Batch exporter script for different parameter configurations

[andrew_tchircoff]

I often have a need to export a parametric design using multiple parameter combinations and Configurations do not work that well so I made a Python script that allows me to pick bodies or components, select parameters, provide parameter values and iterate through all parameter combinations, exporting each object in a separate file.

Full disclosure - the script is written with heavy help from ChatGPT, so probably a lot of things are not done in the most optimal way, but nevertheless, the scripts works right now and I'd like to share it with Fusion community and get some feedback. What I would like to have is some testing, especially on a Windows machine.

Github repo here: https://github.com/andrewtch/batch-parametric-export

[picadilly]

Hi Andrew,

thanks for contacting me. Yes, that looks very much, what I am looking for. In the meantime I did something similiar, but without a GUI. To use it, you stick your values into a csv-file and start a script.

This looks much more professional. I will have a look at it for sure.

Question: if you use your addin, will the information you type into the window be stored in the file or do I have to reenter it every time, I want to use it?

[andrew_tchircoff]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to save the parameter values and object selections in the design attributes, but it's a bit more cumbersome than expected, but I will make it this way for sure.

[picadilly]

Just for Information:

I called my version "parametric Export" and it can be found here:

https://github.com/osvacneo/parametricExport

Feel free to use anything of it, which looks useful to you.

Features, which might be interesting:

Both decimal point oder decimal comma will work (parameters can be decimal numbers).

ranges can be specified: 1.5 to 2.9 step 0.2 for parameters

parametric Text is supported

export stl, 3mf and step (export one or two or in all three formats)

solid error handling

if no components are named, all visible components will be exported separately

[picadilly]

Even if this is embarassing:

What would be the best way to download and install: batch-parametric-export ?

I am familiar with subversion, but I do not warm up with git(hub)  😞

[BrianEkins]

@picadilly, when I visit your GitHub site, it tells me "osvacneo doesn't have any public repositories yet".

[BrianEkins]

The easiest way to use a script or add-in from Github is to go to the repository, click on the green "Code" button and then "Download ZIP" at the bottom, both of which are shown below.

Follow these steps:

1. Look in the top folder of the downloaded zip file and look for the .manifest file. You want the name of that file.
2. Create a folder on your computer that has the same name as the manifest file, minus .manifest.
3. Copy the contents of the top folder in the zip file to the folder you just created. In this case you should have a folder named "BatchParametricExport" and it should have the contents shown below.
   
   
4. Run the Scripts and Add-Ins command and choose the "Script or add-in from device" option as shown below. Browse to the folder you created. You should now see that script in the list and can run it from there.
   
   

[picadilly]

could very well be. I created this repository with assistance. And as I said, somehow I do not warm up to GIT. And I do not really know why. More precise, it irritates me. I get along with subversion very well. But for GIT there seems to be STOP-sign integrated in my brain.

I would publish the repository, if I did know, how.

[picadilly]

@andrew_tchircoff : I downloaded it and could start it. But could not get it to work. I will have to try again later today.

[picadilly]

What I did:

I downloaded the project an copied it to (C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Autodesk Fusion 360\API\AddIns):

Then I restarted F360. But the Addin does not list:

Note: "TestSpielwiese" which is at the same place is recognized by Fusion360.

However "BatchParametricExport" is recognized as a script:

I double checked the folder for scripts:

Nothing there.

So, why is it recognized as a script?!

If I try to run it as a script in a empty design, I get this:

If I open one of my designs and start it there, I get a error message:

and then this: