Automatic BOM Generation

[slayer913]

Hello all -

Who can point me in the right direction on the following:

I'm looking to set up a system in which I can automatically create a BOM in Excel or Access based on unique block names in drawings (that I have already established).

Really what I'm looking for here are links to web resources that I can dig through to decide which is the best way to accomplish this. I'm sure LISP, macros, or even vanilla report creation could be used, or a combination of these methods, but I'd like to know what works best. Anyone already have this set up for themselves? Please give feedback.

Thank you,
Albert

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

Give the following threads a browse -

dbconnect

tracking drawings

Connecting to an external database

+

Have you looked at the ATP courses starting September (ATP 046 Utilizing an Access Database with AutoCAD through VBA programming) -

Current ATP Courses

Have a good one, Mike

[slayer913]

Ok that all helps; thank you Mike.

My next question is this then (I may have overlooked this whilst reading away) =

Can Access or Excel support Bi-directional associativity without having to program anything? Simply, I am not yet well versed enough in LISP or VBA or Pyrotechnics to create any third party program to control the associations.

My goal: to have attributes in CAD that can be edited in CAD and updated in Access, and visa versa.

Any thoughts? Or am I asking too much?

Thanks so much,
Albert

[Mike.Perry]

Can Access or Excel support Bi-directional associativity without having to program anything? Simply, I am not yet well versed enough in LISP or VBA or Pyrotechnics to create any third party program to control the associations.

Hi

Simple answer "No".

Might want to check out the following Submission # EX001302 by Karl Browning on the AUGI Exchange Page -

AUGI Exchange Search Page

Have a good one, Mike

[slayer913]

Thank you for the continual help -

So I've established that I will need to program some type of in-between program in VBA, with the data stored in an Access Database. Right now I'm learning how to build this database for all of my 3D blocks, also. Basically, looks like this is what I should have happen:

CAD Block will have the name: T-90-S-3-W

Export to comma seperated file with Attribute Extraction

I want Access to read this information and decode it into 5 or so fields, for example:
Type: Tube
Fitting: 90 Elbow
Style: Short
Size: 3"
Conn.: Weld

Am I thinking too hard on this?

I appreciate any input,
Albert

[Mike.Perry]

Hi Albert

Tell the truth you are probably better offer asking and receiving this kind of information within the VBA Forum. The people that generally hang out there I'm sure will be able to help out a lot more on this particular subject (please note I'm not trying to do anyone a disservice here).

Would you like me to *move* this thread to the VBA Forum?

Mike

[slayer913]

Mike -

That would be great. Use your powers!

Take care,
Albert

[Mike.Perry]

Hi Albert

Done.

Please note this thread has be *moved* from the AutoCAD General Forum to this one.

Hopefully you will get the assistance and help you require here.

Thanks, Mike

Forum Moderator

[richard.binning]

Thank you for the continual help -

So I've established that I will need to program some type of in-between program in VBA, with the data stored in an Access Database. Right now I'm learning how to build this database for all of my 3D blocks, also. Basically, looks like this is what I should have happen:

CAD Block will have the name: T-90-S-3-W

Export to comma seperated file with Attribute Extraction

I want Access to read this information and decode it into 5 or so fields, for example:
Type: Tube
Fitting: 90 Elbow
Style: Short
Size: 3"
Conn.: Weld

Am I thinking too hard on this?

I appreciate any input,
Albert

Hi Albert,

I would take advantage of AutoCAD's built in capabilities and try to take advantage of the dbconnect methods first. You will still be connecting your file to an Access database, but will allow dbconnect to manage the connection.

Take a gander at the following handout from a previous AU on this subject. Scott McFarlane taught this class and is probably the resident expert on all things database related. Here is some reading/homework material for you:



P.S. Autodesk University is by far the best place to receive some of this type of training.

[jwanstaett]

Take a lokk at the Facility sample that comes with AutoCad