BATCH OUT PDF FILES ? 1

[jkcone]

Hello
Does anyone know if it's possible to "batch" export/print PDF files of all NX6 drawings in an assembly or folder?

James

 

[FrankSwinks]

James,

What I planned was to use a similar type of program. NX has a number of standalone program that runs in the operating system. My only difference is that I add a dialog interface instead of using command line switches. If, however, you cannot run any such programs I see no value with proceding with any programming for your requirements.

What I had in mind was to have a dialog similar to the attached image (but different). A user would select either a directory or an assembly part. The NX parts would be displayed as a list. If required some naming relationship for the PDF files could be selected/defined. Also a directory for the output files could be selected/created. Finally some form of progress information would, I think, be useful.

Frank Swinkels

 

[jkcone]

Frank
Thanks very much for your continued help on the matter.

I like the sound of your proposal & the look of your interface.

Let me give the "FileAttributesNX6.exe" another try using your Feb. 25th instructions. I'll let you know the results as soon as I can.

Later,
James

 

[jkcone]

Frank,
I've tried a number of times using the instructions from the Feb 25 post but still get the same Windows error as before "fileattributesnx6 has stopped working". The only guess I have is the problem is due to the difference between our install paths & or differences between our operating systems.
I'd very much like to get this program & a batch pdf program working. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks,
James

 

[FrankSwinks]

James,

Sorry but I cannot offer any further suggestions.

Frank Swinkels

 

[jkcone]

Frank
Is it possible the difference in our NX install paths is the problem?

Thanks,
James

 

[FrankSwinks]

James

The install paths is not important if you use a separate command prompt shortcut.

The attached jpeg shows a section of my desktop and the properties window. What is important is that the target is set correct and the start in is set correct. It is here that your correct paths are set. You then have no conflict with your installed NX. Also included is a text file showing the lines. You should be able to make this suitable for your system.

Finally I have also included the program again. I have made some changes which allows the dialog to be shown more quickly.

If this does not do it for you I am out of any ideas.

Frank Swinkels

 

[jkcone]

Per the instructions above.
I've edited my command prompt to this:
Target: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe /k C:\Program Files (x86)\UGS\NX 6.0\ugii\ugiicmd.bat "C:\Program Files (x86)\UGS\NX 6.0\"
Start in: "C:\Program Files (x86)\UGS\NX 6.0\UGII\managed"
I've placed the latest "FileAttributesNX6.exe" file in the "managed" folder.
I double click on the command prompt & type in "FileAttributesNX6".
At this point I get the same Windows alert saying "FileAttributesNX6" has stopped working.

I feel like I'm following the instructions exactly taking into account my particular systems path.

Has anyone else ran this "FileAttributesNX6.exe" ?
If so how did you get it to work ?
I'd realy like to know what I'm doing wrong!

Thanks,
James

 

[FrankSwinks]

Place double quotes for the file "C:\Program Files (x86)\UGS\NX 6.0\" name in the startup line. One set of quotes is for beiging able to contain the spaces when reading the file name from the command prompt. The second set of quotes are needed because ugiicmd.bat uses this file name also as a switch. You therefore need to have it look like ""C:\Program Files (x86)\UGS\NX 6.0\"".

Frank Swinkels

 

[man2007]

Here is a link that helps you to edit NX part file attributes outside NX (without opening NX)
Read "Exposing NX attributes to Windows Explorer" article from this link :

http://nxway.blogspot.com/

(Please check if this trick works for NX6 and NX7.5 also)

Agreed that PartAttributes.exe is much more capable of doing the task, but above link is worth reading.

 

[jkcone]

Thanks man2007 for the info, I'll check it out.

Have you ran any of the "FileAttributes.exe" programs attached to earlier posts in this thread?

James

 

[man2007]

I have not yet tried it, since the file is blocked here in our company, as per IT Policy. Will give a try once I download it and send it to my company ID

 

[MarckyMON]

Hi,

What you could do is develop an external NX program (using C, C++, .NET, whatever you are comfortable with) which would print out the drawings you need as postscript (PS), using a printer that you would need to set up. You can then use GhostScript to generate a PDF from the postscript.

I've developed a very similar program, but it is launched internally (in an interactive NX session).

Marc
NX Software Developer

 

[cowski]

Sorry for the extremely late reply; after a change in employers I totally forgot about this thread. One of the other similar threads jogged my memory but then I ran into a bug I had trouble tracking down. Killed it thanks to a BBS user named 'sgann'.

Anyway, here is a basic journal that will let you select a directory and export pdf's of all the files (those that have drawing sheets anyway).

Consider it as a foundation for what you are trying to do and customize it as needed.