excel data driving a solidworks model 1

Czar · Feb 10, 2003

I am very new to Solidworks, not to mention CAD in general. I am running Solidworks2003 and Excel2000. I have a matrix of information in Excel that I had been using before going with a CAD package.

What I need to do is take the data from Excel and generate a surface in Solidworks. The spreadsheet matrix is 35x40 with each cell representing 2cm in either X or Y (excel does not know this, but the 3-D plot looks like my part) and the value in the cell representing the height/Z value. I need to import this to Solidworks to create a 3D part which I can further manipulate/send for production.

I appreciate any help!

Thanks in advance!

Scott

TateJ · Feb 10, 2003

Without knowing more about your part, I'll have to make several assumptions:
Your part is cubic in nature - possibly a square plate.
You want to create a spreadsheet that you can use to drive the X, Y & Z dimensions of your part.
My advise is to start from scratch - sorry.
Start SolidWorks.
On the toolbar at the top of the screen, click HELP, then ONLINE TUTORIAL.
Since you are new to CAD in general...
It will be well worth your time to work thru all these tutorials - especially LESSON 1, 2 & 3.
Did I stress that enough?
But, the one you want to see for your immediate needs is the one on DESIGN TABLES.

Consume mass quantities...
tatej@usfilter.com

SBaugh · Feb 11, 2003

You could try and make a loft surface and using those numbers in a "Curve Through Free Points". Make mutiple 3D sketch lines and loft them together.

I hope that helps, Scott Baugh, CSWP [spin]