Automated Virtual Document Creation (CVD)

PDM Generality
1

Hello,

I would like to know if it is possible to automate the creation of several virtual documents from an Excel file.
The objective would be to be able to automatically generate several documents from the data entered in the Excel table.
Is this feature possible? If so, what method do you recommend? Are there other solutions to achieve the same result?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Document vituel.odt (75.1 KB)

2

Hello

Out of curiosity because I don't know anything about virtual documents (if we are talking about 3D experience or PDM as stipulated in your subject) I looked via AI.
He offered me these 3 elements of answer:

Method 1: Via the " Data Entry" tool (XML/CSV Import) in SOLIDWORKS PDM

Standard mass import into SOLIDWORKS PDM is not done by directly reading a file .xlsx, but by converting the Excel data into a CSV or XML file that can be interpreted by the PDM server.

  1. Preparing the Excel file:
  • Create a table with the columns that are essential for your virtual documents (e.g., Item Number, Description, Project, Document Type).
  • Save this file as a CSV (semicolon) separator. [1]
  1. To configure the import rule in PDM Administration:
  • Open the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration Tool.
  • Go to Import/Export Rules (or Data Exchanges).
  • Set up an import schema: Associate each column in your CSV file with a PDM variable in your data map. [1, 2]
  1. Execution:
  • Drop the generated CSV file into the specified import folder or initiate the import action. The system will read each line and automatically create a virtual document (with the extension .sldvrt) associated with the row's metadata. [1]

Method 2: Via the PDM " Document Generator" or Templates tool

If you want the user to generate these virtual documents on-demand from a guided interface: [1]

  1. PDM Model Configuration:
  • In the Admin Tool, create a new Template .
  • Set up an input card that asks the user to select or link an Excel file. [1]
  1. Scripting / Add-in:
  • In order for PDM to read an Excel list and loop over it to generate multiple .sldvrt, it is often necessary to associate a VBA or C# mini-script (via the PDM API) with your model.
  • The script opens the Excel file in the background, loops over the lines, and uses the API IEdmFolder5::AddVirtualFile command to inject the virtual documents instantly into the vault.

Method 3: On the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform (Object Integration)

If your " D experience " refers to the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud platform, the logic differs because the system handles database objects (" Engineering Items ") rather than physical files. [1, 2]

  • Using the Product Structure application: You can import a structured Excel file directly to create virtual product structures (without CAD).

  • Using the CSV connector: Through data administration applications (such as Data Import), you map your Excel rows to instantiate hundreds of virtual documents or items in a single operation.

In summary: For an immediate solution without development, convert your Excel list to CSV and set up an automatic import rule in your PDM admin tool.