[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