T-FLEX Parametric CAD. Fundamentals. 2D Design

Fundamentals. Two-Dimensional Design
Databases by Reference
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Such databases are provided as an attempt to combine the capabilities of creating and storing data in the
fashion of the external databases, while supporting access as if to an internal database. Upon calling the
command “File|New Database”, the dialog box appears, “Database Properties”, shown above, in which
you enter the database name and a comment. To create a database by reference, set the respective parameter.
This makes two additional items available for editing. The first one is the full path to the location of the
external database of one of the standard formats. (The path includes the database filename.)
To specify the path, pick the button with ellipsis points next
to the “File Name” box. This opens the standard dialog
box “Open Database Source”, where you can browse the
locations and select the file in the required format. Once
you confirmed the selection, you need to additionally
define the table name. Upon the confirmation, the selected
table is displayed in the read-only mode, so that you can
view the table but not edit. Pressing the [ΟΚ] button
confirms creation of the reference to this table .
As a result of the described steps, a reference is created to
an external database, so that its data can be accessed similar
to accessing internal databases, that is, using the name of
the reference similar to the name of an internal database.
The syntax of the function calls remains the same.
Databases referenced to Excel (*.xls) tables require additional preliminary step. In Excel application you
should assign a name to a data block that is planned to be linked with the T-FLEX’s database by reference.
Doing so, keep in mind that the first row of the selected
block is considered the header and will not be displayed in
the database being created. (We recommend leaving the
first row empty).
Name the selected block (example: name1)
(“Insert|Name|Define…”).
Create a database by reference in T-FLEX CAD using the
approach described above, except that in the database
properties define the “Table Name” by the name that you
assigned to the selected block in the (*.xls) file.
As a result, you'll get a table as shown on the diagram.
Creating and Editing External Databases
An external DB differs from an internal DB in that it is saved in a separate file on your hard disk, rather than
together with the drawing. The system provides a special function for accessing data from external databases.
The system supports external databases in dBase format. External databases can be created using the built in
database editor or by any other available means.
Functions for Getting Values from External Databases: DBF () and DBFWIN ()
The functions DBF() and DBFWIN()are provided for getting data from external databases in DBF format.
The difference between the two functions is in the way of handling the ASCII extension fonts. The user