User Select Files - Open AutoCAD run Script

[wheats]

Hello all new to autoit but seems like a very nifty program to be able to write scripts to save alot of users time.

What i am after is to be able to run a .exe to allow the user to select files in the folder he/she specifies and then runs an autocad script on each of the selected files.

This is what i have so far from general browsing over the forums..

#Include
#Include
#include
$MyDocsFolder = "::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}"
$message = "Hold down Ctrl or Shift to choose multiple files."
$var = FileOpenDialog($message, $MyDocsFolder & "\", "All Files (*.dwg*)", 1 + 4 )
If @error Then
MsgBox(4096,"","No File(s) chosen")

This part allowing the user to select .dwg files from any location he/she wants with performing error message if no files selected. The idea i got was from an Autodesk University tutorial for being able to run scripts through .bat programs though I don't think its possible for .bat files to be able to have user specify files. The Code below is from the .bat functions (where path is the directory the script is stored)

For %%f in (path\*.dwg) do start /wait C:\"Program Files"\"AutoDesk"\"AutoCad 2013"\acad.exe "%%f" /b path\scriptname.scr

Run ('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "path\scriptfilename.scr"')

This is where i got to with AutoIT being able to open up AutoCAD and being able to run a script though how do you go about setting the files previously selected as variables so you can tell AutoCAD to open each file and run the script.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and all help is much appreciated

Mark.

[Nessie]

Maybe this?

$message = "Hold down Ctrl or Shift to choose multiple files."
$var = FileOpenDialog($message, @MyDocumentsDir, "All Files (*.dwg*)", 1 + 4)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(4096, "", "No File(s) chosen")
    Exit
EndIf
ConsoleWrite($var & @CRLF) ;For Debug Only
Run('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "' & $var & '"')

[wheats]

Nessie, this allows the user to select files then open the files up but what it is trying to do is open multiple files at once so if drawing1.dwg and drawing2.dwg were selected it trys to open drawing1.dwgdrawing2.dwg as one file and then it is not recognized.

[wheats]

Actually even if one file is selected it still says invalid file name it is storing the file name information but not the path of the file so it the users selects c:folder1drawing1.dwg it tries to just open drawing1.dwg and cannot find any path.

[Nessie]

Try this:

;#include <Array.au3> ;Needed only for _ArrayDisplay

$message = "Hold down Ctrl or Shift to choose multiple files."
$var = FileOpenDialog($message, @MyDocumentsDir, "All Files (*.dwg*)", 1 + 4)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(4096, "", "No File(s) chosen")
    Exit
EndIf
;ConsoleWrite($var & @CRLF) ;For Debug Only

If StringInStr($var, "|") Then ;Multiple file
    $split = StringSplit($var, "|")
    ;_ArrayDisplay($split)
    For $i = 2 To UBound($split) - 1
        $file_path = @WorkingDir & "\" & $split[$i]
        ;ConsoleWrite('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "' & $file_path & '"' & @CRLF)
        Run('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "' & $file_path & '"')
    Next
Else
    Run('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "' & $var & '"')
EndIf

Hi!

Edited March 3, 2013 by Nessie

[wheats]

Hi

This is grabbing the file path but now it is grabbing it multiple times, C:Folder1C:Folder1drawing1.dwg.

Also to run the script I would assume that this would be the correct function?

Run('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" "' & $file_path & '"') /b c:\scriptfolder\script.scr

thanks for your help

[Nessie]

Check out now the code to the my previous message

Hi!

[wheats]

I have tried multiple variations of how to get it to open the folderdrawing.dwg but with the modified code of yours it still only tries to open drawing.dwg no path - then if u add @workingdir it then brings up the @workingdir@workingdirdrawing.dwg

Same thing happens if you select multiple files the program opens two versions of itself and then only opens drawing.dwg with no path information

very confusing haha

Edited March 4, 2013 by wheats

[Nessie]

This is what i get with multiple file:

"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "C:\Test\a.dwg"
"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "C:\Test\b.dwg"
"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "C:\Test\c.dwg"

And with only one file:

"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "C:\Test\a.dwg"

Is that the output that you want?

