Strange File open behavior with automatic step file Ilogic script

[Anonymous]

     Hello, I have Cobbled together this script from various post on the forums a few monthes ago (thanks for all the snippets I pilfered from examples found here, Wish I could offer propper attribution to this work, but suffice it to say that is not all mine and I could not have done it alone). We have a workflow that involves sending Step files of flattened sheet metal parts to a vendor for the laser cutting of blanks that we subsequently form in house. The code that follows opens the part file in question when a drawing is checked in and initiates the unfold command, waits for user selections, finishes the command, executes a save copy as to .Stp, and then open the resulting step file for user reveiw.

     This was "written" for 2013 and worked well for monthes with one minor annoyance. It would always open the step file in a second instance of Inventor instead of opening the file in the running instance. This was Less than ideal, because the it take a little while to launch the second instance, but on the whole it was a major improvment over the way we were doing it. Fast forward six months or so and we install inventor 2014. Now the script fails to open the .stp file because the windows hasn't assoiciated step files to inventor 2014. Ok, so I reassociate .stp file with 2014 on the dept machines and voila, everything is back to normal. Except on one machine were the the .stp file open in the RUNNING instance of inventor (this is cool, it's really what I wanted to happen from the beginning). All the machines have similar hardware and are runnning Win 7 Pro. What I need to know is, what is causing the different file open behavior, and How can I get ALL The machines to behave this way!

     I have attached the code in question and have pasted it below as well if you do not want to download the file. Their are file path elements that are "hard coded" into the script that will require modification to run in a different network environment that ours, and the rule is run by an I trigger set in a drawing file to "After Document Save". I am gratefull in anvance for any insight that the members of this community can offer and have faith that the "better minds than mine" here will help me sort this out.

Code:

**************************************************************************************************************

Format:HTML Format Version:1.0 StartHTML:     165 EndHTML:   66261 StartFragment:     314 EndFragment:   66229 StartSelection:     314 EndSelection:     314
SyntaxEditor Code Snippet

