Can MS Excel be used to create or modify pattern tables in Pro/E? I need to create complex irregular patterns and am more comfortable using Excel than Pro/Table.
I found this question posted by TNguyen few months ago. The reason I'm answering now at this question is because YES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO CREATE A PATTERN TABLE IN EXCELL. I tried in 2000i.
Follow me:
In EXCELL, create the table dimensions as follows (a simple example):
IMPORTANT: Please remark the "!# Pro/TABLE" header!!! Without this, Pro/E will return an ERROR message.
Export your table in a TXT text. Modify the extension "txt" to "ptb".
IN PRO/E
FIRST:
You must create the hole you want to pattern. (i.e. a liniar hole with 2 dimensions from edges).
SECOND:
Pattern your hole:
PATTERN -> select the hole -> GENERAL (I'm using GENERAL because if a hole is outside of my solid, the feature will not fail) -> DONE-> TABLE -> select the pattern dimensions -> DONE -> READ -> select your file with ptb extension -> DONE.
That's it!
Atention to the order of the selecting dimensions! Dim 1 is for the column 2 in EXCELL and Dim 2 is for the column 3. Column 1 is the index for number of holes.