How to create a mapkey which opens Appearances dialog box

[MartinHanak]

My question is very simple. Is it possible to create a mapkey with functionality shown in uploaded Appearances.mp4 video?

[tbraxton]

The keyboard shortcut (<CTRL + <SHIFT> + A) is not working correctly in Creo 7.0.10.0 or Creo 9.0.7.0 . This sequence is documented to open the appearance gallery, but it is not working correctly. This shortcut when recorded in a mapkey sequence should open the appearance gallery but since it is not working correctly, I am not sure there is a workaround.

It looks like the shortcut is not working to spec.

[Chris3]

I tried a few things in 9 and 11 and couldn't get it to work. The best I could do was get the appearances button to be selected so you could pick something but I couldn't get the dialog box to open.

[Van_AG]

Write down very simple script to a vbs-file

Dim WshShell
set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.SendKeys "%vya"
WScript.Quit()

And call the vbs-file from mapkey.

Something like this

mapkey ag @MAPKEY_LABELOpen Appearances;\
mapkey(continued) @SYSTEMstart WScript.exe \
mapkey(continued) \\ptc\\creo\\vbs\\ag.vbs;

[MartinHanak]

INFO:

I opened Case at PTC Support. Below you can see their response:

Unfortunately, the creation of mapkey that opens the appearance menu is not implemented.

Personally I use following mapkey

mapkey dd ~ Activate `main_dlg_cur` `page_View_control_btn` 1;\
mapkey(continued) @SYSTEMstart D:\\PTC\\MoveMouseToAppearances\\MoveMouseToAppearances.exe;

~ Activate `main_dlg_cur` `page_View_control_btn` 1; ... activates View tab

@SYSTEMstart D:\\PTC\\Open_Windows_list\\Open_Windows_list.exe; ... runs AutoIt script - this script moves mouse cursor to requested screen coordinates and clicks LMB.

Note: In some companies, the use of AutoIt scripts is prohibited.

[MartinHanak · Accepted solution]

PTC response: The creation of mapkey that opens the appearance menu is not implemented.

[kdirth]

I have added Appearances to the Model tab so that I do not have to switch tabs.

[tbraxton]

With the resolution of the keyboard shortcut issue, it should now be possible to implement a mapkey.

This is in reference to case C17373923 regarding "Keyboard shortcut for appearance gallery is not working"

I have heard back from the development team. Issue reported is fixed and will be available in Creo Parametric 8.0.12.0, 9.0.10.0, and 10.0.7.0