Creating and Controlling Input Dialog with C#

I using C# to interact with PCDLRN.dll. Currently, our programs have a manual alignment at the beginning and then a comment that pauses execution prior to switching to direct computer control mode. What I am trying to do is, after manual alignment when the program is switching to direct computer control, I want to be able to press a button on my web app that clicks OK on the comment prompt that continues the DCC alignment and continues on with the program. I found references to a Comment method that has a "PressOkButton" function but I can't figure out how to use that in tandem with the Application or PartProgram that I have in memory.

Any thoughts on how to approach this via C#?

vpt.se over 2 years ago

Just send an ENTER or SPACE keypress (if the messagebox has focus, that is) from your app?
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cd-formlogic over 2 years ago in reply to vpt.se

My first attempt was to use the built in .NET Automation tools to find the window and click the button. However, I noticed that there are supposedly built in PCDMIS functions that should be able to control this so I wanted to try that first.
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vpt.se over 2 years ago

I don't know if this could help, seeing that an operator comment is just a dialog window:
https://docs.hexagonmi.com/pcdmis/2022.1/sv/helpcenter/mergedProjects/automationobjects/webframe.html#PCDLRN~PCDMessageBox~PressButton.html

The Input dialog has it's "own" function.
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cd-formlogic over 2 years ago in reply to vpt.se

Do you have any examples of how to use this? VB or C# preferably? I have an instance of the Application and the PartProgram but in the object hierarchy it says that PCDMessageBox is a parent of Application and Program so I have no idea how to access the message box.
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Henniger123 over 2 years ago

hi,

here is an event that gives you the msgbox object when it pops up
https://docs.hexagonmi.com/pcdmis/20...oxOpen_EV.html

as soon as you have the object you can press buttons with this function
https://docs.hexagonmi.com/pcdmis/20...essButton.html

by the way:
I have no popup after the manual alignment is done, what is that good for you?
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cd-formlogic over 2 years ago

Update: I figured out how to do this with the built in C# AutomationUI. I don't know if there is a VB equivalent. I am not sure which version I prefer so I listed them both just in case you're a crazy person like me and you like options. Also pay attention to the whitespace in the string "Execution " because it's important.

Loop Version

                var windowNames = new string[] { "PC-DMIS CAD++ 2021.1 (release) - Offline", "Execution ", "PC-DMIS Message", "OK" };

                AutomationElement currentLayer = AutomationElement.RootElement;
                foreach(var windowName in windowNames)
                {
                    if(currentLayer == null)
                    {
                        throw new NullReferenceException($"Automation Element not found windowName: {windowName}");
                    }
                    var condition = new PropertyCondition(AutomationElement.NameProperty, windowName);
                    currentLayer = currentLayer.FindFirst(TreeScope.Children, condition);
                }

                var invokePattern = currentLayer.GetCurrentPattern(InvokePattern.Pattern) as InvokePattern;
                invokePattern.Invoke();

Imperative Version


                Condition condition = new PropertyCondition(AutomationElement.NameProperty, "PC-DMIS CAD++ 2021.1 (release) - Offline");
                AutomationElement pcdWindow = AutomationElement.RootElement.FindFirst(TreeScope.Children, condition);

                condition = new PropertyCondition(AutomationElement.NameProperty, "Execution ");
                AutomationElement executionWindow = pcdWindow.FindFirst(TreeScope.Children, condition);

                condition = new PropertyCondition(AutomationElement.NameProperty, "PC-DMIS Message");
                AutomationElement pcdMessageWindow = executionWindow.FindFirst(TreeScope.Children, condition);

                condition = new PropertyCondition(AutomationElement.NameProperty, "OK");
                AutomationElement okButton = pcdMessageWindow.FindFirst(TreeScope.Children, condition);

                var invokePattern = currentLayer.GetCurrentPattern(InvokePattern.Pattern) as InvokePattern;
                invokePattern.Invoke();