DSTV File Name Modifier

Tekla Structures - Not version-specific
Environment
Not environment-specific

1. Purpose and description

This tool is developed to help Tekla Structures customers to customize NC file names. Default NC files are being created with only Piece Mark whereas some customers would like to have Project Number, Profile and Material in NC file names. It is all possible with this new tool.

Image
DSTV-File-Name-Modifier


2. System requirements

  • .NET Framework version: 4.7+
  • Tekla Structures Version: Does not require Tekla Structures. It is a standalone application.
  • Set the size of text and other items on your screen by choosing “smaller-100%(default)” for this, Go to Control Panel → Appearance and Personalization>>Display


3. Prerequisites:

Before using the extension, ensure that your CNC files are created with the NC file header settings configured according to the project requirements.


4. Installing DSTV File Name Modifier 

Using the Extension Manager in Tekla Structures, install the *.tsep package from the Tekla Warehouse download link above.

  • In the Applications & components catalog, click ≡ → Manage extensions → Extension Manager.
Image
ME-TSEP-Installextension
  • Click Import, then browse to the .tsep installer you want to install.
  • Click Open.


The imported extension is installed the next time that you start Tekla Structures. It is shown in the Tekla Structures extension manager and is ready for use in the Applications & components catalog.

 

For more information and alternative methods to install the extensions, please take a look at the support document linked below.

Import a .tsep extension to the Applications & components catalog


5. How to Use and Extension Details
 

Release Notes

Latest Version 5.1:

  • Previously, elements containing characters {\ / | ? * < > "} invalid in Windows file naming conventions were removed from the file name. This has now fixed by replacing such characters with an underscore (“_”), for example, PLT3/4 → PLT3_4.
  • Included a function to convert numbers to inches.
Image
ME-DSTV-FileNameModifierV5info2

**Please note that the conversation only applies to the output of an renamed file and is not displayed in the Renaming configuration panel. For example, 8.50 #.#, means output results in inch's as '0.3'.

Latest Version 5.0:

  • Previously, when the automatic folder path option was selected, the files were stored in the same location, making it difficult to separate the files. Now that issue has been fixed, establish a subfolder called Renamed (Now renamed files can found in the same input folder under subfolder "Renamed").
  • Previously, when the BO function was selected, files were duplicated with rename configuration + BO in end of the file name; Now, this is changed to append to the same file rather than generate a new one.
  • Now, possible to use for *.nc & *. nc1 to rename. Renaming file extensions to use the source file extension implemented (only to consider extension *.nc and .nc1).
  • Implemented saved configuration attributes that allow settings to be loaded and reused, minimizing repeated reconfiguration of field selections and renaming data (applied when selected).
  • Added settings to define attribute files to save in specific paths, one for the default app's to work in local storage as well as another one for the company level to so that other users can directly use the settings or shared with others.

  • Added an option to open the output folder once the renaming is complete.
  • Other improvements:
    • Incorporated a browse option to pick a folder rather than a tree option.
    • In browse folder function file selection option to see *.nc files added.
    • Double-clicking on the header information now allows you add & remove elements to move to the rename configuration panel and shift the elements in the reverse side. (Same feature as Add and Remove button).

Notes:

FunctionErrorInformation & actions
Output Folder"No path Selected"

This happens when there is no input file chosen or while switch between settings.

 

To fix output the path, use the same folder toggle switch "ON" or browse to the preferred output path.

 

Renaming Configuration

[Missing Attribute]

[Missing Attribute]

This occurs when input path and files are not selected.

 

To fix, browse for input files or load saved settings, or switch back to current settings. This will read the correct data from the selected files.

Version 5.0+

How to locate and UI,

Image
ME-DSTV-FileNameModifierV5

UI Functions Information:

  1. Select multiple CNC, NC files: Option to select single NC files or multiple files. Use the browser button to select the NC files.

  2. Select all CNC, NC files in folder: This option runs all NC files in the selected folder. To select a director or folder path, click on the browser button.

  3. Place to the source folder (automatically): Use the checkbox to rename files and place them in the same folder. If you want to rename a file and move it to a different folder, use the browser button to choose the new folder location.

  4. File Name Format: This will display the header information as a list, and you can select the line element. Following the header information, a text element is also available. You can utilize this element to incorporate a custom prefix, append a custom suffix, or employ it as a separator or custom word as your project requires.

    Image
    ME-DSTV-HeaderInfo1
  5. Add & Remove: Functions whether to include or exclude a line element to the left of "6. File Rename Format" (adding or renaming)

  6. File Rename Format: Renaming configuration preview the added line element.

    1. Under Renaming configuration: Select any line item with a number and right-click the option to convert to inches.

      Image
      ME-DSTV-FileNameModifierV5info2
  7. Move Up & Down: Use to select the elements in "6. File Rename Format" and reorder the elements as you need.

  8. For files contain Bolts, add "BO" to the end of the file name: To easily identify NC files containing drilling or bore-operation information, you can enable this option to automatically append 'BO' to the file name.

  9. Rename: Renames the file according to the configured settings… (Please note that this will change only the file name.)

  10. Open Output Folder: An option to automatically access the output folder after the renaming process is complete.

  11. Settings Load & Save: Option to save settings and apply saved properties. → ⚙ for path defining to save settings file in local and shared folders.

Version 4.0

How to locate and UI,

Image
ME-DSTV-FileNameModifierV4Info

UI Functions Information:

  1. Select multiple CNC, NC files: Option to select single NC files or multiple files. Use the browser button to select the NC files.

