PM Macro Programming Guide

Autodesk PowerMill
Macro Programming Guide

Contents
Macros 1
Creating macros ................................................................................................. 1
Recording macros in PowerMill .......................................................................... 2
Running macros ......................................................................................... 3
Editing macros............................................................................................ 3
Running macros from within macros .......................................................... 4
Writing your own macros .................................................................................... 5
PowerMill commands for macros ............................................................... 6
Adding comments to macros ...................................................................... 7
Macro User Guide ...................................................................................... 8
Variables in macros .................................................................................. 26
Using expressions in macros.................................................................... 45
Operator precedence ............................................................................... 47
Executing a macro string variable as a command using DOCOMMAND . 49
Macro functions ........................................................................................ 50
IF statement ............................................................................................. 53
IF - ELSE statement ................................................................................. 54
IF - ELSEIF - ELSE statement.................................................................. 55
SWITCH statement .................................................................................. 56
Running macros without displaying GUI items ......................................... 59
BREAK statement in a SWITCH statement .............................................. 59
Repeating commands in macros .............................................................. 60
Creating sequences ................................................................................. 64
RETURN statement .................................................................................. 65
Printing the value of an expression .......................................................... 66
Constants ................................................................................................. 67
Built-in functions ....................................................................................... 67
Entity based functions ............................................................................ 101
Model hierarchy .............................................................................................. 105
Model Component Functions.................................................................. 105
Model Hierarchies .................................................................................. 106
Nodes ..................................................................................................... 106
Walking the hierarchy ............................................................................. 107
Getting a Node by its Path...................................................................... 107
Getting the Hierarchy as a List ............................................................... 108
Model metadata ...................................................................................... 108
Feature Parameters ........................................................................................ 109
Working with files and directories ................................................................... 110
File reading and writing in macros .................................................................. 111
Frequently asked questions ............................................................................ 114
Organising your macros .................................................................................. 116
Autodesk PowerMill Contents • i

Recording the pmuser macro.......................................................................... 117
Turning off error and warning messages and locking graphic updates ........... 118
Recording a macro to set up NC preferences ................................................. 119
Tips for programming macros ......................................................................... 120
Autodesk Legal Notice 122

Index 139
ii • Contents Macro Programming Guide

Macros
A macro is a file which contains a sequence of commands to

automate recurrent operations. You can create macros by recording
operations as they occur in PowerMill, or by entering the commands
directly into a text editor. Recorded macros have a .mac extension,
and can be run from the Macro node in the Explorer.
You can record single or multiple macros to suit your needs. You
can call a macro from within another macro.
There are two types of macros:
▪ The initialisation macro, pmuser.mac, is run when PowerMill
starts. By default, a blank copy of this macro exists in the
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\PowerMillxxxxx\lib\macro folder. By
overwriting or adding PowerMill commands to it, you can set up
your own default parameters and settings. You can also place the
pmuser macro in the pmill folder, directly below your Home area.
Doing this enables personalised macro settings for individual
login accounts.
▪ User-defined macros are macros you define to automate various
operations.
In addition to tailoring PowerMill by the creation of an

initialisation macro, you can create macros for undrawing,
drawing and resetting leads and links, setting NC preferences,
defining regularly used machining sequences, and so on.
Creating macros
You can create macros by:
▪ Recording (see page 2) a sequence of commands within
PowerMill.
▪ Writing your own macro (see page 5) using a text editor.
Autodesk PowerMill Macros • 1

Recording macros in PowerMill
An easy way to create a macro is to record PowerMill commands as
you work. Only the values that you change in the dialogs are
recorded in the macro. Therefore, to record a value that is already
set, you must re-enter it in a field, or re-select an option. For
example, if the finishing tolerance is currently set to 0.1 mm, and
you want the macro to store the same value, you must re-enter 0.1
in the Tolerance field during recording.
To record a macro:
1 From the Macros context menu, select Record.
This displays the Select Record Macro File dialog which is a

standard Windows Save dialog.
2 Move to the appropriate directory, enter an appropriate File name
and click Save.
The macro icon changes to red to show recording is in
progress.
All dialog options that you want to include in your macro must be
selected during its recording. If an option already has the desired
value, re-enter it.
3 Work through the set of commands you want to record.
4 From the Macros context menu, select Stop to finish recording.
For more information, see Recording the pmuser macro (see page
117) and Recording the NC preference macro (see page 119).
2 • Macros Macro Programming Guide

Running macros
When you run a macro, the commands recorded in the macro file
are executed.
1 Expand Macros, and select the macro you want to run.
2 From the individual macro menu, select Run.
You can also run a macro by double-clicking its name in the

Explorer.
Running the macro you have just recorded

The location of the macro you have just recorded becomes the local
folder. So, the macro you have just recorded is available in the local
macro search path . However, the list of macros is not updated
dynamically. To force an update:
1 Click next to Macros to collapse the contents.
2 Click next to Macros to expand and regenerate the contents.

3 Click next to to see the macros in this directory, which
includes the one you have just created.
Editing macros
You can edit recorded macros to troubleshoot and correct any
errors.
1 Expand Macros and select the macro you want to edit.

2 From the individual macro menu, select Edit.
A Windows WordPad document opens.
The text editor opened by default is the application associated

with macro (.mac) files. Use the Choose default program option
available in Windows Explorer to make changes to default file
type associations.
3 Edit the macro commands, and then save the file.
Running macros from within macros

You can create small macros that perform a single operation, and
then call them from within a larger macro. This example shows how
to add the h400_prefs macro and the iniblock macro to the pmuser
macro.
1 From the pmuser macro context menu, select Edit.
2 Scroll to the bottom of the file, and add the following lines:
macro h400_prefs

macro iniblock
If you precede a line with two forward slash characters (//), it is

treated as a comment, and is not executed.
3 Save and close pmuser.mac.
4 Exit and restart PowerMill to check that the settings from the
pmuser macro are activated.
Writing your own macros

A more powerful way of creating macros is to write your own. The
principles are described in the Macro User Guide (see page 8).
Macros enable you to:
▪ Construct expressions (see page 45).
▪ Use expressions to control macro flow (see page 21).
▪ Use a range of relational (see page 40) operators and logical
(see page 42) operators.
▪ Evaluate both expressions (see page 45).

▪ Assign values to variables and parameters by using assignments
(see page 27).
Click Help > Documentation > Parameters >Reference >
Functions to list all the standard functions you can use in macros.
For information about using parameter functions in setup

sheets, see Using parameters in Setup Sheets.
PowerMill commands for macros

When you use PowerMill interactively, every menu click and entry in
a dialog sends a command to the program. These are the
commands that you must enter in your macro file if you want to
drive PowerMill from a macro.
This example shows you how to:
▪ Find the PowerMill commands to include in your macros.
▪ Place them in a text editor such as WordPad.
▪ Display the macro in the Explorer.
To create a macro:
1 Click View tab > Window panel > User Interface > Command
Window to open the command window.
2 Click Home tab > Macro panel > Echo Commands to echo the
issued commands in the command window.
3 To see the commands needed to calculate a block:

a Click Home tab > Setup panel > Block > Block.
b When the Block dialog opens, click Calculate, and then click
Accept.
The command window shows the commands issued:

The commands are shown in square brackets; \r should be
ignored. The commands you need are: FORM BLOCK, EDIT
BLOCK RESET, and BLOCK ACCEPT.
4 Open WordPad, and enter the commands into it.
The commands aren't case-sensitive so FORM BLOCK is

the same as Form Block which is the same as foRm bLock.
5 Save the file. The macro is added to the macro tree.
For more information see Running macros (see page 3).
Adding comments to macros

It is good practise to put comments into a macro file to explain what
it does. A comment is a line of text which has no effect on the
running of the macro file but may help anyone examining the file to
understand it. Comment lines start with //. For example:
// This macro imports my standard model, creates a block,
// and a ball nosed tool.
It is also good practise to have comments explaining what each
section of the macro file does. This may be obvious when you write
the macro but later it may be difficult to understand. It is good
practise to put the comments which describe commands before the
actual commands:
// Clean all the Roughing boundaries
MACRO Clean 'boundary\Roughing'

Another use of comments is to temporarily remove a command
from a macro. When debugging or writing a macro, it is a good idea
to write one step at a time and re-run the macro after each change.
If your macro contains a lengthy calculation, or the recreation of
toolpaths, you may want to temporarily comment out the earlier
parts of the macro whilst checking the later parts. For example:
// Import the model
// IMPORT TEMPLATE ENTITY TOOLPATH "Finishing/Raster-
Flat-Finishing.ptf"
Macro User Guide

This example shows you how to use the PowerMill macro
programming language to create a macro which prints the words of
the counting song "Ten Green Bottles".
The main steps are:
1 Creating the basic macro (see page 8).
2 Adding macro variables (see page 9).
3 Adding macro loops (see page 10).
4 Running macros with arguments (see page 11).
5 Decision making in macros (see page 13).
6 Using functions in macros (see page 15).
7 Using a SWITCH statement (see page 17).
8 Returning values from macros (see page 18).
9 Using a FOREACH loop in a macro (see page 21).
10 Using arrays in a FOREACH loop (see page 24).
Basic macro
This shows you how to create and run a basic macro using
PowerMill's programming language.
1 In a text editor such as WordPad enter:
PRINT "10 green bottles sitting on the wall"
PRINT "10 green bottles sitting on the wall"
PRINT "And if 1 green bottle should accidentally fall"
PRINT "There will be 9 green bottles sitting on the
wall"
2 Save the file as example.mac.
3 In PowerMill, click View tab > Window panel > User Interface >
Command Window.

4 From the Macro context menu, select Run. This displays the
Select Macro to Run dialog.
5 Move to the appropriate directory, select example.mac, and click
Open. The macro runs and the command windows displays the
text enclosed in quotations marks (") in the macro.
Adding macro variables

The first two lines of example.mac are the same. To minimise
repetition (and for ease of maintenance) it is good practise to write
the line once and recall it whenever it is needed. To do this you
must create a local variable to hold the line of text.
You can create different types of variables (see page 26) in
PowerMill. To store a line of text you must use a STRING variable.
1 Open example.mac in your text editor and change it to:
// Create a variable to hold the first line
STRING bottles = "10 green bottles sitting on the wall"
PRINT $bottles
PRINT $bottles
wall"
The first line is a comment which explains the second line.

3 In PowerMill, Run the Macro. The command windows displays the
same as before:
You should be aware of several issues with variables:

▪ You must define all local variables before they are used, in this
case STRING bottles = "10 green bottles sitting on the
wall" defines the local variable bottles.

▪ The variable bottles is a local variable, so is only valid within the
macro where it is defined. It is not a PowerMill variable. Typing it
into the command window gives an error.
▪ When you have defined a local variable you can use it as many
times as you want in a macro.
▪ You can define as many local variables as you want in a macro.
Adding macro loops

There are two lines of the macro which are the same: PRINT
$bottles. This is acceptable in this case because the line only
appears twice, but if you wanted to repeat it 5 or 20 times it would
be better to use a loop. PowerMill has three looping statements:
▪ WHILE (see page 62)
▪ DO - WHILE (see page 63)
▪ FOREACH (see page 61)
This example uses the WHILE statement to repeat the command 5
times.
STRING bottles = "10 green bottles sitting on the wall"
// Create a variable to hold the number of times

// you want to print the first line.
// In this case, 5
INT Count = 5
// Repeat while the condition Count is greater than 0

WHILE Count > 0 {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles
// Reduce the count by 1
$Count = Count - 1
}
// Print the last two lines

wall"

$Count = Count - 1 is an assignment statement which is
why the variable ($Count) to the left of = must be prefixed
with $.
The empty lines are not necessary, but they make it easier
to read the macro.
3 In PowerMill, Run the Macro. The command windows displays:
Changing INT Count = 5 to INT Count = 10 prints 10 green

bottles sitting on the wall ten times, rather than five.
Running macros with arguments

The loop you added to example.mac works well if you always want to
print 10 green bottles sitting on the wall the same number of times.
However, if you want to change the number of repetitions at run
time, rather than editing the macro each time, it is much better to
write the macro so it is given the number of repetitions. To do this
you need to create a Main FUNCTION (see page 50).
// Create a Main FUNCTION to hold the number of times
// you want to print the first line.
FUNCTION Main (INT Count) {

STRING bottles = "10 green bottles sitting on the
wall"
// Repeat while the condition Count is greater than

0
WHILE Count > 0 {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles
$Count = Count - 1
}

PRINT "If 1 green bottle should accidentally fall"

wall"
}
3 To run the macro you cannot select Run from the Macro context
menu, as you need to give a value for Count. Therefore, in the
command window type:
MACRO example.mac 5
Where 5 is the value for Count. The command windows displays:
If you get a warning that the macro cannot be found, check

you have created the necessary macro path (see page
116).
Adding your own functions

As well as a Main function you can create your own functions. This is
useful as a way of separating out a block of code. You can use
functions:
▪ to build up a library of useful operations
▪ to make a macro more understandable.
You can call a function any number of times within a macro.

This example separates out the printing of the first line into its own
function so that the Main function is more understandable.
FUNCTION PrintBottles(INT Count) {

wall"

0
WHILE Count > 0 {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles
$Count = Count - 1
}

}
// Print the first line Count number of times

CALL PrintBottles(Count)

wall"
}
2 Save the macro.
3 Run the macro by typing MACRO example.mac 5 in the command
window.
This produces the same result as before.
The order of functions in a macro is irrelevant. For example, it

does not matter whether the Main function is before or after
the PrintBottles function.
It is important that each function name is unique and that the

macro has a function called Main.
You can have any number of functions in a macro.
Decision making in macros

The macro example.mac runs provided that you enter a positive
argument. However, if you always want the 10 green bottles sitting
on the wall line printed at least once use:
▪ A DO - WHILE (see page 63) loop as it executes all the commands
before testing the conditional expression.
▪ An IF (see page 53) statement.
DO - WHILE loop
1 Edit the PrintBottles function in example.mac to:

wall"

0
DO {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles
$Count = Count - 1
} WHILE Count > 0
}
The main function remains unchanged:


PRINT "And if 1 green bottle should accidentally
fall"
wall"
}
2 Type MACRO example.mac 0 in the command window.
The 10 green bottles sitting on the wall line is printed once.
IF statement
You can use an IF statement to ensure the 10 green bottles sitting on
the wall line is printed at least twice.
1 Edit the Main function in example.mac to:
// Make sure that Count is at least two

IF Count < 2 {
$Count = 2
}


PRINT "And if 1 green bottle should accidentally
fall"

wall"
}
The PrintBottles function remains unchanged:

wall"

0
WHILE Count > 0 {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles
$Count = Count - 1
}
}
The 10 green bottles sitting on the wall line is printed twice.
More on functions in macros

So far you have only printed the first verse of the counting song
"Ten Green Bottles". To make your macro print out all the verses
you must change the PrintBottles function so it takes two
arguments:
▪ Count for the number of times "X green bottles" is printed.
▪ Number for the number of bottles.
FUNCTION PrintBottles(INT Count, INT Number) {
STRING bottles = String(Number) + " green bottles
sitting on the wall"

0
WHILE Count > 0 {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles

$Count = Count - 1
}
}
This adds a second argument to the PrintBottles function. It then
uses a parameter function to convert the Number to a string
value, STRING (Number). It is then concatenated (+)with green
bottles sitting on the wall to make up the bottles string.
IF Count < 2 {
$Count = 2
}
// Start with ten bottles

INT Bottles = 10
WHILE Bottles > 0 {

// Print the first line 'Count' number of times
CALL PrintBottles(Count, Bottles)
// Count down Bottles
$Bottles = $Bottles - 1
// Build the number of 'bottles_left' string
STRING bottles_left = "There will be " +
string(Bottles) + " green bottles sitting on the
wall"
PRINT $bottles_left
}
}
In Main when you CALL PrintBottles you give it two arguments

Count and Bottles whilst within the PrintBottles function the
Bottles argument is referred to as Number. The parameters
passed to a function do not have to have the same names as
they are called within the function.

The order you call the arguments is important.
Any changes made to the value of a parameter within a

function does not alter the value of parameter in the calling
function unless the parameter is defined as an OUTPUT (see
page 18) value.
Using the SWITCH statement

So far you have used numerals to print the quantity of bottles but it
would be better to use words. So, instead of printing 10 green bottles
… print Ten green bottles ….
One way of doing this is to use a large IF - ELSEIF (see page 54)
chain to select the text representation of the number. Another way
is to use the SWITCH (see page 56) statement.
SWITCH Number {
CASE 10
$Text = "Ten"
BREAK
CASE 9
$Text = "Nine"
BREAK
CASE 8
$Text = "Eight"
BREAK
CASE 7
$Text = "Seven"
BREAK
CASE 6
$Text = "Six"
BREAK
CASE 5
$Text = "Five"
BREAK
CASE 4
$Text = "Four"
BREAK
CASE 3
$Text = "Three"
BREAK
CASE 2
$Text = "Two"
BREAK
CASE 1
$Text = "One"
BREAK
DEFAULT
$Text = "No"

BREAK
}
The switch statement matches the value of its argument (in this
case Number) with a corresponding case value and executes all the
subsequent lines until it encounters a BREAK statement. If no
matching value is found the DEFAULT is selected (in this case No).
DEFAULT is an optional step.
Returning values from macros

This shows you how to create an OUTPUT variable from a SWITCH
statement.
1 Create a new function called NumberStr containing the SWITCH
statement in Using the SWITCH statement (see page 17) and a
first line of:
FUNCTION NumberStr(INT Number, OUTPUT STRING Text) {
and a last line of:
}
FUNCTION PrintBottles(INT Count INT Number) {
// Convert Number into a string

STRING TextNumber = ''
CALL NumberStr(Number,TextNumber)

STRING bottles = TextNumber + " green bottles
sitting on the wall"

0
WHILE Count > 0 {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles
$Count = Count - 1
}
}
This adds the OUTPUT variable to the PrintBottles function.

IF Count < 2 {

$Count = 2
}

INT Bottles = 10
WHILE Bottles > 0 {

// Countdown Bottles
// Convert Bottles to string

STRING BottlesNumber = ''
CALL NumberStr(Bottles, BottlesNumber)
// Build the number of bottles left string

lcase(BottlesNumber) + " green bottles sitting on
the wall"
PRINT "If one green bottle should accidentally
fall"
PRINT $bottles_left
}
}
The BottlesNumber variable is declared in the WHILE loop of the
MAIN function.
Each code block or function can define its own set of local
variables; the scope of the variable is from its declaration
to the end of the enclosing block or function.
4 Add the NumberStr function into example.mac.


