MBS FileMaker Plugin English 2022 Update

Let us show you what is new in MBS FileMaker Plugin for 2021/2022.

All movies   Watch on YouTube.   MBSFileMaker2022en.m4v   In Deutsch

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MBS FileMaker Plugin Deutsch 2022 Update

Lassen Sie uns Ihnen zeigen, was es 2021/2022 neues im MBS FileMaker Plugin gibt.

All movies   Watch on YouTube.   MBSFileMaker2022de.m4v   In English

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Beta for upcoming Froodware Plugins

We work on an update for the Froodware plugins for our existing customers using them. Primarily this is to make sure the plugin will continue to work with FileMaker:

• Updated to newer Xcode
• Fixed a couple of smaller memory leaks.
• Changed license check to work without licensing server.
• Signed and notarized
• New version 2.0.2 for calendar and 3.0.7 for Contacts
• Splash and preferences screens removed as they are no longer needed.
• Updated example databases.
• Includes Apple Silicon support for M1 Macs.

As an existing customer you can choose:

• Get a matching MBS Plugin license with 50% off the license price as an upgrade, so you can switch to MBS functions.
• Or order a renewal for your FWCalendar or FWContacts plugin from MBS to use the newer plugin version.
• Or keep using the old FWCalendar or FWContacts plugin with your existing license for the time being and as long as the old activation server still runs.

If you like to try the new plugin or you like to get the upgrade to MBS, pease contact us. We may ask for the existing license key to verify you purchased the plugins before.

See also Froodware plugins handed over to MonkeyBread Software

MBS Plugin 12.2 for Claris FileMaker

Nickenich, Germany - (May 17th, 2022) -- MonkeyBread Software today is pleased to announce MBS FileMaker Plugin 12.2 for Claris FileMaker for macOS, iOS, Linux and Windows, the latest update to their product that is easily the most powerful plugin currently available for Claris FileMaker produce line. As the leading database management solution for Windows, macOS, iOS and the web, the Claris FileMaker Pro Integrated Development Environment supports a plugin architecture that can easily extend the feature set of the application. MBS FileMaker Plugin 12.2 has been updated and now includes over 6700 different functions, and the versatile plugin has gained more new functions:

You may know we have on macOS an option in preferences dialog to turn on links in calculations. When you enter a MBS function call, we change the function name a link to our documentation. With this version we make Get() function calls in FileMaker a link to the documentation, so you can directly lookup what the return values are.

Have you tried custom functions in JavaScript? Beside our cross platform solution, we can do the same using WebKit's JavaScript engine to do the same. Check JavaScript.CF function to call custom functions on macOS and iOS. Use JavaScript.SetPropertyJSON and JavaScript.GetPropertyJSON to transfer JSON data directly and call functions with JavaScript.CallFunction.

The WordFile functions can be used to replace place holders (tags) in a Word document. You can query a list of all tags for this using the WordFile.Tags function.

The DynaPDF library has been updated and tested to work with ZUGFeRD 2.2 / Factur-X 1.0.06. The DynaPDF.ReplacePattern function can now handle different font styles for fallback fonts. To put PDF on the clipboard, check the new Clipboard.SetPDF function.

On MacOS you can now use context menu on the script list in Script Workspace to sort scripts by name. Our plugin extends FileMaker's context menu to add the commands. If clicked, we swap script positions as needed, so FileMaker gets the new order.

To better track errors returned by a plugin, you can call ClearErrors early in a script. Later you can use HadErrors function to check if you got an error in the script. That may be easier than calling IsError after each function call.

For iOS you can now use DialogModifications functions. This allows you to change error messages shown by FileMaker and customize the text.

The Clipboard.DetectFileMakerDataType function can now detect menus and menu sets, JSON.Import has a new RootTableName parameter,

Finally we updated CURL library to version 7.83.1, DukTape to version 2.7, DynaPDF to 4.0.66.181, openssl to 1.1.1n, SQLite to 3.38.5, and Xcode to 13.3.1.

See release notes for a complete list of changes.

