Topic: Create and how to open help file in chm or pdf format.?

[MP]

I've been using this one
http://www.ibe-software.com/products/software/helpndoc/

..I think Mark posted this a while back.. :kewl:

Thank you Daniel / Mark. I used it for about an hour before  I bought a license. Easy / clean, produces chm and html. What's not to like.

[Mark]

And how can they be opened.?

I haven't tried it but 'startapp' might do the trick.

[sinc]

Almost all the replies are about creating chm is this meaning that a pdf can not be openend in AutoCAD.?

No, they can.

I think the reason I prefer HTML help to PDF help is that the HTML will justify to fit the window you have open.  If you resize the window, the text will adjust to fit.  Line lengths change, etc.

With PDF help, WYSIWYG.  The text is basically "frozen" in place.  You can zoom and pan it, but it doesn't automatically refit itself to the window.  That has it's advantages, too, but I generally prefer the HTML version for help.

[MP]

And how can they be opened?

Sorry MvdP, I missed this post. I've never opened a PDF from within AutoCAD.

As Sinc shared, standard help files would be my preference and I think the most flexible, since imagery can be embedded in chm files along with rich text, the latter being easy to resize / flow per the container.

[hendie]

I would go for the free MS chm compiler. I've used it a lot in the past and it's reasonably good.
NAD the good thing about using chm files is that you can merge them into the original AutoCAD help file system ~ so you don't need to worry abotu creating a button just for your own stuff ~ open up the Acad help and there's you own stuff right in there with it.

[Crank]

And how can they be opened.?

The next code always uses your default viewer. Filename must include the extension.

Code: [Select]

(defun pdf (filename / shell bestand)
(vl-load-com)
(setq bestand (findfile (strcat "Subdirectory/" filename)))
(if bestand
(progn
(setq shell (vla-getinterfaceobject (vlax-get-acad-object) "Shell.Application"))
(vlax-invoke-method shell 'Open bestand)
(vlax-release-object shell)
)
(alert "File not found!")
)
(princ)
)


[csgoh]

To open a chm file, try using (command "shell" "c:/foldername/myhelp.chm").
Using startapp will not work.

csgoh

[Crank]

The code I've posted works with every file format.
PDF, CHM, SWF, WAV, WMV, you name it.

[It's Alive!]

I've been using this one
http://www.ibe-software.com/products/software/helpndoc/

..I think Mark posted this a while back.. :kewl:

Thank you Daniel / Mark. I used it for about an hour before  I bought a license. Easy / clean, produces chm and html. What's not to like.

So when can we see the "Cowboy Advice"?

[MP]

So when can we see the "Cowboy Advice"?

I've posted some here and there, but if you want them all at once --

Wisdom from Will Rogers

• Always drink upstream from the herd.
• Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
• Don't squat with your spurs on.
• If you find yourself in a hole stop digging.
• If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
• Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.
• Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.
• Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
• Never miss a good chance to shut up.
• Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.
• Talk slowly, think quickly.
• The best way out of a difficulty is through it.
• There's two theories to arguing effectively with a woman. Neither one works.
• Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
• What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds.

[It's Alive!]

Ah, words to live by.

[KewlToyZ]

 
I hate PDF, it is the bane of useful information and productivity.
Acrobat is a horrible interface.
Standards committee's using it are wasting theirs and everyone else's time as well.
Usually the number one reason people don't adopt standards is the cost in re-creating the information out of the gate in a useful format.
PDF- fine for a novel, junk for industry usage.
Useful to the paranoid.

[delium55]

;;; Voir aussi la fonction AUTOLISP (startapp) pour une mιthode alternative.
;;; Permet d'appeler d'autres programmes, utilitaires DOS ou WINDOWS au travers AutoCad
;;; (sans sortir d'AutoCad) 
EXPLORER,  START EXPLORER, 1,,
WRITE,     START WRITE, 1,,
ACAD,      START ACAD, 1,,
EXCEL,     START EXCEL, 1,,
BD,        START EXPLORER r:\acad\misc\library\,1
NOTEPAD,   START NOTEPAD,  1,*Fichier ΰ ιditer:,
TDA,       START WINWORD  c:\mydocs\tcards3.doc,1
TCD,       START EXCEL    c:\mydocs\tcards3.xls,1
PBRUSH,    START PBRUSH,   1,,
TC,        http://taylor3/intranet/lisp/Taacad.html,0

            helpme,start myhelp.chm, 1,,                   
GRPHELP,    STARTAPP"hh" "J:\\ESTB\\Grplayer.chm"
;;;Dans un menu                                                                           
[Convertisseur d'unitιs] (Startapp "G:/Esbpcs/utils/ESBUnitConv.exe")

;;;Dans une macro activant un bouton                               
^C^C^P(startapp "explorer" (strcat "/e," (getvar "dwgprefix")))
                                 
;;; Dans une routine LISP
(defun C:DIRR ()(COMMAND ".BROWSER" (GETVAR "DWGPREFIX")))

;;; (command "start" (findfile "Myfile.pdf))

To load some help files to my menu:
[&ESTB --Info--Routines--Trucs et Astuces--Tutoriels]^C^C^P(if(not C:ESTBaide)(load"ESTBaide"));ESTBaide

[KewlToyZ]

Outside AutoCAD 
<------Hates PDF :pissed: