Topic: Suppressing the Open File Dialog: is there a 4th way?

[roy_043]

I am trying to create a custom 'Recent Files' menu. If you click on an entry in the menu the Open File Dialog should be suppressed and a drawing should open directly.
I can think of three ways to accomplish this:

1.

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^c^c(initdia)(command "_open" "C:/MyPath/MyDrawing.dwg")(princ)Problem: Only works if there is an open dwg.

2.

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^c^c_filedia;0;_open;C:/MyPath/MyDrawing.dwg;_filedia;1Problem: Only works if there is an open dwg.

3.

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^c^c_script;C:/MyScripts/Open_MyDrawing.scrWith a script that looks like this:

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open C:/MyPath/MyDrawing.dwgThis also works if there is no open dwg.

I am looking for a 4th way that does not involve scripts but also works if no dwg is open.
Does anybody know a 4th way?

[irneb]

Unfortunately macros, lisp and script run inside the drawing's namespace. So if there's no drawing open at the time, it cannot run.

I haven't tried it, but if you compile a LSP into a FAS/VLX there's an option to compile it into its own namespace (separate from the DWG). How you would call that though is still a blur in my mind.

The only other alternatives I can think of would be

• VBA (perhaps, but still how do you call it from the menu without any DWG open, perhaps using an event).
• DotNet, you should probably also add an event to catch the menu choice. A command won't cut it as you can't issue a command without a DWG open.
• ARX, same as the rest - an event is your only possible alternative (AFAICT)

[WILL HATCH]

This can be done in .net without much trouble.  VBA is another option I think

[BlackBox]

FWIW -

Here's something in .NET so you don't have to start from scratch.

[roy_043]

Thank you for your answers. I was actually hoping there might some special Diesel code to do this... Using a .NET or VBA solution is something that I will keep in mind for the future. For now I will use the script solution (#3 in my first post).

[irneb]

This can be done in .net without much trouble.  VBA is another option I think

I.e. you'd use a Command Method with its Session flag set?
http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2010/ENU/AutoCAD%20.NET%20Developer%27s%20Guide/index.html?url=WS1a9193826455f5ff-e569a0121d1945c08-17d4.htm,topicNumber=d0e3788

Edit: I'm a bit confused. How exactly would you call that command (even though it isn't inside the document context)? I mean, if there's no document open, then even the command-line itself is unavailable. The entire menu structure changes such that the ribbon is void with only minimal stuff in the main menu button. Or if you've got the menubar turned on you only have minimal stuff there too. Can a macro be added to these menus so you can actually call your "session" command?

[dgorsman]

No options dialog either.  Although I *think* you can modify the Start menu...

[WILL HATCH]

I.e. you'd use a Command Method with its Session flag set?
http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2010/ENU/AutoCAD%20.NET%20Developer%27s%20Guide/index.html?url=WS1a9193826455f5ff-e569a0121d1945c08-17d4.htm,topicNumber=d0e3788

Edit: I'm a bit confused. How exactly would you call that command (even though it isn't inside the document context)? I mean, if there's no document open, then even the command-line itself is unavailable. The entire menu structure changes such that the ribbon is void with only minimal stuff in the main menu button. Or if you've got the menubar turned on you only have minimal stuff there too. Can a macro be added to these menus so you can actually call your "session" command?

You don't actually call a command to do the opening, but you're onto the right path with the session flag.  If you create a palette within a session command like I've shown attached it will live through the zero document state.  From there you can open drawings with Application.DocumentManager.Open() method.  In the case of the OP this would show a list of recent drawings rather than the file system treeview as I've done here.

An important note for anyone trying to go down this path: if you simply call open from the context of your palette you will get an error eInvalidContext (even though the file will open  :realmad: :ugly: :pissed: [which if you can't already tell cost me some sleep]), you must create a Application.Idle event handler and call it from there.

[WILL HATCH]

3.

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^c^c_script;C:/MyScripts/Open_MyDrawing.scrWith a script that looks like this:

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open C:/MyPath/MyDrawing.dwgThis also works if there is no open dwg.

I'm confused that this works with no open drawings.  How do you run the script if there is no drawing open?

[irneb]

I'm confused that this works with no open drawings.  How do you run the script if there is no drawing open?

My point exactly!

[roy_043]

I'm confused that this works with no open drawings.  How do you run the script if there is no drawing open?

Sorry for causing confusion. I use BricsCAD.

In the meantime I have found a 4th way:

4.

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^c^c_start;C:/MyPath/MyDrawing.dwgThis works if no dwg is open (at least in BC...), but is very slow.

[BlackBox]

I.e. you'd use a Command Method with its Session flag set?
http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2010/ENU/AutoCAD%20.NET%20Developer%27s%20Guide/index.html?url=WS1a9193826455f5ff-e569a0121d1945c08-17d4.htm,topicNumber=d0e3788

Edit: I'm a bit confused. How exactly would you call that command (even though it isn't inside the document context)? I mean, if there's no document open, then even the command-line itself is unavailable. The entire menu structure changes such that the ribbon is void with only minimal stuff in the main menu button. Or if you've got the menubar turned on you only have minimal stuff there too. Can a macro be added to these menus so you can actually call your "session" command?

You don't actually call a command to do the opening, but you're onto the right path with the session flag.  If you create a palette within a session command like I've shown attached it will live through the zero document state.  From there you can open drawings with Application.DocumentManager.Open() method.  In the case of the OP this would show a list of recent drawings rather than the file system treeview as I've done here.

An important note for anyone trying to go down this path: if you simply call open from the context of your palette you will get an error eInvalidContext (even though the file will open  :realmad: :ugly: :pissed: [which if you can't already tell cost me some sleep]), you must create a Application.Idle event handler and call it from there.

Thanks for sharing. *tips hat*