Writing applications/C-hooks

[John T.]

Whats it take? We use a few old DOS programs to automatically write programs to cut aluminium and steel airboxes. User inputs the box dimensions, tool diameters, and the program puts out a tool list and a program.

 

How can I do the same thing with mastercam with the same inputs, but possibly with a graphic view of the airbox also when its done computing? I'm guessing VB script won't do it.

 

John

[Colin Gilchrist]

VB Script could certainly handle it. The following is the title of each section in the VBScript.htm file, located in your C:(install)help folder. If you know VB Script, it is pretty straight forward. If you don't check the SCRIPT56.CHM help file.

 

code:

---

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

CONSTANTS

 

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

 

 

Links:

 

Entity types

 

Entity ‘bit’ flags

 

Milling tool types

 

Drilling tool types

 

Operation

 

View

 

File Access modes

 

Drill Sort Methods

 

Others

 

///////////

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

CLASSES

 

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

 

 

Links:

 

Point

 

Line

 

Arc

 

Rectangle

 

Leads

 

DepthCuts

 

Overrides

 

//////

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

FUNCTIONS

 

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

 

 

Links:

 

 

 

Script Debugging utilities

 

Prompt area message functions

 

Simple Input functions

 

Entity Prompt/Inquiries functions

 

Chaining functions

 

Database Search functions

 

Entity Creation functions

 

Excel File Read/Write functions

 

Utility functions

 

Toolpath Generation functions

 

 

 

---

[John T.]

Colin

I did write a doc sheet program in VBS (with lots of help from those on the forum here) back in version 9, slightly updated it to X2.

Did they ever upgrade or change VBS for MX2? I still have the printed docs for version 9, which isn't the best reference material.

[Colin Gilchrist]

If they made any changes, I think they were minor ones. VB.NET is a different animal though. VB Script has all the functionality you need to prompt a user for dimensions (or read them from an ASCII text file), create geometry, add toolpath operations, add chains, specify parameters, and generate toolpaths.

 

If you want access to more functions, .NET hooks or a C-hook would be the way to go.

[archer]

John, did you ever get this accomplished?