Digitizer Woes <sigh>

[Son of Aslan]

My company recently purchased me a GTCO Super L IV Digitizer from VectorTec (http://www.vectortec.com/gtco_super_l_IV.htm).

VectorTec offers 3 different transducers (pucks and stylus pens) with the digitizer... A stylus pen, a four button, and a 16 button. I got the 16 button expecting button programmability, hoping I wouldn't have to go to my computer to engage the Polyline command, switch back and forth between arcs and lines, or close the ployline.

But unfortunately, we are having driver problems. It installs where the computer only thinks the digitizer is a mouse until it is calibrated in AutoCAD, at which time, it will stay within defined bounds, but then assigns all the AutoCAD default functions to the buttons, which basically toggles things like snap, object snaps, and ortho on and off. VectorTec has been really good about pointing me toward alternative device drivers that might possibly remedy the situation, but none have worked thus far. I currently have only single button functionality.

Apparently there was a copyright lawsuit that makes drivers slightly incompatible with AutoCAD. The guy who runs this website (http://www.vtablet.com/) did the suing and now has exclusive rights to the drivers that ensure compatibility of digitizers.

I have downloaded this guy's driver. Should it not work, do any of you gurus have any advice in regards possibly programming the remaining 15 buttons to run various commands or options in AutoCAD with my existing WinTAB driver? I'm at a loss.

[ReMark]

What version of AutoCAD are you running?

Have you considered assigning functions to the digitizer buttons directly from within the AutoCAD menu file? In AutoCAD 2004 and earlier versions this would mean editting the .MNS file.

Are you running Tabletworks by any chance? If so, you can program "Macros" and assign them to individual buttons.

[Son of Aslan]

AutoCAD version: AutoCAD 2000i LT

For clarification, I am using Tabletworks Control Panel. When I use it to disable the Wintab, AutoCAD won't even enable my digitizer. When I enable Wintab, AutoCAD disregards the button settings in the Tabletworks Control Panel and assigns the buttons what I presume to be pre-set AutoCAD defaults. I meant to take a screen shot, but got busy at the end of the day and forgot.

I thought about the menu customization, but I don't know how to customize it. If you guys could give me an example for me to work by. Here's the original file LINK (http://h1.ripway.com/aslan/aclt.htm).

And here's a picture of the puck I'm using. It's the 16-button in the middle.

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/4900/phsl3cordless5007lv.jpg

The buttons are situated from 0-9 and then A-F.

My preferred button configuration is as follows.

0 - Left-Mouse Click. This is correct as it is.
1 - C, ENTER - So that I can close a polyline from the digitizer
2 - U, ENTER - To undo points on the polylines
3 - PL, ENTER - To start the polyline command
4 - A, ENTER - To start the arc in the polyline command
5 - S, ENTER - To start the second-point arc in the polyline command
6 - L, ENTER - To start the line in the polyline command
7 - Toggles ORTHO
8 - Toggles OSNAP

Any help is greatly appreciated. If you need any more information, I will be glad to provide it in the evening when I am able.

[ReMark]

Thank you for the updated info.

I use a Calcomp Drawing Board III digitizer with 16 button puck (same as the one you pictured) along with Tabletworks.

You should have an icon for Tabletworks in your system tray at the lower left corner of your screen. Do you?

If so, right click the icon, then from the pop-up window select Properties. In the left pane, click on 16-button cursor. Now look directly down from the tab labeled Buttons (in the lower left corner). WYPIWYG should be enabled. Also, there should be a checkmark in the box for Allow Application Override. Please verify. I'll post back later with more info.

[ReMark]

The buttons are situated from 0-9 and then A-F.

My preferred button configuration is as follows.

0 - Left-Mouse Click. This is correct as it is.
1 - C, ENTER - So that I can close a polyline from the digitizer
2 - U, ENTER - To undo points on the polylines
3 - PL, ENTER - To start the polyline command
4 - A, ENTER - To start the arc in the polyline command
5 - S, ENTER - To start the second-point arc in the polyline command
6 - L, ENTER - To start the line in the polyline command
7 - Toggles ORTHO
8 - Toggles OSNAP



In 2000i LT what functions are assigned to buttons 1 thru 3?

While you are providing that answer I will tell you that by editting the ACAD.MNS file I was able to assign the following functions to the button numbers as indicated:

4 - Start polyline command
5 - Start arc command
6 - Undo (as is undo last line; not UNDO as in last command)

The edits were made to the section of the file that starts:

***BUTTONS 1

and duplicated in:

***AUX1

When AutoCAD starts up it recompiles the .MNS file and the commands become available via your 16-button puck.

WARNING!

Editting the ACAD.MNS file can lead to potential problems. Make a backup copy before attempting any edits.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

One other question:

1) Aren't your number 3 and 6 the same command? If not, could you explain the difference?

I'll wait for the reply to my questions before instructing you on how to make the necessary edits.

[Son of Aslan]

All the commands, except the PL command itself, are commands I intend on implementing within the Polyline command. Assigning A and L to functions will be essentially toggling back and forth between drawing lines and arcs on the same polyline. I hope this answers your question. I have no intention of drawing regular "dumb" lines. CNC people seem to prefer closed polylines in their geometry. C, U, A, S, L, are all commands I intend on running within the Polyline command.

I decided to go with a menu and exchange my puck for a stylus with VectorTec. With a menu, I can do everything with it I had intended on doing with assigning functions, and plus the ease of digitizing with a stylus instead of a awkward puck. It will probably actually work out better this way.

ReMark, how old is your driver and tabletworks. You see, I did all the button assignments in the Tablet works control panel, the way you suggest. But when AutoCAD enables their Wintab function, I lose all my Tabletworks customizations and gain all of AutoCAD's presets. If I could get AutoCAD to work without using the wintab driver, I could use the customizations. It is only when Wintab is activated that I lose them.

