Generating the XML and the Robot Files For Your Optimization
In order to generate a .xml and a .rtd (Robot) file for your optimization workflow, you need to run CatBot with two arguments, a file name and the '-b' flag which specifies that CatBot should run in "build" mode. In the AF_Tools folder, a batch file has been provided to do this for the 'Demo' optimization. The batch file is called "AF_Demo_Build.bat". The syntax of this file is:
start CatBot Demo -b
where "Demo" should be replaced by the name of your file. So, if you want all the files in your workflow to be called "cheese," your batch file syntax would be:
start CatBot cheese -b
You can edit the batch file with any text editor, you can even change its name. All the batch file does is run the CatBot executable with the specified arguments. It will generate both the .xml and the .rtd files for your workflow. Do not rename or move the .xml or the .rtd files after they are created, or you will get inexplicable errors in your workflow.
Remember, your Catia file must be open in order for this tool to run properly.
Comments
Generating .xml /.rtd file
To transfer you Catia model into .xml and robot do the following.
In CATIA: Have a geometric set named "Analytical Set" with two geometric sets within; "New Points" and "Lines" (same as demo.catpart)
Create a .bat file (i copy and renamed AF_demo_build.bat). Right click...'edit' change the text to the following "start catout file" where file is the common file name you're using.
With your Catia model open, run this .bat file. It will create file.xml
Create another .bat file with text "start CatBot file -b" this will build your robot model from the xml file.
Not yet sure how to apply loads etc.
I stand corrected...
Will is correct! The above directions are from the previous iteration of the tool, where CatOut didn't have an mF node of its own. Since CatOut now has its own node (after the synchronizer, next to the Catia node), you need to run CatOut manually as described above and THEN run CatBot to build the .rtd file.
Thanks Will!
Ian Keough
Senior Technical Designer
Buro Happold Consulting Engineers
CRAFT -Computation, Research, Analysis, and Fabrication Technology