Active Reports

[mpeterson]

Hello,

 

I watch this forum off and on, but now it has come time to ask a question....

 

Been playing with the Active Reports in the X4 release. Have been successful in modifying the Sample to get different things.

 

My question is about the information that the Samples extract from MasterCam.

 

I am a very beginner to computer programming, but manage with editing.

 

Is there more information one can get from MasterCam via the Active Reports Sample by adding "Fields" to the XML, or is the XML compiled from the program in MasterCam then that data is extracted from the XML to the Design Layout?

 

I guess what I am asking is there other information that can be extracted from MasterCam by editing the XML file, or is that file 100% dynamic and changes each time the Setup Sheet is generated by the SetupSheet program in MasterCam.

 

I am assuming that one would need to create a new Setup Sheet Program to use in MasterCam to extract different information?

 

Any insight or direction to literature on this feature would be greatly appreciated.

 

Mike in MN

[mpeterson]

No one here has any info on this?

 

Out of this X4 release, I found this to be the most potentially beneficial justification for our maintenance this year.

 

I would like to have something positive to show management when the next yearly bill comes due.

 

So far with the couple of guys are just trying to learn it, that's all they hear about is all the bugs in the new release.

 

Mike in MN

[SydwazShawn]

Cant give you much info, but most guys on here use X+ setup sheet. Its free from one of the members, and does HTML and excel. Just do a search for it, you may like it better.

[mpeterson]

I have seen some posts on it, haven't had a chance to look at it yet.

 

Will try to find the time.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Mike in MN

[Todd Tracey from Fastech]

go to www.datadynamics.com and check their help there, they provide the engine for the process.

As I understand it, CNC is working on a manual for this subject.

[Stephen J Van Dyne]

The XML file is generated dynamically each time you run a setupsheet. If you search the forum there is an XML outline which lists all the fields contained in the XML file. As for other data, in the coming X4-MU1 release, there will be user-defined data which the programmer may add using the designer. The system will prompt the operator for this data each time a setupsheet is run. Is they other types of mastercam data you would like us to include in future releases? Please let us know.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Hi Steve,

 

Where does this XML file get saved when you run the report?

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

I really want to use the reports, but there is no way to adjust the printing margins. The margins I set up in the active reports designer don't stick!

[mpeterson]

REX...

 

I have had the same problem with the Designer. I have tried copying all of the samples and then in the Designer changed things up, which I changed from Portrait to Landscape for printing/page properties. Even through choosing the new template at generate in MC it hits the new template layout, but in Portrait. The only way I was able to get it to generate right so far was opening the designer and pointing it to the XML file and previewing from there. For some reason it would layout correctly.

 

This is why I am looking for more info on it myself. But like I have stated earlier, haven't had much time to play with it.

 

If anyone uses it some and knows some tips, let me know, otherwise when I dig into it I will share it, for sure.

 

Steve, I will check out that site and also patiently await X4 MU1, hopefully for more info and to get some of the bugs straightened out. I will also look over that XML tree and see if there would be anything else nice to extract.

 

Mike in MN

[Guest]

Colin,

 

It goes into the XML folder under reports

 

C:mcamx4commonreportsxml

[Wendy Fish CNC Software]

Hi,

 

Just wanted to let you know that we are currently working on a tutorial that will guide you through creating a setup sheet template with the ActiveReports Designer.

 

It will be released during the X4MU1 time frame.

 

Regards,

Wendy Fish

[Joe788]

Mike, you've got the ultimate CADCAM guru, Jon Banquer, posting at your version of emastercam. I'm surprised he can't help you? Then again, he's also over here under a half dozen names begging for help.

[mpeterson]

Joe788,

 

I guess I don't know what you mean by Jon Banquer nor "My" version of emastercam.

 

If you are referring to cncbasicsforum.com, that site isn't a version of emastercam, it's actually was started to help newbies understand G-Code, not MasterCam.

 

As far as the printing for active reports, I figured that out if anyone is interested at... http://www.mastercamblog.com/?p=38

 

Mike in MN

[Joe788]

My mistake, I assumed you were the same Mike that started "mastercamforum.com" with a similar appearance to emastercam, since the Mike that started that one also has cncbasics, cncbasicsforum, and mastercamblog.com all in his signature over there. And since Jon Banquer is the only other person who's posted over there, I assumed you'd read his list of uninformed complaints. But since that's clearly a different Mike since you don't know anything about it, disregard all of my above comments.

 

My bad. Carry on

[mpeterson]

Ok, I guess there was some confusion. Yes, I am the Mike that started the above. I guess I just didn't really know where the Jon Banquer fit in, and the fact that I have not advertised the "Similar" forum here being it's not really live, nor have been submitted to search engines yet. I heard there are other MasterCam forums that were started by, shall we say disgruntled people and did not want to be known as one of them...

 

 

I have read some of his stuff, and I guess I am trying to stay neutral to the different arguments to CNC Software. I personally like their product, but just get frustrated with it, but there is also frustration on the side of the company I work with respects to training. So really who is to blame. I do not have enough experience with the software to take sides, just my side I guess.

 

The reasons I start the websites I do is hopefully to create an un-filtered arena for people. Moreso for newbies in the trade. I have a soft spot for kids coming out of Tech Schools that do not have the skills to make it in this field.

 

FYI, I have tried volunteering at our local Tech Schools for the Machine Tool program and have been told I am not needed. We can only try to help those that want help.

 

Mike in MN