Neues MBS Plugin 12.2 für Claris FileMaker

17. Mai 2022 - Monkeybread Software veröffentlicht heute das MBS FileMaker Plugin für Claris FileMaker in Version 12.2, mit inzwischen über 6700 Funktionen eines der größten FileMaker Plugins überhaupt. Hier einige der Neuerungen:

Sie wissen vielleicht, dass wir unter macOS eine Option in den Einstellungen haben, um Links in Berechnungen zu aktivieren. Wenn Sie einen MBS-Funktionsaufruf eingeben, ändern wir den Funktionsnamen zu einem Link zu unserer Dokumentation. Mit dieser Version machen wir Get()-Funktionsaufrufe in FileMaker zu einem Link zur Dokumentation, so dass Sie direkt nachschlagen können, was die Rückgabewerte sind.

Haben Sie eigene Funktionen in JavaScript ausprobiert? Neben unserer plattformübergreifenden Lösung können wir auch die JavaScript-Engine von WebKit verwenden, um das Gleiche zu tun. Probieren Sie die Funktion JavaScript.CF, um benutzerdefinierte Funktionen unter macOS und iOS aufzurufen. Verwenden Sie JavaScript.SetPropertyJSON und JavaScript.GetPropertyJSON, um JSON-Daten direkt zu übertragen und rufen Sie Funktionen mit JavaScript.CallFunction auf.

Die WordFile-Funktionen können verwendet werden, um Platzhalter (Tags) in einem Word-Dokument zu ersetzen. Dazu können Sie mit der Funktion WordFile.Tags eine Liste aller Tags abfragen.

Die DynaPDF Bibliothek wurde aktualisiert und getestet und unterstützen ZUGFeRD 2.2 / Factur-X 1.0.06. Die Funktion DynaPDF.ReplacePattern kann nun mit verschiedenen Schriftarten für Fallback-Fonts umgehen. Um PDF in die Zwischenablage zu legen, gibt es die neue Funktion Clipboard.SetPDF.

Unter MacOS können Sie jetzt das Kontextmenü der Scriptliste im Scriptarbeitsbereich verwenden, um Scripts nach Namen zu sortieren. Unser Plugin erweitert das Kontextmenü von FileMaker um diese Befehle. Wenn es angeklickt wird, tauschen wir die Scriptpositionen nach Bedarf aus, damit FileMaker die neuen Reihenfolge erhält.

Um Fehler, die von einem Plugin zurückgegeben werden, besser zu verfolgen, können Sie ClearErrors am Anfang eines Scriptes aufrufen. Später können Sie die Funktion HadErrors verwenden, um zu prüfen, ob ein Fehler im Script aufgetreten ist. Das kann einfacher sein als der Aufruf von IsError nach jedem Funktionsaufruf.

Für iOS können Sie jetzt DialogModifications-Funktionen verwenden. Damit können Sie die von FileMaker angezeigten Fehlermeldungen ändern und den Text anpassen.

Die Funktion Clipboard.DetectFileMakerDataType kann nun Menüs und Menüsets erkennen, JSON.Import hat einen neuen Parameter RootTableName,

Schließlich haben wir die CURL-Bibliothek auf Version 7.83.1, DukTape auf Version 2.7, DynaPDF auf 4.0.66.181, openssl auf 1.1.1n, SQLite auf 3.38.5 und Xcode auf 13.3.1 aktualisiert.

Alle Änderungen in den Release Notes.

MBS FileMaker Plugin, version 12.2pr7

New in this prerelease of version 12.2 of the MBS FileMaker Plugin:

• Fixed DynaPDF.AttachFileContainer to allow PDF containers to be attached.
• Updated CURL to version 7.83.1.
• Improved exception handling for SQL functions.
• Fixed problem with DynaPDF.CheckConformance not parsing options right, e.g. for DefaultPDFA3.
• Fixed problem in DynaPDF.GetInPDFVersionEx and DynaPDF.GetPDFVersionEx not always returning the data.

Download at monkeybreadsoftware.com/filemaker/files/Prerelease/, in DropBox folder or ask for being added to the DropBox shared folder.

Froodware plugins handed over to MonkeyBread Software

We are happy to announce that we take over two plugins from Froodware:

After many years of developing our Contacts and Calendar plugin for FileMaker and MacOS we have reached an agreement with MonkeyBread Software (MBS) to take over our plugin business. For a small developer like we are, it became too much a challenge to keep up with Apple’s ever changing software policies, and we can now solemnly focus on developing great Filemaker solutions.

