setting working directory with mapkeys

mdenicola · ‎Jun 23, 2020

Hi

I would like to speed up as much as possible the working directory setting.

Our final working directory is often a number that can vary from 1 to 9999

I would like to set up a procedure started with a mapkey (or, if it makes sense, any other way) asking this item code number and setting the working directory. The directory before this item code number can be the same (if the customer is the same) or can change (if the Customer is another one)

Let's make an example:

N:\ProE_Docs\Forgings\CustomerName1\10
N:\ProE_Docs\Forgings\CustomerName1\123
N:\ProE_Docs\Forgings\CustomerName2\9999

So, this path can change on the last two directories.
Is that possible to read a database where every item code number is assigned to a CustomerName, in order to know how to set the right path for that item?
In this way, when I call the macro, an input ask me the item number, read on the database to know the CustomerName assigned to that item code number and than the working directory can be set corectly.

I hope to have explained it in a clear way.

Thanks

MartinHanak · ‎Jun 24, 2020

@mdenicola wrote:

Hi

I would like to speed up as much as possible the working directory setting.

Our final working directory is often a number that can vary from 1 to 9999

I would like to set up a procedure started with a mapkey (or, if it makes sense, any other way) asking this item code number and setting the working directory. The directory before this item code number can be the same (if the customer is the same) or can change (if the Customer is another one)

Let's make an example:

N:\ProE_Docs\Forgings\CustomerName1\10
N:\ProE_Docs\Forgings\CustomerName1\123
N:\ProE_Docs\Forgings\CustomerName2\9999

So, this path can change on the last two directories.
Is that possible to read a database where every item code number is assigned to a CustomerName, in order to know how to set the right path for that item?
In this way, when I call the macro, an input ask me the item number, read on the database to know the CustomerName assigned to that item code number and than the working directory can be set corectly.

I hope to have explained it in a clear way.

Thanks

Hi,

I am almost sure that Creo OOTB functionality does not enable you to create requested macro.

I think that you can use AutoIt to develop small application that will fulfill your needs. You can launch such application (exe file) using Creo mapkey.

AutoIt can read text file containing your "database"
AutoIt can display the contents of your "database" in dialog box
AutoIt enables you to select specific "working directory" in dialog box
AutoIt is able to sent commands to Creo for setting selected working directory (if you press Alt key, you can see letters that enables you to control Creo using keyboard)

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jun 24, 2020

Hi Martin

thanks for your reply.

That's very interesting about this Autolt.

The problem is that I've no idea how to do that, lol

Maybe you could give me an help?

Thanks a lot

Marco

MartinHanak · ‎Jun 24, 2020

@mdenicola wrote:

Hi Martin

thanks for your reply.

That's very interesting about this Autolt.

The problem is that I've no idea how to do that, lol

Maybe you could give me an help?

Thanks a lot

Marco

Hi,

I can create AutoIt script for you, if you are not in a hurry. I guess I need one week to prepare the script.

Suggestion no.1 - workdir_database.txt (in this file you will be able to define working directories.

Customer=N:\ProE_Docs\Forgings\CustomerName1
10
123
Customer=N:\ProE_Docs\Forgings\CustomerName2
9999

Suggestion no.2 - AutoIt script functionality

step 1 - script displays customer list, user selects one customer name and clicks OK
step 2 - script displays directory list for selected customer, user selects one directory and clicks OK
step 3 - script sets selected working directory

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jun 24, 2020

Hi Martin

thanks a lot for your help.

I am not in a hurry at all.

What I was thinking to be useful and fast was that when the user have to set the working directory for that item , even without know where that directory is, write something like a mapkey called 'wd' + 'item number' :

wdxxxx

And that's all , the working directory has been set.

Is that possible such level of automation?

Thanks

Marco

MartinHanak · ‎Jun 26, 2020

Hi,

in select_working_dir_2020-06-26.zip you can find first version of setting working directory tool.

Please read select_working_dir_INFO.doc and ask questions if you need some explanation.

I tested the tool in CR4 M110.

