Scripting

[Klox]

Hu,
I have grasp the idea of scripting....eventually (i feel like an idiot confessing this). As i understand scripting is done in Basic. From the posts i've read you wrote about (mostly at the BobCAD support forum) scripting i know you must be a Pro.

Could you give me pointers on books about Basic?

Thanx
Klox

[HuFlungDung]

(chuckling at the funny little image in your post)

Klox, I'd hate to give you references that wouldn't help you much because Bobcad's scripting language is ......homemade
I guess the general rules of logic apply, but when unknown traps are lurking under the surface of what should be straight-forward, it can be frustrating.

I've picked up so many bits of info from all over, that I really couldn't point to any book and say: "This is what I used". Studying scripts that other people wrote (ie., scripts that came with Bobcad, plus other cool people that took the time to help me out, like James Bond0h) is where I learned to do it.

The basic principles of what they call Boolean logic, I think, is sort of the starting point: how to work with IF THEN statements, how to make loops, use AND and OR, and ELSE and ELSEIF. Then you have the different types of variables, and how to set them up and call them, how to use a debug tool to test your logic.

I poured over the vb scripting manual that came with Bobcad a lot, trying to understand the rules of syntax (the exact way of writing a command). A bit of study conducted on the internet on unknown terms revealed a lot of material to help clue me on on what I wasn't familiar with.

But, by far, learning by studying other scripts is by far the best tool to learn with. I usually pursued specific ideas that I wanted to encapsulate in a script, and in doing that, went down lots of dead ends of course, but even those teach you something. What do they say: "If you've made a lot of mistakes in a given field, you gain experience, but if you make all the mistakes, then you are an expert" I'm getting close

[hardmill]

Originally posted by HuFlungDung (chuckling at the funny little image in your post) But, by far, learning by studying other scripts is by far the best tool to learn with. I usually pursed specific ideas that I wanted to encapsulate in a script, and in doing that, went down lots of dead ends of course, but even those teach you something. What do they say: "If you've made a lot of mistakes in a given field, you gain experience, but if you make all the mistakes, then you are an expert" I'm getting close

Well said Hu !!

[Klox]

Thanx for your quick replies. The one thing life taught me is that humor takes the bumpiness out of every road we might take.
I try doing some scripts on my own, i'll either swim or drown!!!

Enjoy your weekend!

Klox

[sorincnc]

Originally posted by Klox .I try doing some scripts on my own, i'll either swim or drown!!! Enjoy your weekend! Klox

Klox,
What do you have to loose???? Remember, nothing is lost as long you learn something. What I tell all the guys thatt I train is to print as much scripts as possible and the take them one at the time and read them over and over until things seem to make sense when they try to run them. If you go to the "Special\scripts" comand you will be able to select a script and then "execute" it. On the bottom of the script selection window there is a box that you can check called "STEP". This will take through the script step by step (kind like single block on a CNC machine). This is especially good when running a script for the first time because you will find out where the mistake is (most of the time).
Hope this helps,
Sorin

[Kookaburra]

Everyone,

I must add that experience is the best way. I also must add on BobCAD's behalf that their manual shows in great detail how to get from drawing to g-code, well done BobCAD!!! Scripting is a very advanced option and I must admit a very nice option indeed, I use it all the time to create my own drawing and g-code programming facilities and I have found that if you know the fundamentals of basic programming and how scripting works, then most of the information you need to have success is in the BobCAD Manual. I must ask this question, when you buy a car you are given a manual that explains where all of the buttons are and what they do but author of the manual will expect that you at least know how to drive the car.

[Klox]

Kookaburra,
Nice to hear from you!
I'm actually a BobWIRE user and i haven't had the need for scripting in BobWIRE yet. The guys i am competing against in my neighbourhood either uses PEPS, MasterCAM, HCAM or even Cameo (can you believe it!).

I got myself BobCAD V18 a while ago and being inquisitive by nature i am checking out scripting. I must admit that i am using V18 a lot as a vehicle to import DXF and IGES files from other packages as it is more powerfull as V16.

I do not have much time to play around with scripting, i have done one experimental script and i see that it would take time to get the hang of it. I must say that it is very interesting!

See you,

Klox

[Kookaburra]

Klox,

when you get into scripting and get good at it, it veryyyyy hard to
stop thinking about all the possibilities, the fact that you can manipulate both the nc code and the geometry is beautiful. To get a handle on it first have a look at the sample scripts issued with BCC V18 and work out how the dialogue and variables work then do some script recording eg: set record on and draw a line, then open the script and edit the actual values to be variables, set your code to bring up a pop up window to ask you the values that will be assigned to the variables you have stipulated and see how you go. Once you have the basics it it not a hard climb from there. If you wish you can contact me and I will be happy to help you get started.

[Klox]

Kookaburra,
Thanks for the generous offer. First question: Scripting does it "happen" in Basic or Virtual Basic?

Please type a teeny weeny bit slower the next time as i am a slow reader! LOL

Just pulling your leg!!!

Klox

[Kookaburra]

Klox,

I would suggest you would call it virtual basic because you are dealing with a piece of software that houses its own library of required statements for calling on functions within the software itself and there are some minor differences in how you arrange the whole program to best work. But if a basic programmer had to learn the scripting environment within BobCAD it would not take much time to get a grasp of what is going on.

For example, in a script you can automatically create a layer, select a line, divide a line, create an arc, etc. These are special cad functions that have to align with a piece of software that can interperet them and perform an on-screen outcome. So I guess BobCAD to a certain extent had to change the "so called normal" to make things work.

Typed slower this time by holding a coffee in one hand and typing with the other.

Clear as Mud ?

[Jennifer]

Hey Guys!

Every time I try to get into this scripting thing my computer freezes up. I've got the "Intro to BOBCAD Basic..." and following along, doing nothing more than the first exercise (rectangle w/circle) to record a script...I try to play it back...computer rigor mortise. Doesn't make it seem too friendly.

Any thoughts?

Jen

[Kookaburra]

Jen,

Did you edit the script to define all of the variables, popup window, etc. If so, can you give me a better description of what the PC is doing. Are there any error messages or does it just sit there in crash land. Usually this comes from a slight glitch in the scripting code. I will be happy to look at it for you. Feel free to e-mail me the *.bas file for some trouble shooting. A small problem it will be.