We are very happy that we reached an agreement with MBS, a company that has been well known for their smart utilities like the much used and award winning ‘MBS FileMaker plugin’ which contains a ton of functions that can be used within Claris FileMaker Pro. Exchanging data between Apple’s Contacts and Calendar is also part of this plugin.

We have given them all plugin code and they are looking into to two options:

• offer existing users a special crossgrade offer to their MBS FileMaker plugin.
• continue with development of our Contacts and Calendar plugin, or integrate the functionality into their MBS FileMaker plugin.

Existing users
Nothing changes for existing users: the plugin will keep on working, you can still de-authorise and reauthorise it or download it from our website.
We only stop selling plugins or developing new versions.
All registered users have received an email with addiotonal information about what this means for them.
If you are a registered user and did not receive this email, then please send an email to daniel-at-froodware.com.

Because we want to make this transition as smooth as possible, we will keep our serial number registration server running, and will keep on answering support mails that deal with authorisation issues.

More info about MBS: https://www.monkeybreadsoftware.com/FileMaker/

Below information and download of the latest and in our case last versions of the plugin.

We look forward to welcome the existing users of those plugins and transition them to our MBS Plugin.

MBS FileMaker Plugin, version 12.2pr6

New in this prerelease of version 12.2 of the MBS FileMaker Plugin:

• Changed SharedMemory.GetValue to trim trailing zero bytes.
• Added links in calculation dialogs for get functions to point to FileMaker documentation.
• Updated SQLite to version 3.38.5.
• Added AsArray flag 4 for Matrix.JSONRecord and Matrix.JSONRecords functions.

Download at monkeybreadsoftware.com/filemaker/files/Prerelease/

Documentation links for Get functions in FileMaker

As you may know we have the option to make MBS functions clickable in the calculation dialogs in FileMaker. You type a function and we directly link it to the documentation page to check the details of the function. Especially for beginners it is a great help to have the links easily accessible.

For next plugin version we add the same for Get() functions in FileMaker (and Hole in German as well as Obtenir in French). Our plugin has a list of the function names with their links, so we can add the link annotation to the formula text. Here is a collage of the dialogs for several languages:

We recognize the localized and the English name. Yes, sometimes we like to type the English name and FileMaker then auto translates it to whatever language it is when closing the dialog. The tooltip shows you the URL, if you hover the mouse cursor over it. The link is based on the current localization of FileMaker.

If you like to get the links, you need to turn them on in the preferences dialog or call the SyntaxColoring.SetFormulasWithLinks function passing 1.

Please try the feature in the next pre-release. As usual this is macOS only.
Thanks to Alexis Gehrt for the suggestion.

Custom Functions in JavaScript reloaded

We had a previous blog post about Custom Functions in JavaScript using the built-in JavaScript engine within our MBS Plugin. Now we got a second way to do the same using the JavaScript engine coming with WebKit on macOS and iOS: JavaScriptMac

Custom Functions in JavaScript

Since MBS FileMaker Plugin comes with a built-in JavaScript engine, which works without web viewer and even on a server side script, we can use it to define custom functions, which we can call anywhere in FileMaker using either JS or JavaScript functions:

This example database included with 12.2pr5 shows how to do it using JavaScriptMac functions. It sets up the whole thing in the start script. With JavaScript.New we make a new JavaScript environment with the special name "js". Instead of getting a handle number from the plugin, we define the identifier ourselves. This way we can refer to this JavaScript environment everywhere. It's global for all files and all solutions opened in FileMaker and can be initialized in FileMaker Pro, Server (Scripting + Web Direct) as well as FileMaker iOS SDK based applications. (more)

MBS FileMaker Plugin, version 12.2pr5

New in this prerelease of version 12.2 of the MBS FileMaker Plugin:

• Updated Text.FilterASCII, Text.RemoveAccents and Text.RemoveAccentsCaseInsensitive functions to recognize more characters like ½.
• Fixed WebView.SetInternetExplorerVersion and WebView.SetInternetExplorerHiDPI to return OK on success instead of the new setting as documented.
• Added new parameter to replace new lines in the list with replacement text for Matrix.GetColumn, Matrix.GetRow and Matrix.GetText functions.
• Changed XML.NodeNames to return names in order of appearance.
• Updated DynaPDF to version 4.0.66.181.
• Updated DukTape library for JavaScript functions to version 2.7.
• Added new parameter for JavaScript.New to name the instance.
• Added JavaScript.CallFunction, JavaScript.GetPropertyJSON and JavaScript.SetPropertyJSON functions.
• Added JavaScript.CF function for using this JavaScript engine for custom functions, too.
• Fixed a problem with high unicode character encodings for Text.TextToHTML function.

