Paolo

Here's the script with the var passed as reference. It works only when you apply the trick s:=concat('', s); The result is a list of valid real numbers delimited by spaces, to be splitter later: 35.938 135.145 36.233 140.511 36.971 140.511 36.971 135.145 145 I'll try to port these in python. I do not know python, while I am an old Vectorscript developer. I hope python has a better array management (count, split etc.) as any modern language should. procedure trim; const testString = '<polygon points="35.938,135.145 36.233,140.511 36.971,140.511 36.971,135.145 "/>'; var r: dynarray[]of char; procedure trimNotInList(list: DYNARRAY[] OF CHAR; VAR s: dynarray[]of char); VAR i : INTEGER; t : dynarray[]of char; BEGIN t := s; i := 1; WHILE i <= Len(t) DO IF (Pos(Copy(t, i, 1), list) = 0) THEN Delete(t, i, 1) ELSE i := i + 1; s := t; END; procedure runOfSpacesIntoOne(var s:dynarray[]of char); var i:integer; temp: dynarray[] of char; begin s := Concat('',s); {pseudo reset} temp := ''; for i:=1 to len(s) do begin temp:=concat(temp, s[i]); if (i>1) then if (s[i]=' ') and (s[i-1]=' ') then temp := copy(temp, 1, len(temp)-1); end; s := temp; end; procedure trimSpaces(var s:dynarray[] of char); var i, ti, te:integer; begin s := Concat('',s); {pseudo reset} for i:=1 to len(s) do begin ti :=i; if s[i] <> ' ' then i := len(s); {esco dal for} end; for i:=len(s) downto 1 do begin te := i; if s[i] <> ' ' then i := 1; {esco dal for} end; s := copy(s, ti, te-ti+1); end; procedure replaceCommas(var s: dynarray[]of char); var i:integer; temp: string; begin s := Concat('',s); {pseudo reset} temp := ''; for i:=1 to len(s) do begin if s[i] = ',' then temp:=Concat(temp,' ') else if s[i] = '-' then temp:=Concat(temp,' -') else temp:=Concat(temp,s[i]) end; s := temp; end; {*********************** scanPolyPoints **********************} {return the substring between 'points="' and '"', I'll split these points later} procedure scanPolyPoints(parameter: string; line: DYNARRAY[] OF CHAR; var r:DYNARRAY[] OF CHAR); var index1, index2: integer; temp: DYNARRAY[] OF CHAR; begin index1 := Pos(parameter, line)+1+len(parameter); temp := copy(line, index1, len(line)-index1); index2 := Pos('"', temp); temp := copy(temp, 1, index2-1); temp := concat('', temp); trimNotInList('0123456789+-,. ',temp); replaceCommas(temp); runOfSpacesIntoOne(temp); r := temp; trimSpaces(r); end; begin r:=teststring; scanPolyPoints(' points=', teststring, r); writeln(r); end; run(trim);

Ok, I'll try to port to python all the project. However, I've tried to reset the variable as suggested s := Concat('',s); and it works!

