle area and the Centerline layer area. • In entity mode, the user selects a reference entity for the parallel run direction. • In picked-angle mode, the user does not need to select a reference entity because the calculated angle defines the reference direction. • The user then picks the first point of the generated run. • The second point is dynamic and follows the mouse until the user clicks to commit the run. Start Point Mode Area • Includes a dedicated start-point mode section with three mutually exclusive options. • Centerline treats the picked start point as the centerline start point. • Offset Up treats the picked start point as the upper/profile edge start point. • Offset Down treats the picked start point as the lower/profile edge start point. • The selected KK profile determines how far the centerline is shifted when an offset start mode is used. Offset Layer Area • Includes a dedicated Offset layer section in the DCL dialog. • The checkbox Place offsets on layer controls whether the offset/profile edge lines are moved to a selected layer. • Includes a Filter field for filtering the available drawing layers. • Includes a Layer dropdown showing the filtered layer results. • Includes a Pick from drawing button that allows the user to select an existing object and read its layer. • Displays the currently selected offset layer name below the layer controls. • If the selected offset layer does not exist, the program creates it automatically before placing the offset lines. Layer Logic • The centerline created by the command is always placed on _Hilflinie. • If _Hilflinie does not exist, the program creates it automatically. • The centerline layer is set to magenta and uses the Continuous linetype. • The offset/profile edge lines are placed on the selected offset layer when the offset layer option is active. • If the offset layer option is disabled, the offset/profile edge lines remain on the current active drawing layer. • Any offset layer matching VA_KTB_KK* is set to AutoCAD color 11, not white. Profiles Used • KK Gr. I i.F_220X275 with 0.1100 m left offset and 0.1100 m right offset. • KK Gr. II i.F_400X275 with 0.2000 m left offset and 0.2000 m right offset. • KK Gr. IIIa i.F_515X275 with 0.2575 m left offset and 0.2575 m right offset. • KK Gr. IV i.F_700X285 with 0.3500 m left offset and 0.3500 m right offset. Typical Workflow • The user runs the command 30para or PARA30. • The user chooses whether to create only the parallel run or continue with a 30 degree ending branch. • Optional: the user clicks Pick angle < and selects two points in the drawing to calculate a reference angle. • Optional: the user enables Use picked reference angle so the calculated angle controls the parallel run direction. • If no picked reference angle is used, the user selects a reference entity for the parallel direction. • The user selects the M offset, start-point mode, Ortho option, KK profile, and offset layer settings in the dialog. • The user clicks Select Entity / Pick Point. • The user selects a reference entity when required, then picks the first point of the run. • The tool dynamically previews the first parallel/profile run while the mouse moves. • The user clicks to create the first run. • If End command after parallel run is selected, the command creates only the first run. • If Continue with 30 degree ending branch is selected, the first run remains visible and the user moves the mouse to preview the angled ending branch. • The user clicks again to create the 30 degree ending branch with mitered/chamfered offset edges. • To continue from the latest endpoint, the user presses Apply, then places the next 30 degree branch. • The user can repeat Apply to keep adding 30 degree continuation branches. • The user presses OK to finish the command, or presses ESC during placement to end the workflow. Function Syntax: para30 / 30para Version: 1.0 Date: 27.06.2026 08:25:12 Version: 1.1 Date: 27.06.2026 11:29:48 Version: 1.2 Date: 02.07.2026 10:31:07AM Ai+https://www.lee-mac.com/dynamicoffset.html Description Description This AutoLISP command creates an interactive AutoCAD tool named 30para, with PARA30 also available as an alias command. The program opens a DCL dialog where the user defines a parallel/profile run, optional 30 degree ending branch, chained continuation behavior, offset profile size, start-point behavior, reference angle behavior, Ortho mode behavior, centerline layer settings, and target offset layer settings. The tool allows the user to create parallel cable-channel/profile geometry either from a selected reference entity or from a picked reference angle. The first part of the command creates a straight parallel run with profile offsets. The command can then continue from the end of that run and add a 30 degree angled ending branch without a straight