7.8.10. Variable manager - The individual parameters

	Note
The parameters created are displayed in table form. You can customize the view in the context menu on a column header. By default, the parameters Type, Value resolved, DIN ID [DIN-ID], Set VIDA and VIDA precision are not displayed.

Note

The parameters created are displayed in table form. You can customize the view in the context menu on a column header. By default, the parameters Type, Value resolved, DIN ID [DIN-ID], Set VIDA and VIDA precision are not displayed.

	Note
If, when creating a variable () under Storage location [Save location], select the option Only in geometry only the Name, Description and Formula [Equation] fields are activated, the others are grayed out as they are not (initially) required for creating a simple model. (The same applies if you select an existing variable that is created with Storage location [Save location] Only in geometry is created. The following listing explains all possible parameters.

Note

If, when creating a variable () under Storage location [Save location], select the option Only in geometry only the Name, Description and Formula [Equation] fields are activated, the others are grayed out as they are not (initially) required for creating a simple model.

(The same applies if you select an existing variable that is created with Storage location [Save location] Only in geometry is created.

The following listing explains all possible parameters.

Name (variable name ) (mandatory for each storage location option): Enter the variable name.

	Note
	Using NB, KT or LINA is not allowed. Also do not use the variables NN, NT, VARIANT, VARSET and VERSION, because also these may cause problems. In PARTdesigner complex formulas can also be used to determine variables. To keep these clear, the variable names [Variable names] should be as short as possible . The maximum length of a variable is 10 characters Umlauts (ö,ä,ü) and special characters must not be used! Only capital letters are created. This means that if you have the letter "L" in both lower and upper case in your variable templates, you must label them as "L1" or "L2", for example! When assigning variable names, the same scheme should be used the same scheme. For example, do NOT use "L" and "L1" for the length of two similar products. This is particularly relevant for the facet search, among other things, so that a variable filter can really output ALL relevant products.

The abbreviation entered in this field is displayed in the PARTdataManager in the column header of the table.

Description (variable description ) (mandatory for each storage location option): As the variable name is limited to 10 characters, you can add a descriptive text to the variable in the Description field, which makes it easier to identify.

The contents of the Description field are displayed in the PARTdataManager in the column subtitles of the table. If you move the mouse over the column header, the full text is displayed in the tooltip. Only a limited width is available in the column header itself.

Note

A description should make sense and not be misused to give other information.

Example: For a variable "L", "Length" should be entered and NOT "+/-0,5".

The description is also displayed in the Faceted search / Filter search. In particular here, misused entries are not helpful.

Storage location [Save location] (must be selected): Immediately recognizable by the color.

Only in geometry: With this selection, the data is saved in the 3db file.
If no value ranges [Value ranges] and no feature algorithms [Attribute algorithms] are required and no specific settings such as type identification [Identification type] are to be set, this option is sufficient.
Only in table: In this mode, the data is saved in the tab/tac file.
Table mode is required to create tables [Table], value ranges [Value ranges] and characteristic algorithms [Attribute algorithms].
In geometry and table: With this selection, the data is saved both in the tab/tac file and in the 3db file.
If variables were initially only created with the Only in geometry option (in order to use them "quickly" for creating a 3D model), it is later necessary to save them in the tab/tac file in order to link them to the table and "fill" them dynamically.
If only the table is created initially, it is sufficient to select the Only in table option. Later, the variables that are required for creating the model (in the Sketcher) must also be saved in the 3db file.
To do this, select the option In geometry and table. The data is then saved both in the 3db file and in the tab/tac file.

Note

Use of color [Color] / render material [Render material]:

Variables that set colors or materials must cause a change in the geometry. It is therefore essential to set the In geometry and table option.

PARTproject:

Example

	Note
	You can change the mode [Mode] at any time by selecting a variable, changing the storage location [Save location] in the list field and clicking on Apply [Commit].

Detailed information on the various storage location modes [Save location] can be found at Section 7.8.11, “ Storage location: Only in geometry | Only in table | In geometry and table ”.

Tip

Under Extras menu-> [Extras] Settings [Settings...]

DIN-ID [DIN / ISO-ID] (only for storage location [Save location] " Only in table " or " In geometry and table "):
The DIN ID contains the dimensional letter from the dimensional and/or product standard, e.g. D1 for the nominal diameter [Nominal diameter] of a screw. Dimensional letters, such as Greek letters (alpha), can also be written out as a word.

Note
This entry is optional.
Unit (only for storage location [Save location] " Only in table " or " In geometry and table "):
Unit that is used by default for this variable in the standard. As long as no changes are made, mm automatically appears here.
The contents of the Unit field are transferred to the column subtitle of the table.

