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Absolutely Aggravating

Question asked by Will Carlson on Jun 22, 2018
Latest reply on Jun 24, 2018 by Josh Brady

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Here's what's happening:

Part is modeled. Dimensions are displayed, renamed.

Insert Design table, blank, block changes, uncheck new parameters etc.

Start clicking dimensions to add to cells

Miss next dimension by .000000000000000001", design table disappears.

Edit design table

Can NO LONGER click dimensions and have them added to new cell. Why?

What checkbox do I leave checked so that I can close and open the design table ad infinitum and add new dimensions to the next cell? If I have to keep deleting and re-starting a new design table to try to get all dimensions added in one shot, my laptop's screen is going to have a nice hole through it very soon.

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Newell Voss Jun 22, 2018 1:35 PM
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There is no option for that I am aware of. I would assume it is a function embedded within the initial creation of the table. clicking out in the environment closes the table as normal.
When you go to edit the table again you should be able to manually enter the desired information or try using the RMB on the dimension and configuring it that way.
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- Will Carlson @ Newell Voss on Jun 22, 2018 2:11 PM
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  I'm talking about initially adding a dimension to a new design table. If you accidentally miss the dimension when you click on it to add it to the highlighted cell, the design table exits as normal. But upon opening the table back up, you can no longer continue to add dimensions to a highlighted cell by double clicking the displayed dimension in the graphics window. This means you have to delete the table and start completely over to get all the dimensions you want in your design table. It's infuriating.
  
  There has to be something that is turned on/off if you accidentally exit the table prematurely and then re-open it to continue adding dimensions, that is prohibiting the table from accepting a dimension that is clicked. I want to know whatever that is so I can permanently disable it so that I can open and close a table as much as I want and continue to add new dimensions to a highlighted cell.
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  - Glenn Schroeder @ Will Carlson on Jun 22, 2018 2:18 PM
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    I posted above about how to keep the design table open, and I don't use them much, but I believe you need to have a blank cell active in Excel where the column title will be when you double-click.
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    - Will Carlson @ Glenn Schroeder on Jun 24, 2018 9:04 PM
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      Yes, you do need to have a cell highlighted. Which I always do when I'm trying this. However, it simply doesn't respond when I double click a dimension after re-opening a design table inside SWX. But, opening it in a new window does allow me to just double click a dimension.
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    - Josh Brady @ Glenn Schroeder on Jun 22, 2018 3:26 PM
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      Glenn Schroeder wrote:
      
      I posted above about how to keep the design table open, and I don't use them much, but I believe you need to have a blank cell active in Excel where the column title will be when you double-click.
      
      It is indeed as Glenn said. If the cursor is not in a cell in the parameter row, it double-clicking a dimension or feature will not add it. However,, you should be able to open/close the table as many times as you want, and always be able to add parameters as long as you place your cursor in that row.
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      - Will Carlson @ Josh Brady on Jun 24, 2018 9:04 PM
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        Just so you guys know, I'm aware that a cell needs to be highlighted. However, it's still not adding anything into the cell if I click on a dimension. My posts need to be approved by a moderator so you're not seeing all my other replies I guess.
        
        I am specifically talking about only when:
        Design table is re-opened and you go to continue double clicking on displayed dimensions in the graphics window.
        
        If you open the table in a new window, it allows you to do it. Open inside swx, it doesn't.
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Dennis Dohogne Jun 22, 2018 1:51 PM
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Will,
I see that just joined the forum two days ago. That makes this a fair question to ask: How long have you been using SWX? (Seriously, how long?)

