topic Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns. in Navisworks API Forum

Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 09:30:33 GMT

Hi,

I would like to map external attribute from SQL Server using Datatools in Navisworks. I referred this

It works well with fixed column in select query. Is is possible with dynamic columns?

For example like PDS DGN (DMRS Linkage) with DRV file, attributes ( columns) will vary w.r.t model item.

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:56:37 GMT

I am herewith attached image to get clear idea of my question.

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

dgorsman — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 16:58:52 GMT

I don't think so. You will likely have to build a plug-in which manages its own SQL connection and query generation. You might want to build your own property display palette, or you could have it auto-append custom property tabs to objects as they are inspected.

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

xiaodong_liang — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 04:01:42 GMT

Hi,

You may take a look at this blog I wrote just now, though it talks about connecting Access database.
Hope it helps a bit.

Regards,
Xiaodong

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

xiaodong_liang — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 04:02:46 GMT

Hi,

You may take a look at this blog I wrote just now, though it talks about connecting Access database.

http://adndevblog.typepad.com/aec/2016/02/connect-access-database-with-objects-properties-of-property.html
Hope it helps a bit.

Regards,
Xiaodong

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 06:23:03 GMT

Liang ,

dgorsman,

Thank for for your imputs.

Creating custom property catagory and properties for a plant will takes days/weeks to complete. Because i already implemented this solution and is not good for a big plant.

Is there any way to implement like creating linkage for modelitem? Since i can move my property data from SQL server to any other format.

My idea is, I am having my own unique key for each modelitem, that act as a linkage between model item and the data source ( may be like DRV in PDS.)

Basically i wants to implement a functionality like PDS DGN. Each Element is mapped with unique linkage value called DMRD Linkage and there is an entry for each DMRS Linkage in DRV file which acts as datasource for external attributes. So that navisworks shows the "PDS Component Data" category in Property window and displays attributs which will vary based on the selected model item.

Why i need is.

1. Creating new property category and properties is time consuming if the model is large.

2. Using plugin and own property grid approach, we can't use in freedom.

So the linkage and DRV approach is good in performance wise while publish and we can use the file in freedom with extended attribute.

Please provide me some input based on the above.

Thank you.

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

Audun_Opdal — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 08:45:11 GMT

Hi,

What is your source data? Is it dgn? Would creating or extending a drv file with data from SQL server help you?

regards

Audun

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:02:26 GMT

Audun,

No. It is not DGN. It is SAT file.

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

dgorsman — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 15:38:34 GMT

Populating *everything* does take a lot of time, true. But thats where you need to start cheating. Don't populate objects that aren't inspected, and save the data for those that have already been inspected. For example, with your own palette it first checks to see if the selected object(s) have the required data, if not query the database then add it to the object. Objects are populated as you go. Of course if you go with a separate palette it doesn't have to read the Navisworks properties at all it can be purely driven from database queries.

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

Audun_Opdal — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 08:25:30 GMT

Hi,

As long as you have a unique key for each modelitem this might be possible:

A plugin in Navisworks Manage could collect your data and store attributes in NWD files.

The attributes stored in NWD files should be accessibe with Freedom.

Regards

Audun

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:55:31 GMT

Audun,

My understanding of "A plugin in Navisworks Manage could collect your data and store attributes in NWD files" is to create cutom property category and properties right?

If so, there is performence issue in that. It takes Days/Weeks to complete for a large model file.

dgorsman,

I want to publish NWD to others without external database.

xiaodong.liang,

If i create "Custom property category" and properties in "CurrentSelection_Changed" event,

"CurrentSelection_Changed" will fire during publishing or not?

Thank you.

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:59:31 GMT

Audun,

My understanding of "A plugin in Navisworks Manage could collect your data and store attributes in NWD files" is to create cutom property category and properties right?

If so, there is performence issue in that. It takes Days/Weeks to complete for a large model file.

dgorsman,

I want to publish NWD to others without external database.

xiaodong.liang,

If i create "Custom property category" and properties in "CurrentSelection_Changed" event,

"CurrentSelection_Changed" will fire for all model item during publishing or not?

Thank you.

Re: Navisworsk Datatool query with dynamic columns.

dgorsman — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 21:49:03 GMT

If you want a stand-alone NWD file that functions with only Freedom, then you don't have a choice - you'll have to work with the current means even if its slow. You might try working with more smaller files, populating the addtional data, publishing those to NWD, then merging the NWD files together. That would also allow you to split the work over multiple computers for additional time savings.