How to create a tool using the API (C#)?

MatthiasN

Hi everyone,

it's me again. I have another problem: i want to create a tool through the API.
With the "Create Tool" Wizard in RS it is no problem, but how can i create a tool (tooldata + graphic representation, e.g. a cylinder) with C#?

Regards, Matthias

apox

Hi,

firstly a solution for your tooldata problem (without any geometry attached):


            RsTask task = station.ActiveTask;

            RsToolData tool = new RsToolData();
            tool.Name = "NewTool";
            tool.Frame.Z = 0.250; // or whatever

            task.DataDeclarations.Add(tool);
            task.ActiveTool = tool;

This should give you a new tooldata declaration and set it to the active one.




apox2010-03-05 01:45:11

apox

and here a sample with geometry (mechanism of type tool):

            Station station = Project.ActiveProject as Station;
            RsTask task = station.ActiveTask;

            // create sample geometry
            Part part = new Part();
            part.Bodies.Add(Body.CreateSolidCylinder(Matrix4.Identity, 0.030, 0.250));
            part.Name = "MyToolPart";

            // create new tool
            MechanismBuilder b = new MechanismBuilder(MechanismType.Tool);
            b.Name = "MyToolName";
            b.ModelName = "MyToolModelName";

            string link = "Geometry";
            b.AddLink(link, part);
            b.BaseLink = link;

            Matrix4 offset = Matrix4.Identity;
            offset.TranslateLocal(0.0, 0.0, 0.250);
            // ...

            // assign gravity, offset, ...
            b.AddToolData("MyToolData", link, offset, new Vector3(0,0,1), new Vector3(0,0,1));

            Mechanism mechTool = b.CompileMechanism();
            mechTool.Name = "MyMechanism";
            station.GraphicComponents.Add(mechTool);

            // and attach it to the flange:
            // of course you should check if flange does exist and so on
            task.Mechanism.GetFlanges()[0].Attach(mechTool, true);

Hope that helps.


apox2010-03-05 01:48:12

MatthiasN

Thank you, that was exactly what i needed. I'll try it as soon as i am back in office!

Matthias