topic Re: The mapkeys do not wait for simulation to end in the Module Works in Manufacturing (CAM)

The mapkeys do not wait for simulation to end in the Module Works

C_Spagnolli — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:42:18 GMT

I am using Creo Parametric Release 8.0 and Datecode8.0.12.0

The mapkey doesn't wait for the simulation to end in the Material Removal (Module Works).
Once the simulation is started in the Module Works window, all buttons except the Stop button are disabled until the simulation ends.
How can I add a script to the mapkey that queries the window and waits for the simulation to end?

Thanks

Re: The mapkeys do not wait for simulation to end in the Module Works

tbraxton — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:32:19 GMT

Have you tried defining the mapkey to pause once the simulation is started and wait for the user to resume it once the sim has completed? The other option is to have the mapkey call an external script from the OS if you can integrate such a script and the script can detect the completion of the sim.

Mapkeys do not support most programming type functions so if you need to do this as you state above you will probably have to use one of the Creo APIs to write an app.

Re: The mapkeys do not wait for simulation to end in the Module Works

C_Spagnolli — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:16:39 GMT

Yes at the moment i use a mapkey with a powershell script, which start a (Start-Sleep -Seconds 60).

This time frame allows me to finish my various simulations.

Some simulations finish in a few seconds and this method is not optimized.

Do you have an example for making an app with the Creo API?
Do you think I can do the same with PowerShell?

Thanks

Re: The mapkeys do not wait for simulation to end in the Module Works

tbraxton — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:03:23 GMT

I don't have any API examples I can share. Some users have had success with AutoIt scripting to implement similar automations. You can find references and perhaps some examples of using AutoIt here in the community. Search for posts made by @MartinHanak who recently retired but has many posts in the archives.

https://www.autoitscript.com/site/autoit/