Variable Table dialog box


Displays, defines, and manipulates design variables and functional relationships between the variables. This table operates much like a software spreadsheet. The design variables can be dimensions in the document or variables defined with the Variable Table. Each row of the table displays a variable, with columns that display various properties for the variable, such as Name, Value, Rule, and Formula.

You can copy and paste information into the cells that are not read-only, such as Type and Units. Read-only cells in the Variable Table are disabled for paste operations, but you can copy the information from a read-only cell and paste it into a cell that is not read-only.

Unit Type

Specifies the unit of measure for the variable entered in the Variable Table. The Unit type box is located in the top left corner of the Variable Table. The default type is distance, which means that any expression created will be a distance parameter. For example, if you want to create a variable to control an angular dimension, you should change the unit type to angular. Then, the variable created will be an angular type, which can be used to control an angular dimensional relationship.

List View

Sorts variables in a flattened structure. The variables are sorted numerically or alphabetically by column headings. Double-click the column heading to sort.

Structured View

Sorts variables based on their parent structure.

Filter

Accesses the Filter dialog box.

Formula (Fx)

Accesses the Function Wizard dialog box.

Variable Rules

Accesses the Variable Rule Editor dialog box.

Print

Accesses the Print dialog box so you can print the contents of the variable table.

Update all

Updates all relationships in open documents. The same command is shown on the Inter-Part Manager command to manage links.

Activate all

Activates the parent document. The same command is shown on the Inter-Part Manager command to manage links.

The following items describe the columns in the Variable Table:
Type

Displays the variable type, generally the type of a dimension, such as Dim, Var, Scalar, and so forth. Dim refers to a dimensional relationship. Var refers to a variable that you have created. This option is read-only.

Name

Lists the name of the variable. When you place driving dimensions, the software automatically defines a variable name. You can change the name to a more logical name by editing the Name cell and pressing Enter.

You must always name user-defined variables when you create them.

Variable names should meet the following requirements:

  • They must begin with a letter.

  • They must contain only letters, numbers, and the underscore character. You should not use punctuation characters.

  • They must be forty characters or less.

Note:

Variable names are not case-sensitive. For example, if you create the variable VAR1, you cannot create another variable named var1.

Value

Displays the current value of the variable. A variable always has a value. You cannot directly edit the value of a variable that is driven by a formula or expression. The background color of the cell for a driven variable indicates that you cannot edit the variable value directly.

Note:

If the background color in a Value cell is orange, it means that the value of a driven variable could not be changed because it would have violated a rule limiting its range of values.

Rule

Displays the type of rule that has been defined for a variable. The following lists the more common values listed in this box and their meaning. This option is read-only.

  • Blank—No rule defined.

  • Paste Link—The variable value is controlled by an associative link to a variable in another document, such as an Excel spreadsheet or another QY CAD document.

  • Formula—The variable value is controlled by a formula.

  • Discrete—The variable value must be one of a discrete set of values defined using the Variable Rule Editor dialog box.

  • Limit—The variable value must be within a min/max set of values defined using the Variable Rule Editor dialog box.

Formula

Displays the function or relation that defines the value of the variable. You can enter a mathematical expression in a cell in this column to calculate the value for a corresponding dimension. If the Formula cell is empty, then the variable value is independent of other variables.

You can use one or more variable names within a formula.

Example:

You can create the following formula for VAR1:

VAR2*VAR3.

In other words, VAR1=VAR2*VAR3.

If a value is defined by a formula, the formula appears in the Formula cell. You can enter an algebraic expression in the formula cell to define the value of the variable. The single-line expression must be in standard VBScript syntax. The formula can include any available function. The resulting value of the formula is shown in the Value column of the variable.

The software provides a set of standard mathematical functions. You can also select Visual Basic functions that you wrote and saved. You can enter functions directly in the variable table with proper VBScript syntax, or you can use the Function Wizard to select and define the inputs to the function. If the function does not contain proper VBScript syntax, the software displays a message indicating that there is an error in the formula.

Range

Displays the range of values that are valid for the variable. This box is empty if no range has been defined.

Expose

Specifies whether the variable is available as a property for use in other environments and applications.

Example:

An exposed variable is available as a textual custom property on the Custom tab in the File Properties dialog box. It is also available as a real number property in parts list columns by selecting it on the Columns tab in the Parts List Properties dialog box. Callouts and other annotations can reference exposed variables from the Select Property Text dialog box.

For more information, see Expose a variable.

Exposed Name

Specifies a property name for an exposed variable. If you do not define a name, the default variable name is shown in downstream applications.

Comment

Lists comments that have been added for variable. This allows you to capture useful information you want concerning a variable. You can add comment by clicking in the comment box for variable, or by adding a comment on the Edit Formula command bar.

Variables command Filter dialog box

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