'Show message box and get user input - bolean yes/no    question=MessageBox.Show("Would you like to Check the Drawing In?", "iLogic Question",MessageBoxButtons.YesNo,MessageBoxIcon.Question)'set condition based on answer Ifquestion=vbYesThen'define and execute Vault Check in active document command synchronously (this method waits for user to complete command)DimoDefAsControlDefinitionoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("VaultCheckInTop")Callodef.execute2(True)'get the drawing filepathDimDfilepathAsStringDfilepath=ThisDoc.Path'MessageBox.Show(Dfilepath, "Debug")'Define the open documentDimopenDocAsDocumentopenDoc=ThisDoc.Document'Make sure there is model file referenced in the open documentDimdocFileAsDocumentIfThisDoc.ModelDocumentIsNotNothingThendocFile=ThisDoc.ModelDocumentElseMessageBox.Show("This drawing has no model reference", "iLogic")ReturnEndIf'format model file name                   DimFNamePosAsLongFNamePos=InStrRev(docFile.FullFileName, "\", -1)DimdocFNameAsStringdocFName=Right(docFile.FullFileName, Len(docFile.FullFileName)-FNamePos)'MessageBox.Show(docFName, "Debug")'get the current drawing rev level and assign it to RevDimRevAsStringRev="Rev"+iProperties.Value("Project", "Revision Number")'MessageBox.Show(Rev, "Debug")'strip C:\VaultWorkingFolder and insert V:\ the append Rev to create step file name and pathDimNFNameAsStringDimFNameLong=Len(Dfilepath)-22DimdocFNameLong=Len(docFName)-4docFName=Left(docFName,docFNameLong)NFName="V:\"+Right(Dfilepath,FNameLong)+"\"+docFName+""+Rev'MessageBox.Show(NFName, "Debug")'get model name and path and launch documentmodelFullFileName=ThisDrawing.ModelDocument.FullFileNamemodelDirectoryName=IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(modelFullFileName)modelFileName=IO.Path.GetFileName(modelFullFileName)'MessageBox.Show(modelFullFileName, "modelFullFileName")'MessageBox.Show(modelDirectoryName, "modelDirectoryName")'MessageBox.Show(modelFileName, "modelFileName")ThisDoc.Launch(modelFullFileName)'define active document (.ipt file)DimoPartDocAsPartDocumentoPartDoc=ThisApplication.ActiveDocument'define and execute "convert to sheet metal" commandoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("PartConvertToSheetMetalCmd")oDef.Execute'check to see if flat pattern existsDimoCompDefAsSheetMetalComponentDefinitionoCompDef=oPartDoc.ComponentDefinition'if flat pattern exists then....IfoCompDef.HasFlatPattern=FalseThen'check for preliminary rev status and alert user that step files are not exported for rev ? or *IfRev="Rev?"ThenMessageBox.Show(".stp Files Are Not Created For Prelimary Drawings", "iLogic")'define and execute close .iptoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("AppFileCloseCmd")odef.executeElseIfRev="Rev*"ThenMessageBox.Show(".stp Files Are Not Created For Drawings With Pending ECR's", "iLogic")'define and execute close .iptoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("AppFileCloseCmd")odef.executeElse' dispalay new .stp filepath and nameMessageBox.Show("File Name & Path "+NFName, "iLogic")' Get the STEP translator Add-In. and create STEP fileDimoSTEPTranslatorAsTranslatorAddInoSTEPTranslator=ThisApplication.ApplicationAddIns.ItemById("{90AF7F40-0C01-11D5-8E83-0010B541CD80}")DimoContextAsTranslationContextoContext=ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateTranslationContextDimoOptionsAsNameValueMapoOptions=ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateNameValueMapIfoSTEPTranslator.HasSaveCopyAsOptions(ThisApplication.ActiveDocument, oContext, oOptions)Then' Set application protocol.' 2 = AP 203 - Configuration Controlled Design' 3 = AP 214 - Automotive DesignoOptions.Value("ApplicationProtocolType")=3' Other options...'oOptions.Value("Author") = ""'oOptions.Value("Authorization") = ""'oOptions.Value("Description") = ""'oOptions.Value("Organization") = ""oContext.Type=IOMechanismEnum.kFileBrowseIOMechanismDimoDataAsDataMediumoData=ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateDataMediumoData.FileName=NFName&".stp"oSTEPTranslator.SaveCopyAs(ThisApplication.ActiveDocument, oContext, oOptions, oData)'define and execute close .ipt fileoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("AppFileCloseCmd")odef.execute'Open new STEP FileThisDoc.Launch(NFName&".stp")EndIfEndIfElse'check for preliminary rev status and alert user that step files are not exported for rev ? or *IfRev="Rev?"ThenMessageBox.Show(".stp Files Are Not Created For Prelimary Drawings", "iLogic")'define and execute close .iptoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("AppFileCloseCmd")odef.executeElseIfRev="Rev*"ThenMessageBox.Show(".stp Files Are Not Created For Drawings With Pending ECR's", "iLogic")'define and execute close .iptoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("AppFileCloseCmd")odef.executeElse'define and execute Unfold command synchronously (this method waits for user to complete command)oDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("SheetMetalUnfoldCmd")Callodef.execute2(True)'dispalay new .stp filepath and nameMessageBox.Show("File Name & Path "+NFName, "iLogic")' Get the STEP translator Add-In. and create STEP fileDimoSTEPTranslatorAsTranslatorAddInoSTEPTranslator=ThisApplication.ApplicationAddIns.ItemById("{90AF7F40-0C01-11D5-8E83-0010B541CD80}")DimoContextAsTranslationContextoContext=ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateTranslationContextDimoOptionsAsNameValueMapoOptions=ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateNameValueMapIfoSTEPTranslator.HasSaveCopyAsOptions(ThisApplication.ActiveDocument, oContext, oOptions)Then' Set application protocol.' 2 = AP 203 - Configuration Controlled Design' 3 = AP 214 - Automotive DesignoOptions.Value("ApplicationProtocolType")=3' Other options...'oOptions.Value("Author") = ""'oOptions.Value("Authorization") = ""'oOptions.Value("Description") = ""'oOptions.Value("Organization") = ""oContext.Type=IOMechanismEnum.kFileBrowseIOMechanismDimoDataAsDataMediumoData=ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateDataMediumoData.FileName=NFName&".stp"oSTEPTranslator.SaveCopyAs(ThisApplication.ActiveDocument, oContext, oOptions, oData)'defines and executes the Undo command to remove the unfold featureoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("AppUndoCmd")odef.execute'define and execute close .ipt fileoDef=ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.​Item("AppFileCloseCmd")odef.execute'Open new STEP FileThisDoc.Launch(NFName&".stp")EndIfEndIfEndIfElseIfquestion=vbNoThenReturnEndIf

[jdkriek]

Reposting your code in a readable format:

