iLogic to export PDF to mimic file structure

[To_Efficiency_and_Beyond]

To preface this request, I would like to say that we don't currently have vault. We will eventually get vault, but it will take quite a while. This will save a huge amount of time in the interim. 

I have already successfully created a rule that:

1. updates the active drawing in various ways

2. saves

3. creates a pdf in the same location as the drawing file

4. closes the drawing

I am very happy with this progress, but if I am able to go a step further, it would same a ton of time for future workflows.  Here is my goal:

The drawing is saved in a project folder, and will be 1 to 5 sub-folders deep

(ex1. Example Project Folder 123\02 Sector 1\03 Frame\01 Frame Plates\Frame Plate 01.dwg)

(ex2. Example Project Folder 456\01 GA\GENERAL ARRANGEMENT.dwg)

I want the PDF saved in a different folder structure that mimics where the drawing is located.

I would like the rule to backtrack up the file structure until it finds a folder called "$Fabrication Data" and then navigate to or create the required sub-folders to mimic the original location. The PDF save location would be as follows:

(ex1. Example Project Folder 123\$Fabrication Data\02 Sector 1\03 Frame\01 Frame Plates\Frame Plate 01.pdf)

(ex2. Example Project Folder 456\$Fabrication Data\01 GA\GENERAL ARRANGEMENT.pdf)

[Ralf_Krieg]

Hello

You can try this function.

Private Function GetPath(oDrawDoc As DrawingDocument) As String

Dim sFullDocumentPath As String = IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(oDrawDoc.FullDocumentName)
Dim aPathParts() As String = Strings.Split(sFullDocumentPath, "\")

For i=0 To UBound(aPathParts)
	sNewPath = snewpath & aPathparts(i) & "\"
	If IO.Directory.Exists(sNewPath & "\$Fabrication Data") Then
		sNewPath=sNewPath & "$Fabrication Data\"
	End If	
Next

Return snewpath
End Function

Call it from your sub via

Dim MyDrawDoc as DrawingDocument=ThisDoc.Document
Dim mySavePath as String = GetPath(myDrawDoc)

AFAIK the save methods to export a PDF creates all folders that are missing in the given save path (if you have proper rights).

[To_Efficiency_and_Beyond]

For some reason I can't get this to work. I tried running just the piece you supplied and put in a line to display the sNewPath value in a message box, no message box would appear. No error is displayed when the code is run, but it seems to prevent itself from finishing.

[Ralf_Krieg · Accepted solution]

Hello

Tested it again and for me it worked. I wrote it in a little test rule with soma additional checks.

Sub Main

	Dim oApp As Inventor.Application = ThisApplication

	If oApp.Documents.Count = 0 
		MsgBox("A drawing document must be open and active",,"iLogic")	
		Exit Sub
	End If

	If Not oApp.ActiveDocumentType=DocumentTypeEnum.kDrawingDocumentObject Then
		MsgBox("A drawing document must be open and active",,"iLogic")
		Exit Sub
	End If

	Dim MyDrawDoc As DrawingDocument=ThisDoc.Document

	If MyDrawDoc.FullDocumentName = "" Then
		MsgBox("The drawing document needs to be saved before", , "iLogic")
		Exit Sub
	End If
		
	Dim mySavePath As String = GetPath(MyDrawDoc)
	
	MsgBox(mySavePath)

End Sub

Private Function GetPath(oDrawDoc As DrawingDocument) As String

Try
	
	Dim sFullDocumentPath As String = IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(oDrawDoc.FullDocumentName)
	Dim aPathParts() As String = Strings.Split(sFullDocumentPath, "\")

	For i=0 To UBound(aPathParts)
		sNewPath = snewpath & aPathparts(i) & "\"
		If IO.Directory.Exists(sNewPath & "\$Fabrication Data") Then
			sNewPath = sNewPath & "$Fabrication Data\"
			bFound = True
		End If	
	Next
	
	'onlöy return path if folder $Fabrication Data was found
	If bfound=True Then
		Return snewpath
	Else
		Return Nothing
	End If
	
Catch ex As Exception
	MsgBox(ex)
	Return Nothing
End Try

End Function

[To_Efficiency_and_Beyond]

I see 🙂 it works very well! I got it implemented with my publishing code. Now the only issue is that it wont create missing folders xD Very very close here! Your code was brilliant, I was just not understanding.

I inserted this into Sub Main:

If Not System.IO.Directory.Exists(mySavePath) Then 
    System.IO.Directory.CreateDirectory(mySavePath)
End If

 Now all is perfect! I really appreciate the help!!

[To_Efficiency_and_Beyond]

I would like to display a warning message if the PDF already exist. The user would then have the option "yes" to proceed with publishing or "No" to stop the rule for running. I tried this and it ran, but it overrode the existing PDF and didnt display a warning first:

	If System.IO.Directory.Exists(oDataMedium.FileName) Then Answer = MessageBox.Show("PDF ALready Exists. Override?", "WARNING", MessageBoxButtons.YesNo)

		If Answer = vbNo Then
			Return
		Else
		End If

[Ralf_Krieg]

Hello

If you want to know a file exist, then don't ask for directory exist.

If System.IO.File.Exists(oDataMedium.FileName) Then Answer = MessageBox.Show("PDF Already Exists. Override?", "WARNING", MessageBoxButtons.YesNo)
If Answer = vbNo Then
	Return
Else
	
End If