Updating parameters from external file

[infinitelyExplosive]

Is there any way of updating the parameters in a design programmatically? I tried to use the "Import Parameters" button, but it renames the incoming parameters rather than updating the existing ones. (e.g. L5 becomes L5_1)

I have a relatively large number of parameters in a file and manually editing them will be very tedious. 

[dsouzasujay]

Hi @infinitelyExplosive 

Can you please attach the .csv file that you are importing, attach it to next reply.

[kevinkesler]

in this instance, I have a pair of projects, and as I'm building 1 that's a lot larger, I am constantly testing the parameters to see that each fit as they should.  I do the testing on much smaller pieces to save time and materials.  I want to use a single csv file for editing.  I then want to UPDATE the parameters in both projects without individually entering into each project.... just update each file.  What I have been able to do so far only Imports the unique parameters and duplicates (with a suffix) the existing parameters.

can we import or replace the user parameters GLOBALLY?

[dsouzasujay]

Hi @kevinkesler 

That’s a great workflow idea, and I understand why you’d want a single CSV driving multiple projects.

At the moment, Fusion does not replace existing user parameters when importing from a CSV file. Instead, if a parameter with the same name already exists, Fusion will create a duplicate with a suffix, for example:

• DowDia

• becomes DowDia_1

So currently, parameters are not globally updated or replaced across designs through CSV import.

What this means

• Importing a CSV into a file only adds new parameters.

• If the same parameter name exists, it creates a duplicate rather than updating the original.

• There is no built in way to globally push parameter updates across multiple files.

Unfortunately, a true “global parameter replace” or central parameter library feature is not available today.

If this is important to your workflow, it’s a very reasonable feature request, and I’d be happy to help log it as an improvement.

[kevinkesler]

I think It is logical, even though the possibility of overwriting data unintentionally exists. the probability of manual error in duplicate work is greater. I'd love to have this feature.  Also, the I|O add-on does not carry all the values, it leaves out favorites and comments.  losing comments is not acceptable, especially if asking for help here in the community.  that answers the question WHY, as a second set of eyes is looking at a project.  I would be okay with this process being done outside of fusion(as in manually copy and paste in file explorer).  I'm sure if you can direct me to the directory I could manage that.

[dsouzasujay]

@kevinkesler 

I completely understand your reasoning. When you are iterating across multiple designs, especially with a shared parameter set, the risk of inconsistency from manual edits can absolutely outweigh the risk of an intentional overwrite. Your use case makes sense.

That said, Fusion does not store user parameters in a separate, externally editable file that you can safely access through File Explorer and swap out. Parameters are embedded inside the .f3d design file itself. An .f3d file is not structured in a way that supports manual editing of parameter data outside Fusion, and modifying it directly would very likely corrupt the design.

So unfortunately:

• There is no directory containing a standalone parameter file you can replace
• There is no supported way to externally overwrite parameters outside Fusion
• CSV import is additive only and will not update existing parameters

Regarding favorites and comments, you are correct. The CSV workflow does not preserve metadata like parameter comments or favorite flags. That is a limitation of the current implementation.

[joelcolucci]

AutoDesk offers a plugin that contains the desired behavior (update params on import). Check it out here: https://apps.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/Detail/Index?id=1801418194626000805&appLang=en&os=Mac&autostart=...