[Plugin] VCB Calc v1.0 - 10 May 2010
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VCB Calc is a tool that computes the value of simple arithmetic expressions entered in the VCB. You can download it from http://www.drawmetal.com/download-vcb-calc. Instructions on how to use the tool are available here: http://www.drawmetal.com/use-vcb-calc
The major features of the tool are:
- Adds, subtracts, multiplies, divides and raises to a power.
- Understands length, area and volume and their relationships.
- Works with all standard SU units of measure (" ' mm cm m).
- Click on an edge or a face in a model to use it's dimension in a calculation.
- Uses the Ruby Console as a virtual "paper tape".
- Observes format preferences on the Units tab of the Model Info window and displays results in multiple formats.
- Accepts international decimal separators.
- French version available.
- Stores results in user-defined variables (named memories) [largely a Mac only feature].
For example, entering 3" * 2 / 25.4mm = in the VCB yields the result 6 in the VCB. Entering 50"2 / 10" = yields the result 5". Entering 10"=mm yields the result 254mm.
As an example of creating user-defined variables, suppose we wanted to divide 5 square meters by 10 centimeters and store the result in a variable named a. This can be accomplished by entering 5m2/10cm=a in the VCB. At least this is possible on a Mac, but not on a PC.
The reason is that SU intercepts keyboard shortcuts differently between Mac's and PC's. On a Mac, only the first character of an expression entered in the VCB is subject to being interpreted as a shortcut. On a PC, the "a" at the end of the expression 5m2/10cm=a is seen as the keyboard shortcut for the Arc tool.
Clearly, this limitation makes the tool a lot less useful/interesting on a PC than on a Mac. It makes it impossible on a PC to evaluate something like a + b = c.
Many thanks to Gaieus, thomthom, TIG, and Jim for their insights and suggestions. Also, several beta users provided very valuable comments and feedback.
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WOW thats great Terry.
I was just using my desktop mac calculator last night because I dont have a real calculator handy. It was painful.
Thanks
Steve
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Some people ask for that here
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Nice one Terry - probably the only time i wish i had a mac..
Cheers!
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@cadfather said:
Nice one Terry - probably the only time i wish i had a mac..
Cheers!
why do you say that? is it for mac only?
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oh no, but it has more features on mac - variables etc
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