'Show message box and get user input - bolean yes/no	
question = MessageBox.Show("Would you like to Check the Drawing In?", "iLogic Question",MessageBoxButtons.YesNo,MessageBoxIcon.Question)
'set condition based on answer 
If question = vbYes Then
	'define and execute Vault Check in active document command synchronously (this method waits for user to complete command)
	Dim oDef As ControlDefinition
	oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("VaultCheckInTop")
	Call odef.execute2 (True)

	'get the drawing filepath
	Dim Dfilepath As String
	Dfilepath = ThisDoc.Path
	'MessageBox.Show(Dfilepath, "Debug")
	
	'Define the open document
	Dim openDoc As Document
	openDoc = ThisDoc.Document
	
	'Make sure there is model file referenced in the open document
	Dim docFile As Document
	If ThisDoc.ModelDocument IsNot Nothing Then
	docFile = ThisDoc.ModelDocument
	Else
	MessageBox.Show("This drawing has no model reference", "iLogic")
	Return
	End If
	
	'format model file name                   
	Dim FNamePos As Long
	FNamePos = InStrRev(docFile.FullFileName, "\", -1)                        
	Dim docFName As String 
	docFName = Right(docFile.FullFileName, Len(docFile.FullFileName) - FNamePos)
	'MessageBox.Show(docFName, "Debug")
	
	'get the current drawing rev level and assign it to Rev
	Dim Rev As String
	Rev = "Rev" + iProperties.Value("Project", "Revision Number")
	'MessageBox.Show(Rev, "Debug")
	
	'strip C:\VaultWorkingFolder and insert V:\ the append Rev to create step file name and path
	Dim NFName As String
	Dim FNameLong = Len(Dfilepath)-22
	Dim docFNameLong = Len(docFName)-4
	docFName = Left(docFName,docFNameLong)
	NFName = "V:\" + Right(Dfilepath,FNameLong)+"\" + docFName + " " + Rev
	'MessageBox.Show(NFName, "Debug")
	
	'get model name and path and launch document
	modelFullFileName = ThisDrawing.ModelDocument.FullFileName
	modelDirectoryName = IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(modelFullFileName)
	modelFileName = IO.Path.GetFileName(modelFullFileName)
	
	'MessageBox.Show(modelFullFileName, "modelFullFileName")
	'MessageBox.Show(modelDirectoryName, "modelDirectoryName")
	'MessageBox.Show(modelFileName, "modelFileName")
	ThisDoc.Launch(modelFullFileName) 
	
	'define active document (.ipt file)
	Dim oPartDoc As PartDocument
	oPartDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument
	
	'define and execute "convert to sheet metal" command
	oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("PartConvertToSheetMetalCmd")
	oDef.Execute
	
	'check to see if flat pattern exists
	Dim oCompDef As SheetMetalComponentDefinition
	oCompDef = oPartDoc.ComponentDefinition
	
	'if flat pattern exists then....
	If oCompDef.HasFlatPattern = False Then
		
		'check for preliminary rev status and alert user that step files are not exported for rev ? or *
		If Rev = "Rev?" Then
		MessageBox.Show(".stp Files Are Not Created For Prelimary Drawings", "iLogic")
		
		'define and execute close .ipt
		oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("AppFileCloseCmd")
		odef.execute
		
		ElseIf Rev = "Rev*" Then
		MessageBox.Show(".stp Files Are Not Created For Drawings With Pending ECR's", "iLogic")
		
		'define and execute close .ipt
		oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("AppFileCloseCmd")
		odef.execute
	
		Else
		' dispalay new .stp filepath and name
		MessageBox.Show("File Name & Path " +NFName, "iLogic")
		
		' Get the STEP translator Add-In. and create STEP file
		Dim oSTEPTranslator As TranslatorAddIn
		oSTEPTranslator = ThisApplication.ApplicationAddIns.ItemById("{90AF7F40-0C01-11D5-8E83-0010B541CD80}")
		Dim oContext As TranslationContext
		oContext = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateTranslationContext
		Dim oOptions As NameValueMap
		oOptions = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateNameValueMap
	
