Positioning MDT-assembly

I'm using the "AddComponent" method to add an assembly in my MDT-drawing. Can someone explain how to use the matrix-property ? I want the user to select the position on the screen to place the definition ?

Thanks,
Ivo

 

Hi, this is directly cut from an application I developed to do this task, let me know if you have any questions:



 



Private Sub cmdAttach_Click()
   
    Dim mcApp As McadApplication
    Dim geApp As GeApplication
    Dim mcAssyMgr As McadAssemblyMgr
    Dim mcDef As McadComponentDefinition
    Dim mcComp As McadComponent
    Dim geMat As GeMatrix
    Dim gePt As GePoint
    Dim geVec1 As GeVector
    Dim sShopPath As String
    Dim vPoint As Variant
    Dim sSelect As String
    



    'make references
    Set mcApp = ThisDrawing.Application.GetInterfaceObject("Mcad.Application")
    Set mcAssyMgr = mcApp.ActiveDocument.AssemblyMgr
    Set mcDef = mcAssyMgr.RootDefinition
    Set geApp = ThisDrawing.Application.GetInterfaceObject("Ge.Application")
    Set geMat = geApp.Matrix



    
    'this control houses the full path of item selected
    sSelect = txtComp.ControlTipText
    
    'attach selected item
    On Error GoTo Err_Attach
    Set mcDef = mcAssyMgr.AddCompDefFromFile(sSelect)
    
    'get insertion point from user
    Me.Hide
    vPoint = ThisDrawing.Utility.GetPoint(, "Select insertion point")
    Set gePt = geApp.Point(vPoint(0), vPoint(1), vPoint(2))
    Set geVec1 = gePt.AsVector
    geMat.Translation = geVec1
   
    'make attachment
    Set mcComp = mcAssyMgr.ActiveDefinition.AddComponent(mcDef, geMat)
    
    If Err.Number = 0 Then GoTo Exit_App
   
Err_Attach:
   
    MsgBox "Error on attaching subassembly: " & Err.Description, vbExclamation + vbOKOnly
   
Exit_App:
    
    Set mcApp = Nothing
    Set geApp = Nothing
    Set mcAssyMgr = Nothing
    Set mcDef = Nothing
    Set mcComp = Nothing
    Set geMat = Nothing
   
End Sub




Note that due to an omission in Autodesk's object model, there is no way to show the 'ghost' outline of the part coming in for attachment. So the user will not see what it is they are attaching, but will be able to pick the point. Also note this is all relative to WCS.



 



Kevin



"simu" <> wrote in message news:...

I'm using the "AddComponent" method to add an assembly in my MDT-drawing. Can someone explain how to use the matrix-property ? I want the user to select the position on the screen to place the definition ?

Thanks,
Ivo

 

Thanks Kevin,

This works OK.
Still a question; It inserts the assembly by its absolute insert point. How can I use the Center of Geometry.
Like the option in Assist_MechanicalOptions_Assembly.

Ivo

 

I'm not sure if this is an option through the code itself - have you verified your setting under options is set to the COG instead?




Kevin



"simu" <> wrote in message news:...

Thanks Kevin,

This works OK.
Still a question; It inserts the assembly by its absolute insert point. How can I use the Center of Geometry.
Like the option in Assist_MechanicalOptions_Assembly.

Ivo

 

Hi Kevin,
Yes, although the options is COG, its uses the absolute insert point.
The method described I think uses the Autocad-way of picking a point. If you look at the pick-method in the MDT-methods (in the help) it looks like it can use the ghost etc.
But this describes the selection of an object not of a point. This all stuff is still a little too complicated for me, but maybe this will give a hint.
If you find something, please let me know,
Thanks,
Ivo

 

Well, I was going to suggest you could use the center of gravity of the part to move it relative to the picked point, but according to the help file:



(search for center of gravity)



Note: Currently, this method is not implemented.



 



Syntax



 



RetVal = object.GetMassProperties(Volume, CenterOfGravity, Moments, Products, RadiiOfGyration, PrincipalAxes, PrincipalMoments [, Tolerance])




Sorry I couldn't be more help...
Kevin



"simu" <> wrote in message news:...

Hi Kevin,
Yes, although the options is COG, its uses the absolute insert point.
The method described I think uses the Autocad-way of picking a point. If you look at the pick-method in the MDT-methods (in the help) it looks like it can use the ghost etc.
But this describes the selection of an object not of a point. This all stuff is still a little too complicated for me, but maybe this will give a hint.
If you find something, please let me know,
Thanks,
Ivo