Toolbars & Menus

OK, I have learned as much as I possibly can from reading previous posts, but I still have problems. I need to be able to create a custom toolbar, with custom icons, that I can easily update to multiple computers on a network. I even tried changing the path references to an http: location (which would be ideal for me) but no matter what changes I make to the acad.mns file, it never seems to really change anything. I was able to import the mns file into other computers, and even get the icons to show up, but I would like to be able to make changes, and have the other 'puters simply reference the latest info.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

DJ Delten

 

I recommend creating a new menu and use the menuload command.
Then you could use a lisp routine to load the menu -
(defun C:LoadMyMenu ()
(command "_menuload" "mymenu")
(princ)
)

 

Create the desired toolbar in your acad session and save it. Then open your Acad.mns file and file the new toolbar stuff.
Copy it into notepad and name it somethine else (maybe toolbar.mns) and place this file on your network.
Then just use the menuload co,mmand to load the new .mns onto the computers.
This way any changes you make to the new .mns will reflect every time it is loaded.
Hope this helps

 

Thanks!

Finally, something that works, is (partially) easy and makes sense! I tried it and it worked for me, so thanks again. I guess people are always asking this type of question. When I was a one-man-band, I had my CAD setup just right. But, now that I have about 7 computers on a network, it's super-difficult to keep everyone's computer set up the same.

Thanks again,

DJ Deltenre
creative 3d visuals

 

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

Normally I am pretty savvy when it comes to these things. But I have to tell you, that there seems to be some kind of 'mystery file' that does what it wants, because I can not get this to work. I have created my own menu file, placed it on the network, referenced it (which CAD then automatically tries to find) yet, when I alter it (as far as buttons, etc...) it seems to take it's cues from a totally different file, as if my text were mere suggestions.

It even altered one of my custom made bmp files. This is getting totally frustrating!

Can anyone help?

Thanks

 

This may give you some ideas
http://www.thegrafixshop.com/civildrafter/administration/mcustom.htm

tell you, that there seems to be some kind of 'mystery file' that does what
it wants, because I can not get this to work. I have created my own menu
file, placed it on the network, referenced it (which CAD then automatically
tries to find) yet, when I alter it (as far as buttons, etc...) it seems to
take it's cues from a totally different file, as if my text were mere
suggestions.

 

Basic steps I do for menu loading.
When menu is 'updated' just menuload it from source
folder.

;; Load_Menu.lsp
;;
;; Check / Unload existing menugroup
;;
(if (/= (menugroup "MYGROUP") nil)
(command "_MENUUNLOAD" "MYGROUP")
); end if
;;
;; Next, Load your Menu
;;
(if (findfile "drive:/menus/mymenu.mnu"))
(progn
(if (= (menugroup "MYGROUP") nil)
(progn
(command "_MENULOAD" "drive:/menus/mymenu"))
(menucmd "P2=+MYGROUP.POP1")
); end progn
); end if
); end progn
); end if
;;
;; Note: in your acaddoc.lsp do:
;; (load "drive:/lisp/load_menu.lsp"); revise 'drive:/lisp/

Bob

 

wait, the mns is never loaded, its the mnc that is loaded.
Put the toolbar on the network, load it to force a compile.
The the other uses load the menu from the network.
When you make changes, delete the mnc and recompile it.

The most common error I see is people not saving the bmp files for custom toolbars, then wondering why the smiley faces.

To make the recompile process super easy, add this to the mnl of every menu you have:
Change the MY to your menu name

(defun c:MYmnu ()
(command ".menuunload" "MY")
(command ".menuload" "MY.mnu")
(princ)
)

saves so much typing...

sdanis <>
|>Create the desired toolbar in your acad session and save it. Then open your Acad.mns file and file the new toolbar stuff.
|>Copy it into notepad and name it somethine else (maybe toolbar.mns) and place this file on your network.
|>Then just use the menuload co,mmand to load the new .mns onto the computers.
|>This way any changes you make to the new .mns will reflect every time it is loaded.
|>Hope this helps

James Maeding
jmaeding at hunsaker dot com
Civil Engineer/Programmer