I don't think there is a problem with your installation of SWX, more than likely the problem is how you are going about editing the Design Tables. You are right that it is possibly a check box that needs to be toggled. Perhaps if you were to share your file it would be easier for us to help you.
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- Will Carlson @ Dennis Dohogne on Jun 22, 2018 2:11 PM
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  I've been steadily using SWX for about eight months and have my CSWA, I'm fairly confident this isn't a user error, but I've been wrong before!. I've used design tables quite frequently and this problem has been bugging me for a while now. For this particular instance, I'm just going through the design table tutorial in swx to see if there is something I'm missing. As far as I know, none of the check boxes allow you to continue to add dimensions to a table after you've accidentally clicked out of it. (In addition, I created several new tables and tested it by checking and unchecking each option in the table feature.)
  
  So I'm wondering if it's something internal in the system options, now. If I have 6 or 7 dimensions that I want to control via a design table, and when I'm setting it up, I miraculously just miss the last dimension and the table goes away, I simply can not figure out how to add it after I've re-opened the table to edit it. Aside from having the sketch highlighted when I open the table, of course. I know it can be done but I want to know if it's possible there's an option somewhere that allows me to do it the nice easy way I was initially doing it, by just double clicking on the displayed dimension in the graphics screen.
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  - Dennis Dohogne @ Will Carlson on Jun 22, 2018 2:53 PM
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    Thanks for that answer. It helps a bit.
    Can you attach your file?
    
    When you go to edit the DT do you get this dialogue box? I just made a quick dummy part and would RMB on the dimensions and select Configure Feature. This automatically should add it to the list of items that show up in the Configurations box or the Parameters box so long as that box on the bottom is checked fo Show unselected items again.
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    - Will Carlson @ Dennis Dohogne on Jun 24, 2018 9:04 PM
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      See attached video to see what I'm talking about.
      
      I don't want the table to ask me if I want to add in new features each time I re-open it. I specifically turned that off.
      Attachments
      DesignTableError.wmv5.8 MB
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      - Josh Brady @ Will Carlson on Jun 24, 2018 10:14 PM
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        Something is wonky with either your Excel or SolidWorks install. You should definitely be able to click parameters and add using the procedure you demonstrate in your video. Sorry, I don't have much insight into what the issue might be. I'm currently having a different issue with design tables in that I can't insert them. Editing already existing design tables (including what you are wishing to do here) works just fine, but I can't add a new one no matter what I do. I know that doesn't actually help any, unless it feels better to have someone else in a similar boat.
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  - Rick McDonald @ Will Carlson on Jun 22, 2018 3:19 PM
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    Will,
    I have never created a design table and we don't use them (I did sit in on a SolidWorksWorld class a few years ago - but not using the information it has faded in my mind) so I can't offer much, but, from a strictly troubleshooting perspective:
    Did this always happen to you or did your tables used to work as you would expect?
    Have you tried it using different templates (or Parts/drawings that use different templates)?
    I do remember (like Glenn Schroeder said) that there is a blank line required in the table (but I thought it was one of the first columns or rows).
    As Dennis Dohogne mentioned, can you attach a file (or at least an image of your design table) This would help to get an idea of what you have.
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    - Will Carlson @ Rick McDonald on Jun 24, 2018 9:04 PM
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      Take a look at the video I've attached here. This is what I'd like to do, but it won't let me.
      It will let me do it only when I open a design table in a new window.
      Attachments
      DesignTableError.wmv5.8 MB
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Glenn Schroeder Jun 22, 2018 1:53 PM
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When you right-click on the design table to edit it, choose "Edit Table in New Window" instead of "Edit Table". That will open the design table in an external Excel file. You can move it off to the side, and it won't go away if you inadvertently click on a blank part of the graphics area. You should still be able to add columns by double-clicking on dimensions, features, etc.
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- Will Carlson @ Glenn Schroeder on Jun 24, 2018 9:04 PM
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  Yep, that works. I usually avoid opening in a new window due to limited screen space but it looks like that's how I'm going to have to approach it. When my company decides to build me a decent engineering station, I'll have two monitors so that'll help.
  
  Still, I wonder why it won't allow you to add dimensions when you re-open the table to edit it. It's been driving me nuts for a while now.
  Thanks for the suggestion!
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Absolutely Aggravating

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