import data from excel to SW and create a surface

[PhilLee]

I am running SW Office 2007 SP0.0.

I have a spreadsheet containing elevation data from an airport runway. The data is from a survey which took elevation measurements on a 3 meter grid.

This particular runway has some serious dips in it that I would like to show graphically. I had hoped to be able to import the spreadsheet and somehow create a surface that picks up all these points.

The area I have data for is 195m long and the runway is 30m wide.

Is this a possibility?

thanks,
Phil

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Try this macro

http://solidworks.cad.de/mm_24.htm

 

[PhilLee]

I have never used macros in SW before. How would I apply this to my file?
Phil

 

[takedownca]

Download the .zip file. Extract the .swp file to somewhere convenient, maybe the <SW Dir>\Macros folder. In SW go to Tools>Macro>Run. Select the .swp you just downloaded and click OK. A form should pop up prompting you for the data file.

I've never used this macro, but it looks like the input must be a text file. Since your coordinates are in an Excel file you'll have to export the worksheet to text, making sure the XYZ values are in the proper format.

 

[takedownca]

Also, it might be more useful in your case to avoid importing all the points. Try this instead.

1) If possible, separate your data points into separate lines running parallel along the runway.
2) Create a new coordinate text file for each of these lines.
3) Use the Insert>Curve>Curve Thru XYZ Points command to import each line one at a time.
4) Insert a boundary blend that creates a transition surface going from line to line.

This isn't exactly straightforward, but I believe it will get you what you're looking for.

 

[PhilLee]

I managed it using a macro from here...

http://solidmentor.com/modules/wiwimod/index.php?page=NewPointCloudMacro

Then in the resulting 3D sketch, insert a continuous line around the perimeter. Then using the Surface Fill feature, and scaling 25:1 on the Z-axis.

you can really see the crown in the runway but more importantly the dips. see attached jpg

Phil