DesignSeries00001.pngUsing the Data Manager

Command

Path

Data Manager

Tools

The Data Manager allows you to control how data fields are attached to objects, and how data is displayed and entered on the Object Info palette. This can greatly improve data accuracy and make data entry more efficient.

When starting a new project, use the Data Manager to set up the following:

       Data sets to be automatically applied to objects as they are created or assigned to a class

       Formulas to customize data fields or to apply data fields under custom conditions

       Custom sheets for data entry on the Object Info palette, which can be as simple or complex as needed, with optional validation during data entry

With a good mapping scheme in place, many objects can be added to the drawing with the required data fields—and even some standard data—already attached. Use the Data tab of the Object Info palette or (for IFC export only) the IFC Data command to attach the remaining data to individual objects, as described in Editing object data and Assigning IFC data to objects.

To map data and create data sheets:

1.      Select the command.

The Data Manager dialog box opens.

2.To start a new mapping scheme, select the type of object you want to map data and/or create data sheets for from the Objects list. All available symbol definitions, plug-in objects, and IFC entities and property sets display. To assign data to objects in a certain class, select the Class-based Objects heading, click Add Class-Based Object, and then select the class to add to the list.

3.In the Data Sets Attached by this Mapping list, built-in Vectorworks plug-in objects are automatically set up to attach standard IFC data sets, but other object types have no data sets attached. Click Add Data Set to attach custom or standard IFC property sets, IFC entities, or Vectorworks record format data to the selected object type.

4.Also in the Data Sets Attached by this Mapping list, you can define a field mapping or condition to provide more detailed control over the data that is attached to the selected object type. See Creating or editing mapping formulas for details.

       To adjust the data for a specific field in some way, select the field and click Define Mapping.

       To attach data to the selected object based on specific conditions, select the Condition row above the desired record format or IFC entity, and click Define Condition.

5.Optionally, in the Data Sheets for this Mapping list, click Add Data Sheet to create a customized set of data entry fields that will be available from the Object Info palette for this type of object. With the sheet name selected, select fields from the Data Sets Attached by this Mapping list; click the Add button to add a selected field to the data sheet, or click Add All to add the entire data set. You can mix and match fields from any data set in a data sheet, and add separators to organize the fields. Select each field and click Edit Field to enter a user-friendly label, and set up field validation if desired.

If the mapping consists only of record format data sets that are automatically attached to objects, no data sheet is required. The record format data fields are always available in the Data tab of the Object Info palette.

6.To save the mapping scheme for use with another file, click Save, and specify whether to save the entire scheme, or save only the settings for the selected object. When you’re done setting up the mapping scheme, click OK.

Multiple selection in Data Manager

If you select multiple objects to edit from the Objects list, note the following:

       The Data Sets Attached by this Mapping list displays only record formats that apply to all selected objects. Also, if you click Add Data Set, only record format data sets can be added (no IFC entities or Psets).

       The Data Sheets for this Mapping list displays only sheets that apply to all selected objects and have the same name. If the data sheets have the same names, but the fields have different labels, only the labels they have in common display. If you click Add Data Sheet, the selected sheet is applied to all selected objects.

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Creating or editing mapping formulas

Using custom IFC property sets

Data mapping expressions

Data mapping examples

 

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