Objective:

Learn how to combine scalar lists as text. In this example, we are creating a Custom Block to combine the Points and Vectors from a Displacement Point Map as well as the Von Mises stress values. The result combines the Points, Vectors, and Scalar values into a text file. 

Applies to:

• Exporting
• Simulation
• Lists

Procedure:

Create the Custom Block

1. Set up the inputs

Decide what inputs are necessary for your custom block. In this example, we want a Point, a Vector, and a Scalar value. 

• • Add a Point block.
  • The format of this block has its own line for each X, Y, Z. In order to easily enter the list values into this block, we want it to be in a different format, where the X, Y, Z are all in one line. To do this:   
    • Right-click on the block and select 'Make model input' or just drag the block into the Input section to turn the Point block into an Input
    • Drag the block body back into the Notebook (this turns the variable in the Input section into the proper format)
    • Delete the Point block in the Notebook and keep the Point block Input
  • Repeat this process for the Vector block
  • Add a Scalar variable and move it into the Input section

 

2. Convert the values to Text

Next, we need to convert the values from Scalar to Text. It's easiest to do this while we create a Text List at the same time. 

• • Add a Text List block
    • Insert a Text from Scalar block into the input

Value: Now we need to link each of our inputs into a Text from Scalar block using the Value inputs. Since we are linking Points and Vectors, we need a Text from Scalar block for every unique X, Y, Z value. 

• • Link the Point X property to the Value input
    • Open up the Point input Properties and drag the 'X' chip into the Value input

Reference: This input is used to maintain a consistent output. If you are exporting in units of millimeters, then a value of 1 mm would be entered into this value. 

• • Set the Reference to 1 mm

Precision: The number of significant digits for formatting the values as text. 

• • Set the Precision to 1

• • Select the '+' icon to add another list input on the Text List block
  • Repeat the process of adding the Text from Scalar block and linking it to the next input until all inputs are linked to the Text List block
    • For the Vector variables, set the Reference to 1 mm and keep the Precision at the default 17
    • For the Scalar variable, set the Reference to 1 Pa and keep the Precision at the default 17

 

3. Concatenate the Text List

• • Add a Concatenate Text block
    • Insert the Text List from Step 2
    • Set a Delimiter (this character will be what separates the values)

• • Drag the Concatenate Text block into the Notebook Output

4. Save the Custom block

Remember the Custom Block has the same name as the Notebook Name. Due to this, we recommend naming the block the same as the Notebook Name. 

 

Combine and Export the Values

1. Open an existing file or build up a new one where you want to export the values. We are using this file from a previous Static Analysis example.

 

2. Import the Custom block

• • Select the '+' symbol in the Notebook and Import the Custom block we just created (this automatically adds the block to the Notebook)

3. Input the values

The example file used doesn't have the Displacement Point Map created yet. Add a Displacement Point Map block and input the Static Analysis block

• • Open up the properties of the Displacement Point Map block and drag the Points chip into the Point input of the Custom Block
  • Open up the properties of the Displacement Point Map block and drag the Values chip into the Vector input of the Custom Block
  • Open up the properties of the Von Mises Point Map block and drag the Values chip into the Von Mises input of the Custom Block

 

4. Concatenate Text List

• • Add a Concatenate Text block
    • Change the Overload to 'Text List, Text'
    • Set the Delimiter to a unique character that is different from the first delimiter. This character separates the group of values at each point. If this was a CSV file, this value would be a line break. 
    • Insert the Custom Block into the Text input (it may be slow depending on how many values are being concatenated)

5. Export the values

• • Add an Export Text block
    • Insert the Concatenate Text block from Step 4 and choose a directory to save the file

And that’s it! You’ve successfully combined a list of scalar values into a text file. 

Are you still having issues? Contact the support team, and we’ll be happy to help!

Download the Example file:

• Custom block

More on this topic:

• Can I combine lists together?
• How to work with lists
• How to filter and sort lists