Using the Apprentice Server to extract dxf files of sheet metal parts

[ewcler]

Could the FileSaveAs property of the ApprenticeServerComponent be used in some way to export a dxf of a flat pattern? If it could, then I could reduce the opportunity for errors due to old versions of files being cut by our laser operators.  Basically if someone forgets to export an update after an edit is made, then our laser operators could inadvertently cut an old version. But, if we could set it up so that they created the dxf file when they were ready to program the part, they would always have the latest version. It would be a deal breaker if we had to set up a full version of Inventor on their machines to do this.  

Thanks in advance!

[Owner2229]

Hi. Well, you can't use the FileSaveAs, but you can try this instead:

Note: It can't create the flat pattern (unfold the sheet metal).

Dim iApp As New ApprenticeServerComponent
Dim oDoc As ApprenticeServerDocument = iApp.Open("SourceFile")

If oDoc.DocumentSubType.DocumentSubTypeID = "{9C464203-9BAE-11D3-8BAD-0060B0CE6BB4}" Then
    Dim oCD As ComponentDefinition = oDoc.ComponentDefinition
    If oCD.HasFlatPattern Then
        Dim sFN As String = oDoc.FullFileName
        Dim LNP As Integer = InStrRev(sFN, ".", -1)
        sFN = Left(sFN, oLP) & "dxf"

        Dim sOut As String = "FLAT PATTERN DXF?AcadVersion=R12"

        Try
            oCD.DataIO.WriteDataToFile(sOut, sFN)
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.Message)
        End Try
    End If
End If

oDoc.Close()
iApp.Close()

[ewcler]

Mike, 

Sorry for the really late reply...

I tried this in Visual Studio and I included a COM reference to the Inventor library, but the code errors out on the iApp.open method. 

Any ideas on what I am missing? 

[Owner2229]

Hey Eddie, the code should work as you have it (you've even corrected "oLP" to "LNP") in:

sFN = Left(sFN, LNP) & "dxf"

So, my guess would be it's either Visual Studio issue or the apprentice doesn't like that the file is in temp folder.

Try moving the file to e.g. your desktop.

You can also try running VS as admin.

You also can't run the code from another thread *.

You also can't run the code from a service *.

If everything fails you can try playing with your target CPU (Any 64-bit, Any 32-bit, etc.).

* You can but it requires some extra work.