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jun 26, 2020

Hi Martin

it works great!

Is it possible to change the path C:\PTC\autolt in order to have not a local but a path on the network where different users can access?

A good one could be:

N.\CADCAM_DOCS\ProE_Disegni\autolt

How can I learn how you did this program?

Thanks

Marco

MartinHanak · ‎Jun 26, 2020

@mdenicola wrote:

Hi Martin

it works great!

Is it possible to change the path C:\PTC\autolt in order to have not a local but a path on the network where different users can access?

A good one could be:

N.\CADCAM_DOCS\ProE_Disegni\autolt

How can I learn how you did this program?

Thanks

Marco

Hi,

you can place the tool in any directory. The only change you have to do is modification of mapkey definition.

You have to modify my definition

mapkey wd @SYSTEMstart C:\\PTC\\autoit\\select_working_dir.exe;

into your definition

mapkey wd @SYSTEMstart N:\\CADCAM_DOCS\\ProE_Disegni\\autolt\\select_working_dir.exe;

Notice doubled backslash characters in the path

To understand the tool, you have to:

download and install AutoIt (it is free)
open select_working_dir.au3 source code and read its contents
use Google to get help ... for example ask autoit _FileReadToArray and you will get link to https://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/docs/libfunctions/_FileReadToArray.htm

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jun 26, 2020

Hi

one more help, if is possible:

with Creo 4.0 and higher version it works.

But I also use Creo Elements Pro 5.0. I tried but it's not working.

Is possible to make a version working for this old release?

Thanks

Marco

RPN · ‎Jun 26, 2020

Here one possible sample:

(view in My Videos)

mdenicola · ‎Jun 28, 2020

Hi RPN

that's nice! Thanks.

Is that possible a faster way :

I type wd+id item number , for example:

wd1500

and the working directory is set to N:\\........\..........\.......\CustomerName\1500\

I mean the script can read a database or a text file how Martin has shown and know which CustomerName to set depending on the item number

Is that possible?

Thanks

RPN · ‎Jun 28, 2020

Sure, I work frequently with SQLite, text as well, or you parse on start and use dynamic arrays. It’s written in Tcl, I would say 200 lines of code for the GUI, it is a „hypertext“ text widget, to allow scrolling, 3 commands for creo, connect, message and change dir. And fur sure a“dirty hack“ just to archive the Target.

Mapkeys are not used, just „ps_cd <TargetDir>“. This not that complicated.

„Hunger comes with eating„ 😅 That’s what I believe in your case, e.g. clean Creo Session, Save modified in current session, load from folder, config customer env, to name a few.

mdenicola · ‎Jun 29, 2020

Hi

Unfortunately to me this sounds too complicate . If you would like to develop this solution I would be very grateful.

Thank You

Marco

MartinHanak · ‎Jun 28, 2020

@mdenicola wrote:

Hi

one more help, if is possible:

with Creo 4.0 and higher version it works.

But I also use Creo Elements Pro 5.0. I tried but it's not working.

Is possible to make a version working for this old release?

Thanks

Marco

Hi,

I can slightly modify tool version released on 26-Jun-2020 to enable you to use the tool with Creo Elements Pro 5.0, too. Please wait 🙂

Martin Hanák

MartinHanak · ‎Jun 29, 2020

@MartinHanak wrote:

@mdenicola wrote:

Hi

one more help, if is possible:

with Creo 4.0 and higher version it works.

But I also use Creo Elements Pro 5.0. I tried but it's not working.

Is possible to make a version working for this old release?

Thanks

Marco

Hi,

I can slightly modify tool version released on 26-Jun-2020 to enable you to use the tool with Creo Elements Pro 5.0, too. Please wait 🙂

Hi,

in select_working_dir_2020-06-29.zip you can find modified version.

Please read select_working_dir_config.txt__INFO.txt file.

The tool can be "installed" twice ... you can call first instance from Creo 4.0 and second one from Creo Elements/Pro 5.0.

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jul 01, 2020

Hi Martin

The Creo Elements 5.0 version is not working.

