Changing Printer Support File Path via Lisp

[Jorge Z]

Any ideas on this matter? I have the adding the support path thing figured
out, but not sure of the Printer Support file path. The reason i ask is that
we're planing on moving to a network based .pc3, .pmp, .ctb system and I'm
looking for a quick fix. for our 50+ machines. Thanks in advance

Jorge

[Dave Alexander]

If you use the same printer name when you install the printers on each
computer, the you should be able to use the same pc3 for all systems to
access the same printer as well as share page setup names.

Dave Alexander

"Jorge Z" <sup...@cadgodtools.com> wrote in message
news:224F65EF84D55103...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Jorge Z]

I'm new to visual lisp Jason.. Would you happen to have the full/part code
for what i want to do laying around?

Jorge

"Jason Piercey" <Jason@AtrEngDotCom> wrote in message
news:E54CFFE530B9E207...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> check out these functions
>
> vla-get-printerconfigpath
> vla-put-printerconfigpath
>
> --
>
> -Jason
> Member of the Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program

>
>
> "Jorge Z" <sup...@cadgodtools.com> wrote in message
> news:224F65EF84D55103...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Jason Piercey]

check out these functions

vla-get-printerconfigpath
vla-put-printerconfigpath

--

-Jason
Member of the Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program

"Jorge Z" <sup...@cadgodtools.com> wrote in message
news:224F65EF84D55103...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Jorge Z]

We have that now, but everyone works localy. We're moving to a network based
location for pc3's, and ctbs. I was just wondering if anyone had any coding
in lisp to do this with a lisp routine other than me having to go into each
pc and set up the paths.

Jorge
"Dave Alexander" <dalex...@pooleandassociates.bc.ca> wrote in message
news:12EE9EAAAE04950D...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Jorge Z]

We're moving to a network storage place for pc3's, ctb's because its better
to have one location for these files that are company/project specific. That
way, if every one is mapped to the central location for these files, they'll
automaticaly have the updated ones. There wouldnt be a need for them or us
to do anything like e-mail everyone telling them to add it or update it. It
really makes life easier for the whole company since its easy to
update/deploy for files (pc3's, ctbs). The problem is having to go to each
pc and update the printer support path to point to the central location.
Just seems tidious. God i love lisp.

I thought i saw someone post something for adding/changing printer support
paths via lisp or scripts. Hopefully someone will have the info.

Jorge
"Dave Alexander" <dalex...@pooleandassociates.bc.ca> wrote in message

news:54265103E4B189F7...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Why? If no one is on the network now, when they go on the network they
will
> have to install a printer on their machine, no biggie, use the same name
as
> every one else, and then set the path to the pc3 which uses the network
> printer name and you are done. The first time they start AutoCAD on the
> network, they or you or ? will set the path to the pc3 and ctbs. Each
person
> should have some basic knowledge about printers and pc3's and ctb's
anyway.
> They should know how to install a printer on their system and how to
access
> the pc3's, etc.

>
> Dave Alexander
>
>
> "Jorge Z" <sup...@cadgodtools.com> wrote in message

> news:58B7E4FD299A3276...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Dave Alexander]

Why? If no one is on the network now, when they go on the network they will
have to install a printer on their machine, no biggie, use the same name as
every one else, and then set the path to the pc3 which uses the network
printer name and you are done. The first time they start AutoCAD on the
network, they or you or ? will set the path to the pc3 and ctbs. Each person
should have some basic knowledge about printers and pc3's and ctb's anyway.
They should know how to install a printer on their system and how to access
the pc3's, etc.

Dave Alexander

"Jorge Z" <sup...@cadgodtools.com> wrote in message

news:58B7E4FD299A3276...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Jason Piercey]

This would be one way to handle it

; [path] - string, path to apply
; return: t or nil
(defun putPrinterConfigPath (path)
(not
(vl-catch-all-error-p
(vl-catch-all-apply
(function
(lambda ()
(vla-put-printerConfigPath
(vla-get-files
(vla-get-preferences
(vlax-get-acad-object)
)
)
path
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

; use like so: (putPrinterConfigPath "Your\\Path\\Here")

--

-Jason
Member of the Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program

"Jorge Z" <sup...@cadgodtools.com> wrote in message news:62B59345625F79CD...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Dave Alexander]

Jason,

> Not in *my* office. Some folks have absolutely no business
> messing with that stuff.
>
> In my experience, if I did allow folks to change that stuff,
> they would do it once in a great while and would more than
> likely forget how/where etc.. by the next time.
>
> IMO, folks in *my* office should spend their time doing what
> they were hired to do, which is not customizing AutoCAD.

