Batch change custom properties?

[brrian]

I've asked this question before--I'll ask again, but in a different way...

I see quite a few add-ins that allow you to ADD/REMOVE custom properties (the property itself) across multiple files, but none meant specifically to MODIFY the VALUE of a custom property across multiple files. For example, if I have the custom property "Status" in a number of drawing files, I'd like the ability to change them all to "APPROVED" in one action.

I was certain that I'd be able to find something on the internet to do this; however I have not. The closest I can find is what I mentioned above--programs to add/remove properties, some with the option to include a value when you add a property (which does what I need in a roundabout way).

So, is there a technical reason that a 'batch' modification program doesn't exist--something about SolidWorks or the files that prevents it from working? Or, am I looking in the wrong place?

I even looked for non-SolidWorks products, since these properties exist in many files. No luck there either.

Any comments, help, direction, etc. would be appreciated. Best case is that there IS something out there. Worst case is that it can't be done. Or, I may have something custom written.

Thanks in advance...

Brian

 

[rockguy]

Try using SolidWorks Task Scheduler. It was created to do exactly what you want.

 

[SBaugh]

Try writing your own API App that does what you need it to do.

Some of those Custom Property apps give you the code. You can take it and modifiy it or hire someone to do for you.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[brrian]

rockguy/SBaugh,

Thanks for the replies. I know Task Scheduler can do this, but it's not good for 'on the fly' changes. I'm looking for something that's a little more user-friendly.

I probably will have something written... I used to do some of my own VBA when I worked in Mechanical Desktop, but I haven't done it in a few years, and I'm not up to snuff with SW yet anyway.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[dogarila]

I don't know if there is a way to just change the value of a custom property. All the VB or VBA programs I've seen or wrote work in two steps: first remove the existing property and second, add the same property with the new value. So with a little knowledge of VB you can modify an ADD/REMOVE batch program to do exactly what you need.

 

[TheTick]

I think that one of the reasons most programs resort to the add/remove mode is that there is no single command that will "add" and "change if the property already exists". In my programs, I write around this by first checking if the property exists and then using add or change as required.

"An object at rest can not be stopped."

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com