Modify structural member catalog?

[Anonymous]

Is there any way to modify a structural member catalog? We use a lot of engineered lumber, Glulam's, PSL's, LVL's, etc. of all sizes (many not listed in the stock catalog). It would be nice to be able to add them to a catalog. As it is we have to make them styles in a styles file and share them that way. Modifying a catalog would be much more convenient.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Attached is some information created several years ago that may help.
You'll need to understand xml and Windows Script Components. But if you're
just adding shapes that are different sizes of existing shapes, it should be
*relatively* easy.

I also found an old post from Mark Webb on the AutoCAD Architecture
Customization newsgroup (autodesk.aec.arch-desktop.customization) that is
relevant.
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This is a two step (and currently manual) process.
Step 1 is to write a parametric shape generator. This is essentially a COM
object with a specific set of Properties and Methods that converts a
location in a pXML table (the data format used by the Structural Catalog)
into a Style.
This can be written in any language that can make COM Automation. We have
had success in using Javascript and Vbscript in a Windows Script Component
(see www.microsoft.com/scripting for more info)

Step 2 is to write you table in XML. There is currently no specific editor
available, but with knowledge of the data structure and a standard XML
editting application this is fairly straightforward.
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Good luck,

Bill Glennie
AutoCAD Architecture team