You can use a Python script to convert a Microsoft Excel file into a rail turnout catalogue.
- If you don't already have Python installed on your computer, navigate to the Python download site, https://www.python.org/downloads/ and download and install the latest version of Python.
Note: When you install Python, ensure that you select the option to add Python to PATH.
- Open a command window and change the directory to C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D <version>\eng\Data\Railway Design Standards\Turnout\USCatalogSampleTool.
- Execute "pip install xlrd==1.2.0" to install the xlrd package.
- Prepare an Excel file of the data that you want to convert and place it in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D <version>\eng\Data\Railway Design Standards\Turnout\USCatalogSampleTool folder.
A sample Excel file named US-Turnout-Catalogue-Sample-920-18.xlsx has been included in C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D <version>\eng\Data\Railway Design Standards\Turnout\USCatalogSampleTool that you can use as a basis for your own file and for testing.
- If you are converting your own data, edit the convert_C3D_US_TurnOut.py file so that it refers to your customised Excel file.
If you want to try converting the sample file, you do not need to edit the convert_C3D_US_TurnOut.py file.
- In C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D <version>\eng\Data\Railway Design Standards\Turnout\USCatalogSampleTool, double-click on the convert_C3D_US_TurnOut.py file to run the script.
The data is converted into US_Metric.json and US_Imperial.json files that you can load and use as turnout catalogues.