I am trying to develop an SVG reader in Vectorscript, but I am at a stake because of the impossibility to manage functions or procedures that calculate and return strings that may have more than 255 chars. Having to do with SVG commands like this… <path fill="none" stroke="#000000" stroke-width="0.238" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-dasharray="1,1" d=" M47.506,645.356c0.099,0,0.197-0.049,0.296-0.049c0.098,0,0.196-0.05,0.295-0.099s0.197-0.049,0.296-0.099 c0.098-0.049,0.196-0.099,0.246-0.147c0.098-0.049,0.196-0.099,0.246-0.147c0.098-0.05,0.147-0.099,0.246-0.148 c0.099-0.049,0.147-0.147,0.246-0.196c0.049-0.05,0.147-0.148,0.196-0.197c0.05-0.049,0.148-0.147,0.197-0.246 s0.099-0.147,0.197-0.246c0.049-0.099,0.098-0.147,0.147-0.246c0.049-0.099,0.099-0.197,0.147-0.295 c0.05-0.148,0.147-0.296,0.197-0.493c0.049-0.147,0.099-0.295,0.196-0.492c0.05-0.147,0.099-0.345,0.148-0.492 c0.049-0.196,0.147-0.442,0.196-0.64c0-0.05,0.05-0.147,0.05-0.197c0-0.049,0.049-0.147,0.049-0.197 c0-0.049,0.05-0.147,0.05-0.196c0-0.05,0.049-0.147,0.049-0.197c0-0.049,0-0.049,0-0.099c0-0.049,0-0.049,0-0.098 c0-0.05,0-0.05,0-0.099c0-0.05,0-0.05-0.049-0.099c0-0.049-0.05-0.049-0.05-0.049l-0.049-0.05l-0.05-0.049 c-0.049,0-0.049-0.05-0.099-0.05c-0.049,0-0.049,0-0.098,0c-0.05,0-0.05,0-0.099,0c-0.05,0-0.05,0-0.099,0s-0.049,0-0.099,0.05 c-0.049,0-0.049,0.049-0.099,0.049l-0.049,0.05l-0.049,0.049c0,0-0.05,0.049-0.05,0.099c0,0.049-0.049,0.099-0.049,0.147 s-0.05,0.099-0.05,0.147c0,0.05-0.049,0.099-0.049,0.148c0,0.049-0.049,0.098-0.049,0.147c-0.05,0.099-0.099,0.246-0.197,0.345 c-0.05,0.099-0.099,0.246-0.197,0.345c-0.099,0.147-0.147,0.246-0.246,0.394s-0.147,0.246-0.246,0.394s-0.197,0.246-0.246,0.345 s-0.147,0.147-0.197,0.246c-0.049,0.099-0.147,0.147-0.196,0.197c-0.05,0.049-0.147,0.147-0.197,0.196 c-0.049,0.05-0.147,0.148-0.246,0.197s-0.147,0.099-0.246,0.147c-0.099,0.05-0.147,0.099-0.246,0.148 c-0.099,0.049-0.197,0.098-0.246,0.147c-0.099,0.049-0.197,0.099-0.296,0.147c-0.147,0.049-0.295,0.099-0.442,0.147 c-0.147,0.05-0.296,0.099-0.443,0.148c-0.147,0.049-0.295,0.098-0.443,0.147c-0.098,0.049-0.196,0.049-0.295,0.099 c-0.099,0-0.197,0.049-0.296,0.049c-0.049,0-0.147,0.049-0.196,0.049c-0.05,0-0.147,0-0.197,0.05c-0.049,0-0.147,0-0.196,0.049 c-0.05,0-0.148,0-0.197,0.05c-0.05,0-0.05,0-0.099,0s-0.049,0-0.099,0.049c-0.049,0-0.049,0.049-0.049,0.049l-0.05,0.05 l-0.049,0.049c0,0.05-0.049,0.05-0.049,0.099s0,0.049,0,0.099c0,0.049,0,0.049,0,0.099c0,0.049,0,0.049,0,0.098 c0,0.05,0,0.05,0.049,0.099c0,0.05,0.049,0.05,0.049,0.099l0.05,0.049l0.049,0.05c0,0,0.05,0.049,0.099,0.049s0.049,0,0.099,0.05 c0.049,0,0.049,0,0.099,0c0.049,0,0.099,0,0.147,0s0.099,0,0.147,0c0.05,0,0.099,0,0.147,0c0.05,0,0.099,0,0.148,0 c0.147,0,0.295,0,0.442,0c0.148,0,0.296,0,0.443,0s0.345,0,0.492-0.05c0.147,0,0.345-0.049,0.492-0.049 C47.161,645.406,47.359,645.406,47.506,645.356z”/> … that goes very beyond the 255 chars strings limit, I had necessarily to substitute functions returning strings into functions returning dynarray[]of char, but this is FORBIDDEN. So I tried with procedures returning dynarray[]of char as VAR (this is allowed) but I found strange behaviors. For example, the following script takes the constant string (this is a short string, just for instance). The first procedure extracts the substring starting from 'points="' and the subsequent '"'. The second procedure replaces the commas with spaces. Both procedure uses the same VAR s:string declared. procedure test; const polygon = '<polygon points="35.938,135.145 36.233,140.511 36.971,140.511 36.971,135.145 "/>’; {this is just an example of SVG line, this is < 256 chars, but this is a special case} var s: dynarray[]of char; {declare the VAR I'll use later as value returned from procedures} {*********************** scanPolyPoints **********************} {return the substring between 'points="' and '"', I'll split these points later} procedure scanPolyPoints(parameter: string; line: DYNARRAY[] OF CHAR; var r:DYNARRAY[] OF CHAR); var index1, index2: integer; temp: DYNARRAY[] OF CHAR; begin {search the position of 'parameter='} index1 := Pos(parameter, line)+1+len(parameter); temp := copy(line, index1, len(line)-index1); {remaining string} {search the position of '"' in the remaining string} index2 := Pos('"', temp); temp := copy(temp, 1, index2-1); {here I have only the string composed by points} r := temp; {set the answer r} end; {*********************** replaceCommas **********************} {substitute each comma with a space and each minus signs with ' -'} {in the SVG (generated by Adobe Illustrator), the path numbers are separated by a ',' or by '-' or by a space} {whenever you find a '-', the ',' is omitted!} procedure replaceCommas(source:dynarray[]of char; var dest: dynarray[]of char); var i:integer; temp: string; begin temp := ''; for i:=1 to len(source) do begin if source[i] = ',' then temp:=Concat(temp,' ') else if source[i] = '-' then temp:=Concat(temp,' -') else temp:=Concat(temp,source[i]) end; dest := temp; end; begin s := ''; {init} writeln(polygon); {write the input string to the standard output} scanPolyPoints(' points=', polygon, s); {first procedure} writeln(s); {write the resulting "s" string to the standard output} {Now I use the variable s both as parameter and resulting var} replaceCommas(s, s); {second procedure, commas should be replaced by spaces} writeln(s); {but NO! It's unchanged} {test it with a constant string as parameter…} replaceCommas('.,.,.,.,.,.,.,', s); writeln(s); {…it works!} end; run(test); The resulting output is the following: <polygon points="35.938,135.145 36.233,140.511 36.971,140.511 36.971,135.145 "/> 35.938,135.145 36.233,140.511 36.971,140.511 36.971,135.145 35.938,135.145 36.233,140.511 36.971,140.511 36.971,135.145 . . . . . . . As you can see, the first procedure works (line 2), the second no (line 3 has still commas in place!). While the constant string has the commas removed (line 4). Where is the problem and, most of all, is there a solution? Thank you for any help. Paolo Marcuccetti

