topic Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

willshealy13 — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:58:28 GMT

I am working on a drawing and I want to implement the ability to use an excel sheet to update the dimensions on the drawing. How would I go about implementing this feature? I already have all my dimensions laid out, I just need to figure out how to link them to an excel file.

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

willshealy13 — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 18:44:55 GMT

Update: I was able to link the Excel spreadsheet, but cant figure out how to update the cells and have the Dimensions enter into the cells

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

hosneyalaa — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 20:27:31 GMT

maybe Support what you want With an example of a drawing complete

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

willshealy13 — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 20:42:05 GMT

Ok. Here is a simplified version of what I am working on. I am designing tools that have similar outline, just slightly different dimensions so I would like to be able to use an excel sheet to change the dimensions and have the part reflect the change.

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

Sea-Haven — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 05:12:10 GMT

I dont think you can do what you want unless you do a couple of different things, use a dynamic block so can change say length of a section then dim will change automatically if associated, if the shapes are not random then can draw the object say a pline from 1st principles, so rather than change just erase and draw again.

What is the part ? How much of it is fixed in terms of length & XY etc. You can set up a excel column or row with all the little lengths you know the direction of each one so could hide all the constant ones in the Excel.

I think post a sample dwg with a couple of examples. Mark the dims to change say in 1 colour, if its a pline explode and change color of line show the ones to change eg green fixed, red change.

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

willshealy13 — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 16:56:56 GMT

The part is a chamber reamer and it needs to be dimensioned from specific points to get the correct shape. I need to be able to change any of the dimensions in excel and have it update in the part. I included a sample DWG of the part. Its a symmetrical part. Is there a way to make a lisp function to accomplish my goal?

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

komondormrex — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:27:45 GMT

try to use parametric dimensions and constrains instead of excel to dims linking.

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

willshealy13 — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:31:23 GMT

So would that allow me to link the excel file to the parametric dimensions? My boss wants to be able to use excel to update the drawing so Im trying to figure out a way to accomplish this.

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

komondormrex — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 18:01:00 GMT

not exactly (but maybe). parametric dimensions would allow you to change some dimension to lead changing of others dependent on changed. and imho you could not use excel linking to change the geometry of your detail because it would need sort of bonding. otherwise it would not work.

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

willshealy13 — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 18:05:47 GMT

I would only need tp change one dimension at a time, the rest would be able to stay as is. How could I get the bonding thing to work? I also heard about using fields, but when I tried to use them it only wanted to select the whole table not a singular cell.

Re: Using Excel sheet to Update Dimensions

Sea-Haven — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 04:06:42 GMT

Using parametrics would be the way to go with like D1 D2 etc for the object/dim sizes. Look at my image above values D1 D2.

Reading the Excel say a row or column is not a problem from Acad or Bricscad and others. Using Lee-Mac dynamic block properties lisp will change the object properties. Select block, select excel data and update.

The other way as suggested is to just draw it based on information. Note missing is total length and start end size 0.393672.

Need a excel sample else just guessing how it looks, this is not a statement of will do, rather looking into it.