Variable Table Dialog Box - SmartSketch - Help

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SmartSketch Version
8.1(2014R1)

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. The table consists of the following columns: Type, Name, Value, and Formula. Each row of the table displays a variable.

Unit Type

Specifies the unit of measure for the variable entered in the Variable Table. The 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.

 Enter

Accepts the edits you have made in the cell.

 Cancel

Clears the contents of the cell and returns the cell to its previous value.

 Filter

Access the Filter Dialog Box so that you can restrict the display of variables in the Variable Table window.

 Function Wizard

Accesses the Function Wizard Step 1 of 2 Dialog Box.

 Help

Activates online Help for the Variable Table dialog box.

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

Names the variable. By default, the software places the name of a dimension in this column. These names can be renamed to a more logical one, if you want. You must always name variables that you define when you create them. A variable must be named if you want to refer to it in the Formula column of another row. You can change the name by editing the Name cell and then selecting Check at the top of the Variable Table.

Variable names should meet the following requirements:

  • They must begin with a letter.

  • They must contain only letters, numbers, and the underscore character; you cannot use punctuation characters and spaces.

  • They must be 40 characters or fewer.

Value

Displays the current value of the variable. A variable always has a value. You cannot edit the value of a variable that has formula. You can edit driving dimensions with the Variable Table.

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.

When using variable names within a formula, the names are case sensitive. For example, the names var1 and Var1 reference two different variables.

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 Visual Basic 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. The functions can be typed in with the proper syntax or you can use the Function Wizard to select and define the inputs to the function. If the function does not contain proper syntax, the software displays a message indicating that there is an error in the formula.

See Also

Alphabetical List of Functions
Create a Variable with a Link to a Spreadsheet
Create a Variable with a Value or Expression
Create a Variable Using a Function or Subroutine
Insert a Function into a Formula