Reading .TOOLDB in mastercam x6 using chooks

[hprashant]

Hello,

I am using mastercam x6 chooks SDK  to build a plugin.

I need to read the tool information stored in the file with extension .TOOLDB. Can someone please let me know how to read the tool information from this file.

I tried using "read_ent(file_ptr,&tl_ent,&ok);" but it fails.

I have been able to read tool information from TOOLS-6 files from the above function call.

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

A .TOOLDB files does not contain "entities" like the old style TOOL-6.

It is a SQL (lite) db file.

Also, being way back on X6 is probably going to be an issue, as there was not much exposed in the SDK at that time.

[djstedman]

Since the file is a database file .. though you cannot use Mastercam  chook calls to work with the database you should be able to write your own code using a SQLite database driver to read data from the database.

 

There is a data browser on their web page that should allow you to see the SQL structure of the relational database.. assuming you know SQL you could then create queries to pull whatever data you wanted ..

[Mick from CNC Software Inc.]

While not C-Hook related I was able to whip up a C# NET-Hook example that connects to the router_inch.tooldb and gets all the information in the TlToolMill table. This might be of help to you.

 

The NET-Hook project is using the SQLite providers that you can pull in from the nuget package manager (see image)

 

There are a number of open source SQLite database programs out there that you can use to open a tooldb and see what tables are in there etc, be wary of making changes unless you know what you are doing.

 

The project is rather big with the packaged assemblies so if you want it and have a place for me to upload it send me an email or PM me.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Mick from CNC Software Inc.

[hprashant]

Thanks guys, that was a lot of help. yes I know SQL. So, I would be able to manage it now. Thanks again, you guys are awesome

[JCDFCM]

Mick, 

        You mentioned to be wary of making changes unless you know what you are doing...does that mean it is possible to read and write to a tooldb file? I would like to be able to connect to and update a tooldb file,  rename it, then retrieve the new file in Mastercam. I would not use any of the Mastercam supplied tooldb files, I would create one, save it, and constantly reuse it. My current application connects to an external database and works in disconnected mode allowing the user to find the desired tool, then I had hoped to update a tooldb file with the values from the external database. I originally was updating the exported text file (now outdated). If it can be done, I would like to obtain the NET-HOOK project you mentioned.

 

Thanks, JCDFCM

[Mick from CNC Software Inc.]

JCDFCM,

 

Apologies for not replying sooner, I completely missed this.

 

I would just make sure to back up any tooldb files you intend to read/write directly, just to be safe.

 

Mick, 

        You mentioned to be wary of making changes unless you know what you are doing...does that mean it is possible to read and write to a tooldb file? I would like to be able to connect to and update a tooldb file,  rename it, then retrieve the new file in Mastercam. I would not use any of the Mastercam supplied tooldb files, I would create one, save it, and constantly reuse it. My current application connects to an external database and works in disconnected mode allowing the user to find the desired tool, then I had hoped to update a tooldb file with the values from the external database. I originally was updating the exported text file (now outdated). If it can be done, I would like to obtain the NET-HOOK project you mentioned.

 

Thanks, JCDFCM