Brainstorm: best way to derive parameters from a calculated spreadsheet inventor

[Hunteil]

I have a highly dependent calculation to run across multiple files. I'm not using API or iLogic yet... but what I do have is the following methods used on my last project. What I did was mostly flesh out a excel document to help engineers input design criteria. Unfortunately some decisions must be manually made by the engineers due to stock sheet metal requirements & customer site endpoint limitations. So I made it so the engineers get results in multiple columns & they have to make a cell equal the result they want. This repeats a few times as required. Then I manually copied (& pasted values only) all the named values & constants out to a independent excel spreadsheet & allowed inventor to import those all that data into parameters. All values drive the models & are slowly coming together with this. But I cannot help but think this is still inefficient for workflow.

So I'm looking for some brainstorm ideas in how best to tackle this.

Currently I have 2 excel documents that are customer project based 1 support structure & 1 overall design. I think most of this could be more product driven instead of project. & the excel file can live physically next to the file in Vault. But do I make all the calculations in the same file? Should it be a manual process of just copying values into the spreadsheet for parameters?

I fear using iLogic due to previous stories of ppl dumping tons of time into it & getting laid off bc leadership doesn't want to wait any longer. I've seen it happen a few times. Also I want it to be easily understood by anyone later just in case that does happen so it can still be developed. I like this advanced stuff but you walk a hard road to defend when not properly trained for both implementation & salesmanship to internal leadership. Sry maybe tmi.

[Frederick_Law]

Excel work great if you need input from other who don't use IV.

iLogic/macro/addin work great inside IV.

You can setup Excel with 2 sheets.

One for user input,  second for calculation and setup parameters for IV.

IV then just get parameter from sheet 2.

You can do all in iLogic/macro/addin with form to get user input.

You can see results on model.

If possible fix or limit user inputs to only available/possible size.

First thing about programming, keep it simple.

Big complex program is make up of small simple programs.

Just like simple parts make complex machine.

[Hunteil]

Cleaned my excel calculator up some... Really don't like how Excel named values don't follow the same rules that Inventor uses. i.e.

• Excel Can't use C2 as a named range (named value)... but Inventor Can... or
• Excel can use C.2 and Inventor Cannot...

So I'm kinda stuck on direct outputs b/c my fields don't match. I had to make a dictionary sheet for Excel formatted values and a cross reference for Inventor... This is the stuff I feel like I could improve on. Is there another way?

Can Inventor even leverage excel named values for anything? It kinda acts like it but not quite sure.

[A.Acheson]

Any images of what your parameters are and how you want to set it up. Even showing some made up parametersand pasteing in the table  will help figure out the process you want to achieve. There is likely so many ways to achieve this it does need to be simple first as @Frederick_Law has stated. More complicated functions need good instructions for the user to be able to modify. 

[Frederick_Law]

Put IV parameter into fixed cells in excel.

C.1 = Length

C.2 = Width

C.3 = Thickness

etc

Then use C1, C2, C3 in formula.

[Hunteil]

How do you guys notate if it's a Constant or a Variable? In Excel I just use the letter as much as I can, but list column left if it's a constant or variable and column right what it's for and a diagram with dimensions to help explain it better.

Currently I have: (small sample)

• Constant_A
• Variable_B
• Variable_N
• Variable_CC
• Variable_D
• Constant_E
• Variable_F
• Constant_F2
• Constant_F3

Thinking of converting everything to C_A and V_B... Just found out that named values in excel does allow for underscores and so does Inventor Parameters.

btw the other question I asked, does named range in excel do anything for Inventor Parameters?

Example here:

Just trying to make sure it doesn't hurt/interact w/anything.

[Frederick_Law]

Only list variables.

Or whatever user can change.

In Excel I just use Cell name in formula.

User should not see formula.

User should only see what they can change.

How do you use Excel in IV?

[Hunteil]

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@Frederick_Law wrote:

How do you use Excel in IV?

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Open a .ipt or .iam, open Parameters>click link, select a excel file. It'll read them.

So far I've found that linked excel docs don't really care, but IV does. If I realized I'm missing a value and insert it between 2 rows, IV just sticks it to the end. But no big deal b/c you can delete the file from IV and just relink it and it'll be happy again.

I also use Excel with iParts author and iAssembly authors but I'm staying away from that for this project b/c it's too custom.

Off the cuff thought: I wish I had someway to show you guys what I'm doing to get live feedback. I'm open to constructive criticisms to help improve processes so it doesn't go sour later. Also live reviewing is nice b/c I don't have to worry about IP concerns b/c its not a static posting.

[Frederick_Law]

Don't think we need a part.

Maybe example Execl and ipt/iam with it.

Could make a few cubes with some parameter.