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Global text replacement made easy!
How-to article by eiren Smith,
Axiom Product Manager
Global File Changer is Axiom's
tool for making global changes to multiple design files. In
addition to providing a flexible framework from which users
can execute almost any imaginable task operation on multiple
design files, Global File Changer contains its own
arsenal of custom commands. These custom commands, built from
years of feedback from MicroStation users of all types, cover
a wide variety of important tasks, from counting cells in
design files to unparalleled control over text and cell replacement.
Today I will provide you with an introduction to global text
replacement using Global File Changer.
The scenario:
We have text in hundreds of files that we need to change and
doing it one file at a time is not an option (as it would
take you weeks). We need to replace every instance of "Abbey
Rd" with "Abbey Road".
Should you panic? Not if you have Global File Changer (part
of MicroStation Productivity Toolkit)! Here is how
it's done:
1. Create a design file. Place a text element in this file
saying:
"Abbey rd needs to be spelled out and capitalized."
(Notice that "rd" is intentionally miscapitalized.)
2. Start Global File Changer from your Axiom menu inside
MicroStation.
Note: If this were a real
text replacement job being run on real project files, you
would need to make a list of the files to process. Global
File Changer makes this easy. However, we will just be running
on the active file today. If you look at the "Design
Files:" field, you will see that Global File Changer
is already pointing at your active file.
3. In Global File Changer, choose
Custom | Modify text…
Tip: If you want to process text in
cells (not just simple text elements) put a check in the "Text
in cells" checkbox. Today's example does not include
text in cells but this is an important option.
4. Choose the "Replace Text" tab.
5. In the "Search String" field, enter
"Abbey Rd"
6. In the "Replacement String" field,
enter "Abbey Road".
7. Press <Add>.
8. Press <OK>. You will be prompted to save your settings
to a "Modify Text File". This file will contain
the settings you have chosen so you can re-use them in the
future. Saving these settings to a file is mandatory.
9. Choose a name for your Modify Text File and press <OK>.
I will use "abbey_rd". It is not necessary to specify
a file extension - an extension of ".txt" will be
added to your file automatically.
You will be returned to the main Global File
Changer dialog box.
10. Notice that the "Keyins:" field
now says something like
#Axiom Modify Text c:\program files\axiom\v8\abbey_rd.txt
This is the command that will cause Global File Changer
to perform your text replacment.
11. Press <Start>.
12. If all goes well, you will be presented with a box like
this:
Press <OK>.
13. Now look at your design file. The text element you placed
earlier should now say:
"Abbey Road needs to be spelled out and capitalized."
Congratulations, you've successfully made a text modification
with Global File Changer. If you had been running a
real-world text replacement on project design files, it would
have been just as easy to have Global File Changer
change a whole list of design files.
Call now!
For more information on Global
File Changer contact an Axiom MicroStation Consultant
today! Call 727-442-7774 extension 9455 or e-mail 9455@AxiomInt.com.
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