3D from Excel to Onshape

jacek_zagaja · November 2022

Below is Excel file with macro:
https://sphericalhorns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DrBA_JMLC_V303.zip

that computes cross section point cloud with parameters on Sheet1:

Min. points per ellipse
Ellipse step size [mm] - step in Z direction

My question is is it possible rewrite in Onshape and automatically generate surface loft?

Points are on Sheet2 but hard to see gap between step size.

mfalkensteiner · November 2022

There is a FeatureScript for reading .csv files. You have to bring your coordinates in the correct format, an example is included. The Loft has to be done as a separate feature with this CustomFeature.
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/e161fbe2d3ea5f28da279c93/v/be9e27c457dc6f53de95e809/e/8d2acc927cc9433b70245871

jacek_zagaja · November 2022

That's problem of that macro all point are in one file instead of each cross section in separate file.

EvanReese · December 2022

If you have each set on a different row or column, you should be able to still process each one from one csv. You might also consider just recreating all of the sheet's logic with Featurescript instead and ditching the sheet, but on a skim there's a lot going on there.

jacek_zagaja · December 2022

Solidworks can import one curve through XYZ points. I would like do the same in Onshape but bulk to make a loft. Spline has to be closed type.

mfalkensteiner · December 2022

Done, here's the doc:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/ae2be4f95e789a8efda1315d/w/3cf31603c523c20e4099c20d/e/8f6f9236b006f146876f5554
The loft is still done manually (and I only used two of your shared tables). But here's a link to another article with a similar challenge including a FeatureScript that creates a loft based on your coordinate data.
https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/19542/spline-plus-cross-sections-for-loft#latest

jacek_zagaja · December 2022

From what I see you need manually add csv file just like in Solidworks - can't automate selecting all csv files?

mahir · December 2022

It probably wouldn't take much work to take the existing CSV import FS and modify it to support multiple CSV files. I wouldn't be surprised if someone with time on their hands went ahead and did that for you

bob_stuart · November 2025

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/87080#Comment_87080

If still interested, I can give you a hand to do it. It will not be too difficult to automate.

oliver_hughes573 · February 20

Hey,

Ran into something similar while trying to import point-cloud data from an Excel macro into Onshape. Turns out the issue wasn’t FeatureScript it was how the sheet was exporting the CSV (regional delimiter settings messed up the formatting).

Switching to a different spreadsheet environment with better control over CSV encoding/separators actually fixed the import errors for me especially when dealing with multiple cross-sections in one file.

If you're stuck with inconsistent CSV exports breaking your loft workflow, this helped in my case:

https://www.wps.com

Also worked offline, which was a plus for local automation setups.

3D from Excel to Onshape

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