The reason I asked you about the age of your driver is because I think all the compatibility problems results from a lawsuit in regards copyright infringement. If you have an older driver, then your driver probably still has compatibility. But even the technicians at GTCO CalComp Peripherals told me that there is reduced functionality with their digitizers and AutoCAD because of the implications of this lawsuit. Apparently, the only trully compatible driver offered is here (http://www.vtablet.com/). This website is ran, according to what I've heard, by the guy that started the lawsuit.

I thought I made all that clear in my initial post. I apologize if I didn't.

At any rate, when I get my stylus, I will be set. I had to alter my menu file a bit to get it to work correctly. But after wiriting a few scripts and getting my configurations and calibrations figured out, I am off and running. If nothing else, this has been a learning experience.

I am curious as to why Remark has been the only one that replied. Isn't anyone else on this board digitizer savvy?

[ReMark]

Son of Aslan:

Sorry to hear that driver problems have curtailed your use of the digitizer puck. On the other hand, I'm glad you were able to find a way around the problem by using a stylus.

The version of Tabletworks I have is dated 2003. It came as part of a file I downloaded from the GTGO/Calcomp website. The file name was Twser2kXp.exe. I still have a copy if anyone is interested.

Regarding the "lack of response" re: digitizer use.

It's only some of us slightly older CAD operators who even probably remember that when AutoCAD first hit the scene a CAD operator's only means of input was a digitizer. I actually had a 24x36 Summagraphics tablet but downsized later on to a 12x12 Calcomp. When mouse input was finally incorporated into AutoCAD most companies could no longer justify the expense of a digitizer. Even now the cost of a similar sized digitizer is probably in the hundreds of dollars. Compare that to the cost of a top end mouse and you can understand why digitizer use plummented.

I still prefer the digitizer to a mouse as I like having a small (3.5"x4.5") screen pointing area with the commands surrounding it on three sides and my 225 custom symbols across the top. I can pick a symbol and insert it into my piping diagrams faster than anyone using a mouse.

Well, enough ancient history. If anyone is interested in how I editted the ACAD.MNS file to program some of the 16 buttons on my digitizer's puck just ask and I'll post it here.

[Son of Aslan]

If anyone is interested in how I editted the ACAD.MNS file to program some of the 16 buttons on my digitizer's puck just ask and I'll post it here.

I am. If I were able to program my digitizer buttos within AutoCAD, then I wouldn't have to do menus.

[ReMark]

I am. If I were able to program my digitizer buttons within AutoCAD, then I wouldn't have to do menus.

Sorry for the delayed response. Misplaced by glasses and couldn't read a darn thing!

Since I don't know who else might read it I start right at the beginning and spell it all out. I'm guessing you're a bit ahead of the curve so please bear with me. Your instructions are as follows:

* * * * * * * * * *
Open Windows Explorer.

Highlight Local Disk [C:]

Click on the Search button. Select All files and folders.

In the box labeled “All or part of the file name:” type, ACAD.MNS then click on the Search button below and to the right.

In the left pane note the location(s) of any instances of the file. How many did you find?

Just one? Fine and dandy. Two (or more)? You’ll determine which one AutoCAD actually uses as the other is the “master” file.

If only one ACAD.MNS file is found, make a copy and store it in a safe folder not in any of AutoCAD’s search paths.

To edit ACAD.MNS we right click on it and select the word Open. The edits will be made with Microsoft’s Notepad.

This is what the first 30 lines (including blank ones) look like:

//
// AutoCAD menu file - C:\Documents and Settings\mark\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2004\R16.0\enu\support\acad.mnc
//

***MENUGROUP=ACAD

***BUTTONS1
$M=$(if,$(eq,$(substr,$(getvar,cmdnames),1,5),GRIP _),$P0=ACAD.GRIPS $P0=*);
$P0=SNAP $p0=*
^C^C
^B
^O
^G
^D
^E
^T

***BUTTONS2
$P0=SNAP $p0=*

***AUX1
$M=$(if,$(eq,$(substr,$(getvar,cmdnames),1,5),GRIP _),$P0=ACAD.GRIPS $P0=*);
$P0=SNAP $p0=*
^C^C
^B
^O
^G
^D
^E
^T

We are going to edit the lines that begin with ^B. We are going to make the same edits to the lines below the headings ***BUTTONS1 and ***AUX1.

I’ve changed your order slightly as you will see.

To start the polyline command. Delete ^B and substitute the following:

^C^C_pline

To undo points on a polyline. Delete ^O and substitute the following:

U

To close a polyline. Delete ^G and substitute the following:

C

To start an arc in the polyline command. Delete the ^D and substitute the following:

A

When the edits have been made close the file. You’ll be notified that the file has been changed and asked if you want to keep those changes. Answer “yes”.

Start AutoCAD. When AutoCAD loads it will recompile the .MNS file thereby creating a new .MNC file. Depending on the speed of your computer you may not even realize what AutoCAD is doing. When AutoCAD is fully loaded test your new button configurations. Start with drawing a polyline by pressing the corresponding button on your 16-button puck. That would be button number 4. The other commands you programmed reside at buttons 5, 6, and 7.

Good luck. Please let me know if you were successful with your edits to the ACAD.MNS file.

* * * * * End of file * * * * *

[DANIEL]

even as an old school cad user I despise the digitizer......die digitizer die!...about the only thing i've carried over from the dark ages is my use of keyboard commands, which i've noticed most of the younger cad generation ignoring, key strokes are just so much faster than point and click buttons or pull downs, anyway, i would just use a mouse, the digitizer isnt going to miraculously increase your productivity or anything and even once you get the right drivers its still going to be a headache for you down the road somewhere, but thats mostly just my opinion