Multiple Tool Palette Paths via Toolbar

[chughes]

Is it possible to add multiple paths to the toolpalettepath variable, via the toolpalettepath command?

IE, I would like to have this, using the toolpalettepath command.

What I am working to do is have tool palettes accessed by a toolbar, but for the AEC routines to work, I need to always have the workspacecatalog palette pathed.

Thanks.

[Ranjit_Singh]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is it possible to add multiple paths to the toolpalettepath variable, via the toolpalettepath command?

IE, I would like to have this, using the toolpalettepath command.

What I am working to do is have tool palettes accessed by a toolbar, but for the AEC routines to work, I need to always have the workspacecatalog palette pathed.

Thanks.

---

Yes. When adding through command line, use a semicolon to separate multiple paths.

[chughes]

Thanks for the response, and that is what I suspected it would be.  I originally tried the semicolon inside and outside of the quotes for the path, ie:

"C:/Users/%username%/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/ACA 2017/enu/Support/WorkspaceCatalog (Imperial)";"S:/01 AutoCAD/01 Palettes/06 CDP Legacy/Tool Palettes-Site"

and 

"C:/Users/%username%/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/ACA 2017/enu/Support/WorkspaceCatalog (Imperial);S:/01 AutoCAD/01 Palettes/06 CDP Legacy/Tool Palettes-Site"

but I am not getting the expected result with either attempt.

Below is the context that I am using it in, as a command in a toolbar button:

[Ranjit_Singh]

Try after removing quotation marks that you have around each path.

[chughes]

Removing the quotes causes it to break at the space between ACA and 2017.  The quotes preserve the path, I believe.

[cadffm · Accepted solution]

*_TOOLPALETTEPATH;(strcat "C:/Users/" (getenv"Username") "/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2013 - Deutsch/" (chr 59) "C:/Users/" (getenv"Username") "/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2013 - Deutsch/R19.0/")

4example

[chughes]

CADffm, you got me on the right track.  The subtle little (chr 59) was the key.  Below is the final command.  I rewrote it as a setvar.

^C^Csetvar "*_toolpalettepath" (strcat "C:/Users/%username%/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/ACA 2017/enu/Support/WorkspaceCatalog (Imperial)" (chr 59) "S:/01 AutoCAD/01 Palettes/06 CDP Legacy/Tool Palettes-Site");TP;

This will allow me fine control over the displayed palettes, as well as maintaining the ACA functionality by keeping the Ribbon Tools palette pathed.

Thanks for the help guys!

[JBerns]

Can you explain the benefit of having multiple paths for the option, Tool Palettes File Locations?

AutoCAD Help lists only a single path.

Does the path order matter as it does for the Support File Search Path?

Regards,

Jerry

[cadffm]

OT @Anonymous
General for multiple pathes (it is a feature added after toolpalettes appears the first time)

It is one option to easily build a palette set (central stored palettes) for different user (group)s.
FolderA,B,C,D,E
User A get access to palettes of FolderA&B
User B to FolderA and C-E andson on.

And you for the possibility to have enterprise palettes AND user defined Palettes.
Enterprise palettes for example centeal on server with no write rights, and at another location, for the user customize oalettes for example in a personal user folder with write rights.

The question about the order i can not answer so easy in english, sorry.
It is important in with order you attach the folder to the profile.
That is not the same as the the order of pathes in *_toolpalettepath.
Sorry, it is really a bit hard to explain for me.
It is important for: Only one path is the "current" Path for Toolpalette customizing, the path where acad try to edit or add your next edits of the toolpalette.

[chughes]

The primary reason I needed multiple paths was to maintain ribbon tool functionality *and* add my own palettes that were located in a shared standards folder.  Many of the ACA ribbon tools are tied to the "enu/Support/WorkspaceCatalog (Imperial)" path.  If I tried to path only to my shared standards folder, I would lose my ribbon functionality.  I needed to add a path and keep the WorkspaceCatalog path.

The upside is I can add several paths to different folders, which allows me to have a nice structured palette folder setup, as well as allowing me granular control over what palettes I want to display.

I have not noticed the order making a difference, but I did place the WorkspaceCatalog path first.  I have not experimented and rearranged my original setup to see if the order changes.

[JBerns]

Thank you for the responses. So with each path added to Tool Palettes File Location, you can load more palettes.

Now the challenge becomes to manage these.

