Topic: Information on ObjectDBX

[Lee Mac]

I have recently delved into the world of ObjectDBX, and now have many, many questions...

I am using this code to browse Directories, kindly supplied by Tony Tanzillo:

Code: [Select]

(defun Directory-Dia  (Message / sh folder folderobject result)
  ;; By Tony Tanzillo
  ;; Modified by Tim Willey
  (vl-load-com)
  (setq sh (vla-getInterfaceObject
             (vlax-get-acad-object) "Shell.Application"))
  (setq folder (vlax-invoke-method sh 'BrowseForFolder
                 (vla-get-HWND
                   (vlax-get-Acad-Object)) Message 0))
  (vlax-release-object sh)
  (if folder
    (progn
      (setq folderobject (vlax-get-property folder 'Self)
            result (vlax-get-property FolderObject 'Path))
      (vlax-release-object folder)
      (vlax-release-object FolderObject)
      (if (/= (substr result (strlen result)) "\\")
        (setq result (strcat result "\\"))
        result))))

However, my question is:

How does one know which properties/methods to invoke on such objects? i.e. "Self" "Path" etc.

Is it a case of experimenting with vlax-dump-object or is there a help file on such objects?

Any advice is highly valued and appreciated 

Thanks,

Lee

[ronjonp]

Lee,

Here is some info on scripting: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb776890.aspx

I personally use VBSEDIT to browse all the methods and properties.

Ron

[Lee Mac]

I personally use VBSEDIT to browse all the methods and properties.

Thanks for the link Ron, may I ask - what is VBSEDIT?

[kdub_nz]

I personally use VBSEDIT to browse all the methods and properties.

Thanks for the link Ron, may I ask - what is VBSEDIT?

A little initiative goes a long way Lee.

[hermanm]

Aside from the  MSDN online docs, you can d/l for free, I believe, so-called "express" versions of the Microsoft developer tools, such as VB, C#, etc.

The "pay to play" versions include an "object browser" which will show you what different *.dlls can do, so I expect the "express" versions do as well.

For ObjectDBX, you will need to browse the Active X interfaces published by other products, then translate the function signatures, just as you have to do for Active X reference to AutoCAD.

You still need to know where to look, and it appears to me that is (más o menos) word of mouth & hanging out with programmers, unless you have a lifetime or two to memorize the online Microsoft docs (for starters), plus the interfaces published by whatever (non usoft) progs with which you wish to interact.

If anyone knows of an actual reference (as in book) to all the system dlls, please, don't be shy

[Lee Mac]

A little initiative goes a long way Lee.

Hmm. now I feel stupid 

I thought you would have done this: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=VBSEDIT   

[Lee Mac]

Aside from the  MSDN online docs, you can d/l for free, I believe, so-called "express" versions of the Microsoft developer tools, such as VB, C#, etc.

The "pay to play" versions include an "object browser" which will show you what different *.dlls can do, so I expect the "express" versions do as well.

For ObjectDBX, you will need to browse the Active X interfaces published by other products, then translate the function signatures, just as you have to do for Active X reference to AutoCAD.

You still need to know where to look, and it appears to me that is (más o menos) word of mouth & hanging out with programmers, unless you have a lifetime or two to memorize the online Microsoft docs (for starters), plus the interfaces published by whatever (non usoft) progs with which you wish to interact.

Many thanks for the information Hermanm - I'll browse Google to see what I can find in the way of Express software