Automate printing Mathcad sheets to PDF

I am trying to print all files in certain format (i.e. *.xmcd) in a folder to PDF. I already made AdobePDF my default printer. I want to do this task using powershell but I when I run it I get the an error, which I think has to do something with Mathcad software.

I also added VBScript tag since as I am moving forward with this. I more think about using visual basic for this purpose.

This is the command:

Start-Process -FilePath “internal.company.com\path\to\the\file.xmcd” –Verb Print -PassThru | %{sleep 10;$_} | kill

And the error that I get:

It basically should get the file, start printing and after 10 seconds close the application.

I also tried cygwin and cygstart like below but it gives me an error;

cygstart --print myfile.xmcd

and the error is: Unable to start 's.xmcd': The DDE transaction failed.

First step is to figure out a way to print mathcad sheet using powershell or batch/bash script.

Note: Mathcad sheets have XML format.

Note-2: Out-Print gives a pdf of the xml.

Note-3: cmd.exe /C ASSOC .xmcd gives me .xmcd=Mathcad.

And, cmd.exe /c ftype Mathcad gives me Mathcad="C:\Program Files (x86)\Mathcad\Mathcad 15\mathcad.exe" /dde.

M--

Posted 2017-05-08T14:16:46.597

Reputation: 171

What is the output of the command & cmd.exe /C ASSOC .xmcd? Have you investigated Out-Printer? – lit – 2017-05-08T17:34:23.307

@lit Out-Printer prints the XML format of the file. I think I need to somehow open the file with Mathcad.exe and then print it. – M-- – 2017-05-08T17:47:58.860

@lit I added output of cmd.exe /C ASSOC .xmcd in the question. – M-- – 2017-05-08T17:51:40.057

What is the output of & cmd.exe /c ftype Mathcad? – lit – 2017-05-08T18:02:22.823

@lit Mathcad="C:\Program Files (x86)\Mathcad\Mathcad 15\mathcad.exe" /dde – M-- – 2017-05-08T18:05:33.167

Does the simple example in the Start-Process help work? Start-Process -FilePath "myfile.txt" -WorkingDirectory "C:\PS-Test" -Verb Print – lit – 2017-05-08T18:09:59.490

It does work. but not for the .xmcd file of course. For a text file it does its job with no error. – M-- – 2017-05-08T18:12:33.843

Please try quoting the -Verb. -Verb "Print" – lit – 2017-05-08T18:41:44.610

@lit It does give me the same error. It opens mathcad but the sheet won't load. and no print out. – M-- – 2017-05-08T18:46:08.707

Please try specifying the -FilePath with "\\internal.company.com\path\to..." or with "\\SERVERNAME\SHARENAME\path\to..." or with "D:\path\to...". – lit – 2017-05-08T18:53:54.260

@lit already tried that with different path and etc. – M-- – 2017-05-08T18:55:03.487

My apologies. I will not waste more of your time until I have something in which I have more confidence. – lit – 2017-05-08T19:12:43.060

@lit No worries. Thanks for your time and help. – M-- – 2017-05-08T19:13:37.917

@lit It'd be great if you could take a look at my answer. You may be able to help me with the next step. – M-- – 2017-05-09T21:10:24.770

Glad you found a way. I am not sure why you would want to wait. Does every "print" b mathcad.exe cause a dialog box to appear, or is that from the Adobe PDF printer driver? – lit – 2017-05-09T22:10:42.270

@lit it's from Adob PDF. – M-- – 2017-05-09T22:31:13.820

This may be relevant. http://khkonsulting.com/2013/01/prevent-the-save-dialog-when-printing-to-the-adobe-pdf-printer/

– lit – 2017-05-09T22:36:43.347

@lit Indeed it is. But unfortunately we don't have admin access to registry on company's machines. But anyhow, I now know it is possible. Thank you for your help. – M-- – 2017-05-10T00:21:50.247

Automate printing Mathcad sheets to PDF

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