STRING bottles = TextNumber + " green bottles sitting
on the wall"

WHILE Count > 0 {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles
$Count = Count - 1

}
}

IF Count < 2 {
$Count = 2
}

INT Bottles = 10
WHILE Bottles > 0 {



lcase(BottlesNumber) + " green bottles sitting on the
wall"
PRINT "If one green bottle should accidentally fall"
PRINT $bottles_left
}
}

SWITCH Number {
CASE 10
$Text = "Ten"
BREAK
CASE 9
$Text = "Nine"
BREAK
CASE 8
$Text = "Eight"
BREAK
CASE 7
$Text = "Seven"
BREAK
CASE 6
$Text = "Six"
BREAK
CASE 5

$Text = "Five"
BREAK
CASE 4
$Text = "Four"
BREAK
CASE 3
$Text = "Three"
BREAK
CASE 2
$Text = "Two"
BREAK
CASE 1
$Text = "One"
BREAK
DEFAULT
$Text = "No"
BREAK
}
}
To run the macro, type MACRO example.mac 2 in the command

window.
Using a FOREACH loop in a macro

This example shows you how to use a FOREACH (see page 61) loop
to control the number of bottles rather than a WHILE loop.

IF Count < 2 {
$Count = 2
}
FOREACH Bottles IN {10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1} {




the wall"
fall"
PRINT $bottles_left
}
}
The rest of example.mac remains unaltered.


STRING bottles = TextNumber + " green bottles sitting
on the wall"

WHILE Count > 0 {
// Print the line
PRINT $bottles
$Count = Count - 1
}
}

IF Count < 2 {
$Count = 2
}
FOREACH Bottles IN {10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1} {



lcase(BottlesNumber) + " green bottles sitting on the
wall"
PRINT "If one green bottle should accidentally fall"
PRINT $bottles_left
}
}

SWITCH Number {
CASE 10
$Text = "Ten"
BREAK
CASE 9
$Text = "Nine"
BREAK
CASE 8
$Text = "Eight"
BREAK
CASE 7
$Text = "Seven"
BREAK
CASE 6
$Text = "Six"
BREAK
CASE 5
$Text = "Five"
BREAK
CASE 4
$Text = "Four"
BREAK
CASE 3
$Text = "Three"
BREAK
CASE 2
$Text = "Two"
BREAK
CASE 1
$Text = "One"
BREAK
DEFAULT
$Text = "No"
BREAK
}
}

You do not need to declare the type or initial value of the
Bottles variable as the FOREACH loop handles this.
To run the macro, type MACRO example.mac 2 in the command
window.
This gives exactly the same output as the Returning values from
macros (see page 18) example. It shows you an alternative way of
creating the same output.
Using arrays in a FOREACH loop

This example shows you how to use an array (see page 32) in a
FOREACH loop, rather than using a list, to control the number of
bottles.

IF Count < 2 {
$Count = 2
}
// Define an array of bottle numbers

INT ARRAY BottleArray[10] = {10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1}
FOREACH Bottles IN BottleArray {

// Count down Bottles


the wall"

fall"
PRINT $bottles_left
}
}
The rest of example.mac remains unaltered.
This gives exactly the same output as the Returning values from
macros (see page 18) example. It shows you an alternative way
of creating the same output.
Pausing a macro for user interaction

You can pause a running macro to allow user input, such as the
selection of surfaces or curves. The command to do this is:
MACRO PAUSE "User help instructions"
This displays a dialog containing the supplied text and a button to
allow the user to RESUME the macro.
When the macro is paused, users can perform any actions within
PowerMill, with the exception of running another macro. The current
macro remains paused until the user clicks the RESUME button. If the
user closes the dialog, by clicking the dialog close icon , this
ends any currently running macros, including the paused macro.
For example:
GET EXAMPLES 'cowling.dgk'
ROTATE TRANSFORM TOP
CREATE TOOL ; BALLNOSED
EDIT TOOL ; DIAMETER 10
EDIT BLOCK RESET
CREATE BOUNDARY ; SELECTED
STRING Msg = "Select surfaces for boundary, and
press"+crlf+"RESUME when ready to continue"
EDIT BLOCK RESET
MACRO PAUSE $Msg
EDIT BOUNDARY ; CALCULATE

If you do not enter a string after MACRO PAUSE the macro pauses
but does not display a RESUME dialog. To resume the macro either
type MACRO RUN or provide another mechanism to continue the
macro.
Variables in macros
You can create variables in macros just as you can in a PowerMill
project. When you create a variable in a macro, it has the same
properties as a PowerMill parameter, and can store either a value or
an expression.
There are some restrictions on the use of macro variables.

▪ Variable names must start with an alphabetic character (a-z, A-
Z) and may contain any number of subsequent alphanumeric
characters (a-z, A-Z, 1-9, _). For example, you can name a
variable Count1 but not 1Count.
▪ Variable names are case insensitive. For example, Count, count,
and CoUnT all refer to the same variable.
▪ All variables must have a type, which can be:
INT — Integer numbers. For example, 1, 21, 5008.
REAL — Real numbers. For example, 201, -70.5, 66.0.
STRING — A sequence of characters. For example, hello.
BOOL — Truth values, either 0 (false) or 1 (true).
ENTITY — A unique value that references an existing PowerMill
entity.
Object — A collection of parameters that PowerMill groups
together, such as Block, or Connections.
▪ You must declare the variable type, for example:
INT Count = 5
REAL Diameter = 2.5
STRING Tapefile = "MyFile.tap"
▪ You can access any of the PowerMill parameters in variable
declarations, expressions, or assignments.
▪ Any variables you create in a macro are only accessible from
within the macro. When the macro has finished the variable is no
longer accessible and cannot be used in expressions or other
macros.
▪ If you need to create a variable that can be used at any time in a
PowerMill project then you should create a User Parameter.

Assigning parameters
When you assign a value to a variable the expression is evaluated
and the result is assigned, the actual expression is not retained.
This is the same as using the EVAL modifier in the PowerMill
parameter EDIT PAR command. These two statements are
equivalent:
EDIT PAR "Stepover" EVAL "Tool.Diameter * 0.6"
$Stepover = Tool.Diameter * 0.6
Variable and parameter names may optionally be prefixed

with a $ character. In most cases, you can omit the $ prefix,
but it MUST be used when you assign a value to either a
variable or parameter within a macro.
Inputting values into macros

An input dialog enables you to enter specific values into a macro.
The basic structure is:
$<variable> = INPUT <string-prompt>
This displays an input dialog with a specified prompt as its title
which enables you to enter a value.
If you add an input dialog you should consider adding an error

function to check the value entered is reasonable.
For example:
string prompt = "Enter a number"
$i = input $prompt
$err = ERROR i
}
produces this dialog:
You can also use INPUT in the variable definition.

For example:
REAL X = INPUT "Enter a number"
For more information see User selection of entities in macros (see
page 29).
Asking a Yes/No question

A Yes/No query dialog is a very simple dialog.
Selecting Yes assigns 1 to the variable.

Selecting No assigns 0 to the variable.
$<variable> = QUERY <string-prompt>
For example:
string yesnoprompt = "You entered 5. Would you like to
have another go?"
bool carryon = 0
$carryon = query $yesnoprompt
produces this dialog:
Creating a message dialog

There are three types of message dialogs:
▪ Information dialogs
▪ Warning dialogs
▪ Error dialogs
MESSAGE INFO|WARN|ERROR <expression>
For example, an input dialog to enter a number into a macro:
real i = 3
do {
bool err = 0
do {
$i = input $prompt
$err = ERROR i
if err {
$prompt = "Please 'Enter a number'"
}
} while err
string yesnoprompt = "You entered " + string(i) + ".
Would you like to have another go?"
bool carryon = 0
} while $carryon
message info "Thank you!"
An example to find out if a named toolpath exists:

string name = ""
$name = input "Enter the name of a toolpath"
if pathname('toolpath',name) == "" {
message error "Sorry. Couldn't find toolpath " + name
} else {
message info "Yes! Toolpath " + name + " exists!"
}
Carriage return in dialogs

You can specify a carriage return to control the formatting of the
text in a message dialog using crlf.
For example, looking at the input dialog to enter a number into a
macro:
real i = 3
do {
bool err = 0
do {
$i = input $prompt
$err = ERROR i
if err {
$prompt = "Please 'Enter a number'"
}
} while err
string yesnoprompt = "You entered " + string(i) + "." +
crlf + " Would you like to have another go?"
bool carryon = 0
} while $carryon
message info "Thank you!"
produces this query dialog:
User selection of entities in macros

Use the INPUT command to prompt the user to select a specific
entity in PowerMill, such as a toolpath or a tool. You can use this to:
▪ Display a list of available entities
▪ Prompt the user to select one of them.

For example, to list all the available tools and then ask the user to
select one:
STRING ToolName = INPUT ENTITY TOOL "Please select a
Tool."
This command returns the name of the tool the user selected.
This example creates two folders, creates two tool in each folder,
then asks the user to select one of the tools:
// Create some tools in folders
CREATE FOLDER 'Tool' 'Endmills'
CREATE IN 'Tool\Endmills' TOOL 'End 20' ENDMILL
CREATE IN 'Tool\Endmills' TOOL 'End 10' ENDMILL
CREATE FOLDER 'Tool' 'Balls'
CREATE IN 'Tool\Balls' TOOL 'Ball 12' BALLNOSED
CREATE IN 'Tool\Balls' TOOL 'Ball 10' BALLNOSED
// Prompt user to pick one
STRING ToolName = ''
$ToolName = INPUT ENTITY TOOL "Please select a Tool."
You can also ask for the selection of a number of entities. The result
is the list of entities selected, which can be assigned to either a list
of strings, or list of entities.
ENTITY LIST $Selected_Toolpaths = INPUT ENTITY MULTIPLE
toolpath "which toolpaths do you want to check?"
STRING LIST ToolpathNames = INPUT ENTITY MULTIPLE
TOOLPATH "Select toolpaths to check"
You can then iterate over the user selection with a FOREACH loop:
FOREACH $tp in ToolpathNames {
ACTIVATE TOOLPATH $tp.Name
EDIT COLLISION APPLY
}
User selection from a list of options

You can use the INPUT command to prompt the user to select from
a list of options that your macro supplies. The syntax for this is:
INT value = INPUT CHOICE <string-array> <prompt>
For example, suppose you have a machining macro where
everything is setup except that you want to give the user the choice
of cut direction to use. You can do this by using a CHOICE input as
follows:
// Create an array of strings from the CutDirection
parameter

STRING ARRAY Opts[] = values(CutDirection)
INT C = INPUT CHOICE $Opts "Choose the Cut Direction
you want"
$CutDirection = $C
}
Or for another example, you can increase or decrease the number
of options the user can select. You can limit the options available to
only one, such as Gouge Check or Collision Check a toolpath, or you
can increase the options available so the user can choose between
the two options. To create this list, enter the following:
STRING ARRAY Opts[] = {"Gouge check only", "Collision
check only", "Gouge and Collision check"} INT C = INPUT
CHOICE $Opts "Pick an option"
SWITCH $C {
CASE 0:
MACRO "Gouge_Check.mac"
BREAK
CASE 2:
// Intended fall through to next command
CASE 1:
MACRO "Collision_Check.mac"
BREAK
}
The above example uses the 'fall through' behavior of cases

within a switch block (see page 56). If you are not used to
using the switch statement you can use an IFELSE statement
instead:
IF $C==0 {
} ELSEIF $C==1 {
} ELSEIF $C==2 {
}
User selection of a file name

You can prompt your user for a filename with Use the FILESELECT
command to prompt the user for a file name. This command
displays an Open dialog which enables user to browse for a file.
For example:
STRING Filename = ''

$Filename = FILESELECT "Please select a pattern file"
Arrays and lists

Arrays
In addition to simple variables of type INT, REAL, or STRING you
can also have arrays of these types. When you declare an array you
must initialise all of its members using an initialisation list. When
you have specified an array you cannot change its size. The syntax
for an array is:
BASIC-TYPE ARRAY name[n] = {…}
For example, to declare an array of three strings:
STRING ARRAY MyArray[3] = {'First','Second','Third'}
All the items in the initialisation list must be the same BASIC-TYPE
as the array.
You can access the items of the array by subscripting. The first item
in the array is subscript 0. For example:
INT Index = 0
WHILE Index < size(MyArray) {
PRINT MyArray[Index]
$Index = Index + 1
}
Prints:
First
Second
Third
If you leave the size of the array empty, then PowerMill determines
its size from the number of elements in the initialisation list. For
example:
STRING ARRAY MyArray[] =
{'First','Second','Third','Fourth'}
PRINT = size(MyArray)
Prints:
4
Lists
PowerMill also has a LIST type. The main difference between a list
and an array is that the list does not have a fixed size, so you can
add and remove items to it. You can create lists:
▪ that are empty to start with
▪ from an initialisation list

▪ from an array.
// Create an empty list
STRING LIST MyStrings = {}
// Create a list from an array
STRING LIST MyList = MyArray
// Create a list using an initialisation list
STRING LIST MyListTwo = {'First','Second'}
You can use two inbuilt functions add_first() and add_last() to
add items to a list.
For example using the inbuilt function add_last():
CREATE PATTERN Daffy
CREATE PATTERN Duck
// Create an empty list of strings
STRING LIST Patterns = {}
FOREACH pat IN folder('Pattern') {
// Add the name of the pattern to the list
int s = add_last(Patterns, pat.Name)
}
FOREACH name IN Patterns {
PRINT = $name
}
Prints:
Daffy
Duck
You can also add items to the front of a list by using the inbuilt
function add_first():
CREATE PATTERN Daffy
CREATE PATTERN Duck
// Create an empty list of strings
// Add the name of the pattern to the list
int s = add_first(Patterns, pat.Name)
}
FOREACH name IN Patterns {
PRINT = $name
}
Prints:
Duck
Daffy
Using lists
A list, like an array, contains multiple values. You can create a list
with initial values:

INT LIST MyList = {1,2,3,4}
Unlike an ARRAY, you do not use the [] syntax.

You can specify an empty list:
INT LIST MyEmptyList = {}
You can use lists anywhere you might use an array. For instance,
you can use a list in a FOREACH loop:
FOREACH i IN MyList {
PRINT = i
}
or to initialise an array:
INT ARRAY MyArray[] = MyList
You can also use an array to initialise a list:
INT LIST MyList2 = MyArray
You can pass a list to macro functions that expect an array:
FUNCTION PrintArray(INT ARRAY MyArray) {
FOREACH i IN Myarray {
PRINT = i
}
}
FUNCTION Main() {
INT LIST MyList = {10,20,30,40}
CALL PrintArray(MyList)
}
You can access the elements of a list with a FOREACH loop, or you
can use the array subscripting notation:
INT Val = MyList[2]
Adding items to a list summary

The main differences between a list and an array is that a list can
have items added to it and removed from it.
To add an item to a list you can use either of the inbuilt functions
add_first() or add_last().
For example, to collect the names of all the toolpaths in a folder:
STRING LIST TpNames = {}
FOREACH tp IN folder('Toolpath\MyFolder') {
INT Size = add_last(TpNames, tp.name)
}

For more information see Adding comments to macros (see page
86).
Removing items from a list summary

The main differences between a list and an array is that a list can
have items added to it and removed from it.
To remove an item from a list you can use either of the inbuilt
functions remove_first() or remove_last().
For example, if you have a list of toolpath names some of which are
batched and you want to ask the user whether they want them
calculated now. You can use a function which removes calculated
toolpaths from the list and creates a query message for the rest.
FUNCTION CalculateNow(STRING LIST TpNames) {
// Cycle through the list
FOREACH Name IN TpNames {
IF entity('toolpath',Name).Calculated {
// Toolpath already calculated so
// remove name from list
BOOL success = remove(TpNames,Name)
}
}
// Do we have any names left
IF size(TpNames) > 0 {
// Build the prompt string
STRING Msg = "These toolpaths are uncalculated"
FOREACH name IN TpNames {
$Msg = Msg + CRLF + name
}
$Msg = Msg + CRLF + "Do you want to calculate them
now?"
// Ask the user if they want to proceed
bool yes = 0
$yes = QUERY $msg
IF yes {
// Loop through the toolpaths and calculate them
WHILE size(TpNames) > 0 {
STRING Name = remove_first(TpNames)
ACTIVATE TOOLPATH $Name
EDIT TOOLPATH ; CALCULATE
}
}
}
}
You could use a FOREACH loop rather than a WHILE loop:
FOREACH Name IN TpNames {
ACTIVATE TOOLPATH $Name

}
PowerMill has an inbuilt function which enables you to remove
duplicate items from a list: remove_duplicates. For example, to
determine how many different tool diameters there are in your
toolpaths you could add the tool diameters from each toolpath and
then remove the duplicates:
REAL LIST Diameters = {}
FOREACH tp IN folder('toolpath') {
INT s = add_first(Diameters, tp.Tool.Diameter)
}
INT removed = remove_duplicates(Diameters)
For more information, see Removing items from a list (see page 86)
or Removing duplicate items in a list (see page 85).
Building a list
You can use the inbuilt member() function in a macro function to
build a list of tool names used by toolpaths or boundaries without
any duplicates:
FUNCTION ToolNames(STRING FolderName, OUTPUT STRING LIST
ToolNames) {
// loop over all the items in FolderName

FOREACH item IN folder(FolderName) {
// Define local working variables

STRING Name = ''
INT size = 0
// check that the item's tool exists

// it might not have been set yet
IF entity_exists(item.Tool) {
// get the name and add it to our list
$Name = item.Tool.Name
IF NOT member(FolderName, Name) {
$dummy = add_last(FolderName, Name)
}
}
// Check whether this item has a reference tool

// and that it has been set
IF active(item.ReferenceTool) AND
entity_exists(item.ReferenceTool) {
// get the name and add it to our list
$Name = item.ReferenceTool.Name
IF NOT member(FolderName, Name) {
$dummy = add_last(FolderName, Name)
}
}

}
}
As this function can work on any toolpath or boundary folder, you
can collect all the tools used by the toolpaths in one list and all of
the tools used by boundaries in another list. You can do this by
calling the macro function twice:
STRING LIST ToolpathTools = {}
STRING LIST BoundaryTools = {}
CALL ToolNames('Toolpath',ToolpathTools)
CALL ToolNames('Boundary',BoundaryTools)
To return a list containing the items from both sets with any
duplicates removed:
STRING LIST UsedToolNames = set_union(ToolpathTools,
BoundaryTools)
Subtract function
You can use the subtract() function to determine what happened
after carrying out a PowerMill command. For example, suppose you
to find out if any new toolpaths are created during a toolpath
verification. If you get the list of toolpath names before the
operation, and the list of names after the operation, and then
subtract the ‘before’ names from the ‘after’ names you are left with
the names of any new toolpaths.
FUNCTION GetNames(STRING FolderName, OUTPUT STRING LIST
Names) {
FOREACH item IN folder(FolderName) {
INT n = add_last(Names, item.Name)
}
}
FUNCTION Main() {
STRING LIST Before = {}

