topic Re: Create rectangle pattern from block macro in PowerMill Forum

Create rectangle pattern from block macro

jasmcd1 — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:14:26 GMT

Hi. Pretty new to writing macros in Powermill. I'm trying to write a macro for creating a specific toolpath based on some user input and need to create a rectangle in a pattern based on the block. I've figured it out except for getting the rectangle points from the block. If I just record the macro and pick points it works, but I want to be able to have the macro get the points from the block automatically. Hopes this makes sense. Any ideas? Thank you.

Re: Create rectangle pattern from block macro

TK.421 — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:37:38 GMT

you want the x,y corners of the block?

REAL xMinus = $toolpath.Block.Limits.XMin

REAL xPlus = $toolpath.Block.Limits.XMax

and so on for y and z

is that what youre l;ooking for?

Re: Create rectangle pattern from block macro

jasmcd1 — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:47:14 GMT

I think that may be part of the solution, but how do I then use those values to create the rectangle? When I create the rectangle manually I have to pick points (top of block corners in this case) on the screen...

Re: Create rectangle pattern from block macro

TK.421 — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 22:03:00 GMT

i see what you're saying

try something like this:

REAL xMinus = $toolpath.Block.Limits.XMin REAL yMinus = $toolpath.Block.Limits.YMin REAL xPlus = $toolpath.Block.Limits.XMax REAL yPlus = $toolpath.Block.Limits.YMax CREATE PATTERN ; EDIT PATTERN ; CURVEEDITOR NOGUI START CURVEEDITOR MODE RECTANGLE MODE COORDINPUT COORDINATES $xMinus $yMinus 0 MODE COORDINPUT COORDINATES $xPlus $yPlus 0 CURVEEDITOR FINISH ACCEPT

Re: Create rectangle pattern from block macro

jasmcd1 — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 22:34:00 GMT

That worked perfectly! Thank you!!!

Re: Create rectangle pattern from block macro

TK.421 — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 22:34:48 GMT

Awesome!