random values for parameters

[skanskan]

Hello.

I would like to use random values for parameters.
For example I have tried to link the size of a line to a function and use the function RAND to say it's size. But this function is not available.
How can I do it?

regards

 

[JohnRBaker]

OK, attached is an example (since you did not mention a version of NX I created the example using NX 7.5) where I've used an external Spreadsheet to generate your random Number (inside the part file I use it to modify the length of the extruded body). Download the attached file, edit the extension from .zipper to .zip and extract the files. Make sure that you place both the part file and the Spreadsheet file in the same folder. Now open the part file and you can force the part to update, using the random number from the spreadsheet, in one of two ways. You can either open the Expression dialog and push the icon button at the bottom of the dialog labeled 'Refresh Values from External Spreadsheet', or without the expression dialog open, just sitting in Modeling, go to...

Tools -> Update -> Update for External Change

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[skanskan]

Hello

But I mean without linking to an external file nor spreadsheet. Just using the function RAND in NX.

 

[cowski]

Where did you find the RAND function in NX?

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[skanskan]

You are right,
when you search for "RAND" in the NX help you get it alongside a list of functions. It's used with an external Excel.
I supposed that that function was also available directly in NX


Thanks

 

[JohnRBaker]

That 'long list' is actually there to show the function mapping between Xess and Excel, which is important when using part files with internal Spreadsheet data on different hardware platforms. Just so that you know, Xess was originally a UNIX-based spreadsheet which we support back when UG (AKA NX) was available on UNIX, and which we still support today for our customers running NX on LINUX. BTW, for those people who must have 100% compatibility between Part files with Spreadsheet data when working on both Windows and LINUX, there is available a Windows version of Xess which we still fully support (with the proper set-up in Customer Defaults).

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.