Datasets

Use the DataSets tool to create and edit datasets comprised of object types, such as real, string, boolean, integer, and options.

Create Datasets

Use datasets to organize information in tables according to object.

  1. From the Model Browser, select the system to which the dataset is to be added.
  2. Right-click on a system in the Model Browser and select Add > General MDL Entity > Dataset from the context menu.
    OR
    Right-click on a dataset folder in the Model Browser and select Add Dataset from the context menu.
    OR
    From the Model ribbon, click the DataSets icon.
    The Add DataSet dialog is displayed.
  3. Specify a label for the dataset.
  4. Specify a variable name for the dataset.
    By default, variables names of entities in MotionView follow a certain convention. For example, all dataset entities have a variable name starting with “ds_”. This is the recommended convention to follow when building models in MotionView since it has many advantages in model editing and model manipulation.
  5. Click OK to close the window or Apply to continue creating entities.
    Once a dataset entity has been added to the model, the panel for the dataset will automatically be displayed in the panel area.

Edit Datasets

The label, variable name, object type, and value of each object in the dataset is displayed in the Properties tab. The fields for variable name and object type cannot be changed in the Dataset panel.

  1. If the Datasets panel is not currently displayed, select the desired dataset by clicking on it in the Model Browser or in the modeling window.
    The Datasets panel is automatically displayed.
  2. Click the Data Members tab.
  3. Click the Add button to add data members.
    The Adding new user data entry dialog opens.
  4. Select a data type from the Type drop-down menu.
    The variable name and label can not be edited.
  5. Click OK to close the window or Apply to continue creating entities.
    Tip:
    • Select the check box next to an entity and click Modify to change the data type.
    • Select an entity and click Delete to remove it from the dataset.
  6. Click the Properties tab.
  7. Enter a value for each data type in the Value column.
    If the object type is Option, a list of available selections is provided.
    If the object type is Filename, a file browser is displayed, which allows you to browse through the directory and select a filename.
    If the object type is Boolean, a check box is displayed.
  8. Click the Attachments tab.
  9. Click Add to add attachments to the dataset.
    The Add an Attachment dialog is displayed.
  10. Select the entity you wish to attach from the drop-down.
  11. Specify a label, variable name, and optional note for the entity
  12. Specify whether to create a single entity or an entity pair.
  13. Click OK to close the window or Apply to continue creating entities.
  14. Click the collector associated with the created entity and make your selection in the modeling window, or double-click the collector to open the Model Tree (from which the desired entity can be selected).
    Tip:
    • Select an entity and click Delete to remove the dataset attachment.
    • Select an entity and click Edit to display the Edit an Attachment dialog, which is used to modify the dataset attachment.