MD_CD_PST Path Assignment Utility

[Zerren Gedeon]

MD_CD_PST Path Assignment Utility

 

This purpose of this utility is to simplify the process of setting up machine definitions, control definitions, and posts to non-standard location, such as a network drive.

If you run your system stand-alone, this may not mean much to you. But if you wish to share a common set of MDs/CDs/PSTs between multiple users, this requires that these files be placed in "non-standard" locations.

 

The manual method of doing this is described here ->

http://www.mastercam.com/Support/TechTips/...D/moving-MD.htm

 

This utility is an attempt to make this process much easier.

 

The utility has secondary useful function ->

If you just want to see the relationship of the MD->CD->PST links, just select the folder that contains the Machine Definitions you are interested in and then use the mouse wheel or the up/down arrows to "roll" thru the MD files in the dropdown.

 

Be sure the see the Installation ReadMe.txt in the MD_CD_PST PATH Utility.ZIP (available in the X2_Add_Ons folder of the forum FTP site) for info on where to place each file.

 

While the utility does backup any file that is going to be modified and/or overwritten - it is a good idea that you have you own backups of your important Machine Defs, Control Defs, and Posts. You do have those don't you?

 

If you have any feedback or suggestion - please post them to this topic.

 

Enjoy...

 

zDog

[Steve Zirtzman]

Thanks Zerren,

This utility will be very useful!

[Zerren Gedeon]

:bump:

 

Does not anyone need/use this utility?

 

What about you multi-seat shops?

[Bryan Johnson]

Yes. I think it will be very usefull.

 

What is your thought on changing the MD and CD to simply 1st look for files in the local folder?

 

I think that this minor change would eliminate the need for a special utility.

[Zerren Gedeon]

quote:

---

What is your thought on changing the MD and CD to simply 1st look for files in the local folder?

---

"in the local folder" What local folder?

 

Is this what you mean?

If you put the MD & CD & PST all in the same folder, the folder that the MD file is in is the local folder?

[Greg Williams]

Zerron,

 

Excellent utility, Thank you. Can we add C Hooks and config files to this? I would like to use a non standard folder for all of this important info. I believe that this will make updating much easier as all the post MD, CD etc we be in the same folder or series of folders and then cannot be overwritten

[Bryan Johnson]

quote:

---

Is this what you mean?

If you put the MD & CD & PST all in the same folder, the folder that the MD file is in is the local folder?

---

Yes.

[Post dept]

"Zerren",

 

Nice work. This will really help out the post dudes.

 

Brett

[kccadcam]

Thank You Zerren,,,,,,

 

This will come in VERY handy.

We are on a nethasp and have all posts and CD/MD's

on a common network drive... Have already run into these issues..

Is this for X2 only??? (haven't had the time to install X2 yet)

[Zerren Gedeon]

I've been very busy and have not been to the forum for a few days, so I'll respond to several items here...

 

------------

Bryan,

 

Q. Regarding all the MD/CD/PST files in one ‘local folder’.

 

A. Of course you can do that with this utility and if you do not want them all in the same folder you can to that also.

 

------------

Greg,

 

Q. "Can we add C Hooks and config files to this?"

 

A. No. Those are unrelated items the MD/CD/PST file placement issue.

 

------------

Kevin,

 

Q. "Is this for X2 only"

 

A. Yes. As noted in the 'Important notes' in the (.CHM) Help file.

[Chris Rizzo]

Yes yes yes, very useful utility. Thank you! Finally got a chance to install and start experimenting with it. I run everything shared on a network drive, however when disconneting laptops and working remotely the whole md/cd/tool library gets, well you know.

 

after I use it a bit I'll probably have more construtive feedback, for now thanks.

[Glenn Bouman]

I like it.

 

Here is an idea for another utility for you to consider:

 

We need an easier method that will take the .pst, CD and MD and make make a copy of them as another name and keep them linked.

[Post dept]

How about a make "Mcam think a .psm is really a .pst and be able to post out with it without manually renaming the files" utility?

 

Just a thought...

 

Brett

[Jeremy Haage from MCAM NorthWest]

I have to second Glenn's suggestion for taking a MD, CD & PST and making a copy of them with a different name. This would be really great in order to simplify the process of copying default MD, CD & PST files and making them link up properly when renamed. I think this functionality is something almost anyone would be able to appreciate.

 

Nice work on this utility Zerren!

[Glenn Bouman]

http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...ic&f=1&t=026135

 

Renaming posts,CD and MD files is still a real PITA.

 

Zerron, can you write a utility to make this easier?

[Steve Biehl - Cimquest Inc]

quote:

---

Renaming posts,CD and MD files is still a real PITA

---

BUMP:

[Steve Biehl - Cimquest Inc]

could the utility also be setup to allow deleting of 'extra' posts listed in Control?

[Zerren Gedeon]

I’m back!!!

 

I know that there were some requests that the well received MD_CD_PST Path Utility also allow for renaming of the MD/CD/PST files. I actually gave this a shot, but the result was so hideous, it never got out of the doghouse.

 

Anyway...

“Someone” dangled some dog treats in front of your truly and...

 

Look what’s coming to a Mastercam (X2-MR2) system near you -> The MD_CD_PST Rename Utility !

 

 

This purpose of this utility is to simplify the process of altering the “names” of the

(.CONTROL & .PST files) files referenced in a Mastercam Machine Definition, as well as the name of the Machine Definition file itself.

It also renames any .PSB files that match the name of any PST file that is renamed.

It also updates the Post Text reference [CTRL_LATHE|GENERIC FANUC 2X LATHE] in any PST that is renamed.

 

It should be available after the first of the year, after some more testing has been completed.

 

Happy Holidays!

zDog

[Steve Biehl - Cimquest Inc]

zDog,

if you email me something, i'll do some testing.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Sweet! Thanks Zerren. I'll be happy to see this when testing is complete. It will make life so much easier for anyone who has to support multiple users.

[Zerren Gedeon]

To all interested parties...

 

The MD_CD_PST Rename Utility is now available on the forum FTP site in the X2_Add_Ons folder.

 

Please read the DOC file before using.

 

*Even though the utility makes a Backup File, it would still be a good idea to have backups of the file(s) you are having this utility alter!

Always better to be safe, then sorry!

 

If you find an bugs and/or have any enhancements requests, please post them here in this thread.

[Steve Biehl - Cimquest Inc]

zDog,

the default of backing up and writing the log file is not on by default. I had to turn them on in configuration.

 

Can this utility be used to alter paths of the files also? Seems it can only rename the files, not change and update the references to the paths.

[Zerren Gedeon]

"the default of backing up and writing the log file is not on by default"

 

Really...? I'll look into that.

 

"Can this utility be used to alter paths of the files also?"

 

NO This does not replace the MD_CD_PST Path Assignment Utility.

 

"Seems it can only rename the files"

 

YES That's what is does!

[RObert TImby]

Thanks Zerren for all your hard work, I can not wait to try it out.

[Steve Biehl - Cimquest Inc]

zDog,

do you have the "MD_CD_PST Path Assignment Utility" for X2Mr2 ??