Hi!

[wheats]

Yes this is the output I am after though this does not work for me.

I just removed the /b from the code and it opens for the file correctly.

"C:Program FilesAutoDeskAutoCad 2013acad.exe" "C:Testa.dwg" - opens "C:Testa.dwg"

and with the /b in the code

"C:Program FilesAutoDeskAutoCad 2013acad.exe" /b "C:Testa.dwg" - opens "a.dwg"

The /b is obviously having a impact on the opening of the file in regards to its path directory. The /b is a start up switch for AutoCAD telling the program batch process - so hopefully it should only open up one copy of the program and process each file at a time.

-- This is where i original got the code for the .bat program ---

md c:datafilesCP12-3Ldwgwb

FOR %%f in (c:datafilesCP12-3Ldwg*.dwg) do start /wait c:”program

files””AutoCAD 2006”acad.exe “%%f” /b c:datafilesCP12-3Lwbout.scr

What does this all mean?

The first line creates a new folder (directory, sub-directory) name “wb” within an existing folder, so the new

versions of the drawing files can be placed there until their integrity is confirmed.

The replaceable parameter %%f represents the name of each specified file within the folder named

“c:datafilesCP12-3Ldwg.” Each .dwg file in that location will be processed in alphabetical order as it is set to the

replaceable parameter %%f. %%f will then be used in the second portion of the line as a variable, changing with

each pass to the next drawing name. The START /WAIT option starts a windows application and returns control

to the batch file when done. Acad.exe is the windows application that is being started.

AutoCAD will now start and open each drawing. Because of the /b switch, the script file named “wbout.scr” will run

every time AutoCAD starts. When all files with a .dwg extension have been processed (made equal to variable

%%f), the program will stop.

Note: the path given to locate the “acad.exe” file is not necessary unless there is more than one acad.exe file on

the computer. This could happen if you have multiple releases of AutoCAD or if you have one or more vertical

applications on your computer, as is the case for the computers in this lab. It is generally better to be precise in

giving a path. The quotation marks within the batch file are required to compensate for spaces in the names of

files or folders. Putting quotes around the second occurrence of %%f allows you to process drawing files that

have spaces within their names as well. Place the quotations exactly as shown.

[Nessie]

So if i have understand well it's not my code the problem. But it's the string that launch AutoCAD the issue. Can you confirm this?

[wheats]

Yes i believe so its the launch string of AutoCAD that seems to be causing the path error.

[Nessie]

Try this:

;#include <Array.au3> ;Needed only for _ArrayDisplay

$message = "Hold down Ctrl or Shift to choose multiple files."
$var = FileOpenDialog($message, @MyDocumentsDir, "All Files (*.dwg*)", 1 + 4)
If @error Then
MsgBox(4096, "", "No File(s) chosen")
Exit
EndIf
;ConsoleWrite($var & @CRLF) ;For Debug Only

If StringInStr($var, "|") Then ;Multiple file
$split = StringSplit($var, "|")
;_ArrayDisplay($split)
For $i = 2 To UBound($split) - 1
$file_path = @WorkingDir & "\" & $split[$i]
;ConsoleWrite('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" /b "' & $file_path & '"' & @CRLF)
Run('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" "' & $file_path & '" /b "c:\datafiles\CP12-3L\wbout.scr"')
Next
Else
Run('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" "' & $var & '" /b "c:\datafiles\CP12-3L\wbout.scr"')
EndIf

I have only changed the string inside Run function

Hi!

[wheats]

Yeah this works now for a single file, thought the script section doesn't.

If you select multiple files it goes back to the original problem of only opening "a.dwg" "b.dwg" and not "C:Testa.dwg" and "C:Testb.dwg

I think the start wait command controls the program to open the files 1 at a time ?

