Linking an equation value to a Property Field 1

[Nella95]

I'm pretty certain this is possible - I just haven't found the right path yet... How do I link an equation value - for example - 'Total Length' - to a part's property? I know how to add 'Total Length' as a lone value, but I want to link the Description field = STUD,'A'X'B'X'Total Length'

 

[handleman]

So you want the value of a custom property to be driven by several dimensions/variables in the model?

Unfortunately, with standard SW functionality, you can drive a custom property by an equation, but only if the result of the equation is a number. Concatenated strings are not possible. You will need to use VBA in an equation to set the value. There's a SolidWorks World presentation on that by Josh Brady.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[gp13]

What about a design table? You can drive the dimensions using the DT, then have one of the cells concatenate those dimensions into your description.

 

[Nella95]

Yeah, DT is gotta be the answer - and concatenated fields. Gotcha.

 

[handleman]

Just beware that the DT fields won't update unless you open the design table. If you change your model geometry in a way that would affect your concatenated values, you will need to open the design table to update the property.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[Nella95]

Yeah, I learned that the hard way - Thanks.

 

[gp13]

With something like this, though, that really shouldn't be a problem. The only way the description should change is if any of the dimensions change. And the only way the dimensions can change is by editing the DT.

 

[handleman]

The problem with driving those dimensions by a design table and locking model edits to the table is that often this kind of information (looks like overall length/width/thickness/etc.) is a driven dimension controlled by the design and functionality rather than a driving dimension. Updating the design table can be cumbersome in these kinds of situations. Using VBA in an equation is a bit more difficult to set up, but updates with every rebuild.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)