Guidance Request: Making 447 .3dm files via parameters from an Excel file

Scripting
1

I have a .3dm template file with existing geometry.
I have an Excel spreadsheet with 477 rows holding a filename and an extrusion length.

ExcelExample
ExcelExample249×301 22.9 KB

I need to open the template file,
select a specific trimmed surface,
extrude that surface by that row’s length parameter,
then use the filename from the row to save the completed work …

… and then repeat these four steps for the remaining 476 rows … to make 447 new .3dm CAD files.

I am seeking directional guidance from my betters as to what approach would likely be the most successful way to automate this effort.

All ideas and suggestions most greatly appreciated!!!

Best regards,
Bruce

2

I assume it’s always the same surface in the template file that needs to be extruded? Then in principle this is doable with a script.

3

extrude from excel and export as rhino files.gh (14.0 KB)

extrude from excel and export as rhino files
extrude from excel and export as rhino files1920×328 37.5 KB

This is the example excel I used -

image
image470×298 4.72 KB

I used this plugin - ‘PancakeSpreadsheet | Food4Rhino’ to import the excel data.

After that you do your operations (extrude in z direction by the number in the length column). Then you can use the ‘Export Block Definition’ component to export your files.

A block is essentially a complete .3dm file. So if you make block definitions with all your objects and give them the name by your excel name column, you can then export those blocks as their own .3dm files.

Just set your file paths and set the surface in the brep parameter and it should be good to go.

Edit: oops, just checked your topic is under the ‘Scripting’ tab. I thought it was under grasshopper. Regardless, if you do have Rhino 8, you can use this method to get your desired output.

4

Kyuubimode,

No worries. Actually, I am more adept at GH right now than scripting so your suggestion is helpful. I was experimenting with TT Toolbox and got the spreadsheet data in, but was running into some difficulty working through files/creation.

I was unaware of the PancakeSpreadsheet plug. I like the looks of PS (plus your additional suggestions). I need to get up to speed on the ‘block’ concept for associating blocks to file … very nice.

Thank you for taking the time to offer the guidance!

Best regards,
Bruce

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