1. Exploring the Power of EPDM Tasks - Working with and Developing Tasks in EPDM
By: Marc Young
XLM Solutions

2. What is an EPDM Task
Tasks are customizations that can be queued up and run on a separate computer / batch server
Printing / PDF Generation
Updating Files
Checking file integrity
The running of a task off loads the work to a server/computer so it does not take up time / resources of the individual’s computer
Customized tasks can be created to handle very specific requirements
Print / PDF based on Job ID (attribute in Data Card)
Watermark files
Print / PDF non SolidWork type files

3. Out of the Box EPDM Tasks
There are out of the box tasks for EPDM
Print
Convert
Check
These tasks can be configured and customized

4. Out of the Box Tasks – EPDM 2013
Because EPDM / SolidWorks is now using VBA 7 – a different declaration is required

5. Customization of EPDM Tasks
All aspects of the Task can be configured:
Setup
Configuration GUI Properties
On close of the configuration window of the Task
Initialization
RMB Menu / bring up a GUI
On close of the Task Initiates
Execution
The performing of the task
Task Details
The Details GUI of a the task

6. Configuring Out of the Box Task
Assign the task name
What Add-in to use
Who will execute it as
Should an input card be used
Number of retries
Minutes before failing

7. Execution Method Determine where the task will run
A computer needs to be designated via the Task Host Configuration

8. Menu Command Display the menu command to execute the task
The task could also be executed via a state transition

9. Task Specific Info (1/2) Specific info for the task Print Task
Always use one specific printer
Provide a list of Printers for the user to pick
Based on the printer on the sheet size of the drawing
Convert Task
Convert Format
Conversion Options
Configuration Options

10. Task Specific Info (2/2) Print Page Size Orientation Margins
Header Info
Footer Info
Convert
Map Variables
Output paths
Reference links

11. Print Task - Files Determine what files to print Just the select file
The select file and all of its references i.e. children
Determine to use as built or latest
Where the log info will be written to
Advanced Configurations (Macro that performs this operation)

12. Advanced Scripting Options
This is the SolidWorks Macro that does the work…

13. Permissions
Configuring ho can perform the task

14. Notification Who should notify when the task is successful
Who should notify when the task fails
What he message should say….

15. Writing your own task
Everything we just went through could be accomplished in our own task
Documentation on how to do this in in the EPDM API guide
Tasks need to be developed in COM based programing language i.e. VB.NET
The following areas of the task can be controlled
Setup – Controls the task set up options in the admin window
On close of Setup – What happens when the task admin window is closed
Running of the Tasks – Controls what the happens on the server when the task is executed
Task Launch – What happens when the user initiates the task on his client machine
Task Details – What the user sees when accesses the details about the task

16. Setting up your Environment
Reference in the EPDM Library
Set the import (simplify declarations) - Imports EdmLib
Add the implements line - Imports EdmLib
Write code for the two main add-In functions
GetAddInfo – Information about the add-in
OnCmd – Information about executing the Add-In Functions

17. OnTaskSetup This controls the setup behavior of the custom task
Add a Control to your project
Create a sub for the OnTaskSetup
Set where the control can run (menu / change state)
Menu command for the control
Associate GUI setup to task
Design the control
Set the Load Data and Store Data functions
(you will need to create these functions)

18. OnTaskSetupButton
This controls what happens then user hits okay or cancel at the end of the setup
Per the entered values, save them to EPDM
The task Properties object is used to store this information: IEdmTaskProperties

19. OnTaskLaunch
This code executes on the client when the client initiates the task
For instance, prompt the user to change the PDF Location
This functions code will:
Get selected files
Store them in the task instance object
Populate GUI based on info in Task Setup
Show GUI
If Cancel exit task

20. OnTaskLaunchButton
Controls what happens if a Data Card is presented and the user hits okay / cancel
Not used in this example

21. OnTaskRun The actual execution of the task
The code will perform the following actions:
Get selected files
Retrieve from the Task Instance Object
Do something with them (purpose of the task)
Create PDF for Excel Documents
Store info regarding the execution of the task
The Task Instance object can be used
Set the task status

22. OnTaskDetails
Allows the addition information / behavior present in the Detail information of the Task
Add a Control to your project
Create a sub for the OnTaskDetails
Design the control
Set the Load Data and Store Data functions
You will need to create these functions
If can be read from the task instance object

23. Conclusion
Task can be a powerfully way to off load time / processor consuming tasks
Many of common requests can be done with the out of the box task
If the out of the box task, cannot handle it, the task can be programed to handle almost any customer requirement

24. Script example shown is available at: http://www.xlmsolutions.com
Thank You!
Marc Young
xLM Solutions, LLC.
Questions?
Script example shown is available at: