Using Virtual Characteristic Writer

The articles below can serve as guidelines for setting and typical usage of VC Writer.

How to manage custom virtual characteristics set

The set of custom virtual characteristics that should be managed by VC Writer is defined by the VirtualCharsWriterNames.txt file.

This file (stored in the Plant Design configuration folder) can be edited directly from the Plant Design Administrator.

Each row within the file represents one custom virtual characteristic name. In other words, the names are separated with the new line separator.

In fact, all the custom virtual characteristics are written with the prefix of VC_ that is neither part of the predefined names in the VirtualCharsWriterNames.txt file nor displayed in VC Writer.

How to write/edit/remove custom virtual characteristics

When the VirtualCharsWriterNames.txt file is configured, custom virtual characteristic can be written to the desired occurrences in the following way.

1. Open the assembly that contains the desired occurrences for writing/editing custom virtual characteristics.
   
2. Launch VC Writer from the Smap3D Plant Design toolbar in the CAD (or Windows Start menu).
   
3. Select the desired single occurrence within the assembly. In the Name column, VC Writer displays the custom virtual characteristics defined by the VirtualCharsWriterNames.txt file. The Value column represent the virtual characteristic values.
   
4. If you want to delete the virtual characteristic from the selected occurrence, select Remove. Otherwise, enter/edit the values as required and select Write to save the values for the selected occurrence.
   
5. If required, select another occurrence and continue with step 4.