EPLAN-News

New Features in the "EPLAN API Extension" Extension Module

A unified, and especially high-performance, programming interface (API, Application Programming Interface) is available for EPLAN platform products. This extension module – the EPLAN API – allows you to develop your own customized solutions in collaboration with EPLAN or other partners. For more information about EPLAN API and EADN, visit the EPLAN web pages under the heading "Solutions > Integration > EPLAN Application Developer Network". The following section provides information on the various new features of EPLAN API. You require the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 to use the new EPLAN APIversion to develop your own applications.

Notes:

Automatic scaling when importing DXF files

With the EPLAN API it is now also possible to have DXF files automatically scaled during the import. To do this the DXFPage method now provides the new class DrawingLimits.

New possibilities for mounting points

In the Mate class, the two new classes GridMate and LineMate are available that represent certain mounting points.

Reading out source and target for each conductor of a cable

With the new GetSourcesAndTargets method in the Cable class you can determine information on the source and target of the cable's conductors.

Replacing texts in the project

With the new Replace method in the Search class you can now replace words of a project with other words.

New method for inserting 3D window macros

In the Insert3D class you now have a new variant of the WindowMacro method available. This allows you to dock a handle to a specific mounting point of another object.

Determining all objects of a certain type

The DMObjectsFinder class has been extended by the new method GetAll. This way all objects of a certain object type can be determined.

New class for the creation of user-defined properties in parts management

The new class MDUserDefinedPropertyDefinition allows user-defined properties to be created for the parts management. For more information, please also read the section "Extensions for User-Defined Properties".

Further formats for the "ExportNCData" action

For the export of NC data with the ExportNCData action the formats "Copper NC", "Copper DXF" and "Copper bending" are now also available.

Reading out object names in the current user interface language

The new GetTypeName method allows you to read out the name of an object type in the currently set user interface language.

New method for the generation of busbars

In the BusBar class a new overload of the Create method provides a simple possibility to generate busbars.

New property for reading out the database version in parts management

For reading out the database version in parts management the new Version property is available in the MDPartsDatabase class.

New properties for reading out the identifier

For reading out the identifiers the new IdentifierSets property is available in the FunctionDefinitionLibrary class. With this you can read out the names of the identifier sets.

In addition the new Identifiers property exists in the FunctionDefinition class with which you can determine all identifiers (for all available standards).

New methods for finding and replacing layers

In the EPLAN platform the possibility now exists to search for used user-defined layers and to replace them (see section "Extensions in Layer Management"). In the GraphicalLayerTable class the new methods for working with layer management are now available to this purpose.

New actions for registering / unregistering add-ons

For registering / unregistering add-ons the new actions XSettingsRegisterAction and XSettingsUnregisterAction are available.

New method to determine mounting points

In the SelectionSet class you can now use the new Mates method to determine the mounting points currently selected in the 3D graphic or in the layout space navigator.

Loading a directory via the action "projectmanagement"

The projectmanagement action has been extended. With the new parameter value /TYPE:LOADDIRECTORY and the parameters /PROJECTSDIRECTORY and /SCANSUBDIRECTORIES you can now execute the functionality Load directory from the project management via a command line call, via script or via the EPLAN API.

Access to"ActionCallingContext" in scripts with actions

If you provide an own action in a script via the attribute [DeclareAction], it is now also alternatively possible to use the complete ActionCallingContext as parameter of the method to be treated.

Determining coordinates of all corner points for 3D part placements

In the Placement3D class the new property Corners is now available. By means of this property you can determine the absolute and relative coordinates of all corner points for a 3D part placement.

Creating macro boxes as polylines

The EPLAN API now makes it possible to create macro boxes as polygons. The polylines are defined via the property LogicalAreaSegments from the class MacroBox.

Changing the position of the segments in the pre-planning navigator

With the EPLAN API you can now change the position of the segments (nodes) in the tree structure of the pre-planning navigator. To this purpose the PrePlanningService class provides the new methods MoveUp and MoveDown.

Predefining file names for the file selection dialog

In the class FileSelectDecisionContext you can now use the DefaultFilename property to predefine the file name for the file selection dialog.

Updating parts placements in the layout space

The Placement3DService class now provides the new method UpdatePartPlacement to update parts placements in the layout space via the EPLAN API.

Class "ConnectionPointPosition" has been added with further properties

The class ConnectionPointPosition has been added with the following properties:

Extended action "XPamsDeviceSelectionAction"

The XPamsDeviceSelectionAction action has been extended. If no specifications are made for the /PROJECTNAME parameter, the currently selected project is now used. In the course of this change, the /Mode parameter was also modified.

Determining the current selection in the macro navigator

It is now possible to determine the current selection in the macro navigator by using EPLAN API. You can use the Selection method from the SelectionSet class to determine objects of the type MacroEntry that represent the selected macros.

New method for the correction of texts that are not to be translated

The Translate class now includes the new method Correct with which you can remove the translation of texts that are not to be translated from properties. In the dialog Settings: Extent of the user interface this corresponds to the Correction button (menu path Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Translation > Extent).

Determining the current selection in the layer management

You can now use the new property Layers from the SelectionSet class to determine the currently selected layer in the new dockable dialog Layer management.

Exporting the address space assignment

You can now use the new method ExportAddressOverview from the PlcService class to export the address space assignment of a CPU. In the dialog Addresses / assignment lists of the user interface this corresponds to the menu item Export address space assignment below the button [Extras] (menu path Project data > PLC > Addresses / assignment lists).

Linking of segments with 3D part placements

In the pre-planning navigator segments can now also be linked with 3D part placements. In the EPLAN API this functions by means of the property PlanningSegment from the Function3D class.