.NET

[#1]

I am working on a project that will create a sheet set, add the number of sheets specified in prompt into the sheet set and edit custom properties.

first I am a beginner so please be patient with me.

second the first issue that I am having is how to pull the number of sheets from the prompt and tell it to add that many sheets.

I would assume that it would start like this

For Each ??

    sheetset.addnewsheet()

Next

 Please look at code posted below for prompt I have it as an integer but maybe it should be numerical

Third the second issue that I am having is the editing of custom properties.

I am using a template that already has the custom properties in, which I want to prompt the user for what the value of the custom proerty should be

again see code posted below for prompt

any assistance is greatful

    'Specifies the command to use
    <CommandMethod("psetup")> _
    Public Sub plansetup()
        Dim doc As Document = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument
        Dim ed As Editor = doc.Editor
        'Get a reference to the Sheet Set Manager object
        Dim ssm As IAcSmSheetSetMgr
        ssm = New AcSmSheetSetMgr
        'Sets save location and filename of the sheet set
        Dim ssn As SaveFileDialog = New SaveFileDialog(title:="Save Sheet Set", defaultName:="", dialogName:="Save Sheet Set", extension:="dst", flags:=SaveFileDialog.SaveFileDialogFlags.NoFtpSites)
        ssn.ShowDialog()
        'Create a new sheet set file
        Dim ssdb As AcSmDatabase
        ssdb = ssm.CreateDatabase(ssn.Filename, "M:\CAD Management\CAD Files\Template\Sheetsets\New Sheet Set (1).dst", True)
        'Locks the database
        ssdb.LockDb(ssdb)
        'Sets the name and description
        ssdb.SetName(name:=ssn.Filename.ToString)
        ssdb.SetDesc(desc:="New Sheet Set")
        Dim ss As AcSmSheetSet = ssdb.GetSheetSet
        'Enter the number of sheets
        Dim nos As New PromptIntegerOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Number of Sheets:")
        Dim nor As PromptIntegerResult = ed.GetInteger(nos)
        'Enter the name of the Author
        Dim apn As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter Name of Author:")
        Dim apr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(apn)
        For Each i As Integer 
            ss.AddNewSheet()
        Next
        'Unlocks the database
        ssdb.UnlockDb(ssdb)
        'Closes the database
        ssm.Close(ssdb)
    End Sub

[#2]

Not "For each I  as integer"  (you should be seeing a compiler error on that)

When traversing a collection you use "For Each item as Type in Collection"

When performing a task a certain number of times you use "For I as Integer = 0 to nos" 

Or in your case you'd probably do 1 to nos

Try looking at this Through The Interface post:

http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2010/05/populating-a-tree-view-inside...

He is reading data from a sheet set as opposed to creating one, but it might help.  (It's in C#, this is a pretty good translator http://www.developerfusion.com/tools/convert/csharp-to-vb/)

[#3]

thank you

however would I not want to do

For i as integer = 1 to nor rather then nos

another thing is that when I put in the above code it says:

using nor "promptresult can not be converted to integer"

using nos "promptintegeroptions can not be converted to integer"

I have looked at the through the interface article, but have not had a chance to really go through and analys the code and try to make sense of it

I am also having issues just trying to get a sheet added to the sheet set with out the prompt and it doesn't add the sheet.

I also do not get any errors on it so my only guess is that I am missing something.

here is updated code:

Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime
Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices
Imports ACSMCOMPONENTS18Lib
Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput
Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices
Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.Windows

