Creating custom prompts in my post processor.

[Daniel M]

I've forgotten how to do this...

 

Has to do with creating variables??

 

I need my post to kick out prompts for part number, revision, description of any changes, drawing information, stock size, part zero locations, etc...

 

 

Colin....you showed me how to do this once. I need a refresher.

[Snehal Shah]

If your post is mpmaster based then there is a section "Question format statements" in the post where you can add your prompt.

 

i.e.

# Question format statements

#

revision : 1 # (declare the variable)

fq 1 stock_typ "Predator Stock

fq 2 cyl_typ "Cylindrical Stock Axis

fq 3 revision " revision number "

 

Then in pheader of the post block enter in the call for the question.

 

ie.

 

q3 ( where 3 stands for the 3rd question)

 

* As well keep in mind that the "revision" must be declared ( see above) and formatted(see below) as a variable in the post.

 

i.e.

 

fmt 2 revision # revision nmuber

 

 

HTH

[Dave.L]

I may not understand your question correct, but why not just add a manual entry (as comment) at the program start and have this info in that comment?

 

Again, maybe I don't understand the application.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Hi Dan,

 

Are you free this weekend? Give me a call. We can go over your post and look at your options. It would be fun to catch up too.

 

Hit me up on email at work if you don't have my number anymore.

[Daniel M]

The post method guarentees 3 important things: 1)Consistancy...the information is always formatted the same and that helps the operator during his setups. 2) I don't run the risk of forgetting something because the post asks me every time I make a change and a thorough header help with tracability in case there's a boo boo. 3) And most important, it makes my boss happy to see the extra communication between programming and manufacturing which alot of times just wouldn't happen without stuff like this.

 

 

prompts me for specific input and that saves me from the risk of forgetting to enter the info.

[Dave.L]

I understand your point. For us, I would al least want the prompt to auto fill in the last value so if it did not change we could just click "OK" or "next". Since we often test post, I would not want to fill in this info every time.

 

Do you know if the last values can auto-fill?

[Colin Gilchrist]

No Auto Fill that picks up a "last entered" value. You can set the default for the prompt value though. When you set a default for a prompt question, the question box is displayed and the default text string is displayed and it is also selected (highlighted blue). This means you can hit enter to accept the default, or just start typing a new string to override the value.

 

There is a very handy free utility called Mastercam Notepad which gives you a handy place to store notes and common strings which you use over and over. This would be a handy place to keep some of your custom strings. You can then just cut and paste them into your prompt question boxes...

[Daniel M]

Right on Colin! REally appreciate those handy tips. Keep em coming!

[Ron Branch @ 5th Axis]

Did someone talk about the Verisurf free add-on to Mastercam. Here is a link: Mastercam Add-Ons Download

 

HTH

[Dave.L]

Hi Ron,

 

What is the verisurf free add on?

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[Ron Branch @ 5th Axis]

It is some tools Ernie the owner of Verisurf has made that are free to Mastercam users. We have the note pad, Hole Axis, and other free goodies that are very cool. I have used Hole axis for years and it allows people to pick a cylindrical surface on a solid or surface and make a center point, Center line and circle is wanted. You can decide when you install it what features you want to install. Download it and check it out. If you have any specific question feel free to email me or post them up and I or someone else will do their best to answer them.

 

HTH

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

Hi Colin,

 

"No Auto Fill that picks up a "last entered" value."

 

I think it would be possible to set the default pointing to a buffer file instead of a value/string in the post. If that works you could have "last entered value".

 

Just a thought

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

Verisurf Hole-Axis is a great tool.

To anyone who haven't tried it:

-Install, and make your work easier.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Hi Bjorn,

 

To set the default string that shows up in a prompt question you need to hard code a string at the end of the question formatting line. Are you sure that it is possible to use a variable for this default string?

 

If that is possible, Mastercam's post processor has the ability to launch VBScripts and EXE files. The post also has functions that let you read and write to text files. So it would be fairly simple to do this, IF you can use a variable for the string default. We need to get an answer to this question first.

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

Hi Colin,

 

No I'm not sure if it's possible.

 

Sorry I haven't had time to try it since I'm on vacation. I made a post recently that takes into account what was last posted. This by using a buffer file.

 

Haven't tried that in the fq section though.

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

Hi again,

 

I checked some posts. I think it will work.

If the variable assigned to the fq already has a value when the questions pops up, it will show. I guess this goes for strings as well. When creating a buffer, there's a setting to keep the buffer as an ASCII file. Next time you post, call the buffer before each question.

The post reference guide covers this.

[Rob @ Target Machine]

Here's how I am showing a string as default://sprogname$//

code:

---

srev  :  ""

.

.

.

 

fq 5 sprogname$ "Enter part number //sprogname$//"

fq 6 srev "Enter rev number/letter"

 

 

.

.

.

.

 

pgetprogname # Called in psof

q5

sprogname$ = ucase(sprogname$)

q6

srev = ucase(srev)

---

MP is a very powerful and versatile language, so what you want to do is very possible.

 

In pprep post block open an ext file that you can read into a buffer, then read back your defaults or last entries and assign the values or strings to your variables used.

 

Then use the double // slashes // to show it in the dialog box when q is called.

 

Then write them back to the ext file and close it after the response is given.

[Scuba Jon]

I use buffer files in our 5-axis posts to store a bunch of critical data (gathered using the fq1,2,3.. questions at the beginning of the posting) so it does not have to be typed in every time you relaunch a program. The only time it asks the questions is when you launch a different file and that resets the data in the buffer file.