Adding User-defined Spring Calculator Materials

The following example shows how to add to the list of materials available to the Spring Calculator.

To add to the list of Spring Calculator materials:

1.	Make a backup copy of the GetUserData.vss file, located in Plug-ins\VW_Mech\Includes. Keep the backup copy in case there is a need to restore the GetUserData.vss file to its original state.

2.	Open the GetUserData.vss file in any word processor and locate group 8 in the getUserString function.

3.	Using the next available sequential number, add the new Material to the end of the list (in this example, Beryllium Copper). Enclose the name in single quotes and put a semi-colon at the end of the line. The new line should read:

16: getUserString := ‘Beryllium Copper’;

4.	Locate group 8 in the getUserData function.

5.

Using the next available sequential number, add the new Mod. of Elasticity value (in this example, pounds per square inch). The sequential number added here must correspond to the number added in the getUserString function. Put a semi-colon at the end of the line; do not use single quotes or commas in the value. The new line should read:

16: getUserData := 7000000;

6.	Change the value of item 0 to the new group number, which indicates the number of available values (in this example, 16).

7.

Save the file. The next time the Spring Calculator is run, the new item is available in the Material list, and when selected, the new value is available in the Mod. of Elasticity field. When executed, the Spring Calculator automatically recalculates the value to the user-specified units. (For beryllium copper, the value is 7,000,000 lb/in2.)

If the Spring Calculator was used during the current session, VectorWorks needs to be restarted for the changes to take place.