Is there any plans and/or ongoing development already about the Alibre Frame Generator?
That isn't an Alibre development - see https://alibreforum.com/forum/index.php?threads/frame-builder.21412/
Hi Mika -- As somebody who is, at best, a "kludge hacker" rather than a "real programmer" I understand your position. Hoever, as somebody influenced by Andy Ayres for several years now, I will argue that scripts can and do make a world of improvement (so long as you manage them carefully) for all. -- LewI am not intrested about scripts.
The future of AD can't be to use a script for everything. Let's see some development in the software.Hi Mika -- As somebody who is, at best, a "kludge hacker" rather than a "real programmer" I understand your position. Hoever, as somebody influenced by Andy Ayres for several years now, I will argue that scripts can and do make a world of improvement (so long as you manage them carefully) for all. -- Lew
Hello Sebastian,The future of AD can't be to use a script for everything. Let's see some development in the software.
I personally welcome the script engine (although I don't use it, I use the external API or Add-on interface) the definition for me is that a script is used to automate complex operation that 'my' needs may require. But functions that the wider CAD community would find beneficial need to be part of the software. As an analogy, I expect the common, powerful and standard tools to be in my tool box (software), I may need to fabricate a 'jig' for my specific task and add that to my toolbox, that is a script. I don't want to pay for a toolbox (software) to do a job and then spend the time making my own tools/jigs first (writing scripts).how do you define the difference between "software" and "script"?
Lew, I'm not saying that scripts shouldn't be used, only that they shouldn't be the core functioning of the software. And that seems to be the war cry of the script users i.e just use a script.Hi Sebastian -- Whereas I agree that there is a world of "polishing" that Alibre requires, development through Libraries and Scripts help lead the way! Nigh unto the "top" of my list would be the ability to rename Files from within Alibre Design itself. In other words, I have (say) "20J010210 Gonkulator Rev B" and I need to update it whereupon it must become "20J010210 Gonkulator Rev C." I ought to be able to "rename it" within the context of a Project and have all "UsedOn Assemblies" within that Project update and use the "updated file" (after, I presume, a Save from within a Project's UsedOn Assembly. The "old version" still exists, but the "new version" applies throughout the Project. -- Lew
Lew, I'm not saying that scripts shouldn't be used, only that they shouldn't be the core functioning of the software. And that seems to be the war cry of the script users i.e just use a script.
The standard feature types in Onshape (like Extrude, Fillet, and Helix) are already written as FeatureScript functions by our developers. Custom feature types extend this same mechanism to all users of Onshape.
I would really like the ability in Alibre to add my scripts functions to a toolbar - so I did that with a script!Scripts should be a hidden developer option as a default. All the other softwares also including add-ins/extensions of course, but then it is only the ready made app which one appears on your toolbar when you install it. No need to see any codelines and hit the head on the wall, just press the button and it works.
I've seen the scripts mentioned many times and I made an attempt at trying to make one work once. It was just way too complicated. I felt like I needed a course in computer programming to be able to accomplish what I needed to do to just install/run it. Never was successful.
So why do we pay maintenance? Why isn't the UI framework just open source and let the user community write all the functionality? I could write a dockable windows framework with a menu structure and just include a scripting engine to make it do what you want it to do ... but scripts aren't for everyone.you can either wait for Alibre to implement them or use a script that makes Alibre better and saves you time right NOW. Doesn't that seem worth it?
We all have functionality that could be put into the main program, but we aren't the ones being paid to do that. We aren't employed by Alibre. We don't get included in the decision making process as to what gets included or not. If it was an open source project, I totally agree with you ... but sadly it's not!For the record I would love to work with Alibre and get my scripts functions into the main program.
No. That's just complacency that'll lead to us never getting what we want.... my theory is that although I would love if Alibre had many of these abilities "out of the box" - you can either wait for Alibre to implement them or use a script that makes Alibre better and saves you time right NOW. Doesn't that seem worth it?
Hear hear.So why do we pay maintenance? Why isn't the UI framework just open source and let the user community write all the functionality? I could write a dockable windows framework with a menu structure and just include a scripting engine to make it do what you want it to do ... but scripts aren't for everyone.
Many people don't posses the skills to use it (after all it's a programming language in it's own right), people don't want to buy a package, then spend more time making it do what they want to do ... they want to create mechanical CAD parts and assemblies, not learn a new language and make their own tools. There are some, however that like programming who do, but I think most non-programming minded users would find another application before learning programming!
Scripting is an advanced 'power tool', not a 'basic everyday' one!
So why do we pay maintenance? Why isn't the UI framework just open source and let the user community write all the functionality?
No. That's just complacency that'll lead to us never getting what we want.
Sebastian,that'll lead to us never getting what we want
Hi Stefan,Some of the scripts help me to get my work done quicker.
Hi Jason -- What you (and most of the rest of us) need is (A) a detailed and well written manual and (B) a good set of training videos to lead us through this jungle! -- LewI've seen the scripts mentioned many times and I made an attempt at trying to make one work once. It was just way too complicated. I felt like I needed a course in computer programming to be able to accomplish what I needed to do to just install/run it. Never was successful.
Hello GIOV,dynamic function