  2. Select all CNC, NC files in folder: This option runs all NC files in the selected folder. To select a director or folder path, click on the browser button.

  3. Place to the source folder (automatically): Use the checkbox to rename files and place them in the same folder. If you want to rename a file and move it to a different folder, use the browser button to choose the new folder location.

  4. File Name Format: This will display the header information as a list, and you can select the line element. Following the header information, a text element is also available. You can utilize this element to incorporate a custom prefix, append a custom suffix, or employ it as a separator or custom word as your project requires.

    Image
    ME-DSTV-FileNameModifierV4Info4
  5. Add & Remove: Functions whether to include or exclude a line element to the left of "6. File Rename Format" (adding or renaming)

  6. File Rename Format: Preview the added line element.

  7. Move Up & Down: Use to select the elements in "6. File Rename Format" and reorder the elements as you need.

  8. For files contain Bolts, add "BO" to the end of the file name: To easily identify NC files containing drilling or bore-operation information, you can enable this option to automatically append 'BO' to the file name.

  9. Rename: Renames the file according to the configured settings… (Please note that this will change only the file name.)

Version 1.0 ~ 3.0

You should have NC files created in advance:
1. Run the application by double clicking.
2. You need to select Multiple Files or All Files (Select Folder).
3. Input the files or folder from Browse option.
4. Where to save the renamed files? There are two options, same folder as original by check
mark or select new folder location by browsing.
5. Choose the file name format. There are ten options available: ( Project Number, Piece
Mark, Profile, Material, Quantify, Text Info1, Text Info2, Text Info3, Text Info4, or any Text)

Where:
Text Info1, Text Info2, Text Info3, Text Info4 will be as stated in NC File Header
Information. See the image below:

Image
ME-DSTV-HeaderInfo

6. You can choose any combination with “-“ or ”_” as a separators. More options can be
added later.
Please note that special characters can be used, but you will find that “/” will be ignored
from the renamed file name and also “*” will be replaced with “X”.
7. You can preview the file name by clicking on Preview.
8. You can also save your current settings as default setting.
9. You can reload default settings as well.
10. Finally, you can reload rename all selected NC files to new file names in one go. There are
two options to select from:

  • Create new files

This option will create a copy of the selected NC files and gives a name based on
the file name format that you have chosen. Note that entire file will not be changed.

  • Rename Original Files.

This option will rename the original selected NC files by the file name format you
have chosen without changing the entire file.

4. What you need to know about this tool?
When you run the application first time, the default setting will be run automatically.

Image
DSTV_2.jpg

 

And if you click on preview after selecting the NC files, the following format will be displayed:

Image
DSTV_3.jpg

However, when you need to exclude one or more options, then simply you need to uncheck the
checkbox beside the drop-down list, and this will disable it. It’s important to remember that one
option needs to be selected at least when you select NC files. If you want to check only one option
then this needs to be “Piece Mark”, since any given format without selecting Piece Mark will halt
the execution of the process. No files will be processed unless Piece Mark option is there with the
given selection.

Examples on different file name formats:

Image
DSTV_4.jpg

 

Image
DSTV_5.jpg

 

Image
DSTV_6.jpg

 

Image
DSTV_7.jpg

 

5. Troubleshooting:

This topic introduces some errors that you might encounter and the proper solution for
them:
Case : Unable to preview the new name of the CNC file(s).

Image
DSTV_8.jpg

 

Reason : You tried to preview the name without selecting at least one CNC file.
Solution : You must select CNC file(s) first so that the application can read the related information based on your selection.

 

Case : Unable to process the selected CNC file(s).

Image
DSTV_9.jpg

Reason : You clicked on “Start” button without choosing
one of the two available option

Solution : You must choose first between these two available options so that you can proceed.

  • Create new file(s) with new names
  • Rename original file(s).


Case : Unable to process the selected CNC file(s).

Image
DSTV_10.jpg

 

Reason : You clicked on “Start” button without choosing the output directory to place the processed file(s) in (If any).

Solution: You can either check “Place to source folder(s) automatically” and this will load all the processed files in the same input directory that you have chosen the CNC file(s) from. Or, you can simply click on “Browse” button to select the output directory for the processed files.

Case : Unable to save the current settings.
Reason : This is still a limitation in the current version; you can only save settings if you
selected four items from all the four drop down lists. The below example will cause this:

Image
DSTV_11.jpg

 

Solution: If you need to save settings in which you can load later, then you need to select
from all the drop-down lists and then click on save settings. This should work. See the following
example:

Image
DSTV_12.jpg

Notes: This is a standalone application and can run without opening Tekla Structures once it is installed.

To use the application without launching Tekla Structures each time, follow these steps below, as a one time setup:

  1. Open Tekla Structures.
  2. Launch the application from Applications & Components.
  3. Open the DSTV File Name Modifier application under ME Extension, locate its icon on the Windows taskbar.
  4. Choose one of the following:
    • Pin to Taskbar, or
    • Pin to Start Menu, or
    • Right-click the application → Properties → Create Desktop Shortcut.

After this one time setup, you can start the application directly from the taskbar, Start menu, or desktop without opening Tekla Structures.


Warehouse Download Link:

https://warehouse.tekla.com/#/catalog/details/ua47b2b39-f816-4ea3-92f3-796b16e1ce4e?showVersions=true

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