Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
(OP)
Hello All,
I tried creating some menu files for NX9 but ran into problems.
1 - Starting a dll with arguments.
2 - Showing menus depending on application
I tried creating some menu files for NX9 but ran into problems.
1 - Starting a dll with arguments.
in an earlier posting I asked a question on how to start a dll with arguments from the ribbon. Below solution was working for the ribbon tabs.
BUTTON Illustrator_CGM
LABEL Illustrator CGM Export
MESSAGE Export CGM for Adobe Illustrator
BITMAP $SITE_PREF_PATH\ForEngineDocsCGM\Startup\Plotcgm4Illustrator.bmp
ACTION $SITE_PREF_PATH\ForEngineDocsCGM\ForEngineDocs_Plotcgm.dll("Ai")
This is however not working for a menu (.men) file... ACTION is not recognized but needs to be ACTIONS for some reason.
And also when changed to ACTIONS apperently the argument ("Ai") is also not recognized
BUTTON Illustrator_CGM
LABEL Illustrator CGM Export
MESSAGE Export CGM for Adobe Illustrator
BITMAP $SITE_PREF_PATH\ForEngineDocsCGM\Startup\Plotcgm4Illustrator.bmp
ACTION $SITE_PREF_PATH\ForEngineDocsCGM\ForEngineDocs_Plotcgm.dll("Ai")
This is however not working for a menu (.men) file... ACTION is not recognized but needs to be ACTIONS for some reason.
And also when changed to ACTIONS apperently the argument ("Ai") is also not recognized
2 - Showing menus depending on application
When I place the Ribbon files in the Applications Profiles directory the ribbons will only appear with the application they are created for.
e.g toolbars in UG_APP_DRAFTING directory will only show in drafting and not in modeling.
How can I accomplish the same with menu files? Placing them in the application folder doesn't work. As far as I have experienced the menu files will only work when placed in the site Startup folder or any folder defined in Custom-dirs.dat
e.g toolbars in UG_APP_DRAFTING directory will only show in drafting and not in modeling.
How can I accomplish the same with menu files? Placing them in the application folder doesn't work. As far as I have experienced the menu files will only work when placed in the site Startup folder or any folder defined in Custom-dirs.dat
Ronald van den Broek
Senior Application Engineer
Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd
NX9 / TC10.1.2
Building new PLM environment from Scratch using NX11 / TC11





RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
If you modify a standard NX toolbar or menu (for example, the Assemblies toolbar), and you want the modified version to appear when the appropriate application is opened, you should place your customized file in the application directory. If you have a new toolbar or menu, you should place it in the startup directory, so it will load in addition to other startup items when NX starts up. (New toolbars and menus in the application directory are ignored.)
So, with that being said, if you're modifying an existing NX pulldown or toolbar, put your files in an application directory at the bottom of the tree of whatever your custom_dirs.dat file defines. If you're adding a pulldown or toolbar, put them in startup.
We use the GM Toolkit and it adds a bunch of commands with a new menu pulldown as well as a Tab (maybe more than 1 Tab, can't recall off hand). All of the .men, .rtb & .tbr files reside in a Startup folder as defined in custom_dirs.dat. I believe .tbr files are a thing of the past, but I could be wrong - cannot recall since I just went with interactive interface customization & use a Role to restore my interface during startup.
If that doesn't work I'd call GTAC.
Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 9.0.2.5 Win7 Enterprise x64 SP1
Intel Core i7 2.5GHz 16GB RAM
4GB NVIDIA Quadro K3100M
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
That is not completely true...I have created new ribbons, placed them in the application folder and they work fine, and show only in the dedicated application.
But this is beside the question...I would like the same behavior for the menu files...and there (indeed) it doesn't work.
Ronald van den Broek
Senior Application Engineer
Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd
NX9 / TC10.1.2
Building new PLM environment from Scratch using NX11 / TC11
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
Re-read my post above - I edited it.
Going by the GM Toolkit - this is an instance where they've created NEW menu & ribbon tabs. They are ALL placed in the Startup folder. That works, as we get the menu pulldown regardless of application. I would also double check that the Startup or Application folder name has the first letter capitalized.
I am not saying that the docs are correct - I'm just giving you that info as well as giving an example that DOES work day in & day out with the GM Toolkit. If it doesn't work and you're SURE you're doing it right, then call GTAC. I have only the information you've provided & I have no clue if you're using .rtb files, how your custom_dirs.dat file is set up, etc. As you previously experienced, a SINGLE mistake in any of that causes the whole customization to not work correctly.
Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 9.0.2.5 Win7 Enterprise x64 SP1
Intel Core i7 2.5GHz 16GB RAM
4GB NVIDIA Quadro K3100M
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 9.0.2.5 Win7 Enterprise x64 SP1
Intel Core i7 2.5GHz 16GB RAM
4GB NVIDIA Quadro K3100M
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
New RTB's and Men files. The contents setup is copied from existing ones...
Two things are not according to what I would like...
What would be the correct way of stating an argument inside a men file?
I did see however this statement in one men file but that is not doing what I think it should.
MODIFY
APPLICATION_BUTTON UG_APP_DRAFTING
MENU_FILES/APPEND Documentation.men
END_OF_MODIFY
Ronald van den Broek
Senior Application Engineer
Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd
NX9 / TC10.1.2
Building new PLM environment from Scratch using NX11 / TC11
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
As far as the arguments, I've never come across anything in the docs that state they are supported, but that's mainly up to NX9 - obviously the NX11 docs are a bit more detailed with the ribbon interface and you might find something in there. If you don't find any info on it, call GTAC if you can.
Again, sorry I could not help more.
Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 9.0.2.5 Win7 Enterprise x64 SP1
Intel Core i7 2.5GHz 16GB RAM
4GB NVIDIA Quadro K3100M
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
No Problem :) at least you are thinking about it...and giving some good pointers...I will have a look at the NX11 docs.
The oficial document (NX Ribbon - Customization and Transition) from NX9 unfortunatley only shows the improvements, not the whole setup...
Anyhow...thanks a lot for your help!
Ronald van den Broek
Senior Application Engineer
Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd
NX9 / TC10.1.2
Building new PLM environment from Scratch using NX11 / TC11
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
-I assume that you have seen this guide ?
https://download.industrysoftware.automation.sieme...
I am in the process of attempting to add a few buttons to start Journals, to the Home tab, for a specific group only.
Regards,
Tomas
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
Yeah, already have that... Didn't help :)
Ronald van den Broek
Senior Application Engineer
Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd
NX9 / TC10.1.2
Building new PLM environment from Scratch using NX11 / TC11
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
EDIT UG_GATEWAY_MAIN_MENUBAR
MODIFY
APPLICATION_BUTTON UG_APP_DRAFTING
MENU_FILES Documentation.men
END_OF_MODIFY
Assuming that Documentation.men is defined correctly, the menu should only be available in drafting.
RE: Menu Files - differences compared to ribbon files
#offtopic All exited about the Dark Tower movie?
Ronald van den Broek
Senior Application Engineer
Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd
NX9 / TC10.1.2
Building new PLM environment from Scratch using NX11 / TC11