Extract XYZ Point Coordinates for Analysis

[markborges]

Hi everyone!

Is it possible to export XYZ coordinates from Pro/E into a data table? In other words, I have been doing a MathCAD analysis on a Pro/E 2001 skeleton (floating 4-bar linkage variant)by querying the Pro/E (2001) model and typing the XYZ coordinates into MathCAD. Of coarse this works, but I have 12 data points for each skeleton position and I have multiple positions that need analysis! Ideally, I would have Mechanism Design Dynamics to do this for me, but I don't--this is probably a one time product for us.

It APPEARS that "excel analysis" will extract the point info that I need; but, we don't have this either.

So, does anyone know how I can extract a little bit of info from our models so we can do our own make-shift analysis?

Thank You,

Mark

 

[mloew]

Mark,

How about using a measure analysis feature from a coordinate system to a point. You can then copy the feature and edit the references for each point (not sure if you could use a reference pattern if your points are patterned). To get the information out of Pro/E you could save the information contained in the dialog box when using information >> feature information.

Make sense?

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[markborges]

Thanks for your response Mloew.

I am not sure I understand what you mean by "copy the feature and edit the references for each point". The references for each point are all the same; ie., (0,0,0).

I can measure from a coordinate system to A point; get the info from the dialog box; save it to a text file; and then copy and paste it into Math/CAD. But this is just for one point! Are you saying that there is a way to do this for multiple points? That is exactly what I need!

Thanks
Mark

 

[mloew]

Mark,

Do you have access to the Mechanism Design Extension module?

With this tool you can graph measures and output the results to Excel or as text.

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[markborges]

Thanks MLoew,

I do have Mechanism Design. I looks like I have to define some "measures" and then run an "analysis" of some sort and then save the data to a text file.

Normally I use skeletons, and have overlooked this tool. I will have to get into it and figure it out.

Thanks!

 

[mloew]

Mark,

The basic concept is to indeed use measures and then pass it through the mechanism solution to generate the results for every time step. You can even create a further mechanism analysis feature that will allow for the capture of the minimum and maximum values of those measures selected for the feature. This worked without the MDO module in version 2001, but seems to require it for use in Wildfire 2.0. You can still export the results of the graph with MDX in WF2 (I just did it in preparation for me presentation at the PTC/USER World Event).

Good luck. Please keep us posted with your results.

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[markborges]

Got it!

This works out real well. What I did was,

In mechanisim design, "Results", I created three separate "Measures" for XYZ data point. While you are making these measurements Mechanism Design places a large magenta colored pointing to each data point. Not being too familar with MD I do not know what this arrow is trying to tell me EXCEPT this arrow is not the measurement direction! Look closely at the XYZ directions of the "new" turquoise somewhat arbritrary coordinate system that MD puts on your measured from coordinate system. That cooridinate system is the direction of your measurements.

I could not get an "analysis" to run; so I assembled a dummy part into my assembly using mechanism design "conections". Assembled as a pin conection, I then modeled a dummy "servo motor" at this connection.

Now I could run a 1 sec analysis. Going back to "Results"; selecting the just created analyis, and all the measures; and it came up with data for each measure representing my XYZ coordinates for each data point.

I then selected the little graph-like looking icon in the upper left hand corner and a graph was ploted--all straight lines as a function of time, 1 sec. From the graph, I saved the data and imported it into excel.

With a little rearranging, I had everything.

Thanks,

The beauty was, I did not have to build a complete moveable mechanism! I think the little servo faked it out.

MB

 

[mloew]

Mark,

You are welcome. I am glad I was able to help.

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[mjcole]

I know when creating points you can read from a file and create them from x,y,z coord. there may be an export to text file option. It's been awhile since I've used Pro so I'm not certain.

I know that I they are pattern points you can change them to a Table Pattern instead of Reference patterning an analysis feature.

Michael