External Tools allows you to manage commands which you can run directly from within HAMMER CONNECT. A command can be anything you can double-click to run from within Windows Explorer, such as a program (e.g. Notepad.exe), a folder (e.g. C:\Windows\), a document (e.g. a .txt or a .doc file), or an internet resource (e.g. www.bentley.com).

The External Tool Manager consists of the following elements:

• External Tool List Pane—This pane lists the external tools that have been created.
• New—Creates a new external tool in the list pane.
• Delete—Deletes the currently highlighted external tool.
• Rename—Allows you to rename the currently highlighted external tool.
• Command—This field allows you to enter the command you would like to run. Click the ellipsis button to open the standard Windows Open dialog to select an item interactively.
• Arguments—This optional field allows you to enter command line variables to be passed to your command when run. Arguments containing spaces must be enclosed in quotes.
• [>] Predefined Arguments—The button located to the right of the Arguments field provides a submenu of predefined arguments. You can concatenate directory and filename arguments to specify a full path name. The available predefined arguments are:
• Hydraulic Model Directory—This predefined argument expands to the directory where your hydraulic model was last saved. The argument string is %(ProjDir). e.g. C:\Users\MyUser\Documents\Bentley\<ProductName>\ .
• Hydraulic Model File Name—This predefined argument expands to the file name of your hydraulic model when it was last saved. The argument string is %(ProjFileName). E.g. Hydraulic Model.wtg.
• Hydraulic Model Store File Name—This predefined argument expands to the datastore filename of your hydraulic model when it was last saved. The argument string is %(ProjStoreFileName). E.g. Hydraulic Model.wtg.sqlite.
• Hydraulic Model Working Directory—This predefined argument expands to the directory where your hydraulic model is located when it is being edited. The argument string is %(ProjWorkingDir). E.g. C:\Users\MyUser\AppData\Local\Temp\Bentley\<ProductName>\.
• Hydraulic Model Working File Name—This predefined argument expands to the filename of your hydraulic model when it is being edited. The argument string is %(ProjWorkingFileName). E.g. Hydraulic Model.wtg.$$$.
• Hydraulic Model Store Working File Name—This predefined argument expands to the datastore filename of your hydraulic model when it is being edited. The argument string is %( ProjWorkingStoreFileName). E.g. Hydraulic Model.wtg.sqlite.$$$.
• Working Directory—This predefined argument expands to the top-level temporary working directory. The argument string is %(ProjWorkDir).
• Initial Directory—Specifies the initial or working directory of the tool or command.
• [>] Predefined Initial Directories—The button located to the right of the Initial Directory field provides a submenu of predefined directory variables. The available predefined directory variables are:
• Hydraulic Model Directory—The variable string is %(ProjDir). Refer to the Predefined Arguments above for more information.
• Hydraulic Model Working Directory—The variable string is %(ProjWorkingDir). Refer to the Predefined Arguments above for more information.
• Working Directory—The variable string is %(ProjWorkDir). Refer to the Predefined Arguments above for more information.
• Run—This button executes the external tool using the specified settings.