12d MTF Snippet Support
VS Code language support for 12d Model *.mtfsnippet files, providing syntax highlighting and a comprehensive set of authoring snippets derived from the 12d Model Manual (Section 19.7).
This is a pure language extension — no runtime code, no execution, no validation.
Control-flow folding for MTF directives (@ if*, @ repeat) using VS Code folding markers (no runtime code).
Quick start
- Install 12d MTF Snippet Support
- Open any file with the
.mtfsnippet extension
- Start typing a snippet prefix and press
Tab, or use Ctrl+Space to trigger IntelliSense
Features
Syntax highlighting for *.mtfsnippet
Line comments:
// normal comments- Directive-style comments:
// PARAMETER, // DISPLAY, // INFO
Block comments:
Control-flow directives:
@ if, @ else, @ end_if, @ repeat, @ end_repeat
Logical operators: &&, ||
Arithmetic operators: + - * /
Token highlighting:
$() variables$(_XXXX) macro aliases
Token awareness inside strings when wrapped in $()
Authoring snippets via IntelliSense
Included snippets
Control flow
| Prefix |
Description |
ifb |
Basic @ if / @ end_if block |
ifelse |
Full @ if / @ else / @ end_if block |
ifvaleqint |
@ if_val_eq_int / @ end_if block |
ifvalneqint |
@ if_val_neq_int / @ end_if block |
elseb |
@ else block |
rep |
@ repeat / @ end_repeat block |
Common structural / helper blocks
| Prefix |
Description |
hdr |
Standard snippet header block |
abb |
Abbreviation block |
alr |
Automatic left/right handling block |
stdchs |
$(_STD_CHS) standard chainage macro block |
absee |
Absolute extra start / extra end macro block |
@ def_tok
| Prefix |
Description |
dt |
Define numeric token (@ def_tok) |
dtval |
Define value-based token (@ def_tok with value expression) |
dtc |
Define concatenated token |
Insert & fixed patterns
| Prefix |
Description |
ins |
Basic insert |
insb |
Insert before link |
insa |
Insert after link |
insi |
Insert with interval override |
lfx |
Single-dimension fixed modifier |
lfxall |
mod_all fixed modifier |
All snippets are generic and make no domain assumptions.
Snippet coverage and source
Snippets in this extension are derived from:
- 12d Model Manual – Section 19.7 (MTF syntax and commands)
The goal is authoring assistance, not abstraction or simplification.
Snippets closely mirror documented 12d syntax, using placeholders only where user input is required.
Recommended workflow (best practice)
The recommended way to create .mtfsnippet files is:
Build and validate all required modifiers inside the 12d Model MTF editor
Ensure modifiers behave exactly as intended
Use Copy (paste snippet) in 12d Model to generate a base .mtfsnippet
Finalize the file in VS Code using this extension:
- Add parameters, comments, and
INFO blocks
- Define tokens (
@ def_tok)
- Apply control flow (
@ if, @ repeat)
- Refine inserts and fixed modifiers using snippets
Starting .mtfsnippet files from scratch is not recommended.
Examples
Control flow
@ if ${condition}
// statements
@ end_if
Token definition
@ def_tok "${NAME}" "${VALUE}"
Insert / fixed pattern
insert "Design=>$(LN)" "red" ${width} ${height} ${xfall} $(_SCH) 0 $(_ECH) 0 $(_ASE) // comment
File association
This extension activates on:
Screenshots
Syntax highlighting
Snippet IntelliSense
Scope and limitations
This extension does not provide:
- Validation or linting
- Formatting
- Semantic analysis
- Execution or runtime features
- Language Server Protocol (LSP)
It does not attempt to reinterpret or redesign MTF syntax defined by 12d Model.
It is intentionally limited to syntax awareness and authoring assistance.