tail segment. After a first route is created, the Apply button can continue the route from the last endpoint with another 30 degree branch. This allows the user to build a chained angled route segment by segment. The command finishes when the user presses OK in the dialog or presses ESC during placement. The constructed centerline is automatically placed on the layer _Hilflinie, while the offset/profile edge lines can be placed on a selected target layer from the dialog. Functionalities • Opens a custom DCL dialog for configuring the parallel/profile generation before placement. • Allows the user to create the first run from either a selected reference entity or a picked reference angle. • Supports curve-like reference objects such as lines, polylines, arcs, circles, ellipses, and splines when entity mode is used. • Includes a Reference angle section where the user can optionally calculate the active reference angle by picking two points in the drawing. • Includes a Pick angle < button that temporarily returns to the drawing and asks the user to select two points used for angle calculation. • Displays the calculated reference angle in a dedicated Calculated angle field in degrees. • Includes a Use picked reference angle checkbox. When enabled, the calculated angle becomes the active reference direction for the parallel run. • If no reference angle is picked, or if Use picked reference angle is not enabled, the command uses the selected reference entity direction for the parallel run. • Allows the user to select a start point and dynamically define the end point of the parallel run with the mouse. • Dynamically previews the centerline and offset/profile edge lines while the mouse moves. • Includes an M offset value that controls the distance between the selected reference entity or reference axis and the generated centerline run. • Mouse position controls the M offset side, allowing the generated run to be placed to either side of the reference entity or reference angle. • Provides three start-point interpretation options: Centerline, Offset Up, and Offset Down. • Centerline is checked by default and treats the picked start point as the centerline start point. • Offset Up treats the picked start point as the upper/profile offset edge start point and shifts the centerline automatically according to the selected KK profile. • Offset Down treats the picked start point as the lower/profile offset edge start point and shifts the centerline automatically according to the selected KK profile. • Provides an After parallel run click section controlling what happens after the first parallel run is clicked. • The option End command after parallel run creates only the straight parallel/profile geometry. • The option Continue with 30 degree ending branch keeps the first run visible and starts a second dynamic step from the centerline endpoint. • During the second dynamic step, the command previews and creates a 30 degree angled ending branch from the endpoint of the parallel run. • The 30 degree ending branch uses the selected profile offsets and does not draw a straight tail segment. • Provides fields for End angle and End branch length, with typical defaults of 30 degrees and 2.00 m. • After a route has been created, pressing Apply continues from the last endpoint and starts another dynamic 30 degree branch placement. • Repeated use of Apply allows the user to chain additional 30 degree angled segments from the latest endpoint. • Pressing OK finishes the command without starting another placement. • Pressing ESC during dynamic placement finishes the current placement workflow and returns control to AutoCAD. • The offset/profile edge lines are mitered through the corners when angled continuation branches are used, producing clean chamfered transitions at the connections. • Provides an Ortho ON checkbox in the dialog, checked by default, so the command can keep AutoCAD ORTHOMODE / F8 active during placement. • The command does not force Ortho mode off after placement. • Provides a profile selection list containing predefined KK cable channel profiles. • Each profile stores left and right offset distances used to generate the visible offset/profile edge lines. • Uses AutoCAD undo marks so each committed geometry action can be undone cleanly. • Provides an Undo button in the dialog to undo the last generated geometry. After Parallel Run Area • Includes a dedicated After parallel run click section in the DCL dialog. • End command after parallel run creates only the straight parallel/profile run. • Continue with 30 degree ending branch creates the parallel/profile run and then starts a second dynamic branch step from the endpoint. • The first parallel run remains visible while the user moves the mouse to define the 30 degree ending branch. • The end branch has its own