CALL GetNames('toolpath',Before)
STRING LIST After = {}

CALL GetNames('toolpath',After)
STRING LIST NewNames = subtract(After, Before)
IF is_empty(NewNames) {
PRINT "No new toolpaths were created."
} ELSE {
PRINT "The new toolpaths created are:"
FOREACH item IN NewNames {
PRINT = item

}
}
}
Entity variables
PowerMill has a special variable type ENTITY. You can use ENTITY
variables to refer to existing PowerMill entities such as toolpaths,
tools, boundaries, patterns, workplanes, and so on. You cannot use
this command to create new entities.
For example:
// create an entity variable that references boundary
entity 'Duck'
ENTITY Daffy = entity('boundary','Duck')
The inbuilt functions, such as folder() return lists of entities so
you can store the result of the call in your own list and array
variables:
For example:
ENTITY List Toolpaths = folder('toolpath')
When looping over folder items in a FOREACH the loop variable that
is automatically created has the type ENTITY. Therefore the
following code is syntactically correct:
ENTITY CurrentTP = tp
PRINT = CurrentTP.Name
}
You can also pass ENTITY variables to functions (and passed back
from function) by using an OUTPUT argument:
For example:
FUNCTION Test(OUTPUT ENTITY Ent) {
$Ent = entity('toolpath','2')
}
FUNCTION Main() {
ENTITY TP = entity('toolpath','1')
CALL Test(TP)
PRINT = TP.Name
}
Additionally, you can use an ENTITY variable anywhere in PowerMill
that is expecting an entity name.
For example:
ENTITY tp = entity('toolpath','1')
ACTIVATE TOOLPATH $tp

Object variables
PowerMill has a variable type called OBJECT which can hold any
collection of variables that PowerMill pre-defines, such as Block or
Connections.
For example:
// Get the current set of block parameters
OBJECT myObject = Block
// Activate a toolpath (this may change the block)
ACTIVATE TOOLPATH "Daffy"
// Reset the block to its old state
$Block = myObject
Whilst you cannot create an ARRAY of OBJECT you can create a
LIST of OBJECTs:
For example:
OBJECT LIST myObjects = {Block,Connections}
FOREACH ob IN myObjects {
PRINT PAR "ob"
}
As you can see from the above example, each object in a list may
be different. It is the responsibility of the macro writer to keep track
of the different types of OBJECT. PowerMill has an inbuilt function
get_typename() to help with this.
For example:
OBJECT LIST myObjects = {Block,Connections}
FOREACH ob IN myObjects {
PRINT = get_typename(ob)
}
Which prints:
Block
ToolpathConnections
As with all lists, you can also access the elements by index:
PRINT = get_typename(myObjects[0])
PRINT = get_typename(myObjects[1])
Objects can also be passed to and from macro FUNCTIONs.
For example:
FUNCTION myBlkFunction(OBJECT blk) {
IF get_typename(blk) != "Block" {
MESSAGE ERROR "Expecting a Block object"
MACRO ABORT
}
// Code that works on block objects
}
// Find block with maximum zrange
FUNCTION myZrangeBlockFunc(OUTPUT OBJECT Blk) {
// The

REAL zrange = 0
// find zlength of this block
REAL z = tp.Block.Limits.ZMax - tp.Block.Limits.ZMin
IF z > zrange {
// Copy if longer than previously
$Blk = Block
$zrange = z
}
}
}
Vectors and points

In PowerMill vectors and points are represented by an array of three
reals.
PowerMill contains point and vector parameters, for example the
Workplane.Origin, Workplane.ZAxis, ToolAxis.Origin, and
ToolAxis.Direction. You can create your own vector and point
variables:
REAL ARRAY VecX[] = {1,0,0}
REAL ARRAY VecY[] = {0,1,0}
REAL ARRAY VecZ[] = {0,0,1}
REAL ARRAY MVecZ[] = {0,0,-1}
REAL ARRAY Orig[] = {0,0,0}

For more information, see the inbuilt Vectors and points functions
(see page 68)
Comparing variables
Comparing variables enables you to check information and defines
the course of action to take when using IF (see page 53) statements
and WHILE (see page 62) statements.
The result of a comparison is either true or false. When true the
result is 1, when false the result is 0.
A simple comparison may consist of two variables with a relational
operator between them:
Relational operator Description
Symbol Text
== EQ is equal to
!= NE is not equal to
< LT is less than

<= LE is less than or equal
to
> GT is greater than
>= GE is greater than or
equal to
You can use either the symbol or the text in a comparison.

For example,
BOOL C = (A == B)
is the same as:
BOOL C = (A EQ B)
C is assigned 1 (true) if A equals B and . If A does not equal B,
then C is 0 (false).
The operators = and == are different.

The single equal operator, =, assigns the value on the right-
hand side to the left-hand side.
The double equals operator, ==, compares two values for
equality.
If you compare the values of two strings, you must use the correct
capitalisation.
For example, if you want to check that the tool is an end mill, then
you must use:
Tool.Type == 'end_mill'
and not:
Tool.Type == 'End_Mill
If you are unsure about the case of a string then you can use one of
the inbuilt functions lcase() or ucase() to test against the lower case
(see page 79) or upper case (see page 78) version of the string:
lcase(Tool.Type) == 'end_mill'
ucase(Tool.Type) == 'END_MILL'
For example, comparing variables:
BOOL bigger = (Tool.Diameter+Thickness
>=ReferenceToolpath.Tool.Diameter+ReferenceToolpath.Thick
ness)
gives a result of 1 (true) when the Tool.Diameter + Thickness is
greater than or equal to the ReferenceToolpath.Tool.Diameter +
ReferenceToolpath.Thickness and a result of 0 (false) otherwise.

Logical operators
Logical operators let you to do more than one comparison at a time.
There are four logical operators:
▪ AND
▪ OR
▪ XOR
▪ NOT
Remember the result of a comparison is either true or false.

When true, the result is 1; when false, the result is 0.
Using the logical operator AND

The result is true (1) if all operands are true, otherwise the result is
false (0).
Operand 1 Operand 2 Operand 1 AND
Operand 2
true (1) true (1) true (1)
true (1) false (0) false (0)
false (0) true (1) false (0)
false (0) false (0) false (0)
Using the logical operator OR

The result is true (1) if at least one operand is true. If all the
operands are false (0) the result is false.
Operand 1 Operand 2 Operand 1 OR
Operand 2
true (1) true (1) true (1)
true (1) false (0) true (1)
false (0) true (1) true (1)
Using the logical operator XOR

The result is true (1) if exactly one operand is true. If all the
operands are false the result is false (0). If more than one operand
is true the result is false (0).
Operand 1 Operand 2 Operand 1 XOR
Operand 2
true (1) true (1) false (0)
true (1) false (0) true (1)

false (0) true (1) true (1)
Using the logical operator NOT

The result is the inverse of the input.
Operand 1 NOT Operand 1
true (1) false (0)
false (0) true (1)
Advance variable options

Scratchpad variables
It is possible to create and manipulate variables in the command
line window. These are called scratchpad variables as you can use
them to test the results of parameter evaluation without having to
write a macro.
For example, to test some code, in the command line window type:
STRING Test = Tool.Name
DEACTIVATE TOOL
ACTIVATE TOOL $Test
To clear the scratchpad, in the command line window type:

RESET LOCALVARS
If you do not issue the RESET LOCALVARS command, the local
variable, Test, remains defined until you exit from PowerMill.
Using variables and parameters in macro commands

You can substitute the value of a variable or parameter in a
command wherever the command expects a number or a string. To
do this, prefix the variable or parameter name with a $.
The EDIT PAR command only accepts $variable input when

the $variable has a numeric value. You cannot use the
$variable syntax for STRING parameters.
For example, to create a tool with a diameter that is half that of the
active tool.
// Calculate the new diameter and name of tool

REAL HalfDiam = Tool.Diameter/2
STRING NewName = string(Tool.Type) + " D-" +
string(HalfDiam)
// Create a new tool and make it the active one

COPY TOOL ;
ACTIVATE TOOL #
// Now rename the new tool and edit its diameter

RENAME TOOL ; $NewName
EDIT TOOL $NewName DIAMETER $HalfDiam
This creates a tool with half the diameter.
Scope of variables
A variable exists from the time it is declared until the end of the
block of code within which it is declared. Blocks of code are macros
and control structures (WHILE, DO - WHILE, SWITCH, IF-ELSEIF-
ELSE, and FOREACH).
A variable, with a specific name, can only be defined once within
any block of code.
For example,
// Define a local variable 'Count'
INT Count = 5
// Define a second local variable 'Count'
INT Count = 2
Gives an error since Count is defined twice.
However, within an inner block of code you can define another
variable with the same name as a variable (already defined) in an
outer block:
INT Count = 5
IF Count > 0 {
// Define a new local variable 'Count'
INT Count = 3
// Print 3
PRINT $Count
// The local Count is no longer defined
}
// Print 5
PRINT $Count
A variable defined within an inner block of code hides any variable
declared in an outer block. This is also important if you use a name
for a variable which matches one of PowerMill’s parameters. For
example, if the toolpath stepover is 5 and in your macro you have:
// 'Hide' the global stepover by creating your own
variable

REAL Stepover = 2
// Print Stepover
PRINT $Stepover
The value printed is 2 not 5, and the toolpath stepover value is
unchanged. To access the current toolpath's stepover parameter
you must use toolpath.Stepover.
// 'Hide' the global stepover by creating your own
variable
REAL Stepover = 2
// Print 2
PRINT $Stepover
// Print the value of the toolpath's stepover - which is
5
PRINT $toolpath.Stepover
As macro variables cease to exist at the end of a macro or

block of code, you should not use a variable defined in a
macro within a retained expression. You can use assignments,
as the value is computed immediately. Do not use a macro
variable in an EDIT PAR expression without EVAL as this
causes an expression error when PowerMill tries to evaluate
it.
REAL Factor = 0.6
// The next two commands are OK as the expression is
evaluated immediately.
$Stepover = Tool.Diameter * Factor
EDIT PAR "Stepover" EVAL "Tool.Diameter * Factor"
// The next command is not OK because the expression is
retained.
EDIT PAR "Stepover" "Tool.Diameter * Factor"
The Factor variable ceases to exist at the end of the macro, so
Stepover evaluates as an error.
Using expressions in macros

An arithmetic expression is a list of variables and values with
operators which define a value. Typical usage is in variable
declarations and assignments.
// Variable declarions
REAL factor = 0.6
REAL value = Tolerance * factor
// Assignments
$Stepover = Tool.Diameter * factor
$factor = 0.75

When using an assignment you MUST prefix the variable
name with a $. So PowerMill can disambiguate an assignment
from other words in the macro command language.
In assignments, the expression is always evaluated and the

resulting value assigned to the variable on the left of the =
operand.
In addition to using expressions in calculations, you can use logical
expressions to make decisions in macros. The decision making
statements in PowerMill are IF-ELSE_IF (see page 54), SWITCH (see
page 56), WHILE (see page 62), and DO-WHILE (see page 63).
These execute the commands within their code blocks if the result
of an expression is true (1). For example:
IF active(Tool.TipRadiused) {
// Things to do if a tip radiused tool.
}
IF active(Tool.TipRadiused) AND Tool.Diameter < 5 {
// Things to do if a tip radiused tool and the diameter
// is less than 5.
}
You can use any expression to decide whether or not a block of
code is performed.
Operators for integers and real numbers

The standard arithmetical operators are available for integers and
real numbers.
Operator Description Examples
+ addition 3+5 evaluates to 8
- subtraction 5-3 evaluates to 2
* multiplication 5*3 evaluates to
15
/ division 6/2 evaluates to 3
% modulus. This is the 11%3 evaluates to
remainder after two 2
integers are divided
^ to the power of 2^3 is the same as
2*2*2 and
evaluates to 8
For a complete list of operators, see the HTML page displayed when
you select click Help > Documentation > Parameters > Reference
> Functions.

Operators for strings
The concatenation (+) operator is available for string.
For example "abc"+"xyz" evaluates to abcxyz.
You can use this to build strings from various parts, for example:
MESSAGE "The Stepover value is: " + string(Stepover)
Operator precedence
The order in which various parts of an expression are evaluated
affects the result. The operator precedence unambiguously
determines the order in which sub-expressions are evaluated.
▪ Multiplication and division are performed before addition and
subtraction.
For example, 3 * 4 +2 is the same as 2 + 3 * 4 and gives the
answer 14.
▪ Exponents and roots are performed before multiplication and
addition.
For example, 3 + 5 ^ 2 is the same as 3 + 5 and gives the
answer 28.
-3 ^ 2 is the same as -3 and gives the answer -9.
▪ Use brackets (parentheses) to avoid confusion.
For example, 2 + 3 * 4 is the same as 2 + (3 * 4) and gives the
answer 14.
▪ Parentheses change the order of precedence as terms inside in
parentheses are performed first.
For example, (2 + 3) * 4 gives the answer 20.
or, (3 + 5) ^2 is the same as (3 + 5) and gives the answer 64.
▪ You must surround the arguments of a function with
parentheses.
For example, y = sqrt(2), y = tan(x), y = sin(x + z).
▪ Relational operators are performed after addition and
subtraction.
For example, a+b >= c+d is the same as (a+b) >= (c+d).
▪ Logical operators are performed after relational operators,
though parentheses are often added for clarity.
For example:
5 == 2+3 OR 10 <= 3*3
is the same as:

(5 == (2+3)) OR (10 <= (3*3))
but is normally written as
(5 == 2+3) OR (10 <= 3*3).
Precedence
Order Operation Description
1 () function call, operations
grouped in parentheses
2 [] operations grouped in square
brackets
3 +-! unary prefix (unary operations
have only one operand, such
as, !x, -y)
4 cm mm um ft unit conversion
in th
5 ^ exponents and roots
6 */% multiplication, division, modulo
7 +- addition and subtraction
8 < <= > >= relational comparisons: less
(LT, LE, GT, than, less than or equal,
GE) greater than, greater than or
equal
9 == != (EQ, relational comparisons: equals,
NE) not equals
10 AND logical operator AND
11 NOT logical operator NOT
12 XOR logical operator XOR
13 OR logical operator OR
14 , separation of elements in a list
Examples of precedence:
Expression Equivalent
a*-2 a * (- 2)
!x == 0 (!x) == 0
$a = -b + c * d – e $a = ((-b) + (c * d)) – e
$a = b + c % d – e $a = (b + (c % d)) – e
$x = y == z $x = (y == z)

$x = -t + q * r / c $x = ((-t) + ((q * r) / c))
$x = a % b * c + d $x = (((a % b) * c) + d)
$a = b <= c | d != e $a = ((b <= c) | (d != e))
$a = !b | c & d $a = ((!b) | (c & d))
$a = b mm * c in + d $a = (((b mm) * (c in)) + d)
Executing a macro string variable as a command using

DOCOMMAND
The macro command, DOCOMMAND, executes a macro string
variable as a command. This enables you to construct a command
from string variables and then have that command run as a macro
statement. Suppose you have a function to create a copy of a
boundary and then fit arcs to the copy:
FUNCTION CopyAndArcfit(ENTITY Ent) {
STRING $NewName = new_entity_name('boundary')
COPY BOUNDARY $Ent
EDIT BOUNDARY $NewName ARCFIT 0.01
}
If you then want to use the same function to copy a pattern and
then fit arcs to the copy. You can replace all instances of 'boundary'
with 'pattern' when you give the function a pattern entity.
Unfortunately you cannot do this by using variables directly because
the PowerMill command syntax does not allow variable substitution
in network KEYWORDS for example you cannot use $Type like this:
COPY $Type $Ent
However, you can build the command as a string and then use
DOCOMMAND to execute the resulting string as a command:
FUNCTION CopyAndArcFit(Entity Ent) {
STRING $NewName = new_entity_name(Ent.RootType)
STRING Cmd = "COPY "+ Ent.RootType + " " + Ent.name
DOCOMMAND $Cmd
$Cmd = "EDIT " + Ent.RootType + " " + Newname + "
ARCFIT 0.01"
DOCOMMAND $Cmd
}
You can use this technique whenever you find that a variable value
cannot be used in a particular point in a command.
Use this technique with caution as it can make your macros

harder to understand.

Macro functions
When you run a macro you can use arguments, such as the name of
a toolpath, tool, or a tolerance. You must structure the macro to
accept arguments by creating a FUNCTION called Main (see page
51) then specify the arguments and their type.
For example, a macro to polygonise a boundary to a specified
tolerance is:
FUNCTION Main(REAL tol) {
EDIT BOUNDARY ; SMASH $tol
}
A macro to set the diameter of a named tool is:
FUNCTION Main(
STRING name
REAL diam
)
{
EDIT TOOL $name DIAMETER $dia
}
To run these macros with arguments add the arguments in the
correct order to the end of the MACRO command:
MACRO MyBoundary.mac 0.5
MACRO MyTool.mac "ToolName" 6
If you use FUNCTION in your macro, then all commands must be
within a function body. This means that you must have a FUNCTION
Main, which is automatically called when the macro is run.
FUNCTION CleanBoundary(string name) {
REAL offset = 1 mm
REAL diam = entity('boundary';name).Tool.Diameter
// Delete segments smaller than tool diameter
EDIT BOUNDARY $name SELECT AREA LT $diam
DELETE BOUNDARY $name SELECTED
//Offset outwards and inwards to smooth boundary
EDIT BOUNDARY $name OFFSET $offset
EDIT BOUNDARY $name OFFSET ${-offset}
}
FUNCTION Main(string bound) {
FOREACH bou IN folder(bound) {
CALL CleanBoundary(bou.Name)
}
}
Within a function, you can create and use variables that are local to
the function, just as you can within a WHILE loop. However, a
function cannot access any variable that is defined elsewhere in the
macro, unless that variable has been passed to the function as an
argument.