Public Class Class1
    'Specifies the command to use
    <CommandMethod("psetup")> _
    Public Sub plansetup()
        Dim doc As Document = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument
        Dim ed As Editor = doc.Editor
        'Get a reference to the Sheet Set Manager object
        Dim ssm As IAcSmSheetSetMgr
        ssm = New AcSmSheetSetMgr
        'Sets save location and filename of the sheet set
        Dim ssn As SaveFileDialog = New SaveFileDialog(title:="Save Sheet Set", defaultName:="", dialogName:="Save Sheet Set", extension:="dst", flags:=SaveFileDialog.SaveFileDialogFlags.NoFtpSites)
        ssn.ShowDialog()
        'Create a new sheet set file
        Dim ssdb As AcSmDatabase
        ssdb = ssm.CreateDatabase(ssn.Filename, "M:\CAD Management\CAD Files\Template\Sheetsets\New Sheet Set (1).dst", True)
        'Locks the database
        ssdb.LockDb(ssdb)
        'Sets the name and description
        ssdb.SetName(name:=ssn.Filename.ToString)
        ssdb.SetDesc(desc:="New Sheet Set")
        Dim ss As AcSmSheetSet = ssdb.GetSheetSet
        'Enter the number of sheets
        Dim nos As New PromptIntegerOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Number of Sheets:")
        Dim nor As PromptResult = ed.GetInteger(nos)
        'Enter the initials of the drafter
        Dim apn As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter Initials of Drafter:")
        Dim apr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(apn)
        'Enter the project phase
        Dim pp As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Project Phase:")
        pp.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim ppr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(pp)
        'Enter the Job Date
        Dim jd As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Job Date:")
        jd.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim jdr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(jd)
        'Enter the Job Number
        Dim jn As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Job Name:")
        jn.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim jnr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(jn)
        'Enter the job type
        Dim jt As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Job Type:")
        jt.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim jtr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(jt)
        'Enter the county
        Dim co As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Name of County:")
        co.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim cor As PromptResult = ed.GetString(co)
        'Enter the township
        Dim twp As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Name of Municipality:")
        twp.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim twpr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(twp)
        'Enter the owner / developer
        Dim owd As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Name of Owner / Developer:")
        owd.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim owdr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(owd)
        'Enter the town
        Dim tn As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Name of Town:")
        tn.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim tnr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(tn)
        'Enter the street
        Dim str As New PromptStringOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Name of Street:")
        str.AllowSpaces = True
        Dim strr As PromptResult = ed.GetString(str)
        Dim sss As AcSmSheet = New AcSmSheet
        For i As Integer = 1 To nos
            ss.AddNewSheet(name:="", desc:="")
        Next
        'Unlocks the database
        ssdb.UnlockDb(ssdb)
        'Closes the database
        ssm.Close(ssdb)
    End Sub
End Class

[#4]

Yes, I guess I didn't look close enough, at a quick glance I thought nos stood for number of sheets and was an integer. It should be nor.Value.

But before you try to access the value, you should check nor.Status first to make sure the user didn't cancel.

For what it's worth, you are asking for enough user input there that I would probably create a form with textboxes on it to collect the information.

[#5]

There appears to be zero documentation of the AcSmComponents library, and in my own code I have only read File/Layout lists from sheet sets for use in several Batch Processing functions that I have, so I can't really be of any help on the issue of creating sheets.

My best stab at it with the limited information in front of me, and zero testing, is that you probably aren't supposed to just addnewsheet.

Maybe something like this, but I could be way off.

Dim lyt As New AcSmAcDbLayoutReference
lyt.SetFileName(filename)
lyt.SetName("Layout1")
Dim newsht As AcSmSheet = ss.ImportSheet(lyt)
newsht.SetDesc("Description")
'more properties on newsht object

[#6]

Thanks that infromation has helped

to get nor.value to work I had to change the result to promptintegerresult rather then promptresult

somehow I missed seeing promtpintegerresult the first time through

anyhow adding a sheet is still just beyond my reach and when running the code I get this error:

System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80040203): A syntax error occurred trying to evaluate a query string (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80040203)    at ACSMCOMPONENTS18Lib.AcSmSheetSetClass.AddNewSheet(String name, String desc)    at PlanSetup.Class1.plansetup() in C:\Users\bkenyon\Documents\Visual Studio 2008\Projects\PlanSetup\PlanSetup\Class1.vb:line 34    at Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.CommandClass.InvokeWorker(MethodInfo mi, Object commandObject, Boolean bLispFunction)    at Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.CommandClass.InvokeWorkerWithExceptionFilter(MethodInfo mi, Object commandObject, Boolean bLispFunction)    at Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.PerDocumentCommandClass.Invoke(MethodInfo mi, Boolean bLispFunction)    at Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.CommandClass.CommandThunk.Invoke()

below is the code that I have currently, I think I may be missing something with an initnew somewhere:

code snippet

        'Enter the number of sheets
        Dim nos As New PromptIntegerOptions(vbLf & "Enter the Number of Sheets:")
        Dim nor As PromptIntegerResult = ed.GetInteger(nos)
        For i As Integer = 1 To nor.Value
            ss.AddNewSheet(name:="Sheet1", desc:="Cover Sheet")
        Next

 I tested this by using a prompt so I know that the for section works properly

[#7]

Heard you guys might be looking for documentation and guidance on using the Sheet Set Object API. Here are some that might be useful:


1. AutoCAD 2012 User's Guide - Work with Sheets in a Sheet Set:
    Online: Link

2. AutoCAD 2012 - Sheet Set Objects Reference:
    Online: Link

3. Autodesk University: CP215-2 Filling the Gaps in the Sheet Set Manager:
    Pdf: Download
    Video: Link

4. Autodesk University: CP318-4 Taking a Look at the Sheet Set Object With VB.NET:
    Online: Link

5. Autodesk University: CP15-1 Taking a Look at the Sheet Set Object:
    Pdf: Download

6. Populating a tree view inside AutoCAD with sheet set data using .NET:
    Online: Link

7. Populating a tree view inside AutoCAD with sheet set data using .NET - Part 2:
    Online: Link


Number 4 was easily the best for me. You have to join Autodesk University but don't worry it's free!

