Import and Export cable and harness library definitions

Cable and Harness Library data can be imported into the library, as well as exported out of the library by specifying two files. A (.csv) data file and a configuration file (.cfg) are used for both processes.

When importing library data, the configuration file describes the input properties, their associated data types and corresponding units. The data file contains the library data, which is a description of each harness object imported into the Cable and Harness Library. The data is organized into separate lines as specified by the configuration file. When exporting library data from a cable and harness library, the data file is created by the export process and includes information for each harness object contained in the referenced library. The configuration file specifies which properties to export.

Import cable and harness library definitions

Use the Import Library Objects command in the Cable and Harness Library dialog box to add definitions to the library. You can import new wire, cable, raw ribbon cable, splice, or virtual part descriptions to the library or update existing library definitions.

  1. Double-click the harness assembly, and then click Cable and Harness tab Manage panel Library .
  2. In the Cable & Harness Library dialog box, click the arrow to select the object to import from the type list.
  3. Click Import Library Object.
  4. Click Browse for the Configuration File (.cfg), to locate, select, and open the needed configuration file.
  5. Click Browse for the Data File (.csv) to locate, select, and open the needed data file.
  6. Click OK in the Import <harness object> dialog box to add the data to the open Cable and Harness Library. To close the dialog box without importing the data, click Cancel.

    A message box is displayed summarizing the results of the import. The summary includes the number of items imported, the number of errors and warnings.

  7. Optionally, click View Log on the message box to view the log file. Click Close to dismiss the dialog box.
  8. The Cable and Harness Library dialog box updates with the new library data.

The details of the import, informational messages, and errors associated with the import are written in the specified log file for review.

Note: Example import configuration files showing the comma and semicolon delimiters are located in:

Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems:

  • Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\Inventor [version]\Tutorial Files\Cable & Harness\Wire Library.

Both comma and semicolon delimiters can also be included in a single file.

Export cable and harness library definitions

Use the Export Library Objects command in the Cable and Harness Library dialog box to export definitions from the library. You can export any of the libraries including wires, cables, raw ribbon cables, virtual parts, and splices. Exported library data can be used for quality checks, such as checks for data entry errors.

  1. Double-click the harness assembly.
  2. On the ribbon, click Cable and Harness tab Manage panel Library .
  3. In the Cable & Harness Library dialog box, click the arrow to select the object to export from the type list.
  4. Click Export Library Object.
  5. Name and locate the Data File (.csv) that defines what data to export. Click Browse to navigate to a location, and then specify the file name, if needed.
  6. Click Browse for the Configuration File (.cfg) to specify the data file to create. If an existing file is selected, it is replaced.
  7. Click OK in the Export <harness object> dialog box to export the desired library data to the data file. To close the dialog box without exporting the data, click Cancel.

The data is written to the specified file and location.

Parent topic: About the Cable and Harness Library