Kimon wrote:
A manufacturer can embed all their proprietary information in a product for ... creating the parts in the factory.
Unfortunately not at the moment. I don't believe there are any manufacturers other than log home manufacturers who are able to use AC for any CNC machining. GDL scripts are not understood by any machines. I've worked with many and they primarily rely on 2d scripts as the majority that are in use are only two axis relying on different type of code usually generated with an Autocad DWG type file and relying on layers and colors for performing the different functions as opposed to a single script that can simply "run the parts". The more complex multi axis machines rely on script/routines that are, again, usually generated from reading a series of 2d dwg/dxf and then converted to describe the 3d shape. The most complex machines are designed to run by various specific programs, SolidWorks, Cabinet Vision etc., or by their own GUI that is primarily used for most basic production shapes.
Kimon wrote:
Why would I put a library of objects out there as a manufacturer if I have to worry that my competitors can grab that library ...
I have raised this question with Graphisoft about protecting of GDL scripts for several years now. There is no way currently of protecting them. The mechanics of creating an option to really protect the scripts is not a difficult one, it is just one that has not been a priority for Graphisoft.
There used to be a program called Hide-a-Script unfortunately it has not been developed further since it's introduction. The last time I used it was with 7.0 and it seemed to work as expected, I no longer/rarely use OS 9 so I have not tried the it on any 8 parts. Maybe someday, like Plotflow for X, it will resurface.