In the CleanBoundary function, ${-offset} offset the
boundary by a negative offset. When you want to substitute
the value of an expression into a PowerMill command rather
than the value of a parameter, use the syntax
${expression}. The expression can contain any valid
PowerMill parameter expression including: inbuilt function
calls; mathematical, logical, and comparison operators.
As this macro requires an argument (the boundary name) you

must run this from the command window. To run
Clean_Boundary.mac macro on the Cavity boundary you must
type macro Clean_Boundary "Cavity" in the command line.
Main function
If a macro has any functions:
▪ It must have one, and only one, FUNCTION called Main.
▪ The Main function must be the first function called.
Function names are not case sensitive: MAIN, main, and MaIn all
refer to the same function.
Running a macro where the Main function is called with either the
wrong number of arguments or with types of arguments that do not
match, causes an error. For example:
MACRO MyTool.mac 6 "ToolName"
generates an error since the macro expects a string and then a
number, but is given a number and then a string.
If you want to repeat a sequence of commands at different points
within a macro, you can use a FUNCTION.
For example, if you want to remove any small islands that are
smaller than the tool diameter and smooth out any minor kinks
after a boundary calculation. One solution is to repeat the same
commands after each boundary calculation:
EDIT BOUNDARY ; SELECT AREA LT Boundary.Tool.Diameter
DELETE BOUNDARY ; SELECTED
EDIT BOUNDARY ; OFFSET "1 mm"
EDIT BOUNDARY ; OFFSET "-1 mm"
This is fine if you have a macro that creates one boundary, but if it
creates a number of boundaries you end up with a macro with
excessive repetition. However by using a FUNCTION you can define
the sequence once:
FUNCTION CleanBoundary(string name) {
REAL offset = 1 mm
REAL diam = entity('boundary';name).Tool.Diameter

// Delete segments smaller than tool diameter
EDIT BOUNDARY $name SELECT AREA LT $diam
DELETE BOUNDARY $name SELECTED
//Offset outwards and inwards to smooth boundary
EDIT BOUNDARY $name OFFSET $offset
EDIT BOUNDARY $name OFFSET ${-offset}
}
Then call it whenever it is needed:
FOREACH bou IN folder('boundary') {
}
CREATE BOUNDARY Shallow30 SHALLOW
EDIT BOUNDARY Shallow30 CALCULATE
CALL CleanBoundary('Shallow30')
Returning values from functions

There are two types of arguments to FUNCTIONS:
▪ Input variables ($ Input arguments). If a parameter is an input
then any changes to the parameter inside the function are lost
when the function returns. This is the default.
▪ Output variables ($ Output arguments) retain their value after
the function returns.
When you call a function, PowerMill creates temporary copies of all
the arguments to the function, these copies are removed when the
function returns. However, if the macro contains an OUTPUT to an
argument, then instead of creating a temporary copy of the
variable, it creates an alias for the existing variable. Any changes
that you make to the alias directly, change the actual variable.
In the example, the Test function has two arguments: aInput and
aOutput. Within the Test function:
▪ The argument aInput is a new temporary variable that only exists
within the function, any changes to its value only affect the
temporary, and are lost once the function ends.
▪ The aOutput variable is an alias for the variable that was passed
in the CALL command, any changes to its value are actually
changing the value of the variable that was given in the CALL
command.
FUNCTION Test(REAL aInput, OUTPUT REAL aOutput) {
PRINT $aInput
$aInput = 5
PRINT $aOutput
$aOutput = 0
PRINT $aOutput
}

FUNCTION Main() {
REAL Par1 = 2
REAL Par2 = 1
CALL Test(Par1, Par2)
// Prints 2 - value is unchanged
PRINT $Par1
// Prints 0 - value has been changed
PRINT $Par2
}
When the CALL command is executed in the MAIN function:
1 PowerMill creates a new REAL variable called aInput. It is
assigned the value of Par1, and passed into Test.
2 PowerMill passes Par2 directly into Test where it is known as
aOutput.
Sharing functions between macros

You can share functions between macros by using the INCLUDE
statement. You can put all your common functions in a file which
you then INCLUDE within other macros. For example, if you put the
CleanBoundary function into a file called common.inc you could
rewrite the macro as:
INCLUDE common.inc
FUNCTION Main(input string bound) {
FOREACH bou IN folder(bound) {
}
}
To call this macro from PowerMill:
// Clean all the boundaries

MACRO Clean 'boundary'
// Clean all the Roughing boundaries
MACRO Clean 'boundary\Roughing'
IF statement
The IF statement executes a series of commands when a certain
condition is met.
The basic control structure is:
IF <expression> {
Commands A
}
Commands B

If expression is true then Commands A are executed, followed by
Commands B.
If expression is false, then only Commands B are executed.
For example, if you want to calculate a toolpath, but do not want to

waste time re-calculating a toolpath that has already been
calculated:
// If the active toolpath has not been calculated, do so
now
IF NOT Computed {
EDIT TOOLPATH $TpName CALCULATE
}
You must enclose Commands A in braces, {}, and the braces must be
positioned correctly. For example, the following command is NOT
valid:
IF (radius == 3) PRINT "Invalid radius"
To make this command valid, add the braces:
IF (radius == 3) {
PRINT "Invalid radius"
}
The first brace must be the last item on the line and on the
same line as the IF.
The closing brace must be on a line by itself.
IF - ELSE statement
The IF - ELSE statement executes a series of commands when a
certain condition is met and a different series of commands
otherwise.
IF <expression> {
Commands A

} ELSE {
Commands B
}
Commands C
If expression is true, then Commands A are executed followed by
Commands C.
If expression is false, then Commands B are executed followed by
Commands C.
// Set tool axis lead/lean if tip radiused tool

// Otherwise use the vertical tool axis.
IF active(Tool.TipRadius) OR Tool.Type == "ball_nosed" {
EDIT TOOLAXIS TYPE LEADLEAN
EDIT TOOLAXIS LEAD "5"
EDIT TOOLAXIS LEAN "5"
} ELSE {
EDIT TOOLAXIS TYPE VERTICAL
}
IF - ELSEIF - ELSE statement

The IF - ELSEIF - ELSE statement executes a series of commands
when a certain condition is met, a different series of commands
when the first condition is not met and the second condition is met
and a different series of commands when none of the conditions are
met.
IF <expression_1> {
Commands A
} ELSEIF <expression_2> {
Commands B
} ELSE {
Commands C
}
Commands D

If expression_1 is true, then Commands A are executed followed by
Commands D.
If expression_1 is false and expression_2 is true, then Commands B are
executed followed by Commands D.
If expression_1 is false and expression_2 is false, then Commands C
are executed followed by Commands D.
ELSE is an optional statement. There may be any number of

ELSEIF statements in a block but no more than one ELSE.
IF Tool.Type == "end_mill" OR Tool.Type == "ball_nosed" {
$radius = Tool.Diameter/2
} ELSEIF active(Tool.TipRadius) {
$radius = Tool.TipRadius
} ELSE {
$radius = 0
PRINT "Invalid tool type"
}
This sets the variable radius to:
▪ Half the tool diameter if the tool is an end mill or ball nosed tool.
▪ The tip radius if the tool is a tip radiused tool.
▪ Displays Invalid tool type if the tool is anything else.
SWITCH statement
When you compare a variable with a number of possible values and
each value determines a different outcome, it is advisable to use the
SWITCH statement.

The SWITCH statement enables you to compare a variable against a
list of possible values. This comparison determines which
commands are executed.
SWITCH variable {
CASE (constant_A)
Commands A
CASE (constant_B)
Commands B
DEFAULT
Commands C
}
Commands D
If condition_A is true then Commands A, B, C, and D are executed.
If condition_B is true then Commands B, C, and D are executed.
If condition_A and condition_B are false then Commands C, and D are
executed.
When a match is found all the commands in the remaining

CASE statements are executed. You can prevent this from
happening by using a BREAK (see page 59) statement.
You can have any number of CASE statements, but at most

one DEFAULT statement.
This example makes changes to the point distribution based on the
tool axis type. There are three options:
1 3+2-axis toolpaths to have an output point distribution type of
Tolerance and keep arcs and a lead in and lead out distance of
200.

2 3-axis toolpaths to have an output point distribution type of
Tolerance and keep arcs.
3 5-axis toolpaths to have an output point distribution type of
Redistribute.
Because the CASE 'direction' block of code does not have a

BREAK statement the macro also executes the code in the
'vertical' block.
SWITCH ToolAxis.Type {
CASE 'direction'
EDIT TOOLPATH LEADS RETRACTDIST "200.0"
EDIT TOOLPATH LEADS APPROACHDIST "200"
// fall though to execute
CASE 'vertical'
// Redistribute points to tolerance and keep arcs
EDIT FILTER TYPE STRIP
BREAK
DEFAULT
// Redistribute points
EDIT FILTER TYPE REDISTRIBUTE
BREAK
}

Running macros without displaying GUI items
The NOGUI statement enables you to use PowerMill modes without
displaying GUI items, for example, toolbars, mode-toolbars, dialogs
or graphics.
To use Workplane macros without displaying GUI items, enter NOGUI
after MODE, for example:
MODE NOGUI WORKPLANE_EDIT START "1"
To use Curve editor macros without displaying GUI items, enter
NOGUI after CURVEEDITOR, for example:
EDIT PATTERN ; CURVEEDITOR NOGUI START
As the NOGUI command runs the equivalent of GRAPHICS

LOCK when the mode starts, certain operations involving the
selection of pattern segments may not work correctly.
BREAK statement in a SWITCH statement

The BREAK statement exits the SWITCH statement.
SWITCH variable {
CASE (constant_A)
Commands A
BREAK
CASE (constant_B)
Commands B
BREAK
DEFAULT
Commands C
}
Commands D
If condition_A is true then Commands A are executed followed by
Commands D.
Remember, if there is no break statements then commands A,

B, C, and D are carried out.
If condition_B is true then Commands B are executed followed by
Commands D.

If condition_A and condition_B are false then Commands C are
executed followed by Commands D.
Repeating commands in macros

If you want to repeat a set of commands a number of times, for
example, creating a circle at the start of every line in the model,
you can use loops.
For example, if you have two feature sets, Top and Bottom, which
contain holes you want to drill from the top and bottom of the
model respectively, use the macro:
STRING Fset = 'Top'
INT Count = 0
WHILE Count < 2 {

ACTIVATE FEATURESET $Fset
ACTIVATE WORKPLANE FROMENTITY FEATURESET $Fset
IMPORT TEMPLATE ENTITY TOOLPATH "Drilling\Drilling.ptf"
EDIT TOOLPATH $TpName CALCULATE
$Fset = 'Bottom'
$Count = Count + 1
}
There are three loop structures:
▪ FOREACH (see page 61) loops repeatedly execute a block of
commands for each item in a list.
▪ WHILE (see page 62) loops repeatedly execute a block of
commands until its conditional test is false.
▪ DO - WHILE (see page 63) loops executes a block of commands
and then checks its conditional test.

FOREACH loop
A FOREACH loop repeatedly executes a block of commands for each
item in a list or array.
FOREACH item IN sequence{
Commands A
}
Commands B
where:
item is an automatically created variable that PowerMill initialises
for each iteration of the loop;
sequence is either a list or an array.
Commands A are executed on the first item in the list.
Commands A are executed on the next item in the list. This step is
repeated until there are no more items in the list.
At the end of the list, Commands B are executed.
For example,
FOREACH item IN folder("path") {
Commands A
}
Commands B
Where <path> is a folder in the Explorer such as, Toolpath, Tool,
Toolpath\Finishing.
Within FOREACH loops, you can:
▪ Cancel the loop using the BREAK (see page 64) statement.
▪ Jump directly to the next iteration using the CONTINUE (see page
64) statement.

You cannot create your own list variables, there are some built in
functions in PowerMill that return lists (see the parameter
documentation for component, and folder).
You can use one of the inbuilt functions to get a list of entities, or
you can use arrays to create a sequence of strings or numbers to
iterate over. For example, use the inbuilt folder function to get a list
of entities.
An example of using a FOREACH loop is to batch process tool holder
profiles:
FOREACH ent IN folder('Tool') {
ACTIVATE TOOL $ent.Name
EDIT TOOL ; UPDATE_TOOLPATHS_PROFILE
}
The loop variable ent is created by the loop and destroyed

when the loop ends.
Another example is to renumber all the tools in a project:
INT nmb = 20
FOREACH t IN folder('Tool') {
$t.number.value = nmb
$t.number.userdefined = 1
$nmb = nmb + 2
}
To get the most out of these macro features, you should familiarise
yourself with the inbuilt parameter functions detailed in Help >
Parameters > Reference.
WHILE loop
A WHILE loop repeatedly executes a block of commands until its
conditional test is false.
WHILE condition {
Commands A
}
Commands B
If condition is true, then Commands A are executed.
While condition remains true, then Commands A are executed.

When condition is false, Commands B are executed.
Within WHILE loops, you can:

64) statement.
DO - WHILE loop
The DO - WHILE loop executes a block of commands and then
performs its conditional test, whereas the WHILE loop checks its
conditional test first to decide whether to execute its commands or
not.
DO {
Commands A
} WHILE condition
Commands B
Commands A are executed.
While condition remains true, then Commands A are executed.
When condition is false, Commands B are executed.
Within DO - WHILE loops, you can:

64) statement.

CONTINUE statement
The CONTINUE statement causes a jump to the conditional test of
any one of the loop constructs WHILE, DO - WHILE, and FOR EACH in
which it is encountered, and starts the next iteration, if any.
This example, calculates and offsets, all unlocked boundaries,
outwards and inwards.
FOREACH bou IN folder('Boundary') {
IF locked(bou) {
// This boundary is locked go get the next one
CONTINUE
}
REAL offset = 1 mm
EDIT BOUNDARY $bou.Name CALCULATE
EDIT BOUNDARY $bou.Name OFFSET $offset
EDIT BOUNDARY $bou.Name OFFSET ${-offset} }
The CONTINUE statement enables the selection of the next
boundary.
BREAK statement in a WHILE loop

The BREAK statement exits the WHILE loop.
Nested constructs can require multiple breaks.
Creating sequences
Use the make_sequence and next_in_sequence functions to create
sequences. Sequences contain:

▪ a starting value. This defines the first element in the sequence.
▪ an incremental value. This returns the next element in the
sequence.
▪ an optional padding value. This adds extra zeros before the
returned elements .
To create a new sequence, use the make_sequence function. The
basic structure is:
OBJECT make_sequence( int start_value, [, int increment,
int padding])
For example:
OBJECT seq = make_sequence(10, 5, 4)
//Returns a sequence which starts at 10, increments by 5
and is padded by 4 characters:
To increment a value in a specified sequence, use the
next_in_sequence function. The basic structure is:
string next_in_sequence(object sequence)
For example:
OBJECT seq = make_sequence(10, 5, 4)
// Makes a new sequence starting from 10, incremented by
5 and padded to 4 characters
STRING n = next_in_sequence(seq)
// n = "0010"
STRING nn = next_in_sequence(seq)
// nn = "0015"
STRING nnn = next_in_sequence(seq)
// nnn = "0020"
RETURN statement
If a macro contains functions, the RETURN statement immediately
exits the function. If the macro does not contain functions, the
RETURN statement immediately terminates the current macro. This
is useful if an error is detected and you do not want to continue with
the remaining commands in the macro.
EDIT TOOLPATH $tp.Name CALCULATE
IF NOT Computed {
// terminate if toolpath did not calculate
RETURN
}
To immediately exit from a function:

FUNCTION Calculate(STRING TpName) {
IF NOT active(entity('toolpath',TpName).Tool.TipRadius)
{
// Error if toolpath does not use a tipradius tool
PRINT "Toolpath does not have TipRadius tool"
RETURN
}

}
FUNCTION Main() {
FOREACH tp IN folder('Toolpath') {
ACTIVATE TOOLPATH $tp.Name)
}
}
Terminating macros
The command MACRO ABORT immediately terminates the current
macro.
The command MACRO ABORT ALL terminates the all the macros that
are currently running. If you call MACRO ABORT ALL from within a
macro that has been called by another macro, then both macros are
terminated.
Printing the value of an expression

To print the value of a scalar expression or parameter use the
syntax:
PRINT = expression
For example, to print the answer to a simple arithmetic expression:
PRINT = 2*5
When you run the macro, the command window displays the result,
10.
You can also apply an arithmetic expression to the value of a

parameter. For example:
PRINT = Tool.Diameter * 0.6
6.