Give a try with "Moulding plugins", a set of tools I developed sometime ago for the Vectordepot Market (now shut off). Start here: https://fitplot.it/vwplugins/mouldings.html The tools are all updated for Vectorworks 2018. I have decided to share these plugins free of charge, but if you find it useful in your work, well, a little PayPal contribution is welcome.

I am proud to announce that some of my plugins and scripts (previously hosted on Vectordepot) are made available for download here: https://fitplot.it/vwplugins/ These are a few items developed by me (Paolo Marcuccetti) in the past years, updated and working with VW2018. I give these softwares free for download and usage, not for distribution. If you find these softwares useful in your work, please consider a little paypal donation. You'll find instructions on site. Contributions will be used to keep the site updated, to bring in new contents and to give any technical assistance. Paolo Marcuccetti

The above mentioned FitPlot site has changed to www.fitplot.it The application is available (Mac only) through the Mac Apple Store ($18.99), last update (4.8) has been released 2013 november

The OSx printing system it's hard to override, Apple takes care of its own user interfaces. For a quick print, Benson's way is the more straight. If your work is organized in (many) sheet layers and not just one design layer, you may find useful to print to PDF, then use a simple app like this: http://digilander.libero.it/kiaradot/fitplot here you can easily compose all your sheets in the plotter layout (packing tool). You can print also a portion of the PDF (if you have a small printer) or get a "mosaic" of the whole drawing (with overlaps). It's also easy to resize (rescale) the PDF for different scale needs.