			If oSTEPTranslator.HasSaveCopyAsOptions(ThisApplication.ActiveDocument, oContext, oOptions) Then
				' Set application protocol.
				' 2 = AP 203 - Configuration Controlled Design
				' 3 = AP 214 - Automotive Design
				oOptions.Value("ApplicationProtocolType") = 3
				' Other options...
				'oOptions.Value("Author") = ""
				'oOptions.Value("Authorization") = ""
				'oOptions.Value("Description") = ""
				'oOptions.Value("Organization") = ""
				oContext.Type = IOMechanismEnum.kFileBrowseIOMechanism
				Dim oData As DataMedium
				oData = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateDataMedium
				oData.FileName = NFName & ".stp"
			oSTEPTranslator.SaveCopyAs(ThisApplication.ActiveDocument, oContext, oOptions, oData)
			
			'define and execute close .ipt file
			oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("AppFileCloseCmd")
			odef.execute
			
			'Open new STEP File
			ThisDoc.Launch(NFName & ".stp")		
			
			End If
		End If
	Else
		'check for preliminary rev status and alert user that step files are not exported for rev ? or *
		If Rev = "Rev?" Then
		MessageBox.Show(".stp Files Are Not Created For Prelimary Drawings", "iLogic")
		
		'define and execute close .ipt
		oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("AppFileCloseCmd")
		odef.execute
		
		ElseIf Rev = "Rev*" Then
		MessageBox.Show(".stp Files Are Not Created For Drawings With Pending ECR's", "iLogic")
		
		'define and execute close .ipt
		oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("AppFileCloseCmd")
		odef.execute
	
		Else
			'define and execute Unfold command synchronously (this method waits for user to complete command)
			oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("SheetMetalUnfoldCmd")
			Call odef.execute2 (True)
			
			'dispalay new .stp filepath and name
			MessageBox.Show("File Name & Path " +NFName, "iLogic")
		
			
			' Get the STEP translator Add-In. and create STEP file
			Dim oSTEPTranslator As TranslatorAddIn
			oSTEPTranslator = ThisApplication.ApplicationAddIns.ItemById("{90AF7F40-0C01-11D5-8E83-0010B541CD80}")
			Dim oContext As TranslationContext
			oContext = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateTranslationContext
			Dim oOptions As NameValueMap
			oOptions = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateNameValueMap
		
			If oSTEPTranslator.HasSaveCopyAsOptions(ThisApplication.ActiveDocument, oContext, oOptions) Then
				' Set application protocol.
				' 2 = AP 203 - Configuration Controlled Design
				' 3 = AP 214 - Automotive Design
				oOptions.Value("ApplicationProtocolType") = 3
				' Other options...
				'oOptions.Value("Author") = ""
				'oOptions.Value("Authorization") = ""
				'oOptions.Value("Description") = ""
				'oOptions.Value("Organization") = ""
				oContext.Type = IOMechanismEnum.kFileBrowseIOMechanism
				Dim oData As DataMedium
				oData = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateDataMedium
				oData.FileName = NFName & ".stp"
			oSTEPTranslator.SaveCopyAs(ThisApplication.ActiveDocument, oContext, oOptions, oData)
			
			'defines and executes the Undo command to remove the unfold feature
			oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("AppUndoCmd")
			odef.execute
			
			'define and execute close .ipt file
			oDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions.Item("AppFileCloseCmd")
			odef.execute
			
			'Open new STEP File
			ThisDoc.Launch(NFName & ".stp") 
			
			End If
		End If
	
	End If

  Else If question = vbNo Then
  Return
        
  End If

[Anonymous]

Thank You for making those edits, I can Never seem to paste code and have it retain formating. Is there an FAQ or any hints that I can look at to save trouble in the furure?

[jdkriek]

Paste it into a text file first, then copy it from there, and paste into the "Insert Code" button here.

[adam.nagy · Accepted solution]

Hi,

So as I understand the issue is with: ThisDoc.Launch(NFName&".stp")
I suspect you have similar issues if you simply double-click on a step file in Windows Explorer, right?

1) I ran into this article about having a similar behaviour with Inventor files, like *.ipt: http://beinginventive.typepad.com/being-inventive/2012/04/opening-inventor-file-opens-new-instance-o...
Based on that I think I found what needs to be modified in the registry in order to make things work - at least it works for me:
Added the following entries in the registry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\stp_auto_file]
@=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\stp_auto_file\shell]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\stp_auto_file\shell\open]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\stp_auto_file\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Autodesk\\Inventor 2014\\Bin\\Inventor.exe\" /dde"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\stp_auto_file\shell\open\ddeexec]
@="[open(\"%1\")]"

2) A much simpler solution would be to use the Inventor API to open the file:

ThisApplication.Documents.Open(NFName & ".stp")

I hope this helps.

Cheers