Help! My post processor needs to be edited; now what?

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

If you find yourself post processing your tool-paths and then editing the output there is some work to be done on your post processor! And if so here is what to do.

Well there are two main options:

• Do it yourself

• Ask a re-seller:https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-post-processor-forum/hsm-post-adjustments-needed-find-your-right-...

The second options is the one I would suggest to anyone who wants it quick, solid and without a hassle.
The first option is the one for people who want it cheap and are willing to put in effort, time and a lot of patience.

If we go the DIY route the main question is do you know JavaScript or ECMAScript?(Same thing different name)
Full info on that here: http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/files/ECMA-ST/Ecma-262.pdf

If you do not I suggest talking to someone who does or find some tutorials on the web and get a feeling for how it works and what it's capabilities are. Javascript is mostly used in web design, but the code is the same so this is a good place to start: http://www.w3schools.com/js/
If yes or after you did a little research it's time to get a feeling for the AutoDesk CAM Post Processors them selves.
Best place to start is looking at this Post Processor manual here: https://github.com/AutodeskCAM/Documentation/blob/master/Autodesk%20Post%20Processor%20manual-sm-130...
It's a work in progress so expect some changes and little faults here and there.(Some can be found in this post/Thread if you ever get confused: http://camforum.autodesk.com/index.php?topic=5937.msg23435#msg23435)

In the default post processor folder you will find the dump post processor(dump.cps). This dumps all info that is available from the cam system to the post in a file. Very convenient for making cycles work that require different height value's and pre-positioning moves, when does it get the value's and how can I control them or if you want to know the parameter for the tool Length. First thing I do when someone asks for something I don't know the answer to, what is available in the dump post that can help me solve the problem.

Last thing that is very good to know about is the post help file. Which gives short explanations on everything the post supports. It's good info if you will be doing some more serious editing and making "new" stuff. If you cannot find it, it's attached.

The Post Processor manual might give you the idea that you have to make your own post if you want changes, well of course not!!!
Almost everybody runs on edited generic versions, customized to their liking/needs.

And if you still have questions feel free to ask the users and post development team here on the forum, but as with everything have a little patience(The post team and other users have different tasks as well ;)). One advise I can give is the more clear you are in what your problem is and the more effort you put in yourself the bigger the chance you will receive a response quickly.

PS. Will update this post later.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info! Going to get stuck in now 🙂

[matthew.nichols]

Thank you for posting the ECMA manual!  I am going to have to print that out and go through it at some point soon...

[Anonymous]

Great comment Laurens,
  I am going the ask a dealer or tech guy route. I have enough on my one man shop plate that I don't need to add learning this to just to then forget it all because of extreme infrequent use.

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

MattN. wrote:
Thank you for posting the ECMA manual!  I am going to have to print that out and go through it at some point soon...

I wouldn't if I were you. It's about 600 pages of raw information that serves no purpose if not needed.
Half of it isn't for us but for the development guys.

[matthew.nichols]

Laurens-3DTechDraw wrote:
MattN. wrote: Thank you for posting the ECMA manual!  I am going to have to print that out and go through it at some point soon... I wouldn't if I were you. It's about 600 pages of raw information that serves no purpose if not needed. Half of it isn't for us but for the development guys.

Gotcha...I haven't even got a chance to look at the manual yet...

[travis]

Is it just me or does the link to the manual not work? (The box.com one)

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

xamont wrote:
Is it just me or does the link to the manual not work? (The box.com one)

Should be fixed. 😉

[skylord73]

Hi All,
is there a full reference guide for functions and parameters for the post processor?

Regards

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

skylord73@gmail.com wrote:
Hi All, is there a full reference guide for functions and parameters for the post processor? Regards

The post.chm is your friend.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how to get ADMINISTRATOR ACCESS in order to edit the post processor. I keep running into ACCESS DENIED because of an administrator issue.

Our best IT guy could not do it so I'm thinking it is an Autodesk issue.

Thanks,
Billder

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

billder wrote:
Does anyone know how to get ADMINISTRATOR ACCESS in order to edit the post processor. I keep running into ACCESS DENIED because of an administrator issue. Our best IT guy could not do it so I'm thinking it is an Autodesk issue. Thanks, Billder

Well that is an easy one: http://autode.sk/1PMw00X
But do re-name it so it won't be lost after an update.

[andrew8JXPA]

Trouble is that video / screen capture will only play as a thumbnail, so I can't read the text 😞

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

andrew8JXPA wrote:
Trouble is that video / screen capture will only play as a thumbnail, so I can't read the text 😞

File are set to read only.
So click it with the right mouse button. Click properties. At the bottom uncheck read-only.

[Muzzerboy]

I'm seeing about 20 pages of noddy tutorial, not 600 pages of technical reference, despite being 16MB. And the 700kB CHM file displays a list of contents and index entries but no actual content. Is it just me? Perhaps I'm just too dumb.

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

The tutorial is one of the things I gave as info.

Also there is a link to the ECMA manual but that is 600 pages you don't really need.

The Post.chm you right click go to properties and do an unblock. So you can see what is in there.

New are the post video's you can find them here: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/post-processors/getting-started-modify-posts/td-p/6371381

[Muzzerboy]

I'd already seen that post about unblocking the file, whatever that means. But when I RMB'd on the file that option wasn't visible. I've just managed to "unblock" the file in my downloads folder where it landed but when I copy and pasted the file to the folder I want it, the RMB / properties path doesn't show that unblock option.

Why is this so difficult? Are you trying to save me from myself?

Tell me I'm stupid but where am I supposed to find this 600 page manual?

It's probably easy for oyu because you know where it is but the acid test is whether real people can find it. I'm fairly real.

Help.

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

That 600 page ECMA manual that really isn't useful to starting post editors(or even most advanced editors) is in a link in the first post of this thread. Not on the Github page.

What problem you have now with the post.chm I don't know but that should just work after it has been unblocked. If you open it now what do you see? Can you show a screenshot if that?

And no this should be real easy. That why they even made the video's now so we can all edit the posts of we want to put in a little effort of learning how JavaScript works.

[Anonymous]

I downloaded the post.chm but all I see is the index and contents with no information pages on the topics.  what am I doing wrong?

Thanks, Dan

[ivan.stanojevic]

You also have a pdf version of post processor manual in the first post.