MultiTool Readme.txt
(C) Copyright 2008 by Joel Hewitt


This is an ObjectArx plugin for Autocad.
It associates the drawing object handles with a database file, allowing
data to be stored separately from the drawing file.

Commands:

mton - enables the ballon window, showing an abbreviated list of information from the database.
mtoff - turn off the ballow window.

mtdon - allow querying the database for the "DATA" fields
mtdoff - stop querying database.

modeless - activates a window that shows the object being 'hovered" and the data which is present in the database for that handle.  
Please use the attached Handles.mdb for columns and field sizes. ID (Text 40), DATA (Text 140), FILE (Text 140).

Use:
Open an existing drawing or
Create a new drawing and THEN SAVE IT.  Multitool has problems if the drawing doesn't have a location on the harddisk somewhere.
Copy the Handels.mdb to the location of the drawing.
(loadarx "multitool.arx")

Hover over an object, see the window appear with information, there is probably nothing there since the database is empty. Lets add some information.

Type "modeless" and a window should appear. 
As you "wiggle" the mouse over an object, this window will populate with information about that particular object.  If the database does not have information
about that particular object, most of the window will be empty save for the "Handle" and "Layer" fields.  At this point you can enter new data into the 
other fields and select a file to associate with this particular object, and select "update".  If you "wiggle" over a different object on the drawing, the 
information you entered will disappear, but return to the object that you "wiggled" previously and the form will show the data you had entered.

Selecting "Actuate" will call the "dwgdb.lsp" lisp file and run the "dbrun" command with the information in the "file" field.  From lisp you can launch 
the program which will display the file, be it an Excel document or Acrobat PDF file.

If two lines are essentially the same function, you can select "match" from the command window, select the objects you want to change, then "wiggle" over the 
object that you want to copy from (not fields in the command window showing data from the master object) and press the right mouse button.


Known bugs:
If you switch to a different drawing with MultiTool running, AutoCAD will most likely abruptly fail, and exit.
If you load MultiTool on a new drawing that is not saved, AutoCAD will most likely abruptly fail, and exit.
If you close MultiTool and then reload it, but don't close AutoCAD, AutoCAD will most likely abruptly fail, and exit.
If used on 3D drawings, AutoCAD will most likely abruptly fail, and exit.
If used for extended periods of time, AutoCAD will most likely abruptly fail, and exit.
