Topic: StyleSheet property for layouts

[T.Willey]

I am reworking my batch plot routine.  I have run into a problem that has existed for a while in my old one, but didn't know about until I started rewriting it.  For some reason I can set the "StyleSheet" property in some drawing instances, but not all.  The help says that it is read/write, so I'm really lost now.  Has anyone else seen this?  Here is a quote from the command line to show what I mean.
Thanks for any help.

Command: (findfile (strcat (getenv "PrinterStyleSheetDir") "\\" "3m-a-b-tim.ctb"))
"C:\\ACADSUPP2004\\Plot Styles\\3m-a-b-tim.ctb"

Command: (progn
(_> (setq ActDoc (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-Acad-Object)))
(_>     (setq ActLayout (vla-get-ActiveLayout ActDoc))
(_> )
#<VLA-OBJECT IAcadLayout 0ec3bbc4>

Command: (vlax-property-available-p actlayout 'stylesheet)
T

Command: (vla-put-stylesheet actlayout "3m-a-b-tim.ctb")
; error: Automation Error. Invalid input

Command: (vlax-property-available-p actlayout 'stylesheet T)
T

Command: (vla-put-stylesheet actlayout "3m-a-b-tim.ctb")
; error: Automation Error. Invalid input

[Jeff_M]

Tim, I can duplicate this by trying to set the stylesheet property to "acad.ctb" when PSTYLEMODE is 0, as it is expecting a type of .stb.

[T.Willey]

Thanks Jeff, but this happens when I have pstylemode set to 1.  You have given me a place to start though.  I didn't think to check all the system variables.  I will do that now.  Here is the error from the command line.  Post back if I find anything.

Command: pstylemode

PSTYLEMODE = 1 (read only)
Command: (progn
(_> (setq ActDoc (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-Acad-Object)))
(_>     (setq ActLayout (vla-get-ActiveLayout ActDoc))
(_> )
#<VLA-OBJECT IAcadLayout 02a995e4>

Command: (vla-put-stylesheet actlayout "3m-a-b-tim.ctb")
; error: Automation Error. Invalid input

Command: (vla-put-stylesheet actlayout "acad.ctb")
; error: Automation Error. Invalid input

[Jeff_M]

Could you email a drawing to me that this occurs in? miff@sonic.net
What does (vla-get-stylesheet actlayout) return?

[T.Willey]

Just sent it.  Here is from the command line.

Command: (vla-get-stylesheet actlayout)
"z-3M-FERE-Mechanical-Default.ctb"

I have read other post that have had the same problem when trying to do this with VBA.  I didn't see any real solution.  I will continue to look.

Thanks again.

[T.Willey]

Looks like the answer was you have to refres the plot device first.  After that it seems to work.  In my code I just added this line before setting the StyleSheet.

(vla-RefreshPlotDeviceInfo ActLayout)

It worked on the drawings that it was erroring on before.  I will continue to use it, and post back if it errors still.

Thanks Jeff for the help.

[CAB]

The error occurs when you try to put a ctb style in a stb drawing.
perhaps?

Code: [Select]

(if (= 0 (getvar "pstylemode")) ; STB - Named plot styles

[Jeff_M]

Tim, I was just about to post about using the RefreshPlotDeviceInfo. I'm glad you found it. I saw someone else mention that this error will occur if the PlotDevice is set to "None", but I could not duplicate this.

Alan, that's what I suggested in my first post up above.....

[CAB]

Sorry Jeff I see it now
I think I need to get some sleep, the deprivation has caught up to me.

[T.Willey]

Just an update.  This also looks as if it fixed my other problem, in which I couldn't use extents with scale to fit, but now it seems to work correctly.

If anyway wants the code I can post it.  It allows one to print from one directory with different ctb files.  I have all my page setups in one drawing file, and I reference that through ObjectDBX, and put that into a list to be able to select.  Then you can select multiple ctb files to print with.  I don't know how many others would want it, but if so then I can post it.  It's not super pretty, but it works.

Thanks again.

[deegeecees]

Tim,
I'd have a look at it.

I have a VBA batch plot macro that is VERY unstable when plotting many files (like 200 or so). I get mixed results with different puters so I'm guessing that some of the lesser ones run out of RAM.

[CAB]

Tim,
I would like to take a look.

[T.Willey]

Okay.  Here you go.  I have (hopfully) included all the subs that are needed.  In the "GetPlotStyles" sub you will have to change this line (and this is how it is labeled in the lisp file) to find where you store all your page setups.

Code: [Select]

(vla-Open dbxApp "C:/Custom/Drawings/3M-DIMv02.dwg");<------ CHANGE TO LOCATION OF DRAWING WITH ALL THE PLOT CONFIGURATIONS.

Let me know anything.  Comments, improvements.. whatever.
Thanks.

[deegeecees]

Thanks Tim.