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Export csv using Step Dimension (by MattE)
Is it possible to make Solvespace export a bunch of selected dimensions as something like a .csv table, using Step Dimension to drive a 'stick frame' geometry model?
I want to be able to take a series of readings into Excel so that I can calculate moments in a mechanism.
I want to be able to take a series of readings into Excel so that I can calculate moments in a mechanism.
(no subject) (by Tom)
Does "trace point" in the "analyze" menu do what you need?
(no subject) (by MattE)
Hi Tom - Yes it does, but only partially. The mechanism has a series of linkages and I'd like to calculate the force being applied at the end of the series, at various points.
I can use Step Dimension to incrementally move the end link, and get Solvespace to save out the path of one other point in the chain. What I'd REALLY like it to do is record a whole series of reference dimensions I've set up (as opposed to points in space), which represent the perpendicular distances of each force in the chain, I can then work out the moments. Currently, that is a very tedious process as I have to write down all of the measurements every time I make a change to the design, for each of the incremental movements.
I can use Step Dimension to incrementally move the end link, and get Solvespace to save out the path of one other point in the chain. What I'd REALLY like it to do is record a whole series of reference dimensions I've set up (as opposed to points in space), which represent the perpendicular distances of each force in the chain, I can then work out the moments. Currently, that is a very tedious process as I have to write down all of the measurements every time I make a change to the design, for each of the incremental movements.
(no subject) (by Tom)
I guess you could run "trace point" and "step dimension" multiple times (once for each point), with the exact same step parameters each time, and then recalculate your dimensions from the points in the spreadsheet? If you need fewer points than steps then that might still be less work. It would be better if you could select multiple points and dimensions and trace all of them, but I don't think there's any way.
(no subject) (by MattE)
It would also be useful if one could record selected dimension(s), rather than just the coordinates of a point/loci. Turning coordinates back into useful data for calculating moments inside e.g. Excel is not the work of a moment.
(no subject) (by Andrew)
Can you carry out you design analysis and modification in excel, and use the resulting dimension to make the final drawing? Some dimension will need calculating via trig, but that should not be a problem.
(no subject) (by MattE)
I could (in theory), but it's a mechanism for which it's difficult to visualise and it has many variables. Which is the very reason why I am using Solvespace!
(no subject) (by Andrew)
A slightly left field suggestion, but have you thought of using the tools in CAELinux 'https://caelinux.com/CMS3/', which can be burnt to and runs of of a USB stick as a live distro, just save work on another drive. (BalenaEtcher 'https://www.balena.io/etcher/' will "burn" an .iso to a usb stick and make it bootable.)
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