Creating Custom Admin/CD Exports

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Admin or CD exports are defined by XML files stored on the user’s computer. These XML files are editable, and new files may be employed by the user to create custom exports.

What are XML Files?

XML files are essentially text files and can therefore be modified with any text editor such as Notepad or Notepad++. We recommend NotePad++ as it provides an easy-to-read, colour-coded interface. NotePad++ can be downloaded from: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/

CAUTION

Please note document editors such as Microsoft Word and Write are not plain text editors and should not be used. Furthermore please be aware most Windows computers associate XML files with Internet Explorer and therefore simply double clicking the XML will open the file in Internet Explorer rather than the text editor. To change this simply right click on the XML file, select "Open with.." and open the file with your preferred text editor.

Location of XML Files

Each export is defined with its own XML file and saved in the following location:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Timestone Shared\Exports

The exports are therefore computer specific. New XML files must be copied to this location on all computers to be available to all users.

Reading the XML file

The XML files are read when launching the program and subsequently displayed in the File>Export ... module.

It is therefore important to note that when a new XML file is added to the above location, the program must be re-launched before the export is available. Likewise, if an existing export is modified, the program must be re-launched before the changes are effected.

The XML file format

Each XML file contains a series of attributes or elements that define a specific portion of the export, such as the export name, category, image properties, text file, etc. Each of these elements is definable by the user and many are optional. When defining a new export, it is suggested to use a pre-existing XML file as a guide, making alterations as necessary, then saving the file with a new name.

Performing an export

Exports are run in File>Exports ... from any Mode other than Design Mode. The export module allows the user to select the desired export along with a host of options, including the output path for the export.