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DECO 2014

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by

Autodesk Alumni
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Update:  DECO 2015 is now available

Time to start updating my apps.  The first on the list is DECO (Design Editor for Custom Objects).  Not only is this a must-have when using custom objects, but it gave me a chance to play with the new grid control in the Vault SDK.  If you are unfamiliar with DECO, have a look at the page for the 2013 version.

I added one cool new feature for DECO 2014: a grid containing all the linked children.  You can now view/add/delete links using UI created with DECO.

Have a look at this short video…

Requirements:

Click here for the application
Click here for the source code

Issues / Limitations:

  • Custom Objects only.  No support for files, folders, items, and so on.
  • The grid control only works with links to child entities.  There is no way to show “where used” data in a DECO control.
  • Visual Studio 2010 has problems editing a XAML file with a WindowsFormsHost control.  I don’t know about Visual Studio 2012.
  • The XAML files and Settings.xml need to be distributed to all clients in order for them to see the custom UI.  This issue will be addressed in the next release of Project Thunderdome.
  • When adding a link, the browse dialog only lets you browse items available through Project Explorer.  In other words, only files, folders and linked entities.

As with all the samples on this site, the legal disclaimer applies.

Comments

19 responses to “DECO 2014”

  1. Paul Coleman Avatar
    Paul Coleman

    Hi Doug
    Is it possible to link a custom object to a report to get a printout?
    Regards
    Paul

    Reply
  2. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    Sorry, no. Links only work with Entities, which are either Files, Folders, Items, Change Orders or Custom Objects. Reports are not entities and cannot be linked to.
    Also, you currently cannot generate a report from custom object data.

    Reply
  3. Paul Coleman Avatar
    Paul Coleman

    Hi Doug
    I’ve just managed to create a report from the Custom Object data.
    It only works if a search is done on the custom object. I’m guessing it them grabs all properties from the form.
    If I try to generate a report directly on the custom object, it doesn’t populate.
    Regards
    Paul

    Reply
  4. pacdraftingservices@gmail.com Avatar
    pacdraftingservices@gmail.com

    Hi Doug
    Sorry to bother you again.
    Is it possible to scroll on the View TAB?
    Regards
    Paul

    Reply
  5. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    Yes. You just stick everything in a ScrollViewer control.

    Reply
  6. Paul Coleman Avatar
    Paul Coleman

    Sorry I’m new to setting these forms up.
    If I have a grid with text fields on that grid. Can I place a scroll viewer in the project and merge the grid?
    Thanks

    Reply
  7. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    I’m not much of a XAML expert either.
    The way I got it to work was to first add the ScrollViewer control. Next, I switched to the XAML view and put the XML inside the tag.
    There may also be a way to do the same thing through the UI view by cutting and pasting.
    Either way, make a copy of the XAML file before you do anything.

    Reply
  8. Paul Coleman Avatar
    Paul Coleman

    Thanks very much.

    Reply
  9. Paul Coleman Avatar
    Paul Coleman

    Hi Doug
    I’ve found the data from vault populates in a drop down list for a combo box automatically if there is a list setup in vault.
    I do have a problem though. It seems that it only selects the list items added in vault. I have selected IsEditable in the xaml combo box?
    When inputting the data manually in the deco form it doesnt update.
    Any help would be great.
    Thanks
    Paul

    Reply
  10. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    Sorry, I don’t think I programmed that in. One workaround is to use a textbox. That way you can see and set the value, but you can’t select from a list.
    I’ll put this on the wishlist.

    Reply
  11. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    No problems thanks again.

    Reply
  12. Dominic St-Onge Avatar
    Dominic St-Onge

    Hi Doug,
    I installed and created my first UI. I basically recreated the Tasks you showed in your 2013 video. I am having a problem linking my UI to the custom object.
    when I go into Deco, configure menu, I add the name of the xaml file. Restart Vault Pro 2014, and then the xaml files do not get loaded. If I go back to the Configure menu, I’m still seeing default instead of the xaml name I added.
    Any idea why I cannot add my UIs?
    Regards,
    dominic.

    Reply
  13. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    Go to C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Vault 2014\Extensions\DECO and make sure there is full edit rights on Settings.xml. That’s where the configuration gets set.
    If there is no Settings.xml file create it as a blank text file and make sure there is full edit rights.
    Now when you make changes and click OK in the Configuration dialog, that XML file should update.

    Reply
  14. Paul Coleman Avatar
    Paul Coleman

    Hi Doug
    Any ideas on if DECO will be available on 2015 platform?
    Regards
    Paul

    Reply
  15. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    There are similarities between DECO and Data Standard. If it turns out that Data Standard can do the same thing as DECO, then I will retire DECO.
    But if Data Standard can’t provide the same functionality, then I’ll put out a DECO 2015.

    Reply
  16. Paul Coleman Avatar
    Paul Coleman

    Ok thanks.
    DECO has been a great tool for us. I have managed to create a number of custom objects. One to note is our non conformance register.
    Please keep me informed.
    Appreciate your efforts with this excellent attachment.
    Thanks Doug.

    Reply
  17. Jörg Weber Avatar
    Jörg Weber

    Hi Doug,
    im often reading your blog although im not a programmer.
    So last time i found your deco and i must say i is fantasitc.
    Now here is my question. Autodesk offers for subscription customers the vault data standards.
    What is the difference between your deco and the vds. And what is better to learn or to handle for a non programmer
    greets from germany
    Jörg

    Reply
  18. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    For Vault 2014, DECO is your best option I think.
    However in Vault 2015, Data Standard has support for custom objects. So I’m thinking that it can replace DECO moving forward. I still have to investigate further before I decide. Either way, I’ll be blogging about it soon.

    Reply
  19. Jörg Weber Avatar
    Jörg Weber

    Thanks for your answer. I think i try both on seperate vm-stations.

    Reply

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