Thank you, Peter, for your precious suggestion. However I agree with DWorks, a section fill (or even line) property (properties) in the class setup dialog would be the more "natural" place to set this.

I have tried, but even in VW2011 this still misses. In Viewport section, advanced properties, tab attributes, my best options to achieve what I want are: separated transversal sections radio button on then you have to choose between 1. using object class attributes 2. choose from the classes in the popup (Section Style is proposed) The 1 uses the same class that in plan view (not right!) the 2 uses one class for all (not right too!) If there is a way, please post it...

It would be a good thing to have a "section fill" class attribute. Currently, in section view, we have two fill choices: 1. Using section class (one class for different elements) 2. Using element class (each element has its inherited fill class) Fills/hatches in section may differ from fills / hatches in plan views, usually you should have different diagonal hatches, exclusive for each class/material. Since options 1 and 2 does not this completely, I have to make this final step by hand, so it would be appreciated to see this feature implemented in a future release...

There is some new on this subject here: Mouldings plugins on Vectordepot Seems promising...

Thank for your answer, Raymond, Ok to scale the line from midpoint, but the problem is elsewhere. LineLineIntersection is good for polygons, not for polyline with curved strokes, as far as I know, Split2DObjectByLine is the natural way, but it sometimes fails ( read here in the VectorScript Function Reference, annotated version) . Paolo

I need to get the first intersection point (if any) of a polyline with a given line (extended if needed) via VectorScript. I have tried to use the Split2DObjectByLine procedure, but it seems not reliable. Here's the script. To test it, draw a polyline, then a line, run the script and select first the poly then the line. A point should be placed at their intersection. Not always it works. Sometimes it even crashes VectorWorks : procedure lineToPoly; VAR polyHandle: handle; lineHandle: handle; punto :Point; function intersectionLinePoly(lineH, polyH: Handle): Point; VAR tmpPolyH, tmpLineH : handle; begPt : point; endPt: point; resultHandle, temp_h: handle; BEGIN {faccio copia della linea} tmpPolyH := CreateDuplicateObject(polyH, NIL); tmpLineH := CreateDuplicateObject(lineH, NIL); GetSegPt1(tmpLineH, begPt.x, begPt.y); HScale2D(tmpLineH, begPt.x, begPt.y, 10,10,false); GetSegPt2(tmpLineH, endPt.x, endPt.y); Split2DObjectByLine(tmpPolyH, begPt.x, begPt.y, endPt.x, endPt.y, resultHandle); IF resultHandle <> NIL THEN BEGIN GetPolyPt(resultHandle, getVertNum(resultHandle), intersectionLinePoly.x, intersectionLinePoly.y); END; delObject(tmpLineH); delObject(tmpPolyH); END; begin GetPt(punto.x, punto.y); polyHandle:= PickObject(punto.x, punto.y); GetPt(punto.x, punto.y); lineHandle:= PickObject(punto.x, punto.y); punto := intersectionLinePoly(lineHandle, polyHandle); if not ((punto.x = 0) and (punto.y = 0)) then locus(punto.x, punto.y); end; run(lineToPoly); Is there a more reliable way to get this? Thank you in advance for your help.

Try this: http://www.vectordepot.com/market/vm-034_adobe_illustrator_im.html

Can I invert a NURBS curve direction with VectorScript? With polys it is easy, with a "downto for cycle" through all components points, you can get another poly assigning point in the inverted order, but with NURBS? Thank you for your help. Paolo