VectorScript <--> RealBasic data exchange

[Bad_Wolf]

Hi everyone,

Can you give me some advice about the following situation.

We intend to create a VW document which draws signpanels for inside and outside signpanels for buildings. Inside this VW document there will be worksheest which will store the data coming from the drawings inside this VW document.

We will use VectorScripts (PIO) for create the basic signpanels. Then we modify those individual drawings so there represent the final signpanel for the client.

When all signpanels are drawn and finished, we create an invoice with a VectorScript which puts every drawing with the accompanion calculation onto one page for each drawing.

But when this invoice is finished, we like to store the data needed for an "after calculation" and so on, inside a database which is managed by a RealBasic runtime (RealBasic 2008.r1).

In the past (before 2003), I used Text files for exchanging data with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.

But now I like to find out if VW 12.1 is also capable of exchanging data directly by means of Network Sockets (TCP/IP protocol)?

For example, the drawing is finished. The user clicks on the VectorScript "Exchange". Then this VectorScript collect all the data to the "listening" RealBasic database application which starts to store the data inside the database. This whole process should be fully automated without any user interference.

My question to you is :

1. Is this possible with VectorScript?

And if yes, how?

I thank you very much for your time spend on my question and I wish you a very nice day.

Friendly greetings,

Bad_Wolf

[islandmon]

Been doin something similar with Filemaker Pro and VW export images & tab-delim.

As long as the Fields match names & types , it all works. On OSX Applescript & Automator handle the events.

[Bad_Wolf]

Hello Islandmon,

Indeed, I agree with you. I think it can only be done with exporting the VectorWorks data to a text file.

Because RealBasic can monitor a directory (or map) to see which documents are changed, this should be not a problem.

I intend to let the VectorScript create a textfile into the directory which is monitored by RealBasic (the database front end program). When RealBasic imports and stores a textfile succesfully, it will delete the imported textfile from the harddisk.

I only have to take care that every calculation has its own unique identification. In this way RealBasic will know when a textfile already is imported or is a new one.

So the first thing when a new calculation is created in VectorWorks, a unique ID number is assigned to the calculation (placed in a worksheet). When the whole calculation is completely finished and exported as a textfile, the first line in this file is this unique ID.

I think that using textfiles is the best way to go. It worked for my VectorWorks 9.5 application back in 2001-2002 and it will work now.

Despite the fact, last time I used Vectorworks was before 2003, I still like this program very much. On this moment I am exploring the best way to carry out this new project for me. Once I accepted, I will get a legal VectorWorks license for Windows.

Thank you very much for your advice. I appreciate it very much.

I wish you a very nice day and much VectorWorks pleasure.

Friendly greetings,

Bad_Wolf