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This topic is contained in the PDXpert help file: select Contents from the application's Help menu.

Importing a CAD BOM

PDXpert software uses XML/XSLT to provide a very flexible means for importing bill of materials (BOM) files formatted as XML, CSV, Microsoft Excel, or other structured text. Most CAD applications can export a bill of materials directly, usually in a convenient plain text format called "comma-separated values" (CSV).

To import a structure Markup from a BOM file

A BOM import can be performed only within the structure's Markup list, and only before the pending assembly revision is approved and released.

Each CAD application exports its data (typically find-item or row ID, part number, quantity, units, perhaps reference designators or notes) in its own preferred file format (such as Excel, CSV, tab-delimited, XML). The selected import Data Transformation member tells PDXpert how to interpret the import file format.

  1. When you have your structure file ready to be imported, create a new part record or revision, or open an existing pending revision. Select the part's Structure tab's Markup list.

  2. Within the Markup area, open the context menu, select the Import Markup from File command, and select the appropriate import Data Transformation template. The Import Markup from File dialog opens.

  3. Browse to your import file, and then click the Open button. Your file will be imported into the Markup list.

    If you discover an error after you accept the import, you can modify the records that you've imported, or replace all of your changes on the markup by importing a new file. If you import a new file, the current structure markup is first cleared; all of your previous manual and imported changes will be discarded.

Bill of Materials export file format

Most CAD applications have a standard export file format that defines the number of columns, the header labels, and the data format (like decimal number, text string, or Boolean Yes/No value).

There are several pre-defined formats that are installed as part of the PDXpert system in the Data Transformation collection. A custom Data Transformation can be added to conform to a particular CAD export file format.

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Help topics describe the most current PDXpert PLM software release, and may differ from earlier releases.