Constants
PowerMill has a small number of useful constant values that you can
use in expressions and macros these include:
REAL PI = 3.141593
REAL E = 2.718282
BOOL TRUE = 1
BOOL FALSE = 0
STRING CRLF = newline
Use these values to make your macros more readable. For example,
use CRLF constant to build up multi-line messages and prompts:
STRING msg = "This is line one."+CRLF+"This is line two."
MESSAGE INFO $msg
Displays the message:
This is line one.
This is line two.
Built-in functions
This section details all the built-in functions that you can use in your
macros.
▪ General mathematical functions (see page 67).
▪ Trigonometrical functions (see page 68).
▪ Vector and point functions (see page 68).
▪ Workplane functions (see page 71).
▪ String functions (see page 71).
▪ List creation functions (see page 81).
▪ Path functions (see page 91) (Folder (see page 92), Directory
(see page 92), Base (see page 93), and Project (see page 93)
names).
▪ Conditional functions (see page 95).
▪ Evaluation functions (see page 95).
▪ Type conversion functions (see page 97).
▪ Parameter functions (see page 97).
▪ Statistical functions (see page 100).
General mathematical functions

The basic structure of the general mathematical functions are:

Description of return value Function
Exponential real exp( real a )
Natural logarithm real ln( real a )
Common (base 10) logarithm real log( real a )
Square root real sqrt( numeric a )
Absolute (positive value) real abs( numeric a )
Returns either -1, 0 or 1 real sign( numeric a )
depending on the sign of the
value
Returns either 1 or 0 real compare( numeric a,
depending on whether the numeric b, numeric tol )
difference between a and b is
less than or equal to tol
Trigonometrical functions
The basic structure of the trigonometrical functions are:
Trigonometric sine real sin( angle )
Trigonometric cosine real cos( angle )
Trigonometric tangent real tan( angle )
Trigonometric arcsine real asin( real a )
Trigonometric arccosine real acos( real a )
Trigonometric arctangent real atan( real a )
Trigonometric arctangent of real atan2( real a, real
a/b, quadrant is determined b )
by the sign of the two
arguments
Vector and point functions

In PowerMill vectors and points are represented by an array of three
reals.
PowerMill contains point and vector parameters, for example the
Workplane.Origin, Workplane.ZAxis, ToolAxis.Origin, and
ToolAxis.Direction. You can create your own vector and point
variables:

REAL ARRAY VecX[] = {1,0,0}
REAL ARRAY VecY[] = {0,1,0}
REAL ARRAY VecZ[] = {0,0,1}
REAL ARRAY MVecZ[] = {0,0,-1}
REAL ARRAY Orig[] = {0,0,0}
Length
The length() function returns the length of a vector.
For example:
REAL ARRAY V[] = {3,4,0}
// Prints 5.0
PRINT = length(V)
The inbuilt function unit() returns a vector that points in the same
direction as the input vector, but has a length of 1:
PRINT PAR "unit(V)"
// [0] (REAL) 0.6
// [1] (REAL) 0.8
// [2] (REAL) 0.0
// prints 1.0
PRINT = length(unit(V))
Parallel
The parallel() function returns TRUE if two vectors are either
parallel (pointing in the same direction) or anti-parallel (pointing in
the opposite direction) to each other.
For example:
// prints 0
PRINT = parallel(VecX,Vecy)
// prints 1
PRINT = parallel(VecX,VecX)
Print = parallel(MVecZ,VecZ)
Normal
The normal() function returns a vector that is normal to the plane
containing its two input vectors. If either vector is zero it returns an
error. If the input vectors are either parallel or anti-parallel a vector
of zero length is returned.
For example:
REAL ARRAY norm = normal(VecX,VecY)

Angle
The angle() function returns the signed angle in degrees between
two vectors, providing that neither vectors have a zero length.
For example:
// Prints 90
PRINT = angle(VecX,VecY)
// Prints 90
PRINT = angle(VecY,VecX)
The apparent_angle() function returns the apparent angle
between two vectors when looking along a reference vector. If a
vector is parallel or anti-parallel to the reference vector, or if any of
the vectors have a zero length it returns an error:
// prints 270
print = apparent_angle(VecX,VecY,MVecZ)
// prints 90
print = apparent_angle(VecY,VecX,MVecZ)
Setting
The set_vector() and set_point() functions return the value 1 if
the vector or point is set.
For example:
REAL ARRAY Vec1[3] = {0,0,1}
REAL ARRAY Vec2[3] = {0,1,0}
// set vec1 to be the same as vec2

BOOL ok = set_vector(vec1,vec2)
// make a X-axis vector
$ok = set_vector(vec2,1,0,0)
REAL X = Block.Limits.XMax
REAL Y = Block.Limits.YMin
REAL Z = Block.Limits.ZMax
ok = set_point(ToolAxis.Origin, X,Y,Z)
Unit vector
The unit() function returns the unit vector equivalent of the given
vector.
For example:
REAL ARRAY V[3] = {3,4,5}
PRINT PAR "unit(V)"
BOOL ok = set_vector(V,0,0,6)
PRINT PAR "unit(V)"

Workplane functions
You can use the inbuilt function set_workplane() to define the
origin and axis of a workplane entity. You can call the function:
▪ with two workplanes, where the values from the second
workplane are copied into the first:
bool ok =
set_workplane(Workplane,entity('workplane','3'))
which sets the active workplane to have the same values as
workplane 3.
▪ with a workplane, two vectors, and an origin:
REAL ARRAY YAxis[] = {0,1,0}
REAL ARRAY ZAxis[] = {0,0,1}
REAL ARRAY Origin = {10,20,30}
bool ok =
set_workplane(entity('workplane','reference'), YAxis,
Zaxis,Origin)
String functions
PowerMill parameters and variables can contain strings of
characters. There are a number of inbuilt functions that you can use
to test and manipulate strings.
The basic structure of string functions are:
Returns the number of int length( string str )
characters in the string.
For more information see
Length function in a string
(see page 76).
Returns the position of the int position( string str,
string target from the start of string target[, numeric
the string str, or -1 if the start] )
target string is not found.
If you use the optional
argument start then scanning
begins from that position in
the string.
Position function in a string
(see page 76).

Replaces all occurrences of string replace( string
the target string with a str, string target,
replacement string. The string replacement)
original string is unchanged.
Replacing one string with
another string (see page 77).
Returns part of the string. You string substring( string
can define where the str, int start, int
substring starts and its length)
length. The original string is
unchanged.
Substrings (see page 78).
Returns an upper case string. string ucase( string str)
The original string is
unchanged.
Upper case function in a string
(see page 78).
Returns a lower case string. string lcase( string str)
The original string is
unchanged.
Lower case function in a string
(see page 79).
Returns the string without any string ltrim( string str)
leading whitespace.
Returns the string without any string rtrim( string str)
trailing whitespace.
Returns the string without any string trim( string str)
leading or trailing whitespace.
Splits a string into a list of the list tokens( string str)
strings, separated by
whitespace
The first character of a string is always at index 0. You can append
(add) strings together use the + operator. For example:
STRING One = "One"
STRING Two = "Two"
STRING Three = "Three"
PRINT = One + ", " + Two + ", " + Three

One, Two, Three.
Another way of achieving the same result is:

STRING CountToThree = One + ", " + Two + ", " + Three
PRINT = CountToThree
One, Two, Three.
Date and time functions

The following functions can be used to manipulate the date and
time:
Function Description
time() The current
system time.
This is useful for
coarse timing in
macros and
getting the actual
time and date.
local_time(int A DateTime object
time) representing the
local time given a
number of
seconds.
utc_time(int A DateTime object
time) representing the
time in
Coordinated
Universal Time.
The DateTime object contains a number of string values, as follows:
String String value
String The year (1900-9999)
year
String The month of the year (01-12)
month
String The day of the month (01-31)
day

String The hour of the day (00-23)
hour
String The minute of the hour (00-59)
minute
String The second of the minute (00-59)
second
String The date and time — the two values in the
timestam sting are separated by a hyphen (YYYY-mm-
p dd-HH-MM-SS).
In previous versions of PowerMill you could not create

variable of type objects, so you may need to call the
local_time() or utc_time() functions multiple times, like
this: string year = local_time(tm).Year etc..
Example
The following example shows how to use the time() function to
measure how long an activity takes:
INT old_time = time()
INT cumulative_time = time() - old_time
STRING msg = "Toolpath calculation took " +
(cumulative_time) + "secs"
MESSAGE INFO $msg
Example
Getting and formatting the current time:
INT tm=time()
STRING ARRAY $timestamp[] =
tokens(utc_time($tm).timestamp, "-") STRING clock =
$timestamp[3] + ":" + $timestamp[4] $clock = $clock + ":"
+ $timestamp[5] PRINT $clock
Returning the home directory

Use the home() function to return the pathname of the home
directory, including its subdirectories. This can save you time when
entering pathnames in macros and user menus.
To use the home() function:
PRINT PAR $HOME()
STRING H = HOME()
PRINT $H

Returning the user ID string
Use the user_id() function to return the user ID string. This can
save you time when entering pathnames in macros and user menus.
To use the user_id() function:
PRINT PAR $USER_ID()
STRING user = USER_ID()
PRINT $user
Returning the path of the running macro

Use macro_path and include_filename to return the path of the
running macro.
If the argument include_filename is true, PowerMill prints the
macro file name.
If the argument include_filename is false, PowerMill does not print
the macro file name.
For example, if you run C:\Macros\macro.mac:

macro_path(0)
// Returns "C:\Macros"
macro_path(1)
// Returns "C:\Macros\macro.mac"
Converting a numeric value into a string

The string function converts a numeric value into a string value.
STRING string( numeric str )
This is useful when you want to append a number to a string. For
example, to name tools so they contain the type of tool and the
diameter, use:
STRING TName = string(Tool.Type) + " Diam: " +
string(Tool.Diameter)
RENAME TOOL ; $TName
PRINT = Tool.Name

When you run the macro, PowerMill creates a ball nosed tool with a
diameter of 5 and gives the tool the name, ball_nosed Diam: 5.0.
The command window displays the result,ball_nosed Diam: 5.0.
Length function in a string

The length function returns the number of characters in the string.
int length( string str )
For example:
STRING One = "One"
PRINT = length(One)
The command window displays the result, 3.
Another example:
STRING One = "One"
STRING Two = "Two"
STRING CountToTwo = One + ", " + Two
PRINT = length(CountToTwo)
Another way of producing the same result:

PRINT = length(One + ", " + Two )
Position function in a string

The position string returns the position of the string target from
the start of the string str, or -1 if the target string is not found.
If you use the optional argument start then scanning begins from
that position in the string.
int position( string str, string target [, numeric start]
)

For example:
PRINT = position("Scooby doo", "oo")
The command window displays the result, 2. PowerMill finds the first
instance of oo and works out what its position is (S is position 0, c
position 1 and o position 2).
position("Scooby doo", "oo", 4)
The command window displays the result, 8. PowerMill finds the first
instance of oo after position 4 and works out what its position is (b
is position 4, y position 5, " "is position 7 and o position 8).
position("Scooby doo", "aa")
The command window displays the result, -1 as PowerMill cannot
find any instances of aa.
You can use this function to check whether a substring exists within
another string. For example, if you have a part that contains a
cavity and you machined it using various strategies with a coarse
tolerance and each of these toolpaths has CAVITY in its name. You
have toolpaths with names such as, CAVITY AreaClear, CAVITY flats.
To recalculate those toolpath with a finer tolerance use the macro
commands:
// loop over all the toolpaths
// if toolpath has 'CAVITY' in its name
IF position(tp.Name, "CAVITY") >= 0 {
// Invalidate the toolpath
INVALIDATE TOOLPATH $tp.Name
$tp.Tolerance = tp.Tolerance/10
}
}
BATCH PROCESS
Replacing one string with another string

The replace function replaces all occurrences of the target string
with a replacement string. The original string is unchanged.
string replace( string str, string target, string
replacement)
For example:
STRING NewName = replace("Scooby doo", "by", "ter")
PRINT = NewName
The command window displays the result, Scooter doo.

For example, whilst trying different values in the strategy dialogs
you add DRAFT to the name each toolpath.
When you are satisfied with a particular toolpath you want to

change DRAFT to FINAL. To save yourself from manually editing the
toolpath name, you could use a macro to rename the active
toolpath:
ACTIVATE TOOLPATH $tp.Name
STRING NewName = replace(Name, 'DRAFT', 'FINAL')
RENAME TOOLPATH ; $NewName
}
This macro renames the toolpaths to:
Any instance of DRAFT in the toolpath name is changed to

FINAL. However, the macro is case sensitive, so instances of
Draft are not changed.
Alternatively, you could write a macro to rename a toolpath name
without activating the toolpath:
STRING NewName = replace(tp.Name, 'DRAFT', 'FINAL')
RENAME TOOLPATH $tp.Name $NewName
}
Substrings
The substring function returns part of the string. You can define
where the substring starts and its length. The original string is
unchanged.
string substring( string str, int start, int length)
For example:
PRINT = substring("Scooby doo", 2, 4)
The command window displays the result, ooby.
Upper case function in a string

The upper case function converts the string to upper case. The

string ucase( string str)
For example:
PRINT = ucase("Scooby doo")
The command window displays the result, SCOOBY DOO.
In the Replace one string with another (see page 77) example
instances of DRAFT are replaced with FINAL, but instances of Draft
are not.
The ucase statement replaces instances of Draft, draft, dRAft with

DRAFT. The rest of the macro replaces DRAFT with FINAL.
// Get the upper case version of the name
STRING UName = ucase(tp.Name)
// check if the name contains 'DRAFT'
if position(UName, 'DRAFT') >= 0 {
// replace DRAFT with FINAL
STRING NewName = replace(UName, 'DRAFT', 'FINAL')
}
}
Previously Draft_ConstZ was not renamed, but it is this time. All the
toolpath names are now upper case.
Lower case function in a string

The lower case function converts the string to lower case. The
string lcase( string str)
For example:
PRINT = lcase("SCOOBY DOO")
The command window displays the result, scooby doo.
In the Replace one string with another (see page 77) example
instances of DRAFT are replaced with FINAL, but instances of Draft
are not.

In the Upper case function in a string (see page 78) example
instances of Draft, draft, dRAft are replaced with DRAFT.
The lcase statement changes the upper case toolpath names to
lower case. It replaces instances of Draft, draft, dRAft are replaced
with draft.
// Get the upper case version of the name
STRING UName = ucase(tp.Name)
// check if the name contains 'DRAFT'
if position(UName, 'DRAFT') >= 0 {
// replace DRAFT with FINAL
STRING NewName = replace(UName, 'DRAFT', 'FINAL')
// Get the lower case version of the name
STRING LName = lcase(tp.Name)
RENAME TOOLPATH $tp.Name $LName
}
}
All the toolpath names are now lower case
Whitespace in a string
Use the following functions to remove whitespace from a string:
▪ ltrim()— Removes leading whitespace.
▪ rtrim() — Removes trailing whitespace.
▪ trim() — Removes leading and trailing whitespace.
The original string is unchanged.

For example:
STRING Original = " What's up Doc!"
STRING Trimmed = ltrim(Original)
print = Original
print = Trimmed
Where:
print = Original displays " What's up Doc!" in the command
window.
print = Trimmed displays "What's up Doc!" in the command
window.

Splitting a string
The tokens() function splits a string into a list of strings that were
separated by the separator characters. By default the separator
characters are spaces and tabs.
For example:
STRING InputStr = "One Two Three"
STRING LIST Tokens = tokens(InputStr)
FOREACH Tok IN Tokens {
PRINT = Tok
}
You can also give the tokens() function an optional extra argument
that changes the separator character.
For example:
STRING InputStr = "10:20:30:40"
STRING LIST Tokens = tokens(InputStr,':')
FOREACH Tok IN Tokens {
PRINT = Tok
}
List functions
List functions control the content of a list or array.
The basic structure of list functions are:
Description Function
Returns the components (see list components( entity
page 82) of another object. entity )
Returns a list of specified size list fill (int size, object
containing elements with value )
specified value.
Returns a list of all the list folder( string folder
entities in the folder (see page )
83).
Determines if the list has any is_empty()
content (see page 84).
Determines if the list contains member()
a specific value (see page 84).
Adding (see page 85) a list or +
array to another list or array
Removes duplicate (see page remove_duplicates()
85) items from a list.

Creates a list by compiling the set_union()
contents of two lists (can
contain duplicate naming)
Creates a list containing items intersection()
that are present in two lists
(see page 86).
Creates a list by subtracting subtract()
(see page 86) from the first
list those items that are
present in the second list.
Returns a sorted list of list sort(list list)
numerics or stings (see page
90).
Returns a sorted list of objects list sort(list list, string
or entities (see page 90) field)
sorted on a field name.
Returns a list where the items list reverse(list list)
have been reversed (see page
90).
List components
The inbuilt components function returns the components of another
object.
Currently NC Program and Group entity parameters are

supported.
The components function returns a list of all items regardless

of type. You must check the type of the variable of each item,
in the list.
list components( entity entity )
For example if you want to batch process tool holder profiles for the
tools in a group that contains toolpaths, boundaries, and tools:
FOREACH ent IN components(entity('Group', '1')) {
IF lcase(ent.RootType) == 'tool' {
EDIT TOOL $ent.Name UPDATE_TOOLPATHS_PROFILE
}
}

An example, to ensure that all the area clearance toolpaths in an NC
program have flood coolant turned on and that mist is set for all the
others:
FOREACH item IN components(entity('ncprogram','')) {
// only check nctoolpath items
IF lcase(item.RootType) == 'nctoolpath' {
// If the area clearance parameter is active then use
flood
IF active(entity('toolpath',item.Name).AreaClearance)
{
$item.Coolant.Value = "flood"
} else {
$item.Coolant.Value = "mist"
}
}
}
List fill
The fill() function returns a list of a specified size, which contains
elements of a specified value.
list fill(int size, object value)
For example, if you wanted to create a list in which abc was
repeated three times:
STRING ARRAY str_arr[] = fill(3, "abc")
// str_arr = {"abc", "abc", "abc"}
If you wanted to create a list in which 5 was repeated five times:
INT LIST int_ls = fill(5, 5)
// int_ls = {5, 5, 5, 5, 5}
List folder
The folder() function returns a list of all entities within a folder,
including those in subfolders.
list folder( string folder )
The names of the root folders are:
▪ MachineTool
▪ NCProgram
▪ Toolpath
▪ Tool

▪ Boundary
▪ Pattern
▪ Featureset
▪ Workplane
▪ Level
▪ Model
▪ StockModel
▪ Group
The name of the folder is case sensitive, so you must use Tool
and not tool.
You can use a FOREACH loop to process all of the entities within a
folder. For example, to batch process tool holder profiles:
FOREACH tool IN folder ('Tool'){
EDIT TOOL $tool.Name UPDATE_TOOLPATHS_PROFILE
}
An example, to batch process all the boundaries in your project:
FOREACH bou IN folder('Boundary') {
EDIT BOUNDARY $bou.Name CALCULATE
}
Empty list
The is_empty() function queries a list to determine whether it is
empty or not.
REAL LIST MyList = {}
IF is_empty(MyList) {
PRINT "Empty List"
}
List member
The member() function returns TRUE if the given value is one of the
items in the list. For example, to check that a toolpath does not
occur in more than one NC program, you can loop over all
NCProgram and check that each toolpath is only seen once. Do this
by building a list of toolpath names and checking that each time you
add a name you have not already seen it.
STRING List names = {}
// Cycle through the NC programs
FOREACH ncp IN folder('NCProgram') {
// loop over the components in the nc program
FOREACH item IN components(ncp) {

// Check that it is a toolpath
IF item.RootType == 'nctoolpath' {
// Use MEMBER to check that we have not seen this
name before
IF NOT member(names, item.Name) {
bool ok = add_last(names, item.Name)
} else {
// We have already added this name
STRING msg = "Toolpath: "+item.Name+crlf+" in
more than one NCProgram"
MESSAGE ERROR $msg
MACRO ABORT
}
}
}
}
The is_empty() function queries a list to determine whether it is

empty or not.
REAL LIST MyList = {}
IF is_empty(MyList) {
PRINT "Empty List"
}
Adding lists
The + function adds a list or array to another list or array. For
example, you can add two lists together to get a list of all the tools
used by the toolpaths and boundaries:
STRING LIST UsedToolNames = ToolpathTools + BoundaryTools
Removing duplicate items in a list

The remove_duplicates() function removes duplicate values. For
example, a tool may be used in both a toolpath and a boundary, so
the UsedToolNames list may contain duplicate values.
To remove the duplicate values:
INT n = remove_duplicates(UsedToolNames)
The set_union() function returns a list containing the items from
both sets, removing any duplicates. So you can create the
UsedToolNames list using:
STRING LIST UsedToolNames = set_union(ToolpathTools,
BoundaryTools)

Intersecting items in lists
The inbuilt function intersection() returns a list containing the
items present in both lists or arrays. To obtain the names of the
tools that are used in both toolpaths and boundaries use:
STRING LIST TP_Bound_Names = intersection(ToolpathTools,
BoundaryTools)
Items present in one list, but not the other

The inbuilt function subtract() returns the items that are in the
first list, but not in the second list.
STRING UnusedToolNames = subtract(AllToolNames,
UsedToolNames)
Adding items to a list

You can add items to the start or end of a list.
Adding items to the start of a list

The inbuilt function add_first(list, item) adds an item to the
start of a list. It returns the number of items in the list after the
addition.
For example, to add the name of a pattern to the start of a list:
// Add the name of the pattern to the start of the list
}
Adding items to the end of a list

The inbuilt function add_last(list, item) adds an item to the end
of a list. It returns the number of items in the list after the addition.
For example, to add the name of a pattern to the end of a list:
// Add the name of the pattern to the end of the list
int s = add_last(Patterns, pat.Name)
}
Removing items from a list

You can remove items from the start or end of a list.
Removing items from the start of a list

The inbuilt function remove_first(list) removes an item from the
start of a list. It returns the removed item.

