So I have been creating VBA programs for excel for a while and am familiar with coding there and I just recently found the VBA recorder in Geopak. After playing around with it for a bit, the code recorder seems very limited to what you can do with it. One program that I would like to record and run would be to have:
1. Geopak cut cross sections, load in our standard preferences,
2. Annotate those cross sections using our standard annotation styles.
3. Export those cross sections to another sheet.
4. Cut cross section sheet views from the exported cross sections.
I understand that 3 and 4 will be the most difficult but 1 and 2 should be straight forward since it is mainly settings and preferences. That being said,
1. I am curious if writing/recording such a program is even possible with VBA? Or is there another language that I should use instead?
2. I saw that Geopak also has a BASIC recorder, is that a better option than VBA?
3. Also, I have also read in the forums that C# and C++ coding are the direction that Open Roads is going, thus would it even make sense to start writing VBA or BASIC?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Geopak Version 08.11.09.904 (per client specifications)
Thanks,
Brad
Hi Brad,
I'll try to address your three questions in order:
1. The VBA macro capabilities built into MicroStation and GEOPAK are fairly robust and I believe you could do what you are wanting with these tools. However, using just the recording mechanism is very limited, as you've found. I suggest you begin by looking at the MicroStation and GEOPAK libraries in the Object Browser.
2. I would not recommend attempting to write anything in the MicroStation BASIC system. It is very limited, especially when it comes to accessing GEOPAK objects.
3. This depends on the time frame in which you plan on moving to OpenRoads. Because the difference between OpenRoads objects and GEOPAK objects is significant, you'll need to determine if developing tools for both GEOPAK now and OpenRoads later, or just OpenRoads makes sense for your business use. While Connect Edition products allow for VBA development, I suggest you begin looking into addin development (C#/C++) for any custom tools, especially those that need to access OpenRoads objects.
I hope this helps.
Hey Bruce,
Thanks for the response! I appreciate your input. I will have to discuss with my supervisor what they would like me to do as far as Geopak or OpenRoads programming but just knowing that it is possible to create such programs is definitely a motivator for me.
Thanks again,