Hi TBC community!
Welcome to our 3rd dev log - this one has been very long in coming!
Today's title is a saying I heard from tech and finance reporters in response to AI companies talking about new in-development AI models and building up hype/fear/terror, but not making them available. I appreciate the sentiment, and now use the phrase often (thus, the exclamation point in the title).
But it has also been pointed out to me that software developers are always building things in the background - so if the point of a dev log is to hear what's going on and get a glimpse of behind-the-scenes, then it's natural that a dev log would talk about things that are in-development (thus, the question mark in the title).
Regardless, today we can share about several things that are now available to the community.
[Service] 1-on-1 Training/Mentoring
The training material for developing C# extension commands is not quite ready - we want to create a few dev tools that will greatly reduce manual edits of template files and the need for PY source code files.
But we also don't want "to let the perfect be the enemy of the good". (another phrase I like)
So now, we provide 1-on-1 training/mentoring sessions (paid) for those that want to dive in and also want personalized support. You'll get access to the training material we do have, and get a free pre-order of the Revenant Core module (see below).
[RevApi] Program Files folder (Revenant.Vce.TbcExtensions v0.1)
To reduce installation issues, we created a folder in Program Files (\Revenant Solutions\TBC) for framework assemblies and tools that are independent of TBC versions.
[RevApi] Extension command interfaces, base classes, utilities (Revenant.Vce.Core v0.0.0.9)
Several interfaces, base classes, and utilities were added to Revenant.Vce.Core - greatly reducing the amount of code in the template PY file, and reducing boilerplate code that appeared in every Command Pane UI class.
[RevApi] Extension Installer (ExtInstall.exe v0.1.1) and extension package files (.extpkg)
These were created to simplify deployment of PY/PYDLL files (into MacroCommands3) and DLL files (into TBCExtensions) during development (simplifying Post-Build command lines) and by non-Revenant developers.
Developers can (manually) create .extpkg files (ZIP files) which contain PY/PYDLL and DLL payloads and installation info. Then, their users can simply double-click .extpkg files to install the command files properly.
In fact, Superuser Alpha builds are now distributed as .extpkg files (instead of building a custom Command Warehouse installer each time).
[Module] Revenant Core (Beta)
With the Beta release of Create CAD Point (see below), the Beta phase of the Revenant Core module has started.
The intent of this low-cost, basic, core module is to provide common functionality for all extension commands. For example, an enhanced layer picker control - since layers are used by both construction and geospatial survey users. As we add more commands and functionality to this module, you'll get the idea.
[Cmd] Go (v0.0.0.6), Add High Point (v0.1.1, Superuser), Elevate Lines With Ties (0.1.2, Superuser)
Each of these commands was updated to make use of new interfaces and base classes and the Program Files folder. Go moved to the Revenant tab, and got a cooler pre-release icon. Elevate Lines With Ties moved to the new Elevate group (in the Superuser tab).
[Cmd] Create CAD Point (v0.1 Beta, Revenant Core)
There is currently no way to create a CAD Point in TBC. I've heard of (and investigated) some creative uses of them. So if you want to create one, now there's an easier way than finding one (or importing one) and running the Copy/Move command. Included in the Revenant Core module.
[Cmd] Elevate Pads By CSV (v0.1, Superuser)
Scenario: You have elevated pads (identified by enclosed text objects with the pad names) that have 3D tie lines connected to them. You have a CSV file with vertical offsets listed by pad name.
Usage: Run this command to modify the elevation of each pad listed in the CSV, and elevate intersecting nodes of the tie lines to stay connected to the modified pads. Pads and tie line nodes are modified using node elevations (instead of VPIs) when possible.
Closing
Hopefully this dev log gives you a taste of what we are working on behind-the-scenes. If you are interested in the Revenant Core module (I know you want to make CAD points ;-) or want to submit a Superuer Priority Request or create a custom Superuser module (from any Superuser commands), please reach out via email or community message.
#DeveloperLog #TbcService #RevenantApi #TbcModule #TbcCommand #revenant
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Quan Mueller
quan@revenantsolutions.comRevenant Solutions | TBC Extension Developer
Superuser Program |
superuser@revenantsolutions.com------------------------------