For example, to print the names of patterns in a list:
// Print the names of the Patterns in reverse order
// Create a list of the pattern names
// Add the name of the pattern to start of the list
}
// Keep taking the first item from the list until
// there are no more
WHILE size(Patterns) > 0 {
STRING name = remove_first(Patterns)
PRINT $Name
}
If you have three patterns in the Explorer:
The FOREACH loop adds each item to the start of the list. As the
add_first command adds the next pattern to the start of the list.
So you end up with a list
{"Pattern_3","Pattern_2,"Pattern_1"}.
The WHILE loop takes the first item in the list, removes it from the
list and pints it. This gives:
Pattern_3
Pattern_2
Pattern_1
Removing items from the end of a list

The inbuilt function remove_last(list) removes an item to the end
of a list. It returns the removed item.
For example, to print the names of patterns in a list:
// Print the names of the Patterns in reverse order
// Create a list of the pattern names
// Add the name of the pattern to end of the list
}
// Keep taking the last item from the list until
// there are no more
WHILE size(Patterns) > 0 {
STRING name = remove_last(Patterns)
PRINT $Name
}

If you have the same three patterns in the Explorer:
The FOREACH loop adds each item to the end of the list. As the
add_last command adds the next pattern to the end of the list. So
you end up with a list {"Pattern_1","Pattern_2,"Pattern_3"}.
The WHILE loop takes the last item in the list, removes it from the
list and pints it. This gives:
Pattern_3
Pattern_2
Pattern_1
To end up with the patterns in the same order as they are in the
Explorer either:
▪ In the FOREACH loop use the add_last command and in the
WHILE loop use the remove_first command; or
▪ In the FOREACH loop use the add_first command and in the
WHILE loop use the remove_last command.
Finding values in a list

The inbuilt function remove(list, value) returns true if the value
is in the list and false if it is not. If the value is in the list, it also
removes the first instance of the value from the list.
For example, to print a list of tool diameters and the number of
toolpaths using each tool:
// Print a list the tool diameters and the
// number of Toolpaths using each unique diameter.
REAL LIST Diameters = {}

INT s = add_last(Diameters, tp.Tool.Diameter)
}
// Create a list with just the unique diameters
REAL LIST UniqueD = Diameters
INT n = remove_duplicates(UniqueD)
// Loop over the unique diameters
FOREACH diam = UniqueD {
// set a counter
INT Count = 0
DO {
$Count = Count + 1
} WHILE remove(Diameters, diam)

STRING Msg = "There are "+Count+" toolpaths using
"+diam+" tools"
PRINT $msg
}
Extracting data from lists

The inbuilt function extract(list, par_name) returns a list
containing par_name parameters extracted from the input list.
For example, to get the names of all the toolpaths in a project:
STRING LIST names = extract(folder('toolpath'),'name')
The result could have been achieved with a FOREACH loop that builds
up the list of names item by item, however, the function allows for a
more succinct expression, and it also lets .NET programs to interact
with lists without having to use the PowerMill-control-flow
statements.
In the above case, the list of toolpaths returned from the

inbuilt function folder() is directly used as the list argument
to extract.
Another example is finding the maximum block zheight of the
toolpaths:
REAL maxz =
max(extract(folder('toolpath'),'Block.Limits.ZMax'))
Filtering data from lists

The inbuilt function filer(list, expression) returns a sub-list of the
original list. The returned list only contains the items in the original
list that match the expression you have specified. For example,
suppose you want to obtain a list of raster toolpaths:
ENTITY LIST rasters = filter(folder('toolpath'),
"strategy=='raster'")
Suppose that your toolpaths may contain the UserParameter 'laser'
and you want to change something on just the toolpaths that
contain the parameter. You can determine whether a toolpath has
the 'laser' parameter with the expression
'member(UserParameters._keys,'laser')'. This works because
each OBJECT has a special parameter '_keys', which is a list of the
immediate sub-parts of the object. So to just get the toolpaths that
have the 'laser' parameter, we can use the following code:
// create a string for the
// expression to help readability
STRING expr = "member(UserParameters._keys,'laser')"
ENTITY LIST laser_tps = filter(folder('toolpath'),$expr)

The filter() function can also be combined with the extract()
function to build complex expressions within your macros. For
example, to obtain the list of tools used by raster toolpaths:
ENTITY LIST tools =
extract(filter(folder('toolpath'),"strategy=='raster'"),'
tool')
A special variable called 'this' has been added to help with the
filter() function. The 'this' variable can be used to refer to the
element that the filter() function is examining. For example
suppose you have a list of numbers and only want the numbers that
are greater than 10:
REAL LIST numbers = {1.0, 10.2, 3.5, 20.4, 11.0, 2.8}
REAL LIST numbs = filter(numbers, "this > 10.0")
The above returns the list {10.2, 20.4, 11.0}.
Sorted list
The sort function sorts lists and arrays of scalars (numerics or
strings) or objects and entities. By default, the functions sort a list
in ascending order. If you want to sort the list in descending order,
you can apply the reverse function to the list.
If you are sorting a list of objects and entities, you must provide a
field name for the sort.
The following examples sort lists of scalar values (numerics and
strings):
STRING LIST l1 = {"The","Twelth","Night"}
$l1 = sort(l1)
// returns the list {"Night", "The", "Twelth"}
REAL ARRAY a1 = {23, 12, 4, 52, 32}
$a1 = sort(a1)
// Returns the list {4, 12, 23, 32, 52}
When sorting non-scalar values, such as entities or objects, you
must provide a sort field that is a scalar value:
EDIT TOOL ; DIAMETER 2.0
CREATE TOOLPATH 'bbb' RASTER
CREATE TOOLPATH 'ccc' RASTER
CREATE TOOLPATH 'aaa' RASTER
For example:
ENTITY LIST ents = sort(folder('toolpath'),'name')
// Returns the list of toolpath {'aaa','bbb','ccc'}

ENTITY LIST ents_diam =
sort(folder('toolpath'),'Tool.Diameter')
// Returns the list of toolpath {'ccc','aaa','bbb'}
You can reverse the order of a list by using the inbuilt function
reverse(). The example above sorts the toolpaths based on tool
diameter and returns the entries in ascending order, with the
smallest diameter listed first. To sort the list in descending order,
you can reverse the results.
ENTITY LIST ents_diam =
reverse(sort(folder('toolpath'),'Tool.Diameter'))
// Returns the list of toolpaths {'bbb','aaa','ccc'}
Path functions
The path functions returns part of the pathname of the entity,
The basic structure of the path functions are:
The Folder name (see page string pathname( entity
92) function returns the full ref )
folder name of the entity, or
an empty string if the entity
does not exist.
The Folder name (see page string pathname( string
92) function can also be used type, string name)
to return the full folder name
of the entity.
The Directory name (see page string dirname( string
92) function returns the path)
directory prefix from the path.
The Base name (see page 93) string basename( string
function returns the non- path)
directory suffix from the path.
The Project name (see page project_pathname(bool
93) functions returns the basename)
pathname of the current
project on disk.
The Active folder (see page String active_folder()
94) functions returns folder
names of active entities.
The Folder list (see page 94) String
functions returns the names folder_list(folder_name)
of folders in the PowerMill
project.

Folder name
The pathname function returns the full folder name of the entity, or,
if the entity does not exist, an empty string.
string pathname( entity ref )
Also,
string pathname( string type, string name)
Returns the full folder name of the entity.
For example, if you have a BN 16.0 diam tool in a Ballnosed tool
folder, then:
pathname('tool', 'BN 16.0 diam')
returns the string Tool\Ballnosed tools\BN 16.0 diam.
If the entity does not exist it returns an empty string.

You can use this function in conjunction with the dirname() (see
page 92) function to process all the toolpaths in the same folder as
the active toolpath.
STRING path = pathname('toolpath',Name)
// check that there is an active toolpath
IF path != '' {
FOREACH tp IN folder(dirname(path)) {
ACTIVATE TOOLPATH tp.Name
}
} ELSE {
MESSAGE "There is no active toolpath"
RETURN
}
Directory name
The directory name function returns the directory prefix from the
path.
string dirname( string path)
For example you can use this to obtain the argument for the inbuilt
folder() function.
STRING folder = dirname(pathname('toolpath',Name))

Base name
The base name function returns the non-directory suffix from the
path.
string basename( string path)
Usually basename(pathname('tool',tp.Name)) is the same as
tp.Name, but you can use this in conjunction with dirname (see page
92) to split apart the folder names.
For example, suppose your toolpaths are split in folders:
▪ Toolpath\Feature1\AreaClear
▪ Toolpath\Feature1\Rest
▪ Toolpath\Feature1\Finishing
▪ Toolpath\Feature2\AreaClear
▪ Toolpath\Feature2\Rest
▪ Toolpath\Feature2\Finishing
You can rename all your toolpaths so that they contain the feature
name and the area clearance, rest, or finishing indicator.
FOREACH tp in folder('Toolpath') {
// Get the pathname
STRING path = pathname(tp)
// Get the lowest folder name from the path
STRING type = basename(dirname(path))
// get the next lowest folder name
STRING feat = basename(dirname(dirname(path)))
// Get the toolpath name
STRING base = basename(path)
// Build the new toolpath name
STRING NewNamePrefix = feat + "-" + type
// Check that the toolpath has not already been renamed
IF position(base,NewNamePrefix) < 0 {
RENAME TOOLPATH $base ${NewNamePrefix+" " + base}
}
}
Project name
The project pathname function returns the pathname of the current
project on disk.
project_pathname(bool basename)
The argument dirname_only gives a different result if it is true to if
it is false.

▪ If true, returns the name of the project.
▪ If false returns the full path of the project.
For example if you have opened a project
called:C:\PmillProjects\MyProject
project_pathname(0) returns"C:\PmillProjects\MyProject.
project_pathname(1) returns MyProject.
A PowerMill macro example is:
EDIT BLOCKTYPE TRIANGLES
STRING $ARBLOCK = project_pathname(0) + '\' + 'block_test.dmt'
GET BLOCK $ARBLOCK
Active folder name

Use this to determine the folder names of currently active entities,
for example the name of the active toolpath or workplane folder.
To display all of the folders in the toolpath branch:
STRING LIST MyToolpaths = GET_FOLDERS('toolpath')
To display a list of all of the subfolders below a given path:
STRING LIST MyFolderToolpaths =
GET_FOLDERS('toolpath\Rough')
To display the name of the active folder:
STRING MyFolder = ACTIVE_FOLDER()
An empty list is returned if there are no folders, or if there are no
active folders.
To find out if the given folder path exists or not, use:
document folder_exist()
This returns true or false depending on whether the path exists or
not. For example, BOOL ok =
folder_exists('toolpath\areaclearance')
Use document folder_exist() to interrogate PowerMill

Explorer folders. To interrogate folders on disk, use the
dir_exists()functions.
Stock model states

Use the PRINT PAR function to print the parameters of each stock
model state. You can use this to display the:
▪ toolpaths that are applied to the block
▪ block size
▪ active state

PRINT PAR "entity('stockmodel','stockmodel name').States"
This can be extended to print specific parameters, for example:
PRINT PAR "entity('stockmodel','stockmodel
name').States[0].Locked"
PRINT PAR "entity('stockmodel','stockmodel
name').States[1].References[1]"
Conditional functions
The basic structure of conditional functions are:
Returns the value of variant select(
expression 1 if the conditional conditional-expression;
expression is true, otherwise expression1;expression2)
it returns the value of
expression 2.
Both expressions must be of the same type.

This example obtains either the tool radius or its tip radius, if it has
one.
You can use an IF block of code:
REAL Radius = Tool.Diameter/2
IF active(Tool.TipRadius) {
$Radius = Tool.TipRadius
}
Or you can use the inbuilt select function:
REAL Radius = select(active(Tool.TipRadius),
Tool.TipRadius, Tool.Diameter/2)
To assign an expression to a parameter, you must use the

select() function.
Evaluation functions
The evaluation function evaluate a string argument as an
expression.
For example:
print = evaluate("5*5")
prints 25.

You can use evaluate to provide a different test at runtime.
This example provides a bubble sort for numeric values. By
changing the comparison expression you can get it to sort in
ascending or descending order.
FUNCTION SortReals(STRING ComparisonExpr, OUTPUT REAL
LIST List) {
// Get number of items.
INT Todo = size(List)
// Set swapped flag before we start
Bool swapped = 1
// Repeat for number of items
WHILE Todo > 1 AND Swapped {
// start at the beginning
INT Idx = 0
// Signal that nothing has been done yes
$Swapped = 0
// loop over number of items still to do
WHILE Idx < ToDo-1 {
// swap if they are out of sequence
// Uses user supplied comparison function to
perform test
IF evaluate(ComparisonExpr) {
REAL swap = List[Idx]
$List[Idx] = List[Idx+1]
${List[idx+1]} = swap
// signal that we've done something
$Swapped = 1
}
// look at next pair
$Idx = Idx + 1
}
// reduce number of items
$ToDo = ToDo - 1
}
}
FUNCTION Main() {
/Set up some data
REAL ARRAY Data[] = {9,10,3,4,1,7,2,8,5,6}
// Sort in increasing value
CALL SortReals("List[Idx] > List[Idx+1]", Data)
PRINT PAR "Data"
REAL ARRAY Data1[] = {9,10,3,4,1,7,2,8,5,6}
// Sort in decreasing order
CALL SortReals("List[Idx] < List[Idx+1]", Data1)
PRINT PAR "Data1"
}

Type conversion functions
The type conversion functions enable you to temporarily convert a
variable from one type to another within an expression.
The basic structure of the type conversion functions are:
Convert to integer value. int int( scalar a)
Convert to real value. real real( scalar a)
Convert to boolean value. bool bool( scalar a)
Convert to string value string string( scalar a)
Normally you would use inbuilt string() conversion function to

convert a number to a string when building up a message:
STRING $Bottles = string(Number) + " green bottles ..."
In other cases, you may want convert a real number to an integer,
or an integer to a real number:
INT a = 2
INT b = 3
REAL z = 0
$z = a/b
PRINT $z
This prints 0.0.
If you want the ratio then you have to convert either a or b to real
within the assignment expression.
INT a = 2
INT b = 3
REAL z = 0
$z = real(a)/b
PRINT $z
This prints 0.666667.
Parameter functions introduction

All of the PowerMill parameters have an active state which
determines whether the parameter is relevant for a particular type
of object or operation.
The basic structure of the parameter functions are:
Evaluates the active bool active( par )
expression of par.

Returns whether the bool locked( par )
parameter can be changed or
not.
Returns the number of sub- int size( par )
parameters that par contains.
Returns a list of string string list
values(par)
descriptions for a enumerator
type.
Returns the parameter one par parent(par)
level above in the parameter
tree.
Evaluate the active expression

For example, the Boundary.Tool parameter is not active for a block
or sketch type boundaries. You can test whether a parameter is
active or not with the inbuilt active() function. This can be useful in
calculations and decision making.
IF active(….) {
…
}
Check if you change a parameter

You can test whether a particular parameter is locked or not with
the inbuilt locked() function. You cannot normally edit a locked
parameter because its entity is being used as a reference by
another entity. If you try to edit a locked parameter with the EDIT
PAR command, PowerMill displays a query dialog asking for
permission to make the change. You can suppress this message
using the EDIT PAR NOQUERY command. The locked() function
enables you to provide your own user messages and queries that
are tailored to your application.
For example:
IF locked(Tool.Diameter) {
BOOL copy = 0
$copy = QUERY "The current tool has been used do you
want to make a copy of it?"
IF NOT copy {
// cannot proceed further so get out
RETURN
}
COPY TOOL ;
}
$Tool.Diameter = 5

Check the number of sub-parameters
The inbuilt size() function returns the number of immediate items in
the parameter. You can use this to determine the number of
toolpaths in a folder:
PRINT = size(folder('Toolpath\Cavity'))
Enumerator parameter
The values() function returns a list of display names for an
enumerator parameter, such as Tool.Type, CutDirection, or
Strategy. The names are translated into the current language that a
user is working in. This list can be used to gather input from the
user with the CHOICE dialog. For example, to ask the user which
cut direction they would like to use, you can use the following code:
// Get names for the choices the user can make for this
parameter
STRING ARRAY Opts[] = values(CutDirection)
// Get the user input

INT C = INPUT CHOICE $Opts "Choose the Cut Direction you
want"
// Use the returned value to set the direction

$CutDirection = $C
Parent parameter
The parent() function enables you to access and specify machine tool
parameters in a more user friendly way. For example:
//To change the opacity of a machine tool/Robot table
with AXIS ADDRESS T, the following syntax can be used
EDIT PAR "parent(machine_axis('T')).ModelList.Opacity"
"25"
//Check the way the 'parent' function works...
EDIT TOOL "1" DIAMETER "20"
real error = 0
$error = ERROR parent(Tool)
print $error
//returns 1.0 as it fails finding the parent of a root -
'TOOL' is the root
$error = ERROR parent(Tool.Diameter)
print $error
//returns 0 as it finds the parent Tool of Tool.Diameter

