Open CAD drawing

  • Thread starter Thread starter A Hopper
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A Hopper

I have ACCESS 2002. The database is split into Front
End (MDE), Back End (MDB). Users have Access runtime.
Is there a way to open a CAD drawing from a command
button on a form so users can view the drawing and it's
information then close it when finished. I will need to be
certain the size is good for reading and the user may need
to be able to scroll if not all the information can be on
the screen.
Is there a special format to save files in to use them
with ACCESS?

Thanks for your help

Allan
 
Bruce, This is a new area for me. I have been asked to
include some CAD drawings as references from the database.
I have never worked with these drawings. I looked at the
information on the web sites, however, it looks like I
will need to do more research. I have no understanding of
how to go about this or which viewers to consider. I
thought it might be simple to do, but so far it doesn't
appear to be.
Thank you very much for pointing me in right direction.

Allan
 
If you store the names of the files as hyperlinks then the user could just
click on the filename and open what ever CAD viewer they have on their
computer.
Click to expand...

Of course they would need ... uh ... a viewer on their computer first. <g>

I recommend, in this case, that a stand-alone viewer program with command-line
startup be used and that your command button utilize a variation on Allan's
suggestion by storing the path with the record along with the "Shell()" or
"ShellExecute()" function to open the viewer. Help with the function "Shell()"
is available in Access VBA Help and help with the "ShellExecute()" function is
available at http://www.mvps.org/access/api/api0018.htm. And help with
everything else is available here, of course.

:-)
 
Bruce,
My ignorance will likely become evident at this point, but
I will give a try at what I am understanding.
I need to get a stand-alone viewer program which I can
open from the command button on the form in Access.
For Access to use the stand-alone viewer from all work
stations it should be installed on the network.
Since each project will require a different CAD drawing
how should I handle that?
Instead of a command button, a Combo box to select the
CAD drawing and use the AfterUpdate event to open the
drawing?

So if the viewer were located on Drive L and the file
selected was "example1" the After Update of the combo box
on the form would go like:

L:/ "Shell()" or "ShellExecute()"

Where would the "example1" fit in?

-----Original Message-----

Of course they would need ... uh ... a viewer on their
Click to expand...
computer first. said:
I recommend, in this case, that a stand-alone viewer program with command-line
startup be used and that your command button utilize a variation on Allan's
suggestion by storing the path with the record along with the "Shell()" or
"ShellExecute()" function to open the viewer. Help with the function "Shell()"
is available in Access VBA Help and help with
Click to expand...
the "ShellExecute()" function is
 
Not to be mean, but how is this different from my suggestion except that you
are using Access to call the program instead of letting Windows call the
program. The user would still need to have the viewer installed on their
computer. If the person who posed the question is new to databases,
wouldn't letting Windows do the program call be easier.

Kelvin
 
First I'm no access guru. I do however know autocad. I had the same
problem you did opening autocad drawings. I found two ways around it.
The one we use is to convert the autocad drawing to a jpeg using gtx
raster cad ( this is expensive gtx setup is costly ) the other is
online at autodeck they now have a drawing viewer that is a free
download. Opening your drawings with that software works.
 
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