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How I created a project index design file
while eating a chicken taco (using Microsoft Office Importer
and Title Block Manager).
By Chris Borales, Axiom Product
Manager
Recently, I had an opportunity to lend a hand to our technical
support team. They received an e-mail from a customer asking
for a solution to a problem. The problem went something like
this: "I have a project that consists of about 150 design
files. Each design file has a title block. What I have to
do is find a way to take information out of these title blocks
and automatically create an updateable index sheet (a design
file containing summary information about each design file
within the project) with this information. What should I do?"
The question sent my mind reeling. I could have easily responded
with, "No, unfortunately, we do not offer such a utility,"
but I wanted to try and find a solution for him. While pondering
the problem, as I stared at the soft chicken taco in front
of me, a light went on inside my head.
"Taco Bell is constantly finding new and creative ways
to utilize the same ingredients! Whether it's a Gordita, Chalupa
or Mexican Pizza it's always a tortilla, meat, cheese, lettuce
and tomato!"
The thing made this customer's situation unique was that
the solution required the use of, not one, but two tried-and-true
Axiom utilities.
Synergize and conquer
Axiom has two utilities that use Microsoft's Excel program,
Microsoft Office Importer and Title Block Manager.
Title Block Manager automatically extracts data from title
blocks and puts that data into an editable Excel spreadsheet.
This Excel spreadsheet can then be used to update title block
information in multiple design files. Microsoft Office
Importer takes data from an Excel spreadsheet and imports
it into a design file while also maintaining a link to the
spreadsheet. This means that any modification to the spreadsheet
will automatically be updated in the design file where that
data is pasted.
I had the answer!
Here is the overview of the procedure:
1. Set up Title Block Manager to automatically extract
the data needed from his title blocks into an Excel spreadsheet.
This spreadsheet will contain any and all information present
in the title blocks: sheet numbers, titles, project numbers
and designer names can all be extracted and placed into the
spreadsheet.
2. Use Microsoft Office Importer to import the information,
from that spreadsheet, into the index sheet (a design file).
The result of this is that any modification to the spreadsheet
will automatically update the index sheet because of the link
established using Microsoft Office Importer. At the
same time, any modifications to the spreadsheet can be used
to update the data within his title blocks.
Here are the details of this maniacal
scheme:
1. It begins with the title block. Title Block Manager
has to be taught how to read the project's title blocks. This
is done using Title Block Manager's <Edit Rules>
function. Rules are the building blocks for Title Block
Manager's ability to understand the customer's files.
2. Use Title Block Manager's "Upgrade existing
text to TBMgr text" action to attach linkages to the
text elements that reside within each title block.
3. Once the linkages have been attached, click the <Action>
button and select the "Update database from selected
design files" action in order to build the spreadsheet.
4. Once the spreadsheet has been built, open the spreadsheet
by clicking the <Edit Database> button.
5. Next, highlight and copy the desired cells to the clipboard.
6. Open the index sheet in MicroStation.
7. Now, click Microsoft Office Importer's <Paste>
button in order to import the values from the spreadsheet
into the index sheet.
8. Once the information is imported from the spreadsheet
into the design, any modification that is made to the Excel
spreadsheet will automatically update the design file.
Problem solved!
Values in the index sheet, as well as in the title blocks,
can be modified using the Excel spreadsheet. Needless to say,
the customer was happy, and I finished my meal. Thank you,
Taco Bell!
Call now!
For more information on MicroSoft
Office Importer and Title
Block Manager contact an Axiom MicroStation Consultant
today! Call 727-442-7774 extension 9381, e-mail 9381@axiomint.com
or visit Axiom on the Web at www.axiomint.com now!
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