Excel Create is a licensed add-on that allows users to create features for a 3DCS model, such as Points, Moves, Tolerances and Measures, all within Excel. This function can allow users to test multiple build scenarios quickly, just by creating different versions of their 3DCS model and saving the different scenarios within Excel.
Users can export an Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheet filled with 3DCS information. The Excel file can serve as backup to a 3DCS model, as well as showing Points, Moves, Tolerances and Measures information; vector information; circles and distributions.
Users who would like to update or change a 3DCS model through Excel will require a license, otherwise all users will only be able to view the 3DCS information. Please contact your sales representative for more information.
Excel export/import can be done in either Google Sheets or with Microsoft Excel.
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In this section:Procedure |
See also...Search topics for Excel Create in the Community
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Procedure:
1.From 3DCS Tools toolbar, select 
Write to Spreadsheet,
2.Excel will open to the Points tab,
3.Check each tab in excel and make any modifications,
4.The user can then either 
Read from Spreadsheet,
5.Or save the excel file in the same folder as the model and upload later, or to keep as a backup,
6.If importing later, save and then close Excel. In 3DCS, select to load a browser dialog and load the latest Excel file with the recent changes.
Creating Points
1.Export a new Spreadsheet from 3DCS.
2.Open to the Points tab.
3.In the row, follow the examples to create a Coordinate Point, with or without a Diameter.
oAdding information up to the Description column will create a Coordinate Point.
oAdding information up to the Diameter column will create a Coordinate Point with a Diameter.
Part |
Pts# |
Index |
Point (Name) |
X |
Y |
Z |
i |
j |
k |
Description |
FOS |
Diameter |
#Dir |
Type |
i |
j |
k |
Root |
1 |
1 |
'Point1_CoordinateExample |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Root |
2 |
2 |
'Point2_DiameterExample |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Circle |
10mm |
1 |
AssocDir |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Direction Type examples (Only used for the Circle Size tolerance):
•Associative Direction (AssocDir)
•Type-In (Type-In)
•Two Point (Two Pt)
•.
Changing Names
Procedure:1.Open a 3DCS Model 2.Export an Excel file from 3DCS 3.In the columns referring to an MTM or Point's name (Point's Name = "Point" Column; Measure's Name = "Measure"; etc.), edit the name in that column 4.Once finished, Read the Excel file into 3DCS
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Excel Tabs for 3DCS
Creating New Features
Excel Linking allows users to create new parts, points, and MTMs within Excel, using the specific tab (New Measure; create in the measure tab). The Feature Example tab provides the user with a completed example of creating new features. To observe this functionality, the information can be copied from the Feature Example tab into the Measure tab and then use Read from Excel to see results. The Excel file requires small modifications, unless the exported model has a product name of "Root", excluding this case cell "B4" in the Feature Example tab must be changed to the current product name.
•When creating new features in any tab, Numbers that will be used as a name must be set to text only. For example: The number 1 should be written as: '1 (with an apostrophe). •Users can also Format the Column(s) to Text. (Set any Column that would use or reference a name if used with numbers). •Under the Points tab, a Linked Feature Column (AO column) in Excel Create will show a Feature Point's linked feature. Coordinate Points and Dynamic Points will display no feature names. (ref. 62165).
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Conditional Logic information
The Conditional Logic option is chosen if a Move is to be activated, based on the condition of a particular Measurement in the model. Any one of the previously defined Measurements can be selected from the Conditional Logic drop-down list as a condition to be satisfied before completing the Move. When that particular measurement value is within the specified Measurement limits, the Move is activated.
All moves can use Conditional Logic and also be found and edited in Excel. Look for columns Conditional Measure (BF), Part Name (BG), and Conditional Out (BH).
Conditional Measure: Displays the measure name linked in the Conditional Logic field in the Options menu of a move. Part Name: Next to the Conditional Measure is the Part Name. This lists the where the move with the Conditional Logic is listed Conditional Out: Is the setting to set the Conditional Logic to either Out of Spec (On), or In Spec (off).
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Mechanical Information
Two columns are available for Mechanical-type moves. When viewing Mechanical Move information, in the Move Tab, look for columns called Constant Name (Read-Only)(BC) and User-DLL Constant List (BD). •The Constant Name column defines the mechanical move information, such as Angle or Steps used in the Motion Move. This column is read-only, which any change made will not be used in 3DCS. •User-DLL Constant List defines the value or activation from the Constant Name column.
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User-DLL Information
User-DLL contain some specific, extra information. Excel's has tabs for each Move, Tolerance and Measure-type DLL, to better define Constants, Constant Values, etc. Here are the columns and what to expect from them.
User-DLL String list: Lists the available strings used with User-DLLs. # in Constant List: If any constants are applied to the DLL, this displays the number of constants in the DLL. Constant Name (Read-Only): Constants store additional information in a DLL. Some DLLs may have several constants. For Compliant and Mechanical MTMs, which are processed similarly to UserDLLs, this column helps describe the function each constant provides. "Internal" means the constant should not be modified. User-DLL Constant List: The values of the constants in the DLL. User Routine: This list will have the User-DLL name.
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Notes:•Later versions of the 3DCS Excel Create may not be used for earlier versions of 3DCS, or in other words "is not downwards compatible". •It is recommended that the model is saved prior to using Read from Excel function. Additionally, the model should be fully verified after Read from Excel is executed. •All tabs (Points, Feature Creations, Unit, Feature Examples, Tolerances, Moves, Measurements and GD&T) of the Excel workbook must be present and populated with the current data corresponding to the model. •GD&T cannot be created or deleted through Excel Import. The user can update values, Datum features, material modifier, etc., in Excel. •All the objects that belong to one part must be listed in consecutive rows of Excel without any blank rows in between. For example, if Part1 has 20 points, all the points must be listed in consecutive rows of Excel. •Due to rounding off, numeric values may have a small precision error upon execution of the Read from Excel function. •The Excel Linking Matrix units will be the same as the model units. |