In PARTproject create a new project.

In the project to be edited, select the *.tab or *.tac file.

Click on Edit.

--> PARTdesigner is opened in the table view.

Alternatively you can open a new characteristic attribute table via File -> New table in the already opened PARTdesigner.

Note If the QA-mode is active (PARTproject -> Extras -> Preferences... -> General -> Activate QA) a direct opening or creating of files in PARTdesigner is not allowed. Editing has to be started via PARTproject. In the QA-Mode the New and Open buttons or menu items stay inactive or a respective message appears.

-> The docking window Variable Manager is opened together with the docking window Table by default.

Otherwise you can bring the window to the foreground with the respective menu command or button anytime.

Note You can place the docking window as desired. On this see Section 3.1.5.4, “Placing method for dockings ” in PARTsolutions / PARTcommunity4Enterprise - User manual.

In the Variable Manager, fill out the fields and commit the entries by clicking on Commit.

Note As there exists no 3db file yet, under Mode only the Table mode is displayed. Detailed information on the single parameters can be found under Section 6.8.3, “ Variable Manager - The individual parameters”.

Note In the current state (Offline CD, Build sales_offlinecd-1100SP0__2016-09-08__01.18__r153587) 3db file and tab file are not automatically created in parallel yet, which would help to avoid some consequential problems.

--> Once after creation of a variable in the Variable Manager, it is also displayed in the table.

Create new table

When wanting to add another characteristic to the table, just click on the button Add row .

Before saving the table, please enter the necessary ID data. Therefor, in the File menu, click on the command ID data.

-> The same-named dialog box is opened.

"Identification data" dialog box

Confirm with OK.

Note Pay attention on the used syntax in the field Standard name. The dialog box ID data can only be closed via OK, when all fields are filled out.

Save the table via File -> Save or Save as into the directory, where the corresponding *.3db and *.prj file is stored.

Therefor, open the 3db file from PARTproject. The variables are automatically overtaken from the related (same-named) tab/tac file.

Switch all variables to be used in the sketch to Dual mode.^[44] Otherwise the error message Unknown variable is displayed.

Information on this can be found under Section 6.8.4.1, “ Unknown variable (Error message) ” und Section 6.8.4, “ Designer mode | Table mode | Dual mode ”.

Once the desired variable is saved in the Dual mode, it can be used in sketches.

A small example on the creation of the 3D model can be found under Section 6.4, “Create 3D model: Small example from A to Z ”.