Automate a sequence of edits or actions
Use the following functions to automate a sequence of edits or
actions to a number of files and directories:
// return list of file and/or directory names
list file_list(<type>, directory, filespec)
// <type> == "all" returns both the files and directories
// <type> == "files" just returns the files
// <type> == "dirs" just returns the directories
// a '+' suffix to the type (eg "files+") will recurse
down the directories
// get the current directory

string pwd()
// check whether a file exists

bool file_exists(path)
// check whether a directory exists

bool dir_exists(path)
Statistical functions
The statistical functions enable you to return the minimum and
maximum values of any number of numeric arguments.
The basic structure of the statistical functions are:
Returns the largest value in a real max( list numeric a
list of numbers. )
Returns the smallest value in real min( list numeric a
a list of numbers. )
This example finds the maximum and minimum block height of the
toolpaths in the active NC program.
REAL maxz = -100000
REAM minz = abs(maxz)
FOREACH item IN components(entity('ncprogram','')) {
IF item.RootType == 'nctoolpath' {
$maxz = max(maxz,entity('toolpath',item.Name))
$minz - min(minz,entity('toolpath',item.Name))
}
}
MESSAGE "Min = " + string(minz) + ", max = " +
string(maxz)

Entity based functions
These functions work on specific entities.
Command Description
entity_exists() Returns true if the named entity
exists (see page 103).
geometry_equal() Compares two tools, or two
workplanes for geometric
equivalence.
new_entity_name() Returns the name (see page 103)
assigned to the next entity.
set_workplane() Sets the vectors and origin of a
workplane (see page 71).
segments() Returns the number of segments in
a toolpath, boundary or pattern.
stockmodel_visible Returns the stock model volume,
_volume() based on the stock model drawing
option used to show the material.
limits() Returns the XYZ limits of an entity.
toolpath_cut_limit Returns the XYZ limits of the
s() toolpath's cutting moves.
Equivalence
You can use the inbuilt function geometry_equal() to test whether
two tools, or two workplanes are geometrically equivalent. For a
tool the test is based on the cutting geometry of the tool.
Number of segments
The inbuilt function segments() returns the number of segments in
a pattern or boundary:
IF segments(Pattern) == 0 {
PRINT "The pattern is empty"
}
To return the number of segments in a toolpath, use:
function toolpath_component_count(toolpath,type)
For example:
print par ${toolpath_component_count('toolpath', '1',
'links')}
'leads')}
'segments')}

// Returns the number of toolpath segments, links and leads moves
in toolpath named '1'
Stock model volume

The inbuilt function stockmodel_visible_volume() returns the
stock model volume, based on the stock model drawing option used
to show the material. The drawing options are:
▪ Show all material
▪ Show rest material
▪ Show removed material
For example:
real volume =
stockmodel_visible_volume(entity('stockmodel',"SM"))
// Assigns the volume of the stock model named "SM" to
variable "volume".
Limits
The inbuilt function limits() returns an array of six elements
containing the XYZ limits of the given entity. The supported entities
are: pattern, boundary, toolpath, feature set, or model.
REAL ARRAY Lims[] = limits('model','MyModel')
The values in the array are:
REAL MinX = Lims[0]
REAL MaxX = Lims[1]
REAL MinY = Lims[2]
REAL MaxY = Lims[3]
REAL MinZ = Lims[4]
REAL MaxZ = Lims[5]
Toolpath cut limits

The inbuilt function toolpath_cut_limits() returns an array of 6
real values that hold the XYZ limits of the toolpath's cutting moves.
The entity parameter must be a calculated toolpath. The returned
array can be used to initialize, or assign to, another array or list.
The string parameter must be the name of a calculated

toolpath, otherwise an error will be returned.
REAL ARRAY lims[] = toolpath_cut_limits(Toolpath)
$lims = toolpath_cut_limits('my toolpath')
The values in the array are:
array[0] = Minimum X value.
array[1] = Maximum X value.
array[2] = Minimum Y value.

array[3] = Maximum Y value.
array[4] = Minimum Z value.
array[5] = Maximum Z value
Does an entity exist?

The inbuilt function entity_exists() returns true if the entity
exists. You can call this function with:
▪ an entity parameter such as entity_exists(Boundary),
entity_exists(ReferenceTool), or
entity_exists(entity('toolpath','')).
▪ two parameters that specify the entity type and name such as
entity_exists('tool','MyTool').
For example:
IF entity_exists(Workplane) {
PRINT "An active workplane exists"
} ELSE {
PRINT "No active workplane using world coordinate
system."
}
IF NOT entity_exists(entity('toolpath','')) {
PRINT "Please activate a toolpath and try again."
MACRO ABORT ALL
}
New entity name

The inbuilt function new_entity_name() returns the next name that
PowerMill gives to a new entity of the given type. You can supply an
optional basename argument to obtain the name that PowerMill
uses when creating a copy or clone of an entity.
This example shows you how to determine the name of a new
entity.
CREATE WORKPLANE 1
CREATE WORKPLANE 2
CREATE WORKPLANE 3
// Prints 4
PRINT = new_entity_name('workplane')
DELETE WORKPLANE 2
// Prints 2
PRINT = new_entity_name('workplane')

CREATE WORKPLANE ;
// Prints 2_1
PRINT = new_entity_name('workplane', '2')
Improving entity-specific macros

You can use parameters to write macros that instruct PowerMill to
execute specific lines of code before and after it processes the first
and last entity in a loop. The parameters enable PowerMill to:
▪ identify the last selected entity; and
▪ display the total number of selected entities and the entity
PowerMill is currently processing.
The parameters are:
▪ powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.Last
This enables PowerMill to identify the last selected entity.
▪ powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.Count
This enables PowerMill to display the entity it is processing, for
example, 'Checking toolpath 6 for collisions'.
▪ powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.Total == 0
This enables PowerMill to display the total number of selected
entities.
▪ powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.First
This enables PowerMill to identify the first entity in a loop.
Creating an entity-specific macro

The example shows how to create a macro that uses a user-defined
clearance value to collision check the select toolpaths. The macro:
▪ asks the user to enter the holder clearance PowerMill uses to
collision check the toolpaths.
▪ displays the name of the toolpath it is processing.
▪ displays a message when collision checking is complete.
Function Main(
STRING $Selected_Toolpath
)
{
// Create new project parameter to store the holder
clearance
BOOL $chk = 0
$chk = ERROR $project.clearance

if $chk {
// Project variable does not exist. Create it and set
it to 5 degrees
EDIT PAR CREATE REAL "clearance"
}
// Before checking the first toolpath, PowerMILL should

ask the user to enter the holder clearance
IF ($powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.First) OR
$powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.Total == 0 {
$project.clearance = INPUT ${"Enter the holder
clearance PowerMILL uses when checking the " +
$powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.Total + "
selected toolpaths for collisions "}
}
// Now collision check toolpath with entered clearance

// Set the clearance:
EDIT COLLISION HOLDER_CLEARANCE $project.clearance
// Now check the toolpath for collisions
EDIT COLLISION TYPE COLLISION
PRINT = "Processing toolpath " +
$powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.Count
// Tell user all selected toolpaths have been checked

IF ($powermill.Status.MultipleSelection.Last) {
MESSAGE INFO "All toolpaths have been checked "
}
}
Enter line and line without line breaks. The lines appear to
include line breaks here only because of the limited page width.
Model hierarchy
Model Component Functions
INT select_components(DATA components)
INT deselect_components(DATA components)
These functions select or deselect all of the components in the
passed-in data parameter. The data parameter must store a
ModelCompList or ModelCompSet. The return value is numeric, but
carries no information.
INT number_selected(DATA components)

This function returns the number of the components in the passed-
in data parameter that are currently selected. The data parameter
must store a ModelCompList or ModelCompSet.
Model Hierarchies
Some CAD systems store models in a hierarchical structure. When
PowerMILL reads these CAD files it creates a parameterised
representation of this structure. This structure can be navigated as
a tree, and there are two helper functions, one to retrieve a node
from the hierarchy by its path, and the other to retrieve the
hierarchy (or a subsection of the hierarchy) as a list that can be
filtered or iterated over.
Nodes
The hierarchy of a model is made up of nodes. These are maps with
typename "ModelHierarchyElement". They have the following
properties:
Property Type Description
Name STRING The name associated with the node
in the hierarchy. The root node’s
name will be the same as the
model’s name.
Path STRING The path to the node. It consists of
the names of the node’s ancestors,
starting with the root node,
separated by backslashes. It
includes the node’s name.
Parent MAP The parent of this node in the
(typename: hierarchy. The root node’s Parent is
ModelHierarchyElemen always an error. For all other
t) nodes, it will be a map of this type.
Children ARRAY of MAPs A list of the children of the node in
(typename: the hierarchy. Each child node is a
ModelHierarchyElemen map of this type.
t)
Compone DATA A list of the model components
nts {ModelCompList} associated with the node.
Parameter MAP Key-Value pairs associated with the
s (typename: node.
ModelMetadata)
SelectedIn BOOL This parameter is not currently

GUI used, and will always return false.
The root node of a model’s hierarchy is accessible through the
"Hierarchy" property on the model entity parameter.
Walking the hierarchy

If you want to select all components associated with nodes
containing "Hole" in their name, for instance, you could use a macro
like this:
FUNCTION Main() {
ENTITY mod = entity("model", "1")
CALL SelectHoles(mod.Hierarchy)
}
FUNCTION SelectHoles(OBJECT node) {

// Select the components associated with this node if
// its name contains "Hole"
IF (position(node.Name, "Hole") > -1) {
INT i = select_components(node.Components)
}
// Recursively call this function with each child node
FOREACH child IN node.Children {
CALL SelectHoles(child)
}
}
This is a basic template for working with a hierarchy: a function that
takes a node as an argument, does something with it, and then
recursively calls the function with each of its child nodes.
This template can be built on to give more complex functionality.
For example, the operation on the node could depend on extra
passed-in arguments, several operations could be performed on the
node, or a conditional check on each child node could be placed
within the FOREACH loop to skip certain branches of the tree.
Getting a Node by its Path

OBJECT model_tree_node(ENTITY model[, STRING path)
OBJECT model_tree_node(STRING model_name[, STRING path])
The first argument should be a model entity or the name of a model
entity. The second argument is an optional path into that model's
hierarchy. The function returns the node with the given path or the
root node if the path is omitted.

The following example gets the node "group1", which is a child of
the "part" node, which is a child of the root node "1". It then stores
how many of the components associated with the node are
currently selected:
OBJECT node = model_tree_node("1", "1\part\group1") {
INT count = number_selected (node.Components)
Getting the Hierarchy as a List

OBJECT LIST model_tree_nodes(ENTITY model[, STRING path)
OBJECT LIST model_tree_nodes(STRING model_name[, STRING
path])
This function takes the same arguments as model_tree_node(). It
returns a list containing the node that would be returned by
model_tree_node() if it were sent the same arguments, and all of
its descendants.
The example below performs the same operation as the macro in
the "Walking the Hierarchy" section above, selecting all geometry
associated with nodes that contain "Hole" in their name.
FOREACH node IN model_tree_nodes(entity("model", "1")) {
IF position(node.Name, "Hole") > -1 {
BOOL b = select_components(node.Components)
}
}
As well as being a more concise method, for operations that are to
be performed on every node in the hierarchy, this will generally
execute quicker than walking the hierarchy using the recursive
method.
Model metadata
Exchange can extract the metadata from 3rd party CAD files and
communicate them to PowerMill during the translation process.
Metadata is accessible through parameters which are associated
with groups, workplanes and geometries. These are used to store
information relevant to the machining of an item.
Metadata on geometry
The components() parameter function is extended to include a data
parameter which stores a list of model components, including
surfaces, and returns a list of the components in a parameterised
form.
The parameterized components are objects with the following
properties:

Name – A string that contains the name of the component.
Model – A string that contains the name of the model containing the
component.
Parameters – An object which stores the key-value pairs associated
with the component.
Metadata on workplanes
There are parameters to represent workplanes in the hierarchy.
These are maps with the following properties:
Name — The name of the workplane.
Origin — The origin of the workplane. This is an array of 3 REALs.
XAxis — The X axis of the workplane. This is an array of 3 REALs.
YAxis — The Y axis of the workplane. This is an array of 3 REALs.
ZAxis — The Z axis of the workplane. This is an array of 3 REALs.
Parameters — A map of the metadata associated with the
workplane.
If a workplane in an imported model has the same name as an
existing workplane in PowerMill but a different origin or orientation,
the parameter will store the original name.
If models are exported, all of their metadata is lost. However,

if you have a model in a project, it retains its metadata.
Feature Parameters
You can use the inbuilt components() function to loop over the
features within a feature set. Each feature has the following
parameters:
Name — Name of Feature.
ID — Id of Feature.
RootType — 'feature' as a string.
num_items — Number of sub-holes.
Type — Type of feature (pocket, slot, hole, boss).
Top — Top of feature, z-value relative to Origin.
Bottom — Bottom of feature, z-value relative to Origin.
Depth — Depth of feature, from top to bottom.
Diameter — Diameter of feature.
Draft — Draft angle.

Axis — Z axis of Feature.
For example:
// Print out the diameter of each hole
FOREACH f in components(entity('featureset','1')) {
IF f.Type == "hole" {
PRINT = f.name + " has a diameter of " + f.Diameter
}
}
You can also use the components() function to iterate over the
elements of compound holes, as follows:
ENTITY fset = entity('FeatureSet','')
PRINT ="Feature Set '" + fset.Name + "' has " +
fset.num_items + "
Features"
FOREACH feat IN components(fset) {
IF feat.num_items > 0 {
PRINT ="Feature '" + feat.Name + "' is a compound
hole'"
FOREACH sub IN components(feat) {
PRINT ="Sub-hole '" + sub.Name + "' has diameter "
+ sub.Diameter
}
} ELSE {
PRINT ="Feature '" feat.Name + "' is a " + feat.Type
}
}
You cannot edit feature parameters in the macro language.

You must use the normal PowerMill commands to edit
features. However, the parameters will give you all the values
you need to make the appropriate edits.
Working with files and directories

PowerMill contains a number of commands and functions for
creating and manipulating files on disc. The following commands
can be used to delete and copy files and directories:
DELETE FILE <filename>
DELETE DIRECTORY <directory>
COPY FILE <source-file> <destination file>
COPY DIRECTORY <source directory> <destination-directory>
The command CD changes the working directory:
// change working directory to "C:\temp"
CD "C:\temp"

// change working directory back to where PowerMill
started from
CD
The command MKDIR will create a directory path:
MKDIR "C:\temp\output\pm_project"
The command will create all directories in the path if they do not
exist already.
File and directory functions

PowerMill contains a number of parameter functions that can be
used to examine the file structure of the disc:
▪ string pwd() — Returns the current working directory path.
▪ bool file_exists(filepath) — Returns true if filepath is an
existing file.
▪ bool dir_exists(dirpath) — Returns true if dirpath is an
existing directory.
▪ list list_files(string flags,string directory[, string
filetype]) — Returns a list of files that match the flags and
optional filetype. The flags parameter can be either 'all',
'files', or 'dirs' with an additional '+' suffix. If the '+' suffix is
given then all subdirectories are listed.
Example
// get a list of all the files in the working directory
STRING LIST files = list_files("files",pwd())
// get all the stl files in the C:\temp directory

$files = list_files("files","c:\temp",".stl")
// get all the directories and subdirectories in the

working directory
$files = list_files("dirs+", pwd())
File reading and writing in macros

PowerMill has a number of commands that can be used to read
information from a file, or to write information to a file.
Use the following commands:
▪ FILE OPEN — Open a file for reading or writing and associate it
with a file handle.

▪ FILE CLOSE — Close a file and free-up its file handle so you can
re-use it later.
▪ FILE WRITE — Write the contents of an existing variable to an
open file.
▪ FILE READ — Read values from one or more lines from an open
file into an existing variable.
A file handle is the name used internally to refer to the file.
FILE OPEN command

Before you can use a file, it must be opened for either reading or
writing, and given an internal name (file handle) by which you will
later refer to it.
The syntax for opening a file is:
FILE OPEN <pathname-of-file> FOR <access-type> AS
<handle>
The <access-type> can be READ, WRITE, or APPEND, and

<handle> is a short string used to refer to the file.
For example, to open the file fred.txt for writing, use the command:
FILE OPEN "d:\my-files\fred.txt" FOR WRITE AS output
To open a file for reading you might use the command:
FILE OPEN "d:\my-files\fred.txt" FOR READ AS input
To open a file and append more information to the end of it, use the
command:
FILE OPEN "d:\my-files\fred.txt" FOR APPEND AS input
You cannot use the same <handle> for more than one file at a time.
FILE CLOSE command

When you have finished with a file it is good practise to close it so
that you can reuse the handle and release system resources.
For example:
FILE CLOSE output
FILE CLOSE input
To reuse a closed file you need to reopen it.
FILE WRITE command

Use the FILE WRITE command to write data from a variable to a file
that has been opened for writing or appending.

Variables are written line by line. If the variable to be written is a
scalar (INT, BOOL, REAL, or STRING) then a single line is written
(unless a string containing new lines is written).
If the variable to be written is an array or list then every element
from the source variable is written one line at a time to the file.
Individual elements can be written using sub-scripts.
The syntax for the command is:
FILE WRITE $<variable> TO <handle>
For example:
FILE OPEN "test.txt" FOR WRITE AS "out"
STRING LIST greeting = {"Hello, ", "World!"}
INT ARRAY errors[5] = {1,2,3,4,5}
FILE WRITE $greeting TO "out"

FILE WRITE $errors TO "out"
FILE WRITE $PI TO "out"
FILE WRITE $greeting[1] TO "out"
FILE CLOSE "out"
// Append an error message to a log file

FILE OPEN "errorlog.txt" FOR APPEND AS log_file
INT error = 2
STRING time = "14:57"
STRING date = "July 1st, 2012"
STRING log_entry = "Error (" + error_code + ") occurred
at " + time + " on " + date
FILE WRITE $log_entry TO log_file
FILE CLOSE log_file
FILE READ command

The FILE READ command is used to read data from a file opened for
reading into an existing variable.
If the variable is a scalar then a single line is read and the string is
converted to the required variable type using standard conversion
rules.
If the variable is an array then one line is read for each element in
the array, with values being stored in the array (starting from index
0). If the end of the file is reached before the array is reached, the
data in the remaining elements remain unchanged.
If the variable to be read is a list then all remaining lines in the file
are read with existing list elements being over-written and the list
being extended as necessary. Again, if the number of lines
remaining to be read in the file are fewer than the number of
elements currently in the list, then data in the remaining elements
is unchanged.

