Principle of the Exchange List

You can create exchange lists to allow for an adaptation to most different target systems; the required list can be selected for import/export. These links can be permanently saved via templates.

Now, if a material or shape designation is read during import, the program is looking for the corresponding ProSteel-designation in the current exchange list. If the search was successful, this designation will be used in the further process. Of course, it is reasonable that several alternative designations are assigned to one ProSteel designation and that the list is able to learn. Each unknown designation can be temporarily or permanently saved in an exchange list which in the course of time will become more and more extensive.

Vice versa during export process, the program is looking for the corresponding exchange designation of a ProSteel designation. This designation will be exported. Due to the capability to learn and to avoid errors, you should use one list for import and export. Therefore, if there are several alternative designations, you should explicitly specify one of them as export name.

The use of these lists also allows for an error tolerant handling of exchange files: Due to the three possibilities, the shape HE100-A will be recognized correctly and translated into the ProSteel-designation HE100A. During output, the correct preset shape designation (grey) will be used.

Metric and Imperial

When reading the data, the program determines the appropriate shape designation (metric or imperial) for the drawing. This means that you can import imperial shape names into a metric drawing if those have been specified as alternative designations. In this case, the internal metric name will be transferred to ProSteel.

Since an explicit export designation has to be defined for the data export, you specify by means of the selected exchange list whether a metric or imperial designation has to be used. When both variants are required, you need two different exchange lists, too.

Since import should be of universal use, both names are available in the list as possible exchange designation. You can copy one list after creation and use the copy to modify the order in the list for the shapes in question.

Exchange Designations of the Shape Data Base

In the *.dbf files of the shape data base, you will also find designations for data exchange in the fields TRANSMETRIC and TRANSZOLL. They come from earlier program versions and are named according to the DSTV-defaults for DIN-shapes.

The new interfaces don’t use the data fields any more, in contrast to the old interfaces. Since here you have already “a set” of available exchange designations, these can be loaded as preset when a new list is created. Thus, you will immediately obtain a list, which is able to work as basis for your individual adaptations.