configurable angle and length fields. • After the first complete route is placed, Apply starts another 30 degree continuation branch from the latest endpoint. Reference Angle Area • Includes a dedicated Reference angle section in the DCL dialog. • The Use picked reference angle checkbox controls whether the picked and calculated angle is used instead of selecting a reference entity. • The Pick angle < button asks the user to pick two points in the drawing. • The command calculates the angle from the first picked point to the second picked point. • The calculated value is shown in the Calculated angle field. • When the picked reference angle is active, the parallel run and side logic are evaluated relative to that calculated angle. • When the picked reference angle is not active, the command uses the selected reference entity direction. Select Entity / Pick Point Area • Includes a dedicated Select Entity / Pick Point area in the DCL dialog, positioned between the Reference angle area and the Centerline layer area. • In entity mode, the user selects a reference entity for the parallel run direction. • In picked-angle mode, the user does not need to select a reference entity because the calculated angle defines the reference direction. • The user then picks the first point of the generated run. • The second point is dynamic and follows the mouse until the user clicks to commit the run. Start Point Mode Area • Includes a dedicated start-point mode section with three mutually exclusive options. • Centerline treats the picked start point as the centerline start point. • Offset Up treats the picked start point as the upper/profile edge start point. • Offset Down treats the picked start point as the lower/profile edge start point. • The selected KK profile determines how far the centerline is shifted when an offset start mode is used. Offset Layer Area • Includes a dedicated Offset layer section in the DCL dialog. • The checkbox Place offsets on layer controls whether the offset/profile edge lines are moved to a selected layer. • Includes a Filter field for filtering the available drawing layers. • Includes a Layer dropdown showing the filtered layer results. • Includes a Pick from drawing button that allows the user to select an existing object and read its layer. • Displays the currently selected offset layer name below the layer controls. • If the selected offset layer does not exist, the program creates it automatically before placing the offset lines. Layer Logic • The centerline created by the command is always placed on _Hilflinie. • If _Hilflinie does not exist, the program creates it automatically. • The centerline layer is set to magenta and uses the Continuous linetype. • The offset/profile edge lines are placed on the selected offset layer when the offset layer option is active. • If the offset layer option is disabled, the offset/profile edge lines remain on the current active drawing layer. • Any offset layer matching VA_KTB_KK* is set to AutoCAD color 11, not white. Profiles Used • KK Gr. I i.F_220X275 with 0.1100 m left offset and 0.1100 m right offset. • KK Gr. II i.F_400X275 with 0.2000 m left offset and 0.2000 m right offset. • KK Gr. IIIa i.F_515X275 with 0.2575 m left offset and 0.2575 m right offset. • KK Gr. IV i.F_700X285 with 0.3500 m left offset and 0.3500 m right offset. Typical Workflow • The user runs the command 30para or PARA30. • The user chooses whether to create only the parallel run or continue with a 30 degree ending branch. • Optional: the user clicks Pick angle < and selects two points in the drawing to calculate a reference angle. • Optional: the user enables Use picked reference angle so the calculated angle controls the parallel run direction. • If no picked reference angle is used, the user selects a reference entity for the parallel direction. • The user selects the M offset, start-point mode, Ortho option, KK profile, and offset layer settings in the dialog. • The user clicks Select Entity / Pick Point. • The user selects a reference entity when required, then picks the first point of the run. • The tool dynamically previews the first parallel/profile run while the mouse moves. • The user clicks to create the first run. • If End command after parallel run is selected, the command creates only the first run. • If Continue with 30 degree ending branch is selected, the first run remains visible and the user moves the mouse to preview the angled ending branch. • The user clicks again to create the 30 degree ending branch with mitered/chamfered offset edges. • To continue from the latest endpoint, the user presses Apply, then places the next 30 degree branch. • The user can repeat Apply to keep adding 30 degree continuation branches. • The user presses OK to finish the command, or presses ESC during placement to end the workflow.