For example:
FILE OPEN "values.txt" FOR READ AS input
STRING product_name = ""
INT ARRAY vers[2] = {0, 0}
REAL tol = 0.0
STRING LIST rest_of_file = {}
FILE READ $prod FROM input

FILE READ $version FROM input
FILE READ $tol FROM input
FILE READ $rest_of_file FROM input
PRINT ="Tolerance from " + prod + " v" + vers[0] + "." +

vers[1] + ": " + tol
PRINT ="Comments:"
FOREACH line IN rest_of_file {
PRINT $line
}
Frequently asked questions

How do I loop through all the toolpath entities?
The folder() function returns all the items that are in the Explorer
folders, for example Machine Tools, Toolpaths, Tools, Boundaries,
Patterns etc.. The easiest way to loop through all the items is to use
the FOREACH statement:
FOREACH tp IN folder(‘Toolpath’) {
PRINT = tp.name
}
The folder function returns all the items in the specified folder and
in any subfolders. You can limit the number of items returned by
specifying a specific subfolder to loop through:
FOREACH tp IN folder(‘Toolpath\semi-finishing’) {
PRINT = tp.name
}
How do I only loop over the items in a parent folder (and exclude any
subfolders)?
As described above, the folder() function returns items from a
parent folder and any subfolders. If you only want to loop over the
items in the parent folder, you need to filter the results. For
example, if you have the folder 'Semi-finishing' and the subfolder
'Not used', which contains temporary or alternative toolpaths, then
to access the toolpaths only in the 'Semi-finishing' folder, you need
to use the pathname and dirname functions:
STRING fld = ‘Toolpath\semi-finishing’

FOREACH tp IN folder($fld) {
IF dirname(pathname(tp)) == $fld {
PRINT = tp.name
}
}
You can also achieve the same result as above by using a complex
expression for the FOREACH loop. In some cases this may make
your code easier to understand and in other cases much harder. In
the following example, the results of the folder() function are
filtered so the IF statement can be removed.
STRING fld = ‘Toolpath\semi-finishing’
STRING filt = ‘dirname(pathname(this)) == fld’
FOREACH tp IN filter(folder($fld), $filt) {
PRINT = tp,name
}
Note the use of ‘this’ in the $filt expression: when used in the
filter function, ‘this’ is an alias for the current list item that is
being filtered. In cases where you need to explicitly use the
list item, such as the one above, you should refer to it as
‘this’ in the expression.
How do I loop over the items in the active folder?

The inbuilt function active_folder() returns the name of the folder
that is currently active in the Explorer.
Check the correct folder in the Explorer is active.

STRING fld = active_folder()
IF fld == "" {
// No active folder use the root instead
$fld = ‘Boundary’
} ELSEIF position(fld,’Boundary\’) != 0 {
MESSAGE "Active folder isn’t a boundary folder"
RETURN
}
How can I tell if a toolpath has been calculated?

The Toolpath’s parameter 'Computed' is be true if it has been
calculated. Sometimes a toolpath may have been calculated but
contain no cutting segments. If this is an issue then you should
check the number of segments as well:
IF tp.Calculated AND segments(tp) > 0 {
PRINT "Toolpath is calculated and has segments"
}

Organising your macros
Recorded macros are listed in the Explorer under the Macros branch.
This example shows you how to manage the macro paths.
1 From the Macros menu select Macro Paths.
Alternatively, click File tab > Options > Customise Paths.

The PowerMill Paths dialog is displayed showing you all the
default macro paths. PowerMill automatically searches for macros
located within these folders, and displays them in the Explorer.
The period (.) indicates the path to the local folder (currently, the
folder to which the project is saved). The tilde ( ) indicates your
Home directory.
2 To create a macro path, click , and use the Select Path dialog
to select the desired location. The path is added to the top of the
list.
3 To change the path order, select the path you want to move, and
use the and buttons to promote or demote the path.
4 Click Close.

5 To load the new paths into PowerMill, expand the Macros branch
in the Explorer. Only the paths that contain at least one macro
are shown.
For more information, see Displaying Macros in the Explorer.
Recording the pmuser macro

The pmuser.mac is automatically run whenever you start PowerMill
providing you with your preferred settings.
1 Click File tab > Options > Reset forms. This ensures that
PowerMill uses the default parameters in the dialogs.
3 Browse to pmill4 folder in your Home area. In the Select Record

Macro File dialog, enter pmuser in the File name box, and click
Save. If you are asked whether you want to overwrite the
existing file, select Yes.
progress. All dialog options that you want to include in your
macro must be selected during its recording. If an option already
has the desired value, re-enter it.
4 Set up your preferences. For example:
a From the NC Programs menu, select Preferences.
b In the NC Preferences dialog, select a Machine Option File (for
example, heid.pmoptz).

c Click Close.
d Click Home tab > Setup panel > Toolpath Connections
Toolpath connections dialog.
e Select the Safe area tab.
f Enter a Rapid Height of 10 and Plunge Height of 5.
g Click Accept.
6 Expand the Macros node. The pmuser.mac macro is added under
pmill4.
7 Close and then restart PowerMill to check that the settings from
the pmuser macro are activated.
Turning off error and warning

messages and locking graphic updates
Error and warning messages
PowerMill displays error and warning messages that you must
respond to. For example, PowerMill displays an error message if you
attempt to activate a toolpath that does not exist.
Normally you should avoid writing a macro that generates error or
warning messages, but sometimes it is not possible. In such cases,
you can suppress the messages using the following:
DIALOGS MESSAGES OFF
DIALOGS ERROR OFF
To turn the error and warning messages back on, type:
DIALOGS MESSAGE ON
DIALOGS ERROR ON

Graphics
When you run a macro, PowerMill updates the screen every time a
change is made. If PowerMill updates the screen frequently, this
amount of screen activity can look unpleasant. Use the following to
instruct PowerMill not to update the screen while the commands are
in progress, and instead to update the screen (just the once) after
the commands are complete.
GRAPHICS UNLOCK
GRAPHICS LOCK
When a macro finishes, PowerMill restores the message and

graphic settings to what they were before the macro started.
This ensures the messages and graphics are not accidentally
turned off permanently.
Recording a macro to set up NC

preferences
This example records a macro that sets up NC preferences for
Heid400 machine controllers.
1 Click File tab > Options > Reset forms. This ensures that
3 Browse to pmill folder in your Home area in the Select Record

Macro File dialog, enter h400_prefs in the File Name field, and click
Save.

progress.
All dialog options that you want to include in your macro must be
selected during its recording. If an option already has the desired
value, re-enter it.
4 From the NC Programs context menu, select Preferences.
5 In the NC Preferences dialog, select the Heid400.opt in the
Machine Option File field on the Output tab.
6 Click the Toolpath tab, and select Always in the Tool Change field.
7 Click Accept.
Tips for programming macros

This section gives tips to help you record macros.
▪ Macros record any values you explicitly change in a dialog, but
do not record the current default values. For example, if the
default tolerance is 0.1 mm and you want a tolerance 0.1 mm,
you must re-enter 0.1 in the tolerance field during recording.
Otherwise PowerMill uses the current tolerance value, which is
not necessarily the value you want.
▪ Click File tab > Options > Reset forms. This ensures that
▪ When debugging a macro it is important to have the macrofixer
turned off. Use the command:
UNSET MACROFIX
This ensures all syntax and macro errors are reported by
PowerMill directly. You can use SET MACROFIX to turn it back on.
▪ If you get a syntax error in a loop (DO-WHILE, WHILE, FOREACH)
or a conditional statements (IF-ELSEIF-ELSE, SWITCH) check you
have a space before any opening braces ({). For a DO-WHILE
loop make sure the closing brace (}) has a space after it and
before the WHILE keyword.
▪ To exit a loop, press ESC.
▪ Your code blocks must have matching braces. They must have
the same number of opening braces ({) as closing braces (}).
▪ The ELSEIF keyword does not have a space between the IF and
the ELSE.
▪ If you encounter expression errors check you have balanced
parentheses, and balanced quotes for strings.

▪ Decimal points in numbers must use a full stop (.) and not a
comma (,).
▪ The variable on the left of the = sign in assignments must have a
$ prefix. So:
$myvar = 5
is correct, but:
myvar = 5
is wrong as it is missing the $ prefix.
▪ Local variables override PowerMill parameters. If your macro
contains:
REAL Stepover = 10
then during the execution of the macro any use of Stepover uses
the value 10 regardless of what the value specified in the user
interface. Also the command:
EDIT PAR "Stepover" "Tool.Diameter*0.6"
changes the value of this local Stepover variable NOT the
PowerMill Stepover parameter.

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Index
A C
Active folder name • 94 Calling from other macros • 4
Adding items to a list • 34, 86 Carriage returns in dialogs • 29
Adding lists • 85 Comparing variables • 40, 42
Adding macro loops • 10 Components
Adding macro variables • 9 List components • 82
Arguments in macros • 50 Compound macros • 4
Function values • 52 Conditrional functions • 95
Running macros with arguments • 11 Constants • 67
Sharing functions • 53 Euler's number • 67
Arrays • 32 Pi • 67
Lists • 32 Converting numerics to strings • 75
Points • 40 Creating macros • 1
Using arrays • 24 Basic macro • 8
Vectors • 40 Creating variables (macros) • 26
Automate a sequence of edits or actions
• 100
D
Date and time functions • 73
B Decision making in macros • 13
Base name • 93 Decisions in macros
Basic macro • 8 BREAK statement • 59, 64
Adding macro loops • 10 IF - ELSE statement • 54
Adding macro variables • 9 IF - ELSEIF - ELSE statement • 55
Decision making in macros • 13 IF command • 53
Returning values from macros • 18 SWITCH statement • 56
Running macros with arguments • 11 Decrease options available to user • 30
Using a FOREACH loop • 21 Delete files or directories • See Working
Using arrays • 24 with files and directories
Using functions in macros • 15 Dialogs in macros • 27
BREAK statement • 59, 64 Carriage returns in dialogs • 29
Building a list • 36 Directory name • 92
Built-in functions • 67 DO - WHILE loop • 63
Decision making in macros • 13
Autodesk PowerMill Index • 139

DOCOMMAND • 49 Function values • 52
Introduction • 97
List components • 82
E List folder • 83
Editing macros • 3 List functons • 81
Editing • 3 Main function • 51
Empty list • 84 Path functions • 91
Enter values into macros • 27 Point functions • 68
Setting a point • 68
Entities in macros • 29
Returning function values • 52
Entity based functions • 101
Sharing functions • 53
Entity variables • 38
Statistical functions • 100
Equivalence • 101
STRING function • 71
Limits • 101
Type conversion functions • 97
New entity name • 103
Using functions in macros • 15
Number of segments • 101
Using the SWITCH statement • 17
Workplane origin • 71
Vector functions • 68
Entity variables • 38 Angle between vectors • 68
Equivalence • 101 Length of a vector • 68
Error and warning messages, turn off • Normal vectors • 68
118 Parallel vectors • 68
Euler's number • 67 Point functions • 68
Evaluation functions • 95 Setting a vector • 68
Example of programming language • 8 Unit vector • 68
Existing file or directory • See Delete
files or directories
Exiting a function • 65 I
Exponential • 67 IF - ELSE statement • 54
Expressions in macros • 45 Decision making in macros • 13
Order of operations • 47 IF - ELSEIF - ELSE statement • 55
Precedence • 47 IF command • 53
Extracting data from lists • 89 Increase options available to user • 30
Inputting values into macros • 27
Entities in macros • 29
F Options in macros • 30
Feature parameters • 109 File name in macros • 31
File name in macros • 31 Intersecting items in lists • 86
Filtering data from a list • 89 Items in one list • 86
Folder
List folder • 83
Folder name • 92 L
FOREACH loop • 61 Length of a string • 76
Using a FOREACH loop • 21 Limits • 101
Function values • 52 List components • 82
Functions in macros • 67 List folder • 83
Arguments in macros • 50 List functons • 81
Conditrional functions • 95 Adding items to a list • 34, 86
Entity based functions • 101 Adding lists • 85
Evaluation functions • 95 Empty list • 84
Exiting a function • 65 Extracting data from lists • 89
140 • Index Macro Programming Guide

Finding values in a list • 86 RETURN statement • 65
Intersecting items in lists • 86 SWITCH statement • 56
Items in one list • 86 Using a FOREACH loop • 21
List components • 82 Using the SWITCH statement • 17
List folder • 83 WHILE loop • 62
List member • 84 Macros
Removing duplicate items • 85 Calling from other macros • 4
Removing items from a list • 35, 86 Compound macros • 4
List member • 84 Creating macros • 1
Lists • 32 Editing macros • 3
Adding items to a list • 34, 86 Expressions in macros • 45
Arrays • 32 Macro comments • 7
Building a list • 36 Macro statement • 6
Removing items from a list • 35, 86 NC preference macro • 119
Using lists • 33 pmuser macro • 4, 117
Logarithm • 67 Recording macros • 2, 117, 119
Loops Repeating commands in macros • 60
Adding macro loops • 10 Running macros • 3
Decision making in macros • 13 Setting paths • 116
DO - WHILE loop • 63 Variables in macros • 26
FOREACH loop • 61 Writing macros • 5
WHILE loop • 62 Main function • 51
Mathematical functions • 67
Exponential • 67
M Logarithm • 67
Macro comments • 7 Mathematical functions • 67
Macro statement • 6 Natural logarithm • 67
Adding macro loops • 10 Square root • 67
Arguments in macros • 50
BREAK statement • 59, 64
DO - WHILE loop • 63
N
FOREACH loop • 61 Natural logarithm • 67
IF - ELSE statement • 54 NC preference macro • 119
IF - ELSEIF - ELSE statement • 55 New entity name • 103
IF command • 53 Normal vectors • 68
Macro statement • 6 Number of segments • 101
RETURN statement • 65
SWITCH statement • 56
Using the SWITCH statement • 17 O
WHILE loop • 62 Object variable • 39
Macro statements Operators • 46
Adding macro loops • 10 Logical operators • 42
Arguments in macros • 50 Relational operator • 40
BREAK statement • 59, 64 Order of operations • 47
DO - WHILE loop • 63
FOREACH loop • 61
IF - ELSE statement • 54 P
IF - ELSEIF - ELSE statement • 55
IF command • 53 Parameter functions
Macro statement • 6

Automate a sequence of edits or Sharing functions • 53
actions • 100 Splitting a string • 81
Introduction • 97 Square root • 67
Path functions • 91 Statistical functions • 100
Active folder name • 94 Stopping macros • 65
Base name • 93 STRING function • 71
Directory name • 92 Converting numerics to strings • 75
Folder name • 92 Data and time • 73
Path name • 92 Length of a string • 76
Project name • 93 Position of a string • 76
Path name • 92 Replacing strings • 77
Pausing macros • 25 Splitting a string • 81
Pi • 67 String variables • 49
pmuser macro • 4, 117 Substrings • 76, 78
Point functions • 68 Upper case function • 78
Setting a point • 68 Whitespace in a string • 80
Position of a string • 76 String variables • 49
Precedence • 47 Substrings • 76, 78
Print SWITCH statement • 56
Print the values of an expression • 66 Using the SWITCH statement • 17
Programming language example • 8
Project name • 93
T
Tips for programming macros • 120
R Trouble shooting macros • 120
Reading a file • 111 Turning off error and warning messages
Recording macros • 2, 117, 119 • 118
Relational operator • 40 Type conversion functions • 97
Removing duplicate items • 85
Removing items from a list • 35, 86
Repeating commands in macros • 60 U
BREAK statement • 59, 64 Upper case function • 78
DO - WHILE loop • 63 Using a FOREACH loop • 21
FOREACH loop • 61 Using arrays • 24
WHILE loop • 62 Using functions in macros • 15
Replacing strings • 77 Using lists • 33
RETURN statement • 65 Using the SWITCH statement • 17
Returning function values • 52 Using variables (macros) • 27
Returning values from macros • 18
Running macros • 3
Running macros with arguments • 11 V
Variable scope (macros) • 44
S Variables in macros • 26
Adding macro variables • 9
Scratchpad variables • 43 Comparing variables • 40, 42
Selecting a file name in macros • 31 Creating variables (macros) • 26
Selecting entities in macros • 29 DOCOMMAND • 49
Setting paths • 116 Entity variables • 38
Setting up your working directories • 116 Logical operators • 42
142 • Index Macro Programming Guide

Object variables • 39
Operators • 46
Order of operations • 47
Precedence • 47
Relational operator • 40
Returning values from macros • 18
Scratchpad variables • 43
String variables • 49
Using variables (macros) • 27
Variable scope (macros) • 44
Vector functions • 68
Angle between vectors • 68
Length of a vector • 68
Normal vectors • 68
Parallel vectors • 68
Point functions • 68
Setting a vector • 68
Unit vector • 68
W
Warning and error messages, turn off •
118
WHILE loop • 62
Whitespace in a string • 80
Working with files and directories • 110
Workplane origin • 71
Writing information to files • 111
Writing macros • 5

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Autodesk PowerMill

Macro Programming Guide

Autodesk PowerMill Contents • i

Autodesk Legal Notice 122

ii • Contents Macro Programming Guide

A macro is a file which contains a sequence of commands to

In addition to tailoring PowerMill by the creation of an

Autodesk PowerMill Macros • 1

This displays the Select Record Macro File dialog which is a

2 • Macros Macro Programming Guide

You can also run a macro by double-clicking its name in the

Running the macro you have just recorded

2 Click next to Macros to expand and regenerate the contents.

Autodesk PowerMill Macros • 3

A Windows WordPad document opens.

The text editor opened by default is the application associated

Running macros from within macros

4 • Macros Macro Programming Guide

If you precede a line with two forward slash characters (//), it is

Writing your own macros

Autodesk PowerMill Macros • 5

For information about using parameter functions in setup

PowerMill commands for macros

3 To see the commands needed to calculate a block:

6 • Macros Macro Programming Guide

The commands aren't case-sensitive so FORM BLOCK is

For more information see Running macros (see page 3).

Adding comments to macros

Autodesk PowerMill Macros • 7

Macro User Guide

8 • Macros Macro Programming Guide

Adding macro variables

The first line is a comment which explains the second line.

You should be aware of several issues with variables:

Autodesk PowerMill Macros • 9

Adding macro loops

// Create a variable to hold the number of times

// Repeat while the condition Count is greater than 0

// Print the last two lines

10 • Macros Macro Programming Guide

Changing INT Count = 5 to INT Count = 10 prints 10 green

Running macros with arguments

// Create a variable to hold the first line

// Repeat while the condition Count is greater than

// Print the last two lines

Autodesk PowerMill Macros • 11

If you get a warning that the macro cannot be found, check

Adding your own functions

You can call a function any number of times within a macro.

// Create a variable to hold the first line

// Repeat while the condition Count is greater than

12 • Macros Macro Programming Guide

FUNCTION Main (INT Count) {

// Print the first line Count number of times

// Print the last two lines

This produces the same result as before.

The order of functions in a macro is irrelevant. For example, it

It is important that each function name is unique and that the

You can have any number of functions in a macro.