Download at monkeybreadsoftware.com/filemaker/files/Prerelease/, in DropBox folder or ask for being added to the DropBox shared folder.

One month until dotfmp 2022

Did you sign up for FileMaker Conference dotfmp.berlin 2022?

This conference is organized by Egbert Friedrich and takes place from 2nd to 4th June 2022 in Berlin, Germany.
After two years of waiting, this may be the first English speaking in-person conference for FileMaker developers.

Already over 70 developers are signed up from 18 countries:
🇧🇪, 🇬🇧, 🇩🇰, 🇱🇻, 🇨🇭, 🇨🇦, 🇺🇸, 🇦🇹, 🇸🇪, 🇩🇪, 🇬🇷, 🇮🇹, 🇳🇱, 🇳🇴, 🇪🇸, 🇬🇧, 🇪🇬 and 🇫🇷.

A few tickets are still available, so if you like to come to Germany in June, please sign up soon.

Who
dotfmp is an effort of various leading European FileMaker Developers. It is meant to bring all kinds of higher level developers together to share knowledge, educate and challenge each other.

When
dotfmp starts at the 1 June 2022 in the later afternoon with a relaxed "Beer and Sausages" as a kind of "Pre-opening" in one of the most famous Berlin Beergardens, the „Pratergarten“. That way people pop by whenever they've arrived without being in a hurry.
The session days itself last from 2 until 4 June from 9:00 till 18:00 with various socialising events in the evenings.

What
dotfmp is a 3 Day-Unconference, Meetup, Hangout or Barcamp. It is an informal and self-organized effort to meet on a personal base. Still no idea what this mean? Then have a look here!

Where
dotfmp saw some of the most famous places and like time passes by we're heading to new shores in 2022. The Schankhalle Pfefferberg s located in a vibrant area with a short walking distance to all the famous restaurants. Please have a look at the map below or at Event details for more informations.

Why
We feel there are far too few possibilities to talk to, learn from, and hangout with fellow developers in a relaxed and informal environment. And we‘d like to share work and get feedback from people chewing on similar challenges.

Please sign up if you are interested on dotfmp.berlin and check the FAQ for more details.

Upcoming changes for MBS Plugins

We have a few pending things to do.

OCR

We added support for Tesseract 4 last year. Later this summer (blog article for Xojo and FileMaker), we will also check Tesseract 5.1 to make sure it works correct and provide you newer libraries. Of course you could try it yourself and we would expect it to work already.

Once version 5 is official supported by MBS Plugins, we will remove the version 3 code from our plugin. Please adjust your projects later this year.

Pricing

For the last two years, we thought about how to change our pricing. It has been the same for over 10 years. But we see issues, where we like to make adjustments. Our plugins grew a lot over 10 years and in that time the currency values changed quite a lot. And there are cases where were our plugin could be more affordable to be used in more situations. The new pricing is not final and will come later this year.

All customers have the chance to order licenses and updates in advantage for the old pricing. Just use the web shop as needed. We can provide you an update link. For special requests with bundles or multi year discounts, we can generate a custom invoice.

Swift

New frameworks from Apple are now Swift only. We get requests for newer technologies to be supported in the plugin where we need Swift. Our plugin may in future support that, but it may raise the required macOS version for the Intel version and we may need to provide two versions, one for older and one for newer macOS versions.

Barcode Detection

We deprecate the zxing classes for Xojo and will remove them eventually. For FileMaker, that's the Barcode.Detect function. Please move to newer zbar class (or Barcode.Scan function). The old zxing code is heavily outdated and doesn't recognize as good as before.

To make the transition easier, we may do a new implementation of Barcode.Detect to use zbar internally, but you'd still need to put the zbar dll somewhere.