CADXChange

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CXDIMRESETClean-upVersion 1.0.0Tested in AutoCAD

Reset typed-over dimension text to the measured value

Finds dimensions whose text was typed over by hand and puts the real measured value back, so numbers can be trusted again.

Download cxdimreset.lspLISP terms

How to use it

  1. Select dimensions first, or type CXDIMRESET and select them.
  2. Dimensions with overridden text are reset.
  3. The report says how many changed.

Good to know

  • Dimensions that already show the measurement are not touched.

Load it in AutoCAD

  1. Save the file anywhere you like.
  2. Type APPLOAD, pick the file and choose Load.
  3. Type the command name: CXDIMRESET.

To have it at every start, add it to the Startup Suite in the same dialog, or load a whole folder at once with the optional loader. About the optional loader

Tested in AutoCAD (full version). Other programs that run AutoLISP may work, but they are not tested.

The code

Plain text, nothing hidden. Copy it into a file named cxdimreset.lsp, or download it.

;;; ============================================================================
;;; CXDIMRESET - Reset typed-over dimension text to the measured value
;;; Version 1.0.0
;;; CADXChange LISP tools - https://cadxchange.net/resources/lisp/cxdimreset
;;; Tested in: AutoCAD (full version). Other programs that run AutoLISP may work but are not tested.
;;; Copyright (c) CADXChange. Free for personal and commercial use; do not resell or
;;; republish it as a collection. Terms: https://cadxchange.net/legal/lisp-terms
;;; ============================================================================

;; Put the measured value back on the dimensions in NAMES whose text was typed over. Returns how many changed.
(defun cx:dimreset-run (names / n ed txt)
  (setq n 0)
  (foreach e names
    (setq ed  (entget e)
          txt (cdr (assoc 1 ed)))
    (if (and txt (/= txt "") (/= txt "<>"))
      (progn (entmod (subst (cons 1 "<>") (assoc 1 ed) ed)) (entupd e) (setq n (1+ n)))))
  n)

(defun c:CXDIMRESET ( / *error* cx:sv ss)
  (setq *error* cx:err)
  (if (setq ss (cx:pick "\nSelect dimensions: " '((0 . "DIMENSION"))))
    (progn
      (cx:start '(("CMDECHO" . 0)))
      (princ (strcat "\n" (itoa (cx:dimreset-run (cx:ss->list ss))) " dimension(s) reset to their measured value."))
      (cx:end)))
  (princ))


;;; ---- Shared helpers (used by the command above; identical in every CADXChange tool) ----

;; Close the undo step and put the system variables back.
(defun cx:end ()
  (foreach v cx:sv (setvar (car v) (cdr v)))
  (command "_.UNDO" "_End")
  (setq cx:sv nil)
  (princ))

;; Error handler: restores everything, stays quiet on Esc.
(defun cx:err (msg)
  (if (> (getvar "CMDACTIVE") 0) (command))
  (cx:end)
  (if (and msg (not (wcmatch (strcase msg) "*BREAK*,*CANCEL*,*EXIT*")))
    (princ (strcat "\nError: " msg)))
  (princ))

;; Use the objects already selected, or ask the user to select; FILTER is an ssget filter list or nil.
(defun cx:pick (msg filter / ss)
  (setq ss (if filter (ssget "_I" filter) (ssget "_I")))
  (if (null ss)
    (progn
      (princ msg)
      (setq ss (if filter (ssget filter) (ssget)))))
  ss)

;; Save the system variables in VARS ((name . value) ...), set them, and open one undo step.
;; The caller declares cx:sv as a local so the saved values live exactly as long as the command.
(defun cx:start (vars)
  (setq cx:sv (mapcar (function (lambda (v) (cons (car v) (getvar (car v))))) vars))
  (command "_.UNDO" "_Begin")
  (foreach v vars (setvar (car v) (cdr v)))
  (princ))

;; Selection set to a list of entity names.
(defun cx:ss->list (ss / i out)
  (setq i 0)
  (if ss
    (repeat (sslength ss)
      (setq out (cons (ssname ss i) out)
            i   (1+ i))))
  (reverse out))

(princ "\nCXDIMRESET loaded. Type CXDIMRESET to start.")
(princ)

Version history

Version 1.0.0 · October 27, 2026

First release.

More commands: Clean-up