[Plugin] VCB Calc v1.0 - 10 May 2010

[max-cx]

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.

[Slimdog]

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

[pilou]

Some people ask for that here

[CadFather]

Nice one Terry - probably the only time i wish i had a mac..

Cheers!

[xrok1]

@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?

[CadFather]

oh no, but it has more features on mac - variables etc