topic Re: Run external iLogic on event in Inventor Programming Forum

Run external iLogic on event

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 08:26:06 GMT

Hello

I would like to create an addin which runs an external ilogic rule at a specified event. I know this can be done with the standard iLogic triggers, but this doesn't apply to files already created.

Example: I want my external rule Start.iLogicVb to run on Before Save Document (or any other event)

I want it to run every time i save the active document (initial and save as)

I've tried MuM - iLogic Run on Save ( http://inventortrenches.blogspot.fi/2011/08/built-for-speed-running-ilogic-rules.html ) but it does not let me specify which event i would like to use, and it does not run on the initial save of a new file or save as.

I only know the basics of iLogic and no other programming language. What is the best way for me to create such a program described above.

I feel like that an experienced programmer would not need much more than a few hours to create this? Am i wrong, should i try to hire someone or is it possible i could solve this myself within a reasonable amount of time?

The threads below almost describes what i want.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-customization/launch-external-ilogic-rule-with-vba/m-p/3170614/highlight/true#M36266

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-customization/run-ilogic-external-rule-with-inventor-vba/m-p/6266896/highlight/true#M63103

Thankful for any help

Re: Run external iLogic on event

HermJan.Otterman — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 10:40:02 GMT

did you know about the code injector?

http://beinginventive.typepad.com/being-inventive/2012/02/injecting-ilogic-code-and-ilogic-event-triggers-automatically.html

Re: Run external iLogic on event

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 11:20:18 GMT

Thanx for your reply. I've briefly read through the post about the code injector, but to my understanding, this involves "injecting" code into existing files?

I would like to avoid having to much code and references to code inside my files if possible. But maybe this is a solution after all, as long as the references are to external ilogic which can easily be edited.

Re: Run external iLogic on event

HermJan.Otterman — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 11:43:55 GMT

I thought you could also "inject" triggers

Re: Run external iLogic on event

JoAntt — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 12:40:42 GMT

Take this

File events

And this

Public Sub iLogic(rule As String, Optional bLocal As Boolean = False)
Dim iLogicAuto As Object
Dim addIn As Inventor.ApplicationAddIn
Try
addIn = invApp.ApplicationAddIns.ItemById("{3bdd8d79-2179-4b11-8a5a-257b1c0263ac}")
addIn.Activate()
iLogicAuto = addIn.Automation
Catch
iLogicAuto = Nothing
End Try
If thisDoc Is Nothing Then
MsgBox("Cant find any open file")
Exit Sub
End If
If (iLogicAuto Is Nothing) Then Exit Sub
If bLocal = True Then
iLogicAuto.RunRule(thisDoc, rule)
Else
iLogicAuto.RunExternalRule(thisDoc, rule)
End If

End Sub

Re: Run external iLogic on event

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 12:55:44 GMT

Thanx guys. I'll give this programming thing a go and report back when i hit a dead end.

Btw, would you say that the self paced guide by autodesk is a good way to start or are there any other resources which will suit me better?

Re: Run external iLogic on event

MechMachineMan — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 17:13:57 GMT

Step 1: Install the devtools.msi that comes in the SDK with inventor.

Step 2: Find "VBAAutoMacro" sample.

Step 3: Open the sample and read the readme.

Step 4: Follow the instruction in the readme. Very simple. (to create the .addin file, just make a txt with the exact text in it, then rename the file to .addin).

Step 5: Open Inventor and reap the rewards.

Step 6: Write a marco to run on startup that enables event tracking in inventor

Step 7: Write the macro that catches the even and runs an iLogic rule.

Step 8: Implement them all properly.

Step 9: Profit.

Re: Run external iLogic on event

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 12:17:52 GMT

Okay, with the help from you guys I have managed to copy paste my way to a working add-in.

I'm using the add-in template 2017 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2015. I started by following this guide:

http://modthemachine.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/converting-vba-auto-macros-to-an-add-in.html

Then i simply copy pasted some code from a thread here and tweaked it a bit.

Since I don't know how to write code, I did my best declaring variables and so on. I also deactivated some variable, but don't really know why.

I actually don't know where to paste the code i found on this forum in my project, but it compiles and runs.

Could i get some kind of quick peer review and comments on what changes i should make to my addin to avoid any problems

Thanks for your help!

See attached project

//J

Re: Run external iLogic on event

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 17:31:27 GMT

I've come across one snag.

My program now runs my external ilogic code on the event Before Save, when the active document is saved.

If i edit this part from a parent assembly from the BOM, nothing is updated in my parts when i save. But the addin runs for each part (because my msgbox pops up twice. Once from the active parent assembly and once for the part in the assembly)

If a add an iLogic event trigger in the ipt which fires on "before save". This is run, even if i edit my part from another document, For example from the BOM.

Is it possible to replicate this behaviour?