You can customize additional three-dimensional symbols for your company using .NET coding.
The following picture shows the types of symbols and corresponding file formats .NET symbols are in .vb or .cs format and will be delivered in .dll. The .dll symbols are registered on the computer used to host the SharedContent share.
The tabular data for the symbols resides in the excel workbooks. For example, you list the symbol name for the part on the part class sheet. You can use the Bulkload utility to load the excel data into the Catalog Database.
Each .NET 3-D symbol comprises source code (.csproj and .cs or vbproj and .vb) and a compiled file (.dll). The .dll files for the delivered 3-D symbols are located on the server computer at [Product Folder]\SharedContent\bin. This folder is shared to allow client computers to access the symbols. You specify this folder when you bulk load reference data. If necessary, you can change the location when you bulk load a new catalog.
The 3-D symbol source code (.csproj and .cs or .vbproj or .vb) files are delivered during the Programming Resources Installation. For more information on installing the Programming Resources, refer to the Smart 3D Installation Guide.
To change a symbol, you must edit and then build the .NET code for the symbol. The new .dll can be added to the Custom Symbols folder in the SharedContent share. You also must edit the applicable bulk load workbook for the symbol, and bulk load the modified reference data into the Catalog database.
When you add a new custom DLL to the [Reference Data Folder]\SharedContent\Custom Symbols folder, or when you edit an existing custom DLL, you
must run the Tools > Update Custom Symbol Configuration command in Project Management.
The overall workflow for creating a part is as follows:
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Create or modify a .NET project.
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Compile to create a .dll.
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Create or modify an Excel workbook to create the part information. As an alternative to the workbooks, you can create part classes and part information in the Catalog task using the Catalog > New > Class command. Refer to the Catalog User's Guide for more information.
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Bulk load the workbook. You do not need to bulk load anything if you create your part classes in the Catalog task using the Catalog > New > Class command.
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Test the symbol in the software.
If you add new part classes after creating the Reports databases, you must re-create the Reports databases in order to report on the new part classes.