It reads the select_working_dir_list.txt , I choose the customer name, than the item number, but after that

I get the error as shown in the picture.

The Creo 4 version it works.

I made two separate directories where the only difference is the file 'select_working_dir_config.txt' modified for the two versions.

Another thing:

In the select_working_dir_INFO.doc

I dont understand what you mean with:

line no.2 ... keyboard shortcut for opening Select Working Directory dialog box

Thanks a lot for your help

Marco

MartinHanak · ‎Jul 01, 2020

@mdenicola wrote:

Hi Martin

The Creo Elements 5.0 version is not working.

It reads the select_working_dir_list.txt , I choose the customer name, than the item number, but after that

I get the error as shown in the picture.

The Creo 4 version it works.

I made two separate directories where the only difference is the file 'select_working_dir_config.txt' modified for the two versions.

Another thing:

In the select_working_dir_INFO.doc

I dont understand what you mean with:

line no.2 ... keyboard shortcut for opening Select Working Directory dialog box

Thanks a lot for your help

Marco

Hi,

the problem may be caused by using the Italian version of Creo Elements/Pro 5.0.

I will send you additional information in next Reply.

Martin Hanák

MartinHanak · ‎Jul 02, 2020

@MartinHanak wrote:

@mdenicola wrote:

Hi Martin

The Creo Elements 5.0 version is not working.

It reads the select_working_dir_list.txt , I choose the customer name, than the item number, but after that

I get the error as shown in the picture.

The Creo 4 version it works.

I made two separate directories where the only difference is the file 'select_working_dir_config.txt' modified for the two versions.

Another thing:

In the select_working_dir_INFO.doc

I dont understand what you mean with:

line no.2 ... keyboard shortcut for opening Select Working Directory dialog box

Thanks a lot for your help

Marco

Hi,

the problem may be caused by using the Italian version of Creo Elements/Pro 5.0.

I will send you additional information in next Reply.

Hi,

I realized that I forgot to update select_working_dir_INFO.doc document.

Please read new select_working_dir_INFO_2020-06-29.doc document.

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jul 02, 2020

Hi

so, for WF5 the third line (the shortcut) of the select_working_directory.txt should be 'wl' (see attached image)

But I noticed that, while in Creo4 after pressing ALT+f+m+w , the dialog window open automatically, on WF5, after ALT+f+l the dialog window is not open but is like in the picture attached. It opens only after pressing ENTER.

Thanks

Marco

MartinHanak · ‎Jul 02, 2020

@mdenicola wrote:

Hi

so, for WF5 the third line (the shortcut) of the select_working_directory.txt should be 'wl' (see attached image)

But I noticed that, while in Creo4 after pressing ALT+f+m+w , the dialog window open automatically, on WF5, after ALT+f+l the dialog window is not open but is like in the picture attached. It opens only after pressing ENTER.

Thanks

Marco

Picture is missing.

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jul 02, 2020

sorry.. here it is

MartinHanak · ‎Jul 02, 2020

@mdenicola wrote:

sorry.. here it is

Maybe final question. Does the tool work in Italian version of Creo Elements/Pro 5.0 ?

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jul 02, 2020

no, it's not working.

Should I try to set WF5 in english language?

MartinHanak · ‎Jul 02, 2020

@mdenicola wrote:

no, it's not working.

Should I try to set WF5 in english language?

Hi,

yes, please do it. I'll try Italian version.

Martin Hanák

MartinHanak · ‎Jul 02, 2020

@MartinHanak wrote:

@mdenicola wrote:

no, it's not working.

Should I try to set WF5 in english language?

Hi,

yes, please do it. I'll try Italian version.

Hi,

I tested the tool with Creo Elements/Pro 5.0 M280 (ITALIAN).

The tool does not work because there are two commands using underlined character l (in File menu) - see picture.

Solution ... put following 3 lines into select_working_dir_config.txt file.

(attivo)
Creo Elements/Pro
fl{ENTER}

Martin Hanák

mdenicola · ‎Jul 02, 2020

Hi Martin

now it works!

Amazing work, thank so much!

Marco