I nead help with a script to open an external application from Filemaker

if the file association does not work to launch autocad, you can lauch the app + filename as an argument, using the Send Event command.
You may also consider to insert files as an object in a container if autocad is OLE compatible: in this case, double clikiing on the container should open the app + file.

Thanks for both of the ideas. I think I will probably use the Send Event (app + filename) command as I would like to be able to specify the program to be used not just use the default windows file associated program. How would I be able to open multiple files (in a found set) in the external application. Right now if I run my script and have 3 records in a find set, it will only open the current record. I would assume that if I can open multiple records in the external app it would launch separate instances of the external program in windows. Is it possible to launch the external app then open multiple files in just one instance of the running application.

this depends on the app itself, how it's been written: if it opens new instances, you may try DDE commands to open extra files, but this is generally badly documented on the app side.

I will look into the DDE commands. What about the opening multiple records in the find set? With the Send Event command is it just designed to open the current record or can it open multiple records in a find set, or is this the same issue as in your reply.

If it does not accept multiple records (which I can't check now, my filemaker is running a 2 hours script...), you can loop trough the found set and execute it several times.. If it accepts several files, you can do a small loop to put the file names in a variable and use that afterwards.

When you have a chance, can you give me some actual examples of what I exactly need to do regarding your comments. My Filemaker skills are not that advanced, I know enough to get me into trouble!
Thanks.

not really, you need the doc for DDE commands for your application. everyone has its own set of functions.
if you don't have this... try to get them from autodesk or search the web.$
have tried using the appname + argument=filename? does it open a new instance, or a new file in the existing one?

It opens a new instance. When you said to loop through the found set, do you mean using the loop command in a  script? If so, can you give me an example.

assuming autocad is avgfrw.exe and patients:nom your filename field:
use the capture down there to create a file list if your app accepts it.
So i insist, this info and DDE syntax has to come from autodesk knowlegdeable people.

Thanks for the info. What about if I wanted to do the same with the Send Event (app + filename) command instead of the DDE. Is it possible to open multiple records with a loop (or another way) and can you give me an example of how would do that.

its basically the same. it will open several instance as this the same as using the command line

I tried it with no luck. Below is the code that is being used in an separate engineering drawing batabase application we currently use that can launch a engineering drawing viewer program. Can I use the info in the DDEOUT command in Filemnaker. I have tried but it is not working. I don't know if maybe I am not using the correct syntax.

VAR INT COUNT = 1
VAR INT MAXCNT = 0
 
GOTO NOSEL IF SELECTED = 0
GOTO NOSEL IF MATCH = 0
GOTO NOSEL IF SIZEOF PATH < 1
SET MAXCNT = SELECTED
 
    LOOP:
FETCH SELECTED COUNT
GOTO GOON IF FOUND (Path "\\" Filename "." Extension)
GOTO NOFILE2
 
   GOON:
DDEOUT "C:\\Program Files\\Rasterex\\RxViewR10\\RxView.exe" (+)
 "RxView" "File" (w) "Open[" Path "\\" Filename "." Extension "]"
SET COUNT = COUNT + 1
GOTO END  IF COUNT > MAXCNT
GOTO LOOP
 
     NOSEL:
MESSAGE "You must Select drawings after\\n a Search to use RxView!"
GOTO END
 
    NOFILE2:
MESSAGE "Drawing: " Filename "." Extension "\\ndoes not exist in " Path "!\\n" (+)
"Make note to correct Database Path entry!"
SET COUNT = COUNT + 1
GOTO END  IF COUNT > MAXCNT
GOTO LOOP
 
  END:

                                              

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I tried it with the DDE command but it does not work, it wont launch the RxView program. Can I do something similar with the Send Event (app + filename) command?

if the app accepts a filename to open as an argument, yes

The Send Event (app + filename) command by itself will open the RxView application but just the current record. What would the script steps be to try to open multiple files (loop?), can you give me examples.