ShellCon

What is ShellCon ?

When you are using a different software, you very often have a problem with converting from one file format to other file format. Usually such converting you make by using small utilities. An interface of such utilities are similar. Users select files and select a destination folder for result. Sometime users set a special options for converters.

We have developed a shell for converters (ShellCon). The ShellCon can help users and developers:

• For users the ShellCon are common shell for converters. Users will have one program with one interface for a lot of converters.
• For developers the ShellCon are a tool for quickly creating converters. A developer doesn't need to create a shell and interface for user. A developer make a force for creating converter. Developer will create a converter as dll and put it to the ShellCon folder.

• The Draft Translator
• The Report Generator
• The PPC 2000 (Post Processor Converter)

The Draft Translator

The Draft Translator translates text expressions inside drawings from one language to another language. The Draft Translator works with AutoCAD files (DWG and DXF format files). For translation the Draft Translator uses dictionaries which created before. The dictionaries can be created by using a special dictionary editor or using the Draft Translator during a scanning all translating drawings. The dictionary editor is included in the software. Translated expressions can be loaded on a special layer in AutoCAD or replaced original expressions. All translated font parameters (position, font height and type, ...) will be the same as original font parameters.

The Report Generator

The Report Generator transforms Foran's Steel Structure Module documentation into Microsoft Excel format file. Initial information for the program is Foran's text files (.lis), profile sketches and workshop drawings with positions (.dxf, .dwg). Final result is Excel file with Plate Material List, Profile Material List, Profile Part List, Plate Part List and modified (parts orientation and part names are added) nest file (.dxf, .dwg). The program has built-in a dictionary which provides a convertation Foran's standard part names to user defined names.

The PPC 2000 (Post Processor Converter)

The NC-converter (PPC) is used for working with NC files which used ESSI codes or same codes. The converter can take into account features of every NC cutting machine and easy can change any NC program for every specific bench. The converter used the principle of exchanging set of one bench commands to set of another bench commands. User put all needed exchanges to special table. Every table is stored in separate file. In that way you can convert NC programs by creating special tables and putting they to separate files and selecting needed tables in combobox. The converter can be used for any types of NC cutting machines with ESSI or same command system.