Model API Tips

These client application tools are based on the COM-based API methods version 3.0 version which do have certain limitations:

Extract from Plex Help:
"A local model must be open for calls to the Model API to work successfully. If multiple instances of CA Plex are open, each with a local model, the Model API methods work against one instance (but necessarily the one from which the wizard was launched). The developer of a wizard can use the GetLocalModelPath method to determine if a local model is open or, if multiple local models are open, to determine which one is being addressed.

Note: While running a Wizard, only one instance of CA Plex should be running when the Wizard API calls are used. Otherwise, an incorrect version of the local models could be updated. This is a known limitation of COM."

C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\Plex\6.1\PlexAPI.chm is often over looked resource for model api

CA Plex 6.1 (Build 43.035) is mandatory

  • These tools can only be run against CA Plex r6.1 (Tested with r6.1 Build 43.35) or later. The Model API will fail if it is run against earlier releases of CA Plex and if run against earlier BUILDS there were quite a few Model API bugs which will crash the apps. 
  • A local model must be open for calls to the Model API to work successfully 
  • If multiple instances of CA Plex are open, each with a local model, the Model API methods can only work against the first instance and therefore not necessarily the one from which the application was launched. 
  • If in the unlikely event… of an application error occurs (API is called with an invalid pointer or is used to attempt an invalid operation) then CA Plex will throw an exception. CA Plex should be exited and Task Manager used to ensure that the CA Plex process is shutdown, before restarting CA Plex and reloading the model. 
  • These tools have been used by developers authorized to all verb groups but as you still have read-only access to the verbs if unauthorized, the tools should work. 

Write Permissions 

Windows7 & Vista Directory security improvements since XP has meant you must make sure permissions of Read & Write must be enabled for Stella Tools installation directory.



MODEL API GENERATION ERROR GEN60001 PACKAGE PLEXAPILIB30

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:

'Package PlexAPILib30 (PlexAPI 3.0 Type Library), GUID {AB54000F-90A2-11d4-
A84A-0008C78C4894}, version 3.0 was not found on this machine.'

PROBLEM CAUSE:
PlexAPI 3.0 Type Library is not properly registered.

CIRCUMVENTION:
PlexAPI 3.0 Type Library needs to be manually registered with 'Plex.exe
/RegServer' command.

SEVERITY: MEDIUM
HYPER: NO

PRODUCTS AFFECTED: CA Plex r6.1 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. 

Press Toolbar Add-In and the Tool does not launch

If the current local model (The instance of Plex that has access to the Code Library Wizard or Add-Ins that use Plex Macros due to other instances of Plex running) is updating a group model then the tool will only open after the group model update, irrespective of from which plex instance it is launched.

Dialog message “Currently there are no instances of Plex running"


The application has been launched from outside of CA Plex and there are no plex.exe processing running which is mandatory. Open a local model you want to work with and launch the tool again.

Dialog message “A local must be open for calls to the Model API to work successfully”



The application has been launched from outside or inside CA Plex but the running plex.exe process has not got a local model open. Open a local model you want to work with and launch tool again.OR

You may have launched application from a local model but an existing Plex.exe which is currently the instance of Plex which has access to the Code Library Wizard or Add-Ins Model API is still running but no local opened.
Open task manager and close the Plex.exe (usually the smallest in terms of memory use) but be careful you may close your plex session running with your local so best to save work before.

Add-In Right Context Menu options are Protected


Your current local model's Plex Log message probably has the following:

It is a limitation of COM when using Plex Macros, You will have to close the other instances of Plex.exe (check with Task Manager to see if any Plex.exe are running)

Screencast Links Missing from INI file

[ScreencastURL]
StellaSrchLP=http://youtu.be/NE194pGpBgk
StellaExportLP=http://youtu.be/Cik8KiW1NHM
StellaCrtListLP=http://youtu.be/XYUHq5u6vi4
StellaImpObjs=http://youtu.be/Nttr_0VxZ2A
StellaOBGrid=http://youtu.be/53ilMX0dlzE
StellaOBTree=http://youtu.be/53ilMX0dlzE
StellaCreateList=http://youtu.be/44PywgVe_wE
StellaEdtLP=http://youtu.be/_sRZDcsFQW4
StellaListObjects=http://youtu.be/gtwKdcLVxIo


Runtime Error R6025

Sorry have seen this before but the problem is within the runtime and I have been unable to recreate on demand
so if you can recreate on demand please report it