Referring to External Parameters in a Formula

In a formula, you can use parameters defined in external documents. External parameters can also be used when working within an assembly. This task shows you how to use external parameters in a formula.

Before you begin:

Refer to the Sample topic to create the first model required to perform this scenario. For the second model, create a cylinder. Make sure that the Keep link with selected object option is checked (Tools > Options... > Infrastructure > 3D Shape Infrastructure > General).

Related Topics
About Parameters

  1. Open both documents and select Window > Tile Vertically from the standard menu bar to display both documents.

  2. Make active the document containing the cylinder and click Formula to display the dialog box.

  3. Create a parameter of Length type and click Add Formula. The formula editor is displayed.

  4. In the other document, select Hole.1 in the specification tree. The External parameter selection dialog box is displayed.



  5. In the External parameter selection dialog box, select the Diameter object from the external parameters list. Click OK. The Length.1 definition is carried forward to the formula editor

  6. Complete the formula definition as indicated below: 

    Length.1 = `External Parameters\Diameter` 	*0.65

  7. Click OK in the Formula Editor. You are back to the Formula dialog box. From the parameter list, the Length.1 parameter value is modified according to the formula specified. The External Parameters node is added to the specification tree. Expand this node to display the Diameter parameter.

  8. Click OK to add the formula to the document containing the cylinder and exit the dialog box.

  9. Select Edit > Links & Relations from the standard menu bar. The displayed dialog box confirms that there is a link between the Length.1 object of the document containing the cylinder and the

     PartBody\Hole.1\Diameter
    object of the other document.

  10. Click Isolate link in the Links dialog box, then click OK. In the document containing the cylinder, the External Parameters node can no longer be expanded in the specification tree and the Diameter parameter is added below the Parameters node.

  11. Select Edit > Links & Relations from the standard menu bar. A message box informs you that the active document has no external links.