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Working Directory as Default Option

Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: PCB Footprint Expert
Forum Name: Product Suggestions
Forum Description: request new features
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3072
Printed Date: 21 Nov 2024 at 5:16pm


Topic: Working Directory as Default Option
Posted By: ChrisChris
Subject: Working Directory as Default Option
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2022 at 11:37am
Perhaps this is already supported, but I am unable to find it. This is a request to expand options for file operations to add "Working" Directory support.

What I mean by this, is a mode such that whenever I open an FPX file, whether it be via double-click in Windows Explorer or via Library --> Open in FP Express, the Working directory gets updated to the same directory as the FPX. Now whenever I go to build parts, default to saving them in that directory. If I go to Re-save Library As, or Open Library, the File Manager dialogs also default to the Working directory in these cases. Basically, any file operation at all, instead of going to the Options Default Library Save-to Directory. This would also apply to Default Library on open. Instead, open the last Library I was working in.

This would reduce considerable navigation overhead for those of us who work on many different FPX libraries within a hierarchical Explorer folder structure. A single default location for this type of workflow is not well suited for this.

Thank you,
Chris


Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2022 at 11:43am
There is a new feature in V2022.03 that allows users to program what Options file they want to use. It's a little complicated but here is the summary of how it works. Maybe we could do the same for opening specific FPX files.

  • Added:
    • Ability to open a user option file (.opt) based on a command line entry. How to use:
      • Right-click on the ‘Footprint Expert’ shortcut and select ‘Properties’
      • In the ‘Target’ option, after the Footprint Expert path (ending with .exe”), add a space and one of the following
      • If the file is located in the program directory, enter a quote (“) followed by the name of the option file, quote (“) or
      • Quote (“) followed by the full path to the desired option file, quote (“)
    • Similarly, a library file can be automatically loaded use the same approach:
      • In the ‘Target’ option, after the Footprint Expert path (ending with .exe”), add a space and one of the following
      • If the file is located in the program directory / Libraries directory, enter a quote (“) followed by the name of the library file, quote (“) or
      • Quote (“) followed by the full path to the desired library file, quote (“)
    • Both can be used as long as separated by a ‘space’



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Posted By: erik.sprague
Date Posted: 06 May 2022 at 1:29pm
I upgraded to 2022.06 and tried this command line syntax, but couldn't get it to work. I also don't have the option of being local admin to make this change and run the program as administrator.

The custom .opt status changed, but "options" in the menu remained greyed out so i could not make changes to the options.

Will this be getting a more integrated/cleaned up approach?

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 06 May 2022 at 1:38pm
This "Command Line Syntax" feature you are trying to enable is only available in the Enterprise version. 

You must be using the free Footprint Expert Pro. 

It's now limited to the default Options only. Also, FP Designer and Batch Build were disabled in Pro. 

You need to upgrade to the Enterprise version to turn on all features. 

$99 gets you the full featured Enterprise and all the updates and quick access to regular pre-releases with bugs fixes and new features. 

We're having a hard time finding programmers that work for free. 



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