Note
The specification is optional. Even if the number [Number] data type is set, a unit does not necessarily have to be specified.
Data type (only for storage location [Save location] " Only in table " or " In geometry and table "): Display in table column D.
- Text:
  Text is useful for printouts that should contain all characters, but text variables cannot be used for the calculation.
- Integer:
  The Integer setting only allows numerical values. It must be used for variables whose values are used in calculations.
  
  Note
  The display in the table is an integer value. Values <= .5 are rounded down, values > .5 are rounded up.
  The true decimal value is used for calculations.
- Decimal number:
  The Decimal number setting only allows numerical values. It must be used for variables whose values are used in calculations.
Note
If numbers are part of order numbers or part numbers, it is better to use data type [Data type] Text.
Type identification [Identification type] (only for storage location [Save location] "Only in table [Only in table] " or "In geometry and table [In geometry and table] "): Display in the table column Type.
The differentiation of characteristics according to characteristic types is particularly important for ERP/PDM integration!
Details on this can be found under Section 7.8.14, “ Identification type ”.

Status (only for storage location [Save location] " Only in table " or " In geometry and table "): Display in the table column V.

Types of status:

Variable with [Variable with fixed values] fixed values (default setting)
Data are saved in the respective *.tab file. Table values can directly be edited in the PARTdesigner user interface.
Attribute algorithm
A variable's value can directly be calculated by a so-called attribute algorithm.
Dependencies/conditions between variables can be expressed by attribute algorithms.
Example: „If D1=12, then D2=D3“. In this case you have to use an attribute algorithm.
How to create attribute algorithms is explained under Section 7.8.12, “ Attribute algorithms ”.
Different options for value range variable:
- Value range variable
- Value range variable with naming
- Value range variable with graphics
Variables whose values lie within a defined range, e.g. "10 to 20", or for which several fixed values are available for selection, are assigned the status value range variable [Value range variable].
How to define value ranges can be read under Section 7.8.13, “ Value ranges ”.

	Note
	If you select Feature algorithm [Attribute algorithm] or one of the three value range variable options [Value range variable] as the status [Status], the corresponding variable/column in the table can be displayed [Show attribute algorithms] using the icon Show feature algorithms [Show attribute algorithms] or Show [Show value range] value ranges icon icon to show or hide it.

Places [Digits] (only for storage location [Save location] " Only in table " or " In geometry and table "): Display in the table column VIDA Precision ^[85].

Note
Only active if the Decimal number option has been selected under Data type.

In this field you can determine the displayed decimal places.
If the Characteristic algorithm [Attribute algorithm] option or an option with value range variable (value range variable [Value range variable], value range variable with designation [Value range variable with naming], value range variable with graphics [Value range variable with graphics] ) has been selected under Status, the specification of decimal places (displayed under VIDA precision ) is optional ^[86]. With these options, you can activate or deactivate the specification of decimal places using the checkboxes.

Note
If decimal places are set, the Set VIDA table column shows the entry "true".

If the Variable with fixed values option was selected under Status, the checkbox is grayed out and the specification of decimal places is mandatory. The Set VIDA table column shows the entry "true".
Example:
```
5.3
```
The display shows 3 decimal places. 5 is ignored.

Formula [Equation] (mandatory for each storage location option [Save location] ): Display in table column Value.

Note

The resolved values are always displayed in the corresponding column in the table [Table], but the unresolved values are displayed in the Variable Manager under Value.

However, you have the option of displaying the Value resolved column in the variable manager [Variable Manager]. The resolved values are also displayed here.

Enter the desired variable value under Formula [Equation].

This can be a fixed value or make the content dependent on other variables (2*D1, D1+D2, etc.).

Note

Decimal values have to be set with point (wrong: 6,5 / correct: 6.5).

Complex functions can also be used. On this see under Section 7.8.12.7, “Mathematical functions (feature algorithm ) ”.

	Note
Changes are applied by clicking on Apply [Commit]. Changed parameters are displayed in bold until Apply [Commit] is clicked. If you want to restore the original status, change the line once without applying [Commit].

Note

Changes are applied by clicking on Apply [Commit].

Changed parameters are displayed in bold until Apply [Commit] is clicked.

If you want to restore the original status, change the line once without applying [Commit].

^[85] VIDA means visualization display. However, eCATALOGsolutions only uses it for decimal numbers, for the display of decimal places.

According to the DIN V 4000 standard, according to which the tables are structured, VIDA is optional for characteristic algorithms and value ranges. See Set VIDA option (checkbox under Digits ).

VIDA precision means the number of decimal places for decimal numbers.

^[86]According to the DIN V 4000 standard, according to which the tables are structured, VIDA is optional for characteristic algorithms and value ranges.

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