FS to import Excel list of XY data points

john_allen289

Hi,
I am very new working with FeatureScript.
I have a long list of X & Y points in an excel worksheet. I want to build an FS custom feature that will read this excel worksheet and put a point in a sketch on the XY plane for each row pair of X & Y co-ordinates in the excel sheet.
Before I start is this possible with FS?
Any existing examples of any similar FS custom features anyone can share that do anything similar?
Any pointers or obstacles to look out for?
Thanks in advance.
John

_anton

Sounds like you could export as CSV, upload that into your document, import into your Feature Studio, and then read it into a custom feature.

We have a tutorial on how to make sketches: https://cad.onshape.com/FsDoc/tutorials/add-sketch-geometry.html

chadstoltzfus

It is definitely possible to use the data from an Excel file in FeatureScript. The way I've done it before is to export the Excel file as a CSV, import that file into an Onshape document, and parse that CSV using FeatureScript. I whipped up a very basic example here. You might have to do some stuff with coordinate systems to get it aligned the way you'd like, but this should be a good start.

See the "Importing external data" at https://cad.onshape.com/FsDoc/imports.html for more information.

For plotting on a plane it should be relatively straightforward, just depends on if you want to add the points as floating points in a Part Studio or if you want them to be sketch points. I find working with opPoint() to be easier, you just plug in the vectors you parse from the CSV  file. 

chadstoltzfus

Looks like @_anton beat me to it! If the sketch option is preferred definitely go with the documentation they provided in the sketch tutorials. 

john_allen289

Great, thanks guys, I'll check these methods out and let you know how I get on....

EvanReese

@john_allen289
here's an example of using a csv to drive variables (by @john_mcclary), but it should be a good reference for how to get the data from the csv. https://cad.onshape.com/documents/75dfbb9091b5bea038398789/v/2d6edbf047281ce828b3923f/e/97a921379d1437bdaef7fcdf?jumpToIndex=1095&showReturnToWorkspaceLink=true

john_allen289

Ok, taking baby steps here.

Set up a Document.

Created Excel list, two columns with 10 rows of X & Y data, exported to .csv, imported to the Document.

@chadstoltzfus I cut&paste your FS example, but I'm stuck on the CSV import line.

How do I get the Version for the imported .csv? I've versioned the document, viewed the version then copy for the URL, back to Main, paste the version id into the FS line but it's not working? Any thoughts? I;ve got the path to look at my .csv import 'XY Values.csv' but error is saying can't find module?

@chadstoltzfus FS


My FS



My URL in Main for the FS



Help please, thank you!

chadstoltzfus

@john_allen289 Instead of copying the import statement, it should be easier to use the import button at the top of the Feature Studio and reference the CSV you imported. 

From there you should see an import statement appear in your code, and then place the "CSV::" chunk in front of you import statement. This will not only bring in the correct import statement but also reference the main of the document, so that way you will not have to create a version of the document every time you update the CSV.

To actually answer your question the version you could copy would be the sequence between /v/ and /e/ in the URL, it's much easier to just redo the import statement using the button up top.