Change All machines in a file

[R.Roberts]

Is there a way in VBS to change all the machine definitions in a file at once?

[Mick from CNC Software Inc.]

Could you be a little more specific?

[R.Roberts]

We have all of our different ops, in seperate machine groups, so one machine can do the front and one can do the back etc, but most of the time it goes to the same machine for all the ops. I would like to change every machine group operation to the same machine definition at once. Eventually working up posting for all, but the post all script looks like it has one machine def. and the .pst changes. We are set up for seperate machine deg, and .pst. If there is better ways then let me know by all means. Thank you.

[Mick from CNC Software Inc.]

After looking through the VBScript API it appears as though this is not possible, however, I believe we can do something using our .NET API.

 

Below is a code snippet that will iterate all mill operations in the current drawing and update each with a new machine definition which is what you are after.

 

code:

---

 //Get all mill machine groups in current drawing

Group[] existingMillGroups = SearchManager.GetGroups(ProductType.Mill);

// Iterate through the list

foreach (Group grp in existingMillGroups)

{

//We only want machine groups

if (grp.IsMachineGroup())

{

//Set this machine group as current

grp.SetAsCurrent();

//Assign new MMD to this group

Mastercam.Operations.OperationsManager.ActiveMachine = "C:mcamx4cnc_machinesMILL 3 - AXIS VMC.MMD";

}

}

---

I guess the next question is how are you to specify what machine def you want to set for all machine groups? Do you want the user to select from the machine defs contained in the drawing or from another location?

[R.Roberts]

I am new at programming .net, and not so good at others but I try. I would like to hard code the machine definition. I want to click once and be done. I have accomplished this in VBS, but only if there is one machine group. The logic I would follow in VBS:

code:

---

Def Counter

Def MachineDef

Counter = 1

Do While Counter < 6 'five machines

If Counter = 1 then

MachineDef = "C:....Bosto.MMD

ElseIF Counter = 2 then

MachineDef = "C:....Okuma.MMD 'and for 3 more

End IF

' What you can do in your .NET API

' but setting the active machine to

' The MachineDef String and then PostAll()

 

Counter = Counter + 1

Loop

---

I'm sure that logic is clear as mud, and there is likely better ways, but I am open to any suggestions if you have the time.

[Mick from CNC Software Inc.]

The drawings that contain the various machine defs, are they all contained in all drawings? If so I would be easy to display a list of them in the drawing to the user and have the user select one and then apply to all machine groups.

 

Can you send me a sample(s) drawing via e-mail and I'll whip something up for you.