Mecway API functions

Hengre

hello

currently it is not possible to call external programs using the API functions, isn't it.
Is there a way I can create the program in Fortran, and then call that exe from Iron Python? Are there any plans to include such functions?

Regards

Hengre

hello

currently it is not possible to call external programs using the API functions, isn't it.
Is there a way I can create the program in Fortran, and then call that exe from Iron Python? Are there any plans to include such functions?

Saving files and loading files would also be nice...

Regards

Victor

There are a few ways. Here's one that starts an external process and waits for it to exit before continuing with the script:

import subprocess
subprocess.call("notepad.exe")

JohnM

@Hengre, there is a post with a few API that have been shared.
https://mecway.com/forum/discussion/comment/5109
I'm particularly interested in leveraging this functionality, if you work out how to call your Fortran, please consider sharing! That would be very handy here.

Hengre

Hello Victor
thank you very much for your information. I tried the following:
test.exe is a small program like "Hello world" compiled with both Freebasic and Fortran, it also applies to a more complex Fortran program with graphics output. So it should not depend on the compiler used.

While testing the following lines I made the following observations

import subprocess
subprocess.call("notepad.exe") Works!

import subprocess
subprocess.call("test.exe") works only if test.exe is in the folder Mecway14

import subprocess
subprocess.call("C:\temp\test.exe") does not work if it is located elsewhere and the path is specified. Resulting in error message:
"Error from Microsoft.Dynamic
System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception
Windows.Error"



On the other hand, the following works even if a path is specified

import subprocess
subprocess.call("D:\gmsh-4.8.4-Windows64\gmsh.exe")

I am wondering about what's the difference?

My intention is to generate an *.inp file in a project folder with Mecway. Then run a specific Fortran program (the EXE should be located in a dedicated folder) that writes a *.frd that can be read again with Mecway to show the result.

That would make it neccessary not only to run the program, but also to pass the name of the input file including path. Would that be possible with ironphyton?



Regards

Hengre

@JohnM
you are right. If a solution for running external programs becomes more clear I can post the final way in that API post.

Victor

@Hengre, "\" indicates a special character in Python. For an actual backslash use two:

subprocess.call("C:\\temp\\test.exe")

I guess the Gmsh one works because \g isn't anything while \t is tab.

I prefer forward slash for paths. It works in Windows just about everywhere and you don't usually need to escape it.

Hengre

Hello Victor,
thanks for your reply.
Yes, it seems to ne the "\" problem,
subprocess.call("C:\\temp\\test.exe") works well
subprocess.call("C:/temp/test.exe") works well, too

Can you suggest a good reference about ironphyton to?

JohnM

Boom! Double slash did it for me.

Victor

#Hengre, I just look up things for Python 2 and they usually work in IronPython 2.7. The manual for IronPython is just a link to the manual for Python https://ironpython.net/documentation/

cwharpe

Playing with scripting lately.

Is there a way to suspend the execution of a Mecway script mid-way, so that user can mouse-select nodes/faces/elements when prompted?

Victor

@cwharpe, no, sorry. I looked into that and couldn't work out anything.

You can make use of the order of selection to identify individual nodes/faces/elements, or put them in named selections.

cwharpe

@Victor: Yes, that can work. Creates possibilities for some other scripts in mind.
Thanks.

# Cloud of nodes stored previously in Named Range
# Hub is only active node in screen selection set. Might be part of Cloud.
# Re-assign selection
hub = mw.selected_nodes()
mw.remove_from_named_selection("Cloud",hub[0])
fog = mw.named_selection("Cloud")
nn = len(fog)
.
.
.
# Restore node count to Cloud range
mw.add_to_named_selection("Cloud",hub[0])