Can you share an "enterprise" palette, yet allow users to reorder or edit content? Edits would need to effect only the user's workstation and not globally.

Is there any way to automatically or programatically import tool palette groups using LISP, VB, other?

Regards,

Jerry

[cadffm]

Is that your question, do YOU need a answer?

<Can you share an "enterprise" palette, >
Yes
<yet allow users to reorder>
Ever, and thats a problem. The (one time created) order is stored in the user profile.

<or edit content?>
Edit like erase or add tools, yes.
But this is a bad practice and not well to handle.

< Edits would need to effect only the user's workstation and not globally.>
Sobit is simply, copy the content to user specific folders.
But then: where is the enterprise part of this?


<Is there any way to automatically or programatically import tool palette groups using LISP, VB, other?>
I can write only for Lisp(and user input by commandline)
No command or API access for groups.
Only import as xpg and file editing of *aws, which need the profile isn't used at this moment.

I am hoping thats the truth (i am away from acad, so i can not my statement by myself)

[JBerns]

Correct, I am looking for an answer to these questions.

Is it possible to create shared palettes, yet allow users to edit the content? By edit I mean the order of items on the palette and the properties of an item. For example, a dynamic block's visibility state may have different preferences for each user.

Regards,

Jerry 

[chughes]

One of the reasons for the shared palette is to prohibit users from organizing, adding, and deleting content.  I don’t want or need them rearranging the content.  Actually, I want them thinking about the content of the palette as little as possible.  I just want them to have the content they need when they need it, on the same palette, and in the same location on the palette, each time.  I manage this by file locking the palettes in the folders.

As far as importing groups, I have a series of toolbar buttons that load a palette group.  The palette group isn't a group in the typical Autocad sense, but is instead the series of loaded tool palette paths.  IE, if a user is detailing sections, they would hit the 'Detail' toolbar button.  The script for the 'Detail' button loads the palette paths that contains the users Ribbon tools, the shared Annotation palette, the shared Wood Section palette, the shared Finish Section palette, and the shared Waterproofing Section palette.  All other palettes (doors, windows, walls, etc) go away, visually, for the time being, until the user hits another toolbar to work on different content.

[cadffm]

"By edit I mean the order of items on the palette"

Like i state above: The Order is EVER in users hand after loading the palette.

"and the properties of an item. For example, a dynamic block's visibility state may have different preferences for each user."

This is content of the definition of tool. Every edit (if allowed) is saved in the source palette file.

And i am doesn't thinking you want to give all user write-right to a "enterprise" Palette,

because all other new user defined palettes (of all users) would saved in the current toolpalettepath and caatalog file.

I would add 1,2,3... enterprise palettes read-only and one other folder for user customizing.

User can create and edit own palettes and if wanted they can copy a tool from the enterprise palette(s)

and add it to own palette.

[JBerns]

Not each designer is the same. Wouldn't it be more productive if users
could arrange palette items to suit their preference?
In the case of dynamic blocks with multiple visibility states or sizes,
wouldn't it be more productive to allows users to customize each element
for the state or size they use most often? Enforcing conformity does not
necessarily result in improved productivity for all.

It would be helpful if tool palette offered individual customization.

Respectfully,
Jerry

[cadffm]

As i mention before, i would also add a user customize folder where he/she can create own palettes.

Force the standard, but give the possibility to make own stuff.

Sometimes as cad manager i have to make sure all needed functions are available and
you can not manage item/files well where users have write rights.

Users with more experience have no problems with that so long you allow the individual customizing parallel and for user with less experience it is one time more important to save the content of standard palettes.

[ripato]

I create a palette and palette groupings but the issue is that it does not automatically raise those created "XTP" files.
Could someone tell me how to auto-lift them automatically?
From already thank you very much

[cadffm]

Xpg Xtp are for import/export only.
What is your goal?
Copy the whole/Normal Folder and/or set your supportpath to this folder..
You can not import PaletteGroups by lisp or gui(except by importing a xpg).

[ripato]

The intention is to update palette in users unattended
the xpg and xtp files copy them to the folder
"C: \ Users \ xxxxxxxxx \ AppData \ Roaming \ Autodesk \ Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2015 \ R20.0 \ enu \ support \ ToolPalette \ Palettes"
but when I start the map I do not think neither the palette nor the groups created

How can I get them up?

thank you already