%%f will then be used in the second portion of the line as a variable, changing with

each pass to the next drawing name. The START /WAIT option starts a windows application and returns control

to the batch file when done. Acad.exe is the windows application that is being started.

AutoCAD will now start and open each drawing. Because of the /b switch, the script file named “wbout.scr” will run

every time AutoCAD starts. When all files with a .dwg extension have been processed (made equal to variable

%%f), the program will stop.

[Nessie]

Try to change Run with RunWait, something change?

Hi!

Edited March 4, 2013 by Nessie

[wheats]

RunWait works and the script file is processed.

Only thing is that once the first file is opened it closes the program to open the next file with the same program, AutoCAD takes about 30seconds to open so the batch processing of this is slowing down obviously having to wait 30seconds between each file the script runs on.

I'll have a look around to see if there is any way to force AutoCAD to process each $var while staying open

Thanks for all your help Nessie

Edited March 4, 2013 by wheats

[Nessie]

Have you switched in your AutoCAD the SDI mode to 0?

SDI is the AutoCAD system variable for single-drawing compatibility mode. Acad 2000+ can open more then one drawing, but you can set it to just open one drawing like the older versions. Some commands or 3rd party software require AutoCAD to be set in single or multiple drawing mode.

There are two ways of setting this variable.

1. Go to "tools=>options", and then to the "system" tab. On the top right you should see "Single-drawing compatibility mode". Check it if you want AutoCAD to open only one drawing.

2. Type in "SDI" at the command prompt. Then type in "0" or "1".

0 = Multiple drawing mode

1 = Single drawing mode

Hi!

Edited March 4, 2013 by Nessie

[wheats]

Yeah SDI forces AutoCAD to be able to only have 1 file open at a single time, though from my tests the autoit script doesn't process the next file in the selection until autocad has been exited and then it starts another copy and processes the next file.

Maybe the solution is to just run multiple switches on the autocad so it runs like a compatibility mode version so it doesn't have to take 30seconds to run through all the plugins.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=2894625&linkID=9240617

I may just run a couple of these along with " /b " to simplify the program and hopefully take less loading time.

to do these all i would have to do is add /b /nologo - is this correct?

Run('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" "' & $var & '" /b /nologo "c:\datafiles\CP12-3L\wbout.scr"')

Edited March 4, 2013 by wheats

[Nessie]

to do these all i would have to do is add /b /nologo - is this correct?

Run('"C:\Program Files\AutoDesk\AutoCad 2013\acad.exe" "' & $var & '" /b /nologo "c:\datafiles\CP12-3L\wbout.scr"')

You have to put $var for the single file run, and $file_path for the multiple file run. Unfortunately I haven't autocad on my pc so I cant test. As i have read on internet to launch multiple .dwg in one session you can use AutoCAD DWG Launcher that have this file name AcLauncher.exe.

AutoCAD DWG Launcher is AcLauncher.exe located at

on X64 OS C:Program Files (x86)Common FilesAutodesk SharedAcShellEx

on X86 OS C:Program FilesCommon FilesAutodesk SharedAcShellEx

Take a look here, because my mind now isn't too much clear (4:00 AM here )

Hi!

Hi!

Edited March 4, 2013 by Nessie

[wheats]

Take a look here, because my mind now isn't too much clear (4:00 AM here )

Was there a link missing?

Oh! you should get some sleep I had a go at launching ACLauncher.exe on its own through Windows nothing happens. I'll do some googling

Also figured out to make multiple switches work its

RunWait('"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AcShellEx\AcLauncher.exe" "' & $var & '" /b "c:\datafiles\CP12-3L\wbout.scr" /nologo /nossm ')

this actually sped the process up a fair bit.

*EDIT* seems you can not run the /b switch with AcLauncher - so you can't run a batch script

Edited March 4, 2013 by wheats