I think you have to allow your "folks" some participation in your system.
The knowledge of how to set a path to a ctb or pc3 should not be a big
thing. If not, then you may not be getting the best out of them. The worst
thing that can happen is to work with people that do exactly what you tell
them to do because that is "all" that they will do.

Dave Alexander

[Jorge Z]

have one for the DRV and CTB path too? Thanks for the other one.. Works
great.

Jorge.

"Jason Piercey" <discussio...@autodesk.com> wrote in message
news:0170B52A2D0E05CB...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Jason Piercey]

Not in *my* office. Some folks have absolutely no business
messing with that stuff.

In my experience, if I did allow folks to change that stuff,
they would do it once in a great while and would more than
likely forget how/where etc.. by the next time.

IMO, folks in *my* office should spend their time doing what
they were hired to do, which is not customizing AutoCAD.

--

-Jason
Member of the Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program

"Dave Alexander" <dalex...@pooleandassociates.bc.ca> wrote in message

news:0334025C285ADA97...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

> I still don't see what the problem is. As each person logs on the work
> station, they just set the path. They should know how to do this anyway.

[Dave Alexander]

Jorge,

> The problem is having to go to each
> pc and update the printer support path to point to the central location.
> Just seems tidious.

I still don't see what the problem is. As each person logs on the work

station, they just set the path. They should know how to do this anyway. If
no one is using the work station, who cares. When it is used, then set the
path. In fact, you can ignor it until someone needs to plot. Then they can
set the path.

Dave Alexander

[Jorge Z]

Complete agree with you Jason. If anyone other than CADD Management was
modifying/cuctomizing the Acad platform, we would be spending alot more time
re-installing autocad on their PC's. :D

Jorge..

"Jason Piercey" <discussio...@autodesk.com> wrote in message

news:ADE37C4638DEDB6B...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Jason Piercey]

Dave,

I am not against educating users, I'll often teach them as
much as they want to learn, provided I know what I am
talking about <g>.

I just feel that some system settings should not be messed
with, (granted, ctb paths will not cause major havoc) or I'll
end up with...."Why isn't this working like it used to?", "No,
I didn't change anything" but in reality, they did.... sometimes
it can just lead to wasting more time than anything.

Oh, and we have had some of those "I do nothing more than
I am told to do" type employees. Very frustrating! If a certain
person shows interest and I personally feel they can handle it
then I'll show them all I have "under the hood".

--

-Jason
Member of the Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program

"Dave Alexander" <dalex...@pooleandassociates.bc.ca> wrote in message

news:325A6470192AD9B7...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Dave Alexander]

Jason,

Thought as much but felt I had to say something anyway.

Dave Alexander

[Jason Piercey]

Did not test them but they should work.

; [path] - string, path to apply
; return: t or nil

(defun putPrinterDescPath (path)

(not
(vl-catch-all-error-p
(vl-catch-all-apply
(function
(lambda ()

(vla-put-printerDescPath

(vla-get-files
(vla-get-preferences
(vlax-get-acad-object)
)
)
path
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

; [path] - string, path to apply
; return: t or nil
(defun putPrinterCtbPath (path)

(not
(vl-catch-all-error-p
(vl-catch-all-apply
(function
(lambda ()

(vla-put-printerStyleSheetPath

(vla-get-files
(vla-get-preferences
(vlax-get-acad-object)
)
)
path
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

or you could combine them all into one routine for updating
the plotter information, just hard code the paths and you are set.

; return t or nil
(defun mySetup ()
(and
(or *acad* (setq *acad* (vlax-get-acad-object)))
(or *pref* (setq *pref* (vla-get-preferences *acad*)))

(not
(vl-catch-all-error-p
(vl-catch-all-apply
(function
(lambda ()

(vla-put-printerConfigPath *pref* "Your\\Path\\Here"); .pc3 location
(vla-put-printerDescPath *pref* "Your\\Path\\Here"); driver path
(vla-put-printerStyleSheetPath *pref* "Your\\Path\\Here"); ctb path

)
)
)
)
)
)
)

--

-Jason
Member of the Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program

"Jorge Z" <sup...@cadgodtools.com> wrote in message news:CD173A29657F47CE...@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

[Jason Piercey]

I hear ya.

--

-Jason
Member of the Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program

"Dave Alexander" <dalex...@pooleandassociates.bc.ca> wrote in message news:f1783...@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...