How To Create Or Edit An XML Section File

See Creating custom Structural Section in AECOsim for a updated version of this solution.

StructuralShapesTemplate.xls
How To Create or Edit an XML Section File

Purpose
This spreadsheet can be used to create and edit a section file.
Delivery
StructuralShapesTemplate.xls is typically delivered to workspace folders such as:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 1)\WorkSpace\TriForma\tf_imperial\data\StructuralShapesTemplate.xls

Spreadsheet
Requires a version of Excel that supports export/import of XML Data. (See Figure 1)
The top tab is the "Code" tab (See Figure 2)
"Name" Property - Name of the code (can be any string)
"isMetric" Property - TRUE for metric/SI or FALSE English/imperial
All subsequent tabs correspond w/ the supported section types:
e.g. wideflange, (See Figure 3)
e.g. angles, (See Figure 4)
e.g. channels, (See Figure 5)

Figure 1 - Developer Tab w/ XML Import and Export Options

Figure 2 - StructuralShapesTemplate.xls with "Code" Tab Page Selected

Figure 3 - StructuralShapesTemplate.xls with "WideFlange" Tab Page Selected

Figure 4 - StructuralShapesTemplate.xls with "Angles" Tab Page Selected

Figure 5 - StructuralShapesTemplate.xls with "Channels" Tab Page Selected
Importing an existing XML file

1. On the "Developer" tab, press "Import"
2. Browse to an existing section file and press "OK."
3. Tab pages will be populated with the contents of the XML file.

Figure 6 - "Code" Page is populated with the contents of US.XML

Figure 7 - "WideFlange" page populated with contents of US.XML

Figure 8 - "Angles" page populated with contents of US.XML

Exporting an existing XML Section File

1. Caution: Saving an Excel spreadsheet is NOT the same thing!
2. Press the "Export" Button on the "Developer" tab.
3. Browse to the folder to which you want to write the XML file
4. Keyin a new file name or select an existing file name.
5. Caution: Delivered files have a line at the top referencing the style sheet. That will need to be manually replaced once the file is saved.