Hope this helps somewhat.

Art.

[#8]

Sorry for the dealy in posting, but I have been busy lately.

Thanks for the information and I did not get a chance to look at all of them, but I did look at number 4 and it shed some light on the issue I am having.

I have not had a chance to redo the code yet, but I have download the sample code that went with that screencast and I should be able to get what I need from there.

I did notice that one thing that I need to do is get the path of where the sheet set is saved, and also set a default dwt file of rhte sheet set that is created.

another thing that was missing was I noticed in the code that after the addnewsheet was a line that had insertcomponent which from the looks of it needs to be added in order for the sheet to be in the sheet set.

again thanks the information is extremely helpful.  I will post the new code once I have a chance to get it changed and tested.

[#9]

ok, so revised the code, but still get an error when running it not sure what I am missing.

I took the code from the sample that you can download from the one screencast thing to see if that is what I was missing, but for some reason it does not like anything that I put in for the name and description of the sheet to be added.

Error:

System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80040203): A syntax error occurred trying to evaluate a query string (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80040203)    at ACSMCOMPONENTS18Lib.AcSmSheetSetClass.AddNewSheet(String name, String desc)    at PlanSetup.Class1.AddSheet(IAcSmComponent component

Code:

Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime
Imports ACSMCOMPONENTS18Lib
Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.Windows
Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput
Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices
Imports Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices

Public Class Class1
    'Specifies the command to use
    <CommandMethod("psetup")> _
    Public Sub plansetup()
        'Get a reference to the Sheet Set Manager object
        Dim ssm As New AcSmSheetSetMgr
        'Selects the save location of the sheet set
        Dim sfd As New SaveFileDialog(title:="Save Location", defaultName:="", dialogName:="Save Location", extension:="dst", flags:=SaveFileDialog.SaveFileDialogFlags.NoFtpSites)
        sfd.ShowDialog()
        'Create a new sheet set file
        Dim ssdb As AcSmDatabase
        ssdb = ssm.CreateDatabase(sfd.Filename, "", True)
        'Locks the database
        ssdb.LockDb(ssdb)
        Dim sss As AcSmSheetSet
        sss = ssdb.GetSheetSet
        AddSheet(ssdb)
        'Unlocks the database
        ssdb.UnlockDb(ssdb)
        'Closes the database
        ssm.Close(ssdb)
    End Sub
    ' Used to add a sheet to a sheet set or subset
    ' Note: This function is dependent on a Default Template and Storage location
    ' being set for the sheet set or subset.
    Private Function AddSheet(ByVal component As IAcSmComponent) As AcSmSheet
        Dim sheet As AcSmSheet
        sheet = component.GetDatabase().GetSheetSet().AddNewSheet(name:="Sheet1", _
                                                                  desc:="Description")
        ' Add the sheet as the first one in the sheet set
        component.GetDatabase().GetSheetSet().InsertComponent(sheet, Nothing)
        ' Set the number and title of the sheet
        sheet.SetNumber(num:="01")
        sheet.SetTitle(title:="Title")
        AddSheet = sheet
    End Function
End Class

[#10]

I see the problem.

Before trying to add any new sheets, you need to specify the directory where new sheet drawings will be placed, as well as the template file and its layout name that the sheet will be based on.

Place the following code between the following lines:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   sss = ssdb.GetSheetSet

        ' Set new sheet directory location.
        Dim fileRef As IAcSmFileReference = sss.GetNewSheetLocation()
        fileRef.SetFileName("E:\Junk")
        sss.SetNewSheetLocation(fileRef)

        ' Set new sheet template dwt file and layout name.
        Dim layRef As AcSmAcDbLayoutReference = sss.GetDefDwtLayout()
        layRef.SetFileName("E:\Junk\Template.dwt")
        layRef.SetName("Layout1")
        sss.SetDefDwtLayout(layRef)

   AddSheet(ssdb)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obviously the directory, file and layout paths will vary for you, and you will need to place a template file to do this.

Rather than create dst files from scratch, perhaps it might be easier for you to setup an empty sheet set dst file with all of the typical properties already set, and then use this dst file as a template. You can then programatically add anything that you want to change as follows:
 - Create new AcSmDatabase using CreateDatabase(), same as your example;
 - Then use AcSmDatabase.LoadFromFile() and specify your dst template file;
 - Lock the database;
 - Make any changes you want;
 - Unlock the database, specifying the bCommit parameter true to save;
 

Note: The LoadFromFile() method "copies" the data from the default dst file into your AcSmDatabase object, so that when you save it using Unlock() with bCommit set true, the data will be written to the